The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-09-22

Governor Stokes today opened the
New England Cotton Manufacturers
convention with a speech Of welcome
during which he defended the attitude
of the state of New jersey iowa rds
trusts His remarks were applauded
Response wasA made by Herbert E.
Walmsley. of New Bedford. Mass. an
ex-president Of the association.
President James B. McCou of Paw
tucket. r. l.. in his annual report
said:
Cotton manufacturing has Jagged
behind other branches of commerce
in the recovery from the depression
Of 1908. The extreme fluctuations in
the price of raw cotton and the con-
seuuent disturbance of values of man
ufactured goods. tend to destroy the
confidence of bu-ars and to encourage
them TO continue an indefinite policy.
For the year Just closed the total ex-
ports OF cotton amounted to over for
ty nine million dollars in comparison
with twenty-five million the proceed
ing year. There has also been q grow
ing trade with japan. the Philippine
Islands. Cuba and several countries Of
South America"
The president also said that the
southern Cotton Growers Association
has done excellent work in exposing
the dishonesty Of officials in the bu-
reau of statistics of the agricultural
department. He said estimates of the
acreage and condition issued by the
government should be both capable
and honest
At tonight's session the report Of
Samuel $. Dale. upon International
Congress of Cotton SDinners was read
and excited deep attention.
Mr.. Dale said the origin of the con-
gress was the temporary scarcity Of
American cotton last year which gave
SPECTATORS an opportunity of corner
ing what little poor cotton was left on
the market. He detailed his enthu-
siastic welcome upon his arrival in
Manchester. and said the main pur-
pose of the international organization
is to prevent a scarcity of raw cotton.
This of course can be accomplish
ed in only two ways" he said, "by
using less. or by producing more. The
first method which means short time,
although the one on which the dele
gates unouestionably place their main
reliance. was conspicuous by its abb
sence from the programme. and was
not made prominent in the discussions.
There was. however. no miStaking the
spirit of the congress. The members
were united and they were in dead
earnest in their determination to meet
high prices for American cotton for
organized short time
''At the discussion of the second
method. colonial cotton seemed to be
the hope of European cotton mills lib
Grafton from the present dependence
upon the American crop.
AT one session of the congress the
baling of cotton came up for discus
sion. and bitter complaints were made
Of the way in which American cotton
is received in Europe. In this con-
gress. VII" represented purchasers
Of American to the value of $3.50. .000.-
600 per year. there was not man who
could say one word in favor of Amer
lean baling. Later in the week the
Manchester Ship Canal Company plac-
ed a tug at my disposal to visit the
canal. and docks. and I then had a
good opportunity 70 see the condi-
ton of the cotton as it was received
there"
Mr.. Dale said the markings were
unintelligible. and gave rise to sus-
picion that there was an intention to
defraud European BUYERS. He con-
tinued:
Few bales were intact. They varied
from one tie off to none on-baies OF
all sizes. ragged and dirty. the fieecy
staple bulging out and scattered in
all directions. In most cases the bale
was partially wrapped in half a
dozen kinds IF bagging. much OF
which apparently had been used many
times before. In few cases did the
ba~ging completely cover the cotton.
THE losses by such methods are
borne by every one that handles
American cotton. from the grower to
the spinner. Looking at these bales
one cannot wonder that the European
thinks American cotton is not worth
more than eight cents pound. The
cotton itself is the best of its kind in
the world
In closing Mr. Dale said:
Although the main purpose Of the
International Cotton Congress has
nothing to commend itself to Ameri-
cans we should not lose sight Of the
many mutual advantages in interna-