Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 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 a broadening Of the
field Of cotton and cotton goods con-
sumption. After three months of in
vestigation and extensive CORES
pondence, it would seem, that while
desultory efforts along this lone 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 de-
partment says that the commissioner
shall do something like this, but not
unlike several other clauses, no ap-
preparation was made to enable him to
do anything along the line indicated.
Mississippi is not uAlike other states
in this respect 1t is found that a
number of a commissioners would glad
ly take up the work if funds were
available, and more than one viii
make a special effort when the legisla-
tors meet again to have this deficiency
supplied. 1T is to be hoped that sue
cess will crown this effort, and that
soon we will see the cotton represent
ed in foreign countries by men who
are competent to popularize and ere
ate demand for cotton goods. The
officers of the Mississippi Division of
Southern Cotton Association are great
ly interested n this movement, and
have pledged aid as far as possible to
push 1t to successful termination.
President Clark has on more than one
occasion SO expressed himself to the
writer, and some time since suggested
that the Commissioners of Southern
states hold a conference looking to the
formulation of a plan whereby the de-
sired end might be accomplished. The
Commission of every Southern state
has been written concerning the mat
ter and eight out of the twelve have
already expressed desire to aid the
movement heartily. 1t will be made
a subject of special Importance at the
meeting of Cotton States Associa-
ton Agricultural Commissioner" that
will hold their eighth annual session
at Jacksonville, Fla, some time in
November. By concerted movement
it is hoped that something can be done
that it would be impossible for the
states to do by individual action. The
experience of past years forcibly
brings to the front the need of work
along this line. The supply has been
a little more than the demand and
the consequence, a slump in the price
of cotton that took away all of the
profit and placed the farmer on the
verge of bankruptcy. The Cotton As
soclation stepped into the breach and
began campaign of reduction in
acreage that was successful, but at the |
same time the officials of the Asso-
citation realized that it would be bet
Ter to increase the demand and allow
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 China
man would add one inch to the length |
of his shirt tail that several million |
more bales would be required to sup
ply the demand. Then why not inau-
gurate a campaign for longer shirt |
tails A large field for such work is
offered in a number of warm coun-
tries where the use of our cotton goods
has not as yet attained proportions.
The inhabitants know little or moth
ing about it and it is suggested that
they be taught that it is a good and
economical covering Tor the body. A
new cereal food is introduced by dem
onstration In the stores and cooking
stoves are made popular by expert OPP
orators in public places. Why not in
troduce cotton goods by methods SIM
liar? With the impetus that can be
given the movement by concerted ac-
ton on the part of the Comissioners
from cotton states, the assistance that
can be rendered by the Cotton Associa-
ton, and the Farmers Union and 9TH
er organizations with the welfare of
the agricultural classes as their OBJ
ject, campaign could and should
be inaugurated that would produce re-
suits of great value to the cotton rails
ers. A great deal of hard work and
some money will be necessary to ac-
complish the desired end, but neither
could be used in a more worthy cause.
1t is tine that our great money crop
was receiving the attention at the
hands of lawmakers and others that
it deserves, and the sooner an active
movement is begun, the sooner will the
desired end be accomplished.
Yazoo City is looking out site for