The news & observer., 1904-12-30
To Destroy the Ginners
Reports.
Continued from Page one.)

year With those of the same date in
preceding years. TO judge the size OF
successive crops with an accuracy
never beofre known or approXifnated
The ginning reports of the Census
Office have croweded out the specula-
tive ana Interested estimates refer
Nea to- and the single object which
the Southern representatives had IN
viw. in urging this legislation, has
been successfully accomplished
.'In view of these facts | have been
surprised and concerned at the pre-
sent movement III the southern
states which is appearantly approN-
cd and augmented by the cotton
growers themselves to destroy the
Census reports. by the concerted re-
fusal of the ginnerS To make the re-
turns upon which they are based.
'rhus far the movement has not Seri-
ously affected our work. but il il con-
.inues ard spreads. il viii necessarily
destroy ITS value during the coming
year. 1t appears to have suddenly
year. 1t appears to have been sud
denly discovered that these reports
undertaken solely at the demand OF
the cotton grower are highly detri-
mental to his interests. Mr.. r.. r.
Webber, president Of the Memphis
Cotton Exchange. is quoted as de-
claring that 'the cotton iutreStS Of
-
nothing to gain by their continuance;
they put the manufacturing intrests
in rrsscssion Of information which
works irreparabe injury 10 the
south" NY attention has also been
called to the so-called National Cot
ton Ginncrs Association, the purpose
cf which is stated to be TO gather ac-
etirte and reliable Information re-
gardiug the amount OF cotton pro-
duced. in advance >ofthe governments
report also appears that this in
formation is to be sent in code; and
tilc members of the association viii
be sworn not 10 diVlllge il. The IN
formation is still highly desirable but
the possession of il il to be restricted
to those who grow and gin cotton.
4 can understand the disappoint-
,nent of the cotton growers ut the
present prices OF cotton, and their
feeling that these prices are due to
the unusual size of this years cot
tom crop early and definite knowl-
edge concerning which has been given
to thu public by the Census reports.
I;ut / confess myself unable to follow
the reasoning which leads the grow
crs. and through them the ginnerS,
TO imagine that ii viii be to their adj
vantage because of this exceptional
situation. to destroy the efficiency OF
the official machinery through which
tney nave learned the pfcseilt citue'
ton early knowledge of which mas
pndolibtedl1 extended the charge in
the price OF cotton over much long
er period AUD thus saved the growers
and the country from much Iafgei
l. ss thar would otherwise hive beer
encountered in connection with tins
years crop 1t would seem to De
plain that in the long run, only one
thing can decreaes the speculative
clement in the business of cotton sell
ing and thsu permanently benefit the
cotton grower and that is the stating
of the truth as TO the size of the crop
from an absolutely impartial and
trustworthy source. at the earliest
practical dates This WAS the uuani
NOUS contention Of the Southern rep
resentativeS in Congress when the
law WAS passed.
1T is not my purpose. however. I,
argue the matter. ! simply desire I,