The Tupelo journal., 1906-11-30
Broadening the Market for Cotton
and Gotten Manufactured Goods

market and consumption right here at
home. Some man is ready to say that
all the farmer would have to do in
order to force the manufacturers into
this would be to refuse to wrap with
anything but cotton covering or accept
fertilizers with anything but cotton
| sacks. This is true also if the farmer
would do this, but a long and persis-
tent campaign would be necessary to
create an interest that will bring about
such a condition. The dozens of uses to
| which our cotton should be put cannot
be brought into successful operation in
a day, but will require time, persever-
ance, patience and money. | am i'm
pressed with the idea that some definite
plan of campaign should be mapped out
by the gentlemen here today, and that
all should work in unison for a common
cause, carrying the fight into their re-
spective States, to the people them
selves, and through them to the legisla-
tive bodies of both State and nation.
In this manner the end sought can be
accomplished, and no other.
The proposition to broaden the for
eign fields is a much larger one, and it
would require hours in which to discuss
it in~telligently and take cognizance of
every phase of the situation. Through
the enterprise and persistency of the
British manufacturer, goods made of
American cotton have found a strong
market in the most important nations
of the world, but there are still count
less millions of the earth's inhabitants
that could and should use u cotton
manufactured goods that are entirely ig-
norant of it, and the uses to which it
might be applied. As a beginning of an
educ tional campaign along this line
was the appropriation by the last Con-
gress made. The field is almost a limit
less one, and will require years of study
and persistent effort to accomplish the
result desired. Great Britain has blazed
the way for this campaign, and as a re-
suit is today reaping the lions share of
the results to accrue. Fully so per cent.
or more of the cotton manufactured,
colored and white piece goods sold to
foreign countries, are made in England.
| While England is using our cotton and
pushing the goods into foreign countries,
how much better it would be if our wv
manufacturers could reap the benefit Of
this vast trade.
In a few places the American manu-
facturer is beginning to be known and
his wares appreciated. China in 1908
took of our goods 277, 100000 yards and
3s0,OOO,OOO from England, balancing the
scales of as nearly as any OF
the more important countries. The diff
ference in amount realized was even
more thar this in favor of England.
However, the wonderful increase made
in China in the past ten years, in direct
competition with England, clearly DEM
onstrates the ability of American man
ufacturers to win their way against all
competitors. There are still millions of
Chinese subjects that have never seen a
piece of cloth made by American cotton.
All other Asiatic countries are waste
places as far as our cotton goods are
concerned, although England sells more
or less goods made from our cotton to
all of them. Alden, a British possession,
of small consequence, but the gateway
to a considerable trade, offers an I'M
portant lesson to our manufacturers.
By perseverance and pluck our manu-
facturers in 1908 placed 36,000,000 yards
of goods against 4,00O,0 900 by England.
Superior quality and intelligent demon
s~tration nave established a trade through
this port of which we may justly be
proud. India, although dominated by
England, offers a field almost as good.
1t would require, however, a careful
study of the conditions that must be
met with an intelligent handling of the
same.
South America offers a close and con
venient market for our goods as well as
an inviting field for the increased con-
sumption of cotton. While it is almost
at our doors, England sells 5S4,000,000
yards to 50, 100000 for the United
States. In Colombia only are the scales
anything like evenly balanced, $3O,000,-
600 yards for Uncle Sam to 1900, 900
yards for Johnny Bull. In Argentina
England sells Isl, 100000 yards to our
single million. In Brazil 152, 000, 900 to
our less than 100000 0 We are the
best consumers that the countries of
South America have for their products,
and why not make them equally good
customers for our products? Some one
says because the great steamship lines
ply across the Atlantic instead of coast
wise. linen it should be our purpose to
remedy this defect and create for our
selves a market that should be ours.
Not alone endeavor to turn the balance
of trade in our favor as against Eng
land. but create new and increased de-
mands for the goods that we excel in the
manufacture of.
The West Indies, our nearest neigh
bors, give to England a market for 1885,
OOO,O 0 yards against 100000 to our
manufacturers. Central America, ad-
Joining our country for hundreds OF
miles, buys 3~s,OoO,OOO yards from Eng
land and only 100000 from us. At
RIGA offers a great and inviting field for
operations. Cotton goods should by all
means predominant in the
with that continent, and while England
sells annually 5~33,000,000 yards and the
United States 10000, 000, the field is
practically a virgin one. Missionary
work and demonstration should in a
short while double the export of cotton
goods to Africa.
| think | can hear some one say that
1 nave strayed from the subject under
discussion in comparing what England
is doing with our own country and that
England must consume our cotton to
produce the yards that she sells. This
is only partially true. 1t is just as neces-
sary and important that we broaden the
field for cotton goods manufactured in
the United States as the field for the
consumption of cotton. The facilities for
this increase are fast coming about. We
are reaching a place near the top of the
column as a maritime nation, and with
this flag follows the trade. Better equip
ment for carrying our goods into all ma
tions is being provided and the broaden
inr of nur markets will be q natural