The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-06
Livingston Stirs Up a
Warm Discussion.
T'SALLABOUT COTTON
Livingston Says the Census Reports
Were inaccurate, and Numbers
Rise to Defend Them. Vote For
Steam Gutter For Our
Sounds.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, Jan. 6.J-The govern
ment's cotton statistics as prepared by
the Agricultural Department and Gen.
sus Bureau formed the subject of an
extended discussion in the House to-
day. in the course of which Repre-
sentative Livingston, of Georgia, at
lacked the reliability of the govern
ment's estimates and charged that the
inaccuracy of the figures had created
a panic in the cotton market. The
question came up on motion by Mr..
Wadsworth. chairman of the Commit
tee on Agriculture to lay on the table
the resolution presented by Mr.. Llv-
ingSton several weeks ago, calling on
the Secretary of Agriculture for infor
nation rega riding the method of col
lecting cotton statistics. The motion
TO lay on the table prevailed. after
Messrs. Burleson CTexas): Wadsworth
On. W; Lowering (Mass.): and Sims
(Tenn.) had vigorously defended the
governments estimates.
Livingston's Criticism.
In criticising the action of the CON-
mittee in ordering the resolution TO lie
on the table, Mr.. Livingston said that
there was nothing in his resolution
which charged dishonesty or falsehood
on the part of the Agricultural De-
partment but he did insist that there
was dissatisfaction in the South over
the Departments report The press
of the South, he declared, not only
was dissatisfied with the cotton est
mates of the Agricultural Department.
but was determined, If the estimates
were made on accurate informatio.,
and could not be given much nearer
than two months apart. to demand the
a hOiifiOll of the statistical division n
the department
Another cause for dissatisfaction.
he said was that the department esti-
mated the acreage of cotton last year
more than million acres too much
and corrected the estimate in Octo-
Der. The department" he said. that
could make mistake of one million
acres in the product of cotton in tbs
South in one season ought to give the
country the Information upon which
such information was based The
inaccuracy of the Census and Agricul-
tural figures he declared had produced
panic at most unexpected time.
What the cotton producers wanted, he
said, was first, accuracy, next fire.
quency. and then ability. Had the
Agricultural Department made its re-
prt in November, he said. instead of
waiting from October to December Bird
the producer and spinner would have
been better prepared for its reception.
That dissatisfaction, he asSel ted
ind only been intensified by the GIN
ming report of the Census Bureau
compared with the report of the Agri-
cultural Department. If the -Agricul-
trral Department was right the gin
ners' report was q million and Il half
BALES too much. If the Census report
was right it was a n lion and half
bales too low. He referred to a ques-
l.; H. 80
Are you net an enemy of the Agricul-
tural Department and said with EN-
2hasis that instead of being its eneu2s
i1e had ass sted in its creation. Mr.
Livingston said the way to defend the
department was not 70 smother infOr-
n.auon in an executive session of the
committee.
Mr.. Wadsworth vigorously asserted
that the object was solely to keep ccn-
Gdential informal on, which if IL had
gotten out would have affected the
market
Nh. Livingston. after further criti-
Ciain3 the accuracy of the government
cotton reports, declared that it was
the duty of the House 10 suggest re-
visiau of the sources OF inforlnat'o3.
as wei as to adopt his resolution.
Mr.. Wadsworth said the committee
BASED its report on the methods en-
ering of statistics and upon the re-
suits obta ned. He defended Secre-
tary Wilson and said the Secretary did
not attempt TO conceal anything.
Burlcson's Able Defence.
Speaking earnestly in defense of the
committee Mr. Burleson (Texasl de-
ciared that there had rot been the
slightest desire to smother the resolu-
zion in committee. If any dissatisfac-
ton had arisen. 1t came from every
cotton SPECTATOR and cotton gambler
who was upon the bull side of the
market. and ever Warmer throughout
the cotton region who mad held his
cotton in anticipation of Il higher price,
thereby becoming a speculator himself
He deefnded the government esti-
mates and vehemently declared that
neither the gentleman from Georgia
nor any other man can name one
single producer of cotton with roceiv-
iHg the legitimate price for his staple
that is the price fixed by the Law OF
supply and demand, Who is making a
complaint He attacked the bucket
shops and said that the impression
which had gone forth regarding cot
ton could be courteracted by the pro-
Gucers holding the T cotton or by cut
ting down the acreage next veal He
reiaterated his former statements tp-
holding the accuracy Of the govern
nient cotton reports
Further defense of the governments
Gotten estimates came from Mr. Low