Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1904-10-11
The Growers Can Dictate the Price.

we advise them not to sell for less than 10 cents.
few years ago would have been utterly impossible
to bring about the cooperation of sufficient number of
producers to insure but the conditions are
onerent the farmers becoming educated on this par
tcular lne They have been led believe that thew can
get better price than 10 cents this season.
On this point the following is significant:
New York. October 9.-The cotton situation is en-
crossing the attention of spinners and of all others who
deal IN the souths staple Col S. r B. Morse president
OF the Southern Cotton Corporation still insists that the
yield WILL under no circumstances exceed 900 bales,
and will probably be short of these figures
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE.
Mr. Morse, commenting the government estimate
says
with regard to the conditions on report of October
3d. referred to indicating crop between II
and 100000 bales hesitate comment thereon though
point out the talacy Of the extremist has but to
reflect that the cotton producing section of the state of
Texas alone raises barrier to their contentious.
CONDITIONS IN TEXAS
That state is the keystone to the countrys produc-
ton and the actual live experience drawn the past
four years. shows conncngy that Lone Star State is
doomed to maximum crop of 100000 bales long
the present cultural methods are pursued and the
spread and destruction of the boil weevi1 remains
unchecked Hence giving the rest of the country outside
OF exas, the largest crop has made in lis history
which IS approximately $1,000 900 bales and which also
40 not believe any familiar with the conditions of this
year will concede possibility and allowing for the in
creased acreage, will have total production not ex
ceed1ng 1125OOOO bales How below these figures
the final yield will prove be- will depend on the earv
visitation of frost and the condition the weather. can
only re1terate that bale of this CROP several
successive crops whether there be 600
bales, or less, will be required supply the spndes of
the world and the farmer instead of speculator has
but to dictate the price at which will part with his pro-
duct. The manufacturer will undoubtedly paw mini
mum of 10 cents for the first half the CROP if the pro-
dcer has the courage to hold for that price For the last
halt, the price will be governed by the final Weld which
am convinced will fall materially short of 600 bales
If am right in this, the producers position will prove
nvulnerabe and the profits heretofore enoved bv the
Spectator and middleman, will fall to his portion.
REPORTS NOT HELPFUL
Under existing conditions, in my opinion the month
y cotton condition reports issut by the bureau
OF statistics, have not in the pa, will they in the
future, any good purpose t. the producer or con-
sumner OF raw material but the contrary have and will
continue to excite undue speculation and agpravate wide
fluctuations on the various cotton exchanges with at
tending decentralization which has been so vigorously pro-
tested against throughout til entire industrial world
These reports are inevitably misleading the cotton
plant itself is delicate aud sensitive to our variable c
matte conditions that few days oftent;mes changes the
character Of the whole plant with regard to it's possible
productvenes and hence between these monthly reports
extremes frequently prevail and exaggeraon one wav or
the other follows Furthermore the methods pursued
by the government in compiling and issuing reports
under the Of secrecy is from my point of view al
together wrong, nasmuch arouses suspicion as to
the authenticity Of the figures promulgated and causes
the tongue Of scandal to besmrch the integrity of rep
resenatves Of the bureau of statistics from the chief
who piles the final figures to the humbest clerk in
his DIVISION and the honorable secretary himself is
not spared.
WANTS PUBLICITY.
Il believe that publicity of these reports would serve
both the department and the public better purpose in
particular 1t is right and proper that the depart
ment should make every effort the best available
information with regard to the crops the country regu
ary but when such information being received at the
department headquarters, and while reports are in
course of preparatory information should open to the
inspection of the business community interested and the
at any and all m&s Objection probably would be
raised that the work opreparng these reports might be
nterfered with by the pfesence nopporune1y seekers
after information AS to this, am the depa~tne
could extricae itself without difficulty"