New-York tribune., 1905-08-02
DEMAND A COTTON BUREAU
RADICAL REFORM SOUGHT
Southern Cotton Association Wants
Department Reorganiaed.

Washington, Aug. 1.-President Jordan ard
Secretary Cheathsm Of the Southern Cotton AS
ISOLATION to-day issued a statement addressed
10 the members OF the association, calling at
,eution 20 the recent disclosures in the cotton
statistical work in the Department OF Agri-
culture, declaring that efforts are being made
70 divert attention from the 'dehciencies'' OF
The syste-n itself ito the thieving propensities
Of few unworthy officials and setting forth
demands 10 be made on Congress TO reform
conditions. The statement follows:
To the Members Of the Southern Cotton Asso-
The members OF the association have been
sPprlseo through The public press from day TO
DAY OF the work done by the officers Of the
ASSOCIATION at washington AS q result OF their
charges the unrelabiity Of the reports OF the De-
psruHent ot Agriculture relating 10 the cotton
crop has been fully disclosed and the rnaIad-
Ilinistration Of that department under its pres
ent head has been made evident
Following these exposures efforts are now
Nstr- maze 10 5s,-er- ,,,S1to a a.+a,..;-- - -
main issue, which is the imperfections OF the
department., toward an attempted prosecution
Their punishment, even If IL is accomplished. is
q secondary Importance compared with the
performances possible. and the purpose Of this
address is 70 secure the cooperation Of the
members OF this association in influencing in
every leglulEnate way reformation OF the sys-
ten and reorganization OF the department
The membership OF this association. number
Ing nearly one million, includes the producers
of the most valuable product OF American agri-
culture. The cotton crop OF the United States
and its byproducts is worth between 100000
tt0o and SIOO.000,0oo annually. It furnishes two
thirds OF our annual trade balance, and in its
production and manufacture employs many
million individuals. No other product of the
United States is Of greater or Of equal impor-
tance- The practical monopoly OF cotton which
America enjoys and the narrow balance which
has existed for years between sufhciency and
scarcity IN the worlds cotton supply render the
cotton market peculiarly and acutely suscepu-
bic TO the reports OF the Department Of Agri-
rg1f~T
OF the cotton crop Under the present circum-
stances a great duty devolves upon the mem
bers OF the association We are less concerned
with what has been done by a few individuals
and the consequences thereof. regrettable as
they may be- than with such reformation OF
departmental methods as shan secure Tor US
Just and accurate reports in future. Under the
system at present in vogue, and which promises
10 be unoisturbed unless public attention shall
Re aroused 10 the need Of reform. the reports
issued by the Department OF Agriculture are, in
rher last analysis simply the individual opinion
os a few officials Of doubtful experience and
honor BY which the value OF the cotton crop
nay be and has been. affected as much as S15.-
10000 in z single day
No such power should be delegated TO any in
cividusl or statistical board, except under
corrupuble expert and intelligent opinion,
arrived az by the application OF the
most scientific methods and safeguarded by
the most scientific precautions II Is therefore
urgently rec0mmended TO the members OF the
Southern Cotton Association that through their
representatives in Congress. and by every otner
means avaiab bic 10 them. they exert their infiu-
euce and that OF the association toward secur-
ing the immediate reorganization OF the Agri-
cultural Department. especially with reference
u its reports on the cotton crop, and that their
represents tives in Congress be requested spe-
cifcally 10 demand:
Firsr-The establishment within the Depart
Tieur Of Agriculture OF a bureau 10 be known as
the Cotton Bureau. charged specially and solely
with the duty of reporting upon the cotton crop
and all matters concerning that staple
Secoud-The appointment as the head OF that
bureau al al adequate salary, OF man whose
lotto ante dents
Troach and whose familiarity with cotton cult
walton shall re an additional guarantee OF MS
fitness
Third-Au organization OF the bureau so es-
tabIished upon thoroughly scientific lines as viii
insure no possible bias in favor OF either buyer
or seller. or producer or manufactured can De
presupposed or asserted.
more specific il its scope and under which gov
eminent employees can be prosecuted for giving
away or selling valuable Information as has peeI
done ia Jhe statistical bureau
We have 10 doubt OF the zeal Of the officers OF
The department, but IL seems 70 be as ms
directed I'm this crisis il was in the antecedent
period All the powers and influence Of the de-
Tsrtueut. OF the lawyers and OF every man OF
The government seems 70 be devoted 10 the at
tempt n dragnet z lot OF irresponsible specn-
lstors. That there have been for years leaks"
fn the depa rtlneut is as we'll known 10 the trade
.,1 The existence Of the department itself; but
these are iusigr ificant as compared with the
fundamental mismauagement. At this time.
IoVveVer. there Is manifest endeavor 10 divert
atteuricn from the radical errors and deficiencies
az the department itself 10 the thleylng pro-
T1eusities of a few unworthy officials. Let
not be uisled 10y any such misdirected energy.
Let reform AZ the top ana not on the side.
.et as root out The offenders, cleanse the per
sonuel. change the methods and renovate the
derartr0eut from root 10 branch. Then the
cause of cotton and good government VIII alike
HARVIE JORDAN.
President Souf heFTl Cotton Association
RICHARD CHEATHAM. Secretary.