Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-11-29
Broadening the Market for Cotton
and Cotton Manufactured Goods

\
order to force the manufacturers into
this would he To- refuse 70 wrap with
anything but cotton covering or accept
fertilizers with anything hut cotton
sacks. This Is true also IL the farmer
would do this. but long and persis-
tent campaign would bc necessary to
create an interest that will bring about
such condition. The dozens Of uses to
which our cotton should be put cannot
be brought into successful operation in
day, but will require time, persevcr-
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 il a much larger one, and it
would require hours in which to discuss
it intelligently and take cognizanee 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 our cotton
manufactured goods that are entirely ig.
norant of il, and the uses to whirh IT
might be applied IA beginning of an
educational campaign along this line
was the appropriation by the last Con-
| gress made. The field is almost limit
less one. and will require years Of study
and persistent effort to accomplish the
result desired. Great Britain has blazcd
the way for this campaign. and as "A re-
suit ia today reaping the lion 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 il would be if our own
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
| eooh Vi but PtbuS = ,Vuo,utV NutuS anu
3s0.000.O00 from England, balancing the
scales of commerce as nearly as any Of
the more important countries. The diff
ference in amount realized was even
more than 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 a. our cotton goods are
concerned. although England sells more
or less goods made from our cotton to
all of them. Alden. British possession,
of small consequence, but the gateway
to considerable trade. offers an inn
portant lesson to our manufacturers.
BY perseverance and pluck our manu-
facturers in 1903 placed III. .0OO,O0 yards
of goods against 4.OO0.OO0 by England.
Superior quality and intelligent demon
stration have established a trade through
this port Of which we may Justly be
proud. India. although dominated by
England. offers field almost as good.
IL would require, however, careful
s.Jsly of the conditions that must be
met with an intelligent handling of the
same.
South America offers close and con-
venient market for our goods rs well as
an inviting field for the increased con-
sumption OF cotton. While il is almost
at our doors, England sells js4, 100000
yards to 69,00O,O00 for the United
States. In Colombia only are the scales
anything like evenly balanced, S30,0OO,-
600 yards for Uncle Sam to $4,000, 900
yards for Johnny Bull. In Argentina
England sells l5l,000,OO0 yards to our
single million. In Brazil IS, ,0OO, 900 to
our less than 100000. We are the
hest consumers that the countries of
South America have for their products,
and why not make them equally good
customers for our productsg Some one
says because the great steamship lines
ply across the Atlantic instead OF coast
wise. Ineu il should be our purpose to
remedy this defect and create for our
selves a market that should be ours.
| Not alone endeavoT 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 123,-
100000 yards against 34,000,000 to our
manufacturers. Central America, ad-
joining our country for hundreds of
miles. buys 3s,OOO,0O0 yards from Eng
land and only 100000 from us. Az
rica offers a great and inviting field for
operations. Cotton goods should by all
means predominant in the commerce
with that continent, and while England
sells annually $50, 100000 yards and the
United States 29.0O0,O00, the field is
practically 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
| have 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. Ii 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 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
ing of our markets will be a natural
consequence.
As | have stated before, careful and
persistent study of conditions must be
made before we are ready To invade new
fields or cope with our competitor across
the water. To induce strangers to buy
goods made from our cotton. it will be
necessary that we fully acquaint our
selves with prevailing conditions and re-
quirements and comply as nearly as pos
si5le with them. We should know the
banking methods of each country that is
different from ours, more especially as
to the length of credits and customs of
renewal and extension of time OF pay
ment. How our goods are TO he packed
for shipment and care exercised to rem
| edy the general complaint against Amer