The Tupelo journal., 1906-08-03

Some time since, or soon after the
organization of this department, the
writer took upon himself the work of
ascertaining what, if anything, had been
done toward broadening of the field for
cotton and cotton goods consumption.
After three months OF investigation and
extensive correspondence, it would seem
that, while desultory efforts along this
line had been made from time to time,
little had been accomplished in the way
of an organized effort to put into use
plans that might accomplish this great
end. A clause in the law creating the
department says that the commissioner
shall do something like this, but, not un-
like several other clauses, no approprla-
tion was made to enable him to do any
thing along the line Indicated. Missis-
sippl is not unlike other States in this
respect. 1t is found that a number OF
Commissioners would gladly take up the
work if funds were available, and more
than one will make special efforts when
the legislators meet again to have tins
deficiency supplied. 1t is to be hoped
that success will crown this effort, and
that soon we will see the cotton States
represented in foreign countries by men
who are competent to popularize and ere
ate a demand for cotton goods.
The officers of the Mississippi division
of the Southern Cotton Association are
greatly interested in this movement, and
have pledged aid as far as possible to
push it to a successful termination. Pres
ident Clark has on more than one occa-
sion so expressed himself to the writer,
anl eOn,n tip,a simon SunonSta1 that thp
Commissioners of Southern States hold Il
conference looking to the formulation of
plans whereby the desired end might
be accomplished. The Commissioner of
every Southern State has been written
concerning the matter, and eight out OF
the twelve have already expressed a de-
side to aid the movement heartily. 1t
will be made a subject of special i'm
portance at the meeting OF Cotton
States Association Agricultural Commits
sioners" that will hold their eighth an
nual session at Jacksonville, Fla, some
time in November. By a concerted move
ment it is hoped that something can be
done that it would be impossible for the
States to do by individual action.
2 The experience of past years forcibly
brings to the front the need of work
along this line. The supply has been L
little more than the demand, and the
consequence a slump in the price of cot
ton that took away all of the profit and
placed the farmer on the verge of bank
ruptcy. The Cotton Association stepped
into the breach and began a campaign of
reduction in acreage that was success
full, but at the same time the officials OF
the association realized that it would
be better to increase the demand and al
low each farmer to plant all the cotton
that he could cultivate and gather; hence
the demand for a campaign OF education
to increase the consumption. Some one
has said that if each Chinaman would
add one inch to the length OF his shirt
tail that several million more bales
would be required to supply the de-
mand. Then why not ~inaugurate a CAIN
paign for longer shirt tails7 A large
field for such work is offered in a mum
Der of warm countries where the use OF
on cotton goods has not as yet attained
proportions. The Inhabitants know lit
tie or nothing about it and it Is suggest
ed that they be taught that it is a good
and economical covering for the body. A
new cereal food is introduced by demon
stration in the stores and cooking stoves
are made popular by expert operators in
public places. Why not introduce cotton
goods by methods similar?
With the impetus that can be given
the movement by concerted action on the
part OF the Commissioners from cotton
States, the assistance that can be rem
dered by the Cotton Association, the