Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24

(Reprinted from Science new series), vol.
xxx. No 77s. pages SIP, s1S. December
3. 1907
Some recent developments in the re-
lation of producers and manufacturers of
cotton in the United States certainly call
for a scientific study Of the question WITH
a view TO devising some plans by which
| the elements entering into the cotton
industry shall the more clearly under
stand the situation and be better under
/ stood by other factors of the industry.
I At a recent meeting OF the Georgia In
dustrial association in Atlanta, Ca. the
cotton mill owners of the state passed the
| following resolutions:
Resolved by the Georgia Industrial as
ISOLATION that owing to the disparity be-
tween the cost price of cotton goods and
yarns, based upon the present price OF
cotton, and the market price thereof, that
| ii is necessary for the mills of this as
lsociation, as a matter of self protection,
to inaugurate and enforce the curtailment
OF the less than Is per cent of their run
ming time.
| Resolved further That each mill of
this association is instructed to make
such curtailment not later than Novem-
Der 1, 1909. and continuing until January l,
1910, and thereafter until the selling price
of, the finished product approximates Its
cost
| I'VE further recommend that all the
mills of this association decline all offers
! and withdraw all quotations upon finished
i product at a less price than the cost
thereof, based upon the price of cotton at
/ the time of sale
J 1t is well known fact that the cotton
; raisers of the south have long been trying
: to organize themselves. so that they
, I1a oINl 20 hox N
about the price of cotton. and in view o:
! the present high prices. they thing that
they have cause to rejoice at their efforts
! and to believe that they have scored a
victory. While the writer believes that
the law of supply and demand will even
ltually regulate, il must be conceded that
this misunderstanding is calculated u
lead to serious results. II the cotton in
ldustry of the south and country fails to
grasp its meaning.
The National Farmers Union of Amer
lea in answer to the above resolutions
recently issued a statement through the
public press that "curtailment Of out
Iput by cotton mills on account of high
priced cotton Is a humorous bluff" This
view is of course taken up by the farmer
who is not in a position to see the seri-
BUSINESS of the situation.
The American Cotton Manufacturers
association issues in the Textile Manufac-
turer the following reply to President
Barrett, of the Farmers union:
1.-THE recent utterances of President
Barrett, of the Farmers union, and the
editorials of the Cotton Journal are In
bad taste, and show a surprising lack OF
grasp of the situation.
1.-THE cotton manufacturers of the
south are interested in the development
and welfare of the south and are big
and broad enough to realize that fair
price for cotton means prosperity for this
section.
THE farmers are In the midst OF pros
perity while the mills are in distress. Both
are linked together in the general pros
perity of the south and the farmer should
show his willingness to cooperate"
This relation between the two great
factors of the cotton industry OF the
south grows a little more critical with
each report that comes from either side
without any possible means for either
side to know the status-the real status
of the other. The writer is inclined to be-
lieve that such a matter is Of national
Importance and should call for the best
thought Of the country. If these two
great organizations, the producers. on the
ore hand, and manufacturers. on the 9TH
er. could be made to more clearly I'M