New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-21
DENoUNCEs COTTON GAMBLERS.
Secretary Wilson Says They Are Doing In
finite Mischief.

Washington Aug 2o-Secretary Wilson OF the
Agricultural Department in an interview to-day
declared that infinite mischief is being done to
the cotton manufacturing and growing industries
Ty the speculative movement in cotton. THE spec
ulators have cornered the market said the sec
rotary "and put up the price so high that manu-
facturers cannot use raw cotton. AT existing
prices there is no profit to them. The price of
manufactured goods cannot be manipulated as can
be the price Of raw cotton. The manufacturer
found it more profitable sell his cotton to the
gamblers. Mills closed down because OF
there being no material left. and in some in
stances cotton which sold to European man
ufacturers has been brought back to this country
and used in the gambling operations"
Secretary Wilson said that most European ma
tions which manufacture cotton. and also own
lands in outlying provinces where cotton might De
grown. are anxious TO become independent OF our
SPECTATORS, and so are organizing and holding out
Inducements for the development Of the cotton
raising industry. The British, French. Germans
and Belgians and others lands in Africa. and
they have been for some time organizing to pro
duce cotton.
They know" said the secretary, that are
training scientists study the cotton plant, and
they have been anxious TO get our nigh class men
over there organize for them. The United States
sent 100000 TO Egypt last year to pay for long
staple Egyptian cotton The department is trying
grow good staple at home by hybridizing
and creating varieties. The Secretary or
Agriculture for Egypt paid me 4 visit not long
ago anu SdiO mat Win the irrigation OF ISSu
areas along the Nile Valley. growing out Of the
completion OF the great dam, the production Of
Egypt would be greatly increased. They pay 10
cents day for labor there. There is a breed of
cattle which does all the work and stands the
heat better than mules. Those European nations
owning territory in Africa have been coming to our
Southern States and engaging expert negro labor
90 there and organize the natives.
Twelve cent cotton in the United States is
great encouragement to all those people 10 increase
their output The nations in Asia doing every
thing 10 increase the cotton production so as to
become independent of US. There has been feel
ing for time that il would be wiser for US
summer had the immediate effect OF stimulating
efforts for increased production.
The secretary said that every effort is being made
by the Department of Agriculture TO help the
fem Of agriculture through which larger yield
Of cotton be had but that increased output
ne-tssaTily would come slowly. The United States
had been increasing its output Tor several
ears. the Texas crop having suffered considerably
last year account Of the ravages of the cotton
rcII weevil Mr.. Wilson said the prospect Of the
present crop had nothing whatever to 90 with
the operations of the spectators. The shortage of
raw cotton 10 the manufacturer, he declared, IS
not due shortage in the crop. but TO the fact
that the in cotton has put the price of the
cannot profitably use it. The producer has not
Trofted By these high prices. the cotton prac-
ricsly is all Of his hands In conclusion, Sec
rotary Wilson said he saw no prospect Of relief
n1ent by the mills closing down because Of the
scarcity of cotton until the corner in cotton
bursts and the price Of the material is re-
ouced. The new crop OF cotton will soon begin 10
come in. of course he said. the corner can
continue II the gamblers have enough money to
buy in the rev crop.