The Tupelo journal., 1906-11-30

Agriculture and Commerce for MISSISSIPPI
pi before the Southern States Associa-
ton of Commissioners of Agriculture in
the eighth annua meeting at Jack
s~onville, Fla, November goth:
1t is a pleasure indeed for me to meet
with the Southern States Commissioners
of Agriculture in this their regular an
nual meeting, and i esteem it a great
privilege to be allowed to speak upon
the important subject of broadening the
field for the consumption of cotton and
cotton manufactured goods, a subject
that should be and is of vital import
ance to the people of the South. Cot
ton is king down here, and its import
ance as a money crop of the world en-
titles it to that distinction. Millions OF
people have been taught the necessity
for this great staple in clothing the ma
tions of the earth, and others that could
be instructed in its use would, in a few
years, demand a crop of twenty-five
million bales to supply their wants.
Our especial interest lies principally
in the monopoly we enjoy in its pro-
duction. Standard Oil would gladly
exchange today its immense oil interests
for the cotton monopoly of the South,
with its incompatible possibilities in the
future. That this state of affairs will
continue to exist is a matter about
which there can be no difference OF opln-
ion. The failure of other countries to
develop cotton raising in the past few
years greatly strengthens this conclu-
sion, and there is little likelihood that
competition worthy the name will ever
be developed.
B. With these incontrovertlble facts be-
fore us, it behooves our people to grasp
the situation firmly and in an intelh-
gent manner, and profit by the possibili-
ties that lie at our door. To handle the
monopoly that is ours in such a manner
that the greatest benefit will be derived
to the producer. A comprehensive and
careful study of the matter will reveal
the fact that we have slept upon our
rights and allowed outside parties to
reap benefits from this staple crop that
rightfully belonged to our people. The
important item of manufacture has been
neglected, and the wide difference in
price of the raw material and the manu-
featured article has been going to New
England and England. Statistics re-
Gently made public reveal the fact that
a change is taking place, and that the
South is beginning to manufacture this
crop at home and reap a corresponding
share of the profits. So far so good.
The subject of this paper is one OF
even more Importance than that just
mentioned, the broadening of the mar
ket for our staple crop, both IN the crude
state and the manufactured article. This
is a matter that has received little or
no attention at the hands of those who
should have been more interested. Sub
sides and donations without number,
-~ao.ol In~taIo+,nn To fOSfar infant tnIltc.
tries of gigantic proportions, eXemp-
tions and privileges have been granted
other interests until the enumeration
has become tiresome, while the cotton
planter has been neglected and only al
lowed to raise as much of the staple as
he could and become the prey of specu-
lators and other designing parties or
corporations. He sells his products in
an open market and is forced to buy
whatever goods he needs in a protected
market.
The South has been confronted with
the assertion that she produces more
cotton thar the world needs, and that
to maintain the price and make the bus
mess profitable it will be necessary to
reduce the acreage and consequent pro-
duction. This may be partially true,
and in this event there is great cause
why our people should exhaust every
means to increase the demand to in
sure a fair price for the staple. The oil
monopoly has been cited as an example
of what the cotton producer should do
with his crop. When the demand slack
ems the wells are capped, and when 1t
increases they are set to running. This
is not a fair parallel from the fact that
the planter must use his land and mules
to some purpose, and cannot shut down
and stop expense as does the oil mag
nate. The capital invested demands
that there be no cessation in the pro-
duction of cotton, then the remedy is
increase the demand until every bale
produced will command a good price IN
the market to supply the worlds needs.
A careful study of the situation will
likely reveal some interesting, even
startling facts concerning this PROPOSE
ton. 1t is remarkable how little at
~tention has been given a matter of so
much Importance by our legislators. AS
a result of effort on the part of a num-
Der of our Southern congressman the
last Congress was prevailed upon to
make a trial appropriation of $50,000.00,
and this amount will be expended in
blazing the way for a campaign of du-
CdllOH III lOItlSH 1coy uciioioCioo
ing the usefulness of cotton goods and
emphasizing the economy of their adop-
ton. The field is an inviting one, and
the result will be watched with interest
by all who owe allegiance to our great
est crop. That it will result in good if
properly handled none can doubt, and the
beginning made is a source of gratifica-
ton to the friends of cotton. | believe
that it is the duty of this assemblage,
composed of gentlemen representing the
great cotton States of this country, to
memorabilia their representatives in the
National Congress to keep in close touch
with this situation and give literally of
their best efforts to see that the good
work begun under such favorable aus
pices shall be kept up and increased as
results warrant.
An inviting field for increase of con-
sumption is right here at home. The
staple itself is wrapped in fiber that is
imported from foreign countries to a
large extent. Desultory efforts have been
made to manufacture a wrapping out of
Iinters and low grades, but not with the
discrimination of purpose that promises
s,,ccess. / am firm in the belief that the
legislative bodies of our cotton produc-
inc States could do their constituency
no greater service than to appropriate
money for thoroughly testing the FEAST
bility and practicability of wrapping the
staple with goods made from low grades
IT. -.a,,p+ ~ 1,nfor1 e+o.rc 1