The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-02
COTT0N MEN CALL FOR Reform.
outline Changes Deemed Necessary
the Agricultural Department.

outline Changes Deemed Necessary in
the Agricultural Department.
WARRINGTON, Aug. although II was
shown yesterday that the leading officers
q the Southern Cotton Association are
divided among themselves in regard to
the question OF ousting Secretary Wilson
from bis position at the head Of the Asri-
cultural Department, President Jordan and
Secretary Cheatham Of the association got
together to-day in an extraordinary ad-
dress TO the members Of that organization.
Mr. Chatham y the man who stirred up
the present investigation c! the Agncul-
tural Department. He came out in an
interview today In which be- intimsted
that vice-President Peters OF the associa-
ton was working at Cross purposes with the
officers because his salary of 5000 was
recsntly cut OF by order Of the associa-
TONS executive committee. II Mr. Jordan
and Mr.. Cheatham have their way, the
Agricultural Department scandal will be
Investigated by Congress.
Hero Is their address
sThe members OF the association Rave
boon apprised through the public press
from day to day Of the work done by the
officers Of the association at Was 'ington.
A result Of their charges the unreliability
OF the reports Of the Department Of Agricul-
ture relating to the cotton crop has been
fully disclosed and the maladministration
Of that Department under its present head
has been made evident.
Following these exposures efforts are
now being made to divert public attention
from the main issue, which is the imper-
fections Of the Department, toward an
attempted prosecution Of anybody who can
b. found as q scapegoat. Their punis h
ment, even II 1t Is accomplished, Is Of
secondary importance a. compared with
ths reformation Of the system which has
made their performances possible, and the
purpose Of this address Is to secure the CO.
operation Of the members Of this associa-
tion In influencing in every legitimate way
o reformation Of the system and reorganiza-
zion Of the Department.
-The membership OF this association,
'numbering nearly one million, includes the
producers Of the most valuable product
ioe American agriculture. The cotton crop
q the United States and it's byproducts are
worth between 5000 900 900 and 500 .o0O, 900
annually. It furnishes two-thirds OF our
annual trade balance and in Its production
md manufacture employs many million
individuals. No other product Of the
United States is Of greater or Of equal i'm
sportance. The practical monopoly Of cot
Ton which America enjoys and the narrow
balance which has existed for years be-
tween suficiency and scarcity in the worlds
.acotton supply render the cotton market
spscuhariy and acutely susceptible to the
reports Of tho Department Of Agriculture
4 - ~
cotton report.
duty devolves upon the members OF the
osoociatlon. We are less concerned with
What has been done by a few individuals
and the consequences to them regrettable
= that may be, than with such reformation
q depeItmentsi methods Is shall secure
Under the system at present IN vogue, and
which promises to be undisturbed unless
public attention shall be aroused to the
need Of reform, the reports issued by the
DEPARTMENT 81 Agriculture ,l,s are IN their lsst
few officials OF doubtful experience and
honor by which the value Of the cotton
crop may be and has been affected Is
nuch - S!b, 900 900 In q single day.
NO such power should hs,1lf be delegated 70
Under conditions which guarantee the
ehe most inoorruptible, expert and in
tslligent opinion. arrived at by the appli-
cation Of the most scientific methods and
Esaseguarded by the most scientific pre-
oautions.
ct u therefore urgently recommended
- the members Of the Southern Cotton
Association that through their Representa-
Hvos In Congress and by every other means
f0Nnilsble TO them they exert their influence
ond that Of the association toward securing
- immsdiate reorganization Of the Agri-
0uleurl Department, especially with ref
0eoce 70 its reports on the cotton crop,
md that their Representatives be requested
\ DoclncAlly to demand:
"a. Tho establishment within the De-
Inaxemoot Of Agriculture Of . bureau
Is IS Known - The cotton bureau, charged
0,eclslly and solely with the duty OF re-
S>FtinG upon the cotton crop and al matters
ooUsfning that staple
S %. Tbs appointment a. the had Of
VHfant bureau ct IN adequate salary Of man
'NhoGs Npuassson shd intscsdsnts shsll
~ 49,