The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-01-23
.. r. Hightower Talks of thu
Outlook for Cotton Prices.

Outlook for Cotton Prices.
Hon. G. R. Hightower, presi-
dent of the Mississippi branch of
the Farmers Union, rendered
his resignation as state senator
Monday, and issued the following
statement concerning the work
of the Union:
During the two years just
passed we have witnessed the
greatest consumption of cotton
ever known in the history of the
cotton trade. This unusual &C.
tivity in the trade is the result of
two influences: The extension
of cotton consumption in all the
oriental countries is the first, but
least important of these infuen-
ces. The second and most i'm
portant influence has been the
unprecedented activity of trade
in all lines, caused by what ap-
peared to be a very prosperous
condition of all classes, but
what really was an over amount
of confidence which permitted
an unusual amount of specula-
ton. The former condition will
continue to exist, and will give
an outlet for large quantity of
cotton, but by no means SO great
a volume as was the case during
the past two years, for the rea-
son that the reaction in trade re-
lations will affect the export of
cotton to the orient as we'll as to
the distinctive cotton manufac-
turing countries. The second in
f1uence will be entirely reversed
during the next year or two, in
fact, has already been reversed.
Where we had confidence, we
now have a lack of confidence.
Where we had credit, we now
have to buy for cash. Where
we had orders for cotton goods,
we now have those orders coun-
fernandez. Where we saw
everyone buy an over supply of
cotton goods, we now see them
buy a scant half supply.
These conditions will inevita-
| bly, reduce the consumption of
cotton, and the only way to meet
this reduced consumption and
hold our advanced position on
the price is to reduce the produc-
ton. Are our people going to
arise to the emergency? The in
dividual may think his neighbor
will grow less cotton, and it will
make no difference whether he
plants much or little, but in this
he is mistaken. A large cotton
crop means a low price for it,
and at the same time means high
| priced meat, corn, hay, etc. The
only reasonable and safe course
| for any Individual is to grow
more grain, meat, hay, vegeta-
bles, ETC., etc., making himself
independent regardless of what
his neighbor may do. Every
condition points to a large cotton
crop for 1908, and consequently
lower prices, and the Individual
who has the foresight to recog-
nize this fact, and put at least
twenty-five per cent. of the acre
age, formerly planted in cotton,
to such crops as he can consume
at home, or sell in his local mar
ket, will be independent. The
farmers have won the fight for
| better prices for the crop of last
year. Cotton would be selling
today for eight cents instead of
twelve cents were it not for our
organized effort. Only one thing
can keep us from getting fifteen
cents for the remainder Of this
crop, and that one thing is that
we may get impatient and sell
too quickly. Let us hold firm
for fifteen cents, and get the
fruits of the victory already won.
Notwithstanding this victory,
we should use common judgment
and common sense, and recog-
|nize the condition confronting us
| for the next two years, and re-
Iduce production by growing
Ievery other crop necessary to
make the South absolutely self
'lsustaining.3