The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-30
North Writes Long Letter.

iNSihh NNllhCS GON9 ECltCTs
Washington, December 20, 1904
Hon. Albert s. Burleson, House of Rep
resentatives, Washington. d. c.:
My Dear Sir-It seems proper to invite
your attention to certain anomalous con-
ditions which confront the census of
flee in carrying out the provisions of sec
tion of the act to establish permanent
+ census office directing the periodical col
lection of the statistics of cotton pro-
duction through the agency of the gin
ners. This provision was inserted In the
law at your urgent request, and that
of other southern representatives, on the
plea that it was necessary for the protec-
tion of the cotton producers against the
Spectators and others interested in de-
pressing the price of the staple for their
own profit. 1t was urged that enormous
losses resulted from the untrustworthy
estimates put forth every year by specu-
lators and agents of the Liverpool mar
ket and that early and trustworthy Of
ficial information regarding the size Of
the crop would protect the grower, dis
arm the speculator and market manipu-
lator and permit the law of supply and
demand to regulate the price.
Since the law was passed congress has
appropriated and this office has dsbursed
lacre than $l25,000 a year H. tnN collection
and dissemination of this information.
The system has been gradually perfect
feet than any similar plan for obtaining
exact knowledge of the size of any agri-
cultural crop during the progress of har-
yestins.
Reports Are Very Accurate.
No complain has been made that the
census reports are not accIrate; indeed
for year or two past, we have been
able to trace the crop so closely that
practically every bale has been account
ed for
The statistics Increase in value every
year; for 1t becomes possible, by COM
parison of the statistics of one year wit
those of the same period in other years
to Judge the size of successive crops
with an accuracy never before known
or Appropriated.
The ginning reports of the census office
have crowded out the speculative and
interested estimates referred to, and the
single object which the southern repre-
sentatiyes had in view in urging this leg
islaton has been successfully accom-
plished.
In view of these facts I have been sur
prised and concerned at the recent move
ment in the southern states, which Is
q parently approved and augmented by
the cotton growers themselves to de-
stroy the census reports. by the concert
I'd refusal of the ginners to make the
returns upon which they are based
Thus far the movement has not seriously
affected our work. but II 1t continues and
/, spreads it will necessarily destroy its
! value during the coming year
1t appears to have been suddenly dis
covered that these reports, undertaken
solely at the demand of the cotton grow
er, are highly detrimental to his inter-
ests Mr.. E. F. Weber, president of the
Memphis Cotton Exchange. is quoted as
declaring that the cotton interests of
at.s..
nothing to gain by their continuance;
they put the manufacturing interests in
possession of information which works
irreparabe injury. to the SOUTH"
My attention has also been called to
the so-called National Cotton Ginners
association" the purpose of which. it is
stated, is to gather reliable information
regarding the amount of cotton produced
in advance of the government report" 1t
also appears that this information Is to
be sent in code. and the members of
the association will be sworn not divulge
1t The information Is still highly desi-
rable but possession of it is to be re-
stricted to those who grow and gin the
cotton.
Understands the disappointment.
l can understand the disappointment
% cotton growers at the present prices
OF cotton and their feeling that these
prices are due to the unusual size of this
years crop, early and definite knowl-
edge concerning which, has been given to
the public by the census reports. But
] confess myself unable to follow the
reasoning which leads the growers, and
through them the farmers to follow the
trough them the ginners to imagine that
1t would be to their advantage. because
of this exceptional situation, to destroy
the efficiency of the official system
through which they learned the present
situation. early knowledge of which has
undoubtedly extended the change in the
nrice of cotton over a much longer pc
riod and thus saved the growers and the
country from much larger losses than
would otherwise have been encountered
iu connection with this years crop 1t
would have seem TO be plain that in the
long run, taking one year with another,
only one thing can decrease the specula-
tive element in the business of cotton sell
ling and this permanently benefits THE
cotton growers and that is kowledge of
the exact truth as to size of the crop
from an absolutely impartial and trust
worthy source, at the earliest practica-
BILE dates.
This was the unanimous contention OF
the southern representatives in congress
when the law was passed
II Is not my purpose, however. to argue
the matter / simply desire to call your
~>~---~-----~>~---------