Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-25
WILSON ON. COTTON GAMBLING.
An Interview With tho Secretary Of
Aqriculture.

An Interview With tho Secretary Of
Agriculture.
Secretary Wilson, Of the agricultural
department, in an interview last Fri
day declared that infinite mischief Is
being done to the cotton manufactur-
ing industry and to the cotton grow
ing industry by the speculative move
ment in cotton:
"The spectators have cornered the
market" said the secretary, "and put
up the price so high that manufactur-
ers cannot use raw cotton. At exist
ing prices there is no profit to them.
The price Of manufactured goods can
not be manipulated as the price Of raw
cotton can.
"The manufacturer found it more
profitable to sell his cotton to the
gamblers. Mills were closed down be-
cause of there being no raw material
left, and In some instances cotton,
which was sold to European manu-
facturers has been brought back to
this country and used in the gambling
operations"
Secretary Wilson, continuing, said
that most European nations which
manufacture cotton and also own lands
In outlying provinces where cotton
might be grown are anxious to become
independent Of our spectators, and so
~ lot I'M
ments for the development Of the cot
ton raising industry. The British. the
French. the Germans, the Belgians
and others own lands in Africa, and
they have been for some time organ
izing to produce cotton.
"They know" said Secretary Will
son, that we are training scientists
here to study the cotton plant, and
they have been anxious to get our
high-c men over there to organize
for them. The United States sent $S,-
100000 to Egypt last year to pay for
long staple Egyptian cotton. The de-
partment of agriculture is trying to
grow as good staple at home by hy-
bridizing and creating new varieties.
The secretary Of agriculture for Egypt
paid me visit not long ago and said
that with the irrigation Of enlarged
areas along the Nile valley growing
out of the completion Of the great
dam, the production Of Egypt would be
greatly increased. They pay fifteen
cents a 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 own
ing territory in Africa have been COM
ing to our southern states and engag-
ing expert Negro labor to go over
there and organize the natives.
Twelve e-cent cotton In the United
States is a great encouragement to all
those people to increase their output.
The nations in Asia are doing every
thing to increase. the cotton produc-
tion to become independent Of us.
There has been a feeling for some
time that it would be wiser for us to
grow more cotton, but gambling opera
tions this summer had the immediate
effect Of stimulating efforts for In
creased production"
The secretary said that every effort
Is being made by the department OF
agriculture to help the cotton growers
Of the southern states to better sys-
tenn of agriculture, through which
larger yield Of cotton can be had, but
that increased output necessarily would
come slowly. The United States had
not been increasing its output for sew
eral years; the Texas crop having suf-
fered considerably last year on account
of the ravages Of the cotton boil wee
vii. Mr. Wilson said the prospect of
the present crop had nothing what
ever to do with the operations Of the
speculators. The shortage Of raw
cotton to the manufacturer, he de-
clared, is not due to shortage In the
cop, but to the fact that the corner
in cotton has put the price Of the raw
material to a point where the manu-
facturer cannot profitably use 1t. The
producer has not profited by these
high prices, as the cotton practically
is all out Of his hands.
In conclusion, Secretary Wilson said
he saw no prospect of relief for the
workingmen who are thrown out OF
employment by the mills closing down,
because of the scarcity Of raw cotton.
until the corner in cotton bursts, and
the price Of the raw material Is re-
duced. The new crop Of cotton will
soon begin to come in.
"Of course" he said, "the corner
can continue If the gamblers have
enough money to buy in the new crop"