Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-10-01
REPORT ON COTTON SITUATION
Committee on Greater Consumption
Makes Very Favorable Review to
Galveston Convention.


port from its committee on the great
er consumption Of cotton:
We find, upon thorough investiga-
ton, that the work inaugurated
through the Farmers union Of Texas
something over two years ago. has
made very rapid progress, and that
to-day more than 100 wholesale
grocery firms in different parts Of the
country are now specifying cotton
bags exclusively on all their orders
for sugar. The most valuable move
ment, in the behalf Of the greater con-
sumption of cotton, is the result OF a
visit made by representative OF the
Texas Farmers union to Hot Springs,
Ark, during the session Of the South
ern Wholesale Grocers' association,
and since that meeting. some two or
three score of Texas wholesale gro
Gerry firms have joined enthusiastically
in the movement Of the Farmers
union for the greater consumption OF
cotton, and are to-day specifying cot
ton bags on all their sugar and other
goods.
Your committee has seen original
letters and copies of letters from sew
eral wholesale grocery firms and 9TH
ers, who are now specifying cotton
bags instead Of jute. A greater con.
sumption Of cotton unquestionably
means a better price for the product,
and this affects not only the firms, but
all other business interests in the
United States. One large cotton man.
ufacturer has stated that in his opin.
ion the movement for the greater con.
sumption Of cotton is one Of the most
important pieces Of work ever inau-
gurated by the Farmers union, and
your committee concurs in this view.
This experienced manufacturer OF
cotton states that even now, when
there is no unusual demand for cot
ton such as to require from 100000 to
100000 bales more, within a few
months time, than the ordinary de-
mand, that it has the effect Of advanc-
ing the price Of cotton not less than
two cents per pound, and he further
states that he agrees with the eIt-
mate made by the iute interests, tat
If all the sacks, bags, ropes, wrapping
Irvine, etc., now used in the United
States annually, made from jute, are
made from cotton instead, that 1t viii
require at least 100000 bales Of cot
ton to supply the demand, and this
cotton manufacturer goes on to say
that it is his firm opinion that when
this demand is created (which can
easily be done by all interests work
ing together) that it will run the
price Of cotton up, and, quoting his
exact words, 81 feel that the time is
not far distant when cotton will be
cheap at 20 cents per pound"
We have cause to feel proud over
the fact Of the great progress this
movement for the greater consumption
of cotton has made and are graft
fed over the fact that it originated
among our Texas brethren; we feel
the membership, not only Of the union,
but of other interests, owe a debt OF
gratitude to those of our members
who have given SO much Of their time
to this important work.
We find that this work Of the great.
er consumption of cotton can be aided
materially and largely by all Of our
membership taking a more active part
in the work and all working with the
united and determined effort, and con-
tinuously in this direction, by using
cotton rope for all kinds Of rope and
demanding all your sugar, salt and
other supplies in cotton bags instead
of jute bags, and insisting upon the
exclusive use Of cotton wrapping
Irvine.
We urge that each member Wait
his retail dealer and urge him to de-
mand his supplies in cotton bags and
not jute, and to use cotton wrapping
Irvine, and to purchase cotton rope.
We also find that quite a number Of
articles of clothing can easily be used,
made of cotton, and that even material
for an entire suit Of clothes can be
purchased for about one dollar, and
we urge that the membership try and
use as much cotton clothing as pos
sible.
We also recommend that we place
orders for cotton bagging to wrap our
cotton in this season, and If the gin
ners claim they cannot procure the
cotton bagging, insist that he write
to state headquarters at Fort Worth,
and they will get 1t.
1t has been demonstrated that BY
our carrying into execution the above
suggestions, that the movement is
practical and common sense. 1t has
spread already to such proportions as
to convince your committee that a
much higher price can be obtained for
our cotton by this movement alone
within the period of very short time.
and we believe that 1t will enable US
10 more efficiently clothe and educate
our children.