The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-03
Important International Meeting
Was Held Recently at
Barcelona.
MANY QUESTIONS DISCUSSED
Next Year Members Will
Make Tour Through
Egypt.
Especial to The Times-plspatch.1

ternational Cotton Congress. recently
held at Barcelona. has been sent to the
United States government by Special
Agent Ralph NJ. Odell. Mr.. Odell until
a few i-.onths ago was interested In
the textile industry at Concord, " c.
His report. therefore. should prove of
much more than ordinary Importance
at this time.
Describing what the congress did
Mr. Odell says: Papers were read and
discussed which related to the subject
OF cotton manufacturing in all its
stages and the problems confronting
the Industry to-day. Among these
subjects may be mentioned the s1pan.
sion of the present cotton fields and
the opening up of new ones in any
part OF the world. where this can be
done with successful meet ever increas-
Ing requirements; the more scientific
cultivation of the raw material: i'm
proVements in the ginning. baling,
warehousing and transporting of cot
ton. especially American cotton, by
which large savings can be effected
the international Standardization of
grades of cotton ana reforms In the
marketing of same; plans for the APP
plication of world wide short time
running to deal with the overproduc-
ton of cotton goods and the conEe-
tquent universal depression in the IN
! dustry and trade; mill fire insurance
problems. the drafting of a uniform
yarns and cloth. and the esta blishment
of table of percentages Of moisture
to apply to cotton yarns.
Handling Raw Cotton.
Among the matters discussed ct
the Congress the subject OF the
handling of raw cotton should be OF
peculiar interest to the United States.
For several years this organization
has been endeavoring to secure the
| adoption of uniform system of buy
inS cotton on a net-weight contract
as opposed 70 the present method in
vogue In Europe &C. t. (. and per
cent?. 1t Is contended that under the
| latter System ~ Is 20 the interest of
the s'nner 10 add additional canvas in
oroer TO make the weight of the <are
| equal TO per cent, whereas the
purchase OF cotton cn the net-weight
contract would encourage the use of
Tess canvas ana the packing of
smaller. more compact bale A gpecial
committee was appointed to draw IN
form OF contract that would be
| equitable both TO the growers ana RI
the spinners OF cotton and to confer
! with the representatives, of tho cottor
exchanges OF Liverpool. Bremen ana
haVre The net-weight method or
lying COTTON was recommended and
cue manufacturers were urged TO pur-
chase at least part OF their xubnlv
Oh raw material on this basis and 70
40 everything in their power to induce
the American planters to adopt mis-
system In this connection the British
German and the French mapnf,.
turers' associations were urged 70
confer with the respective cotton ex-
ees at Liverpool. Bremen and
haVre regarding the rules and regula-
tlons Tor buying cotton. In which ,ba,
| nave no voice at present
The couLries affiliated with .h
| international federation were urred "a
encourage the formation Of m,,tusI
.re insurance companies In order m
! lacilitate the esta ENLISTMENT of an t.
,erhational mutual association fo, Tho
ahce OF cotton mills against fire
IN order 10 secure tho adoption ~
retSsi contract for tho sale OF warn
vain uniform condition aa rar.ra
| moisture the International cornn,it,ns
Vas authorized TO make c,r.fn,
study OF the laws of natural aheorn
non IN the various numbers ~ -,
ana the several classes of cotto,
10 appoint scientists to conduct ex,sri
ments necessary.
,r increasing Cotton Aers
me congress also expressed its
| nj Win tns constant efforts
oeing made to increase the arc. go
cultivation Of cotton and the aid riyan
10 the movement by the sevaraI So
erhments India was recommends
lHe country which offers the hes. on
pof UNITY Tor increasing the ouantitv
OF us production and for inprovios
inc quality of the staple grown fhere
| ana the delegates from that countrv
were urged TO lend their best eNorts
10 the accomplishment of these ra
suits. re-
IL was found that the rules of ar.
otraooh ADOPTED at the Brussels Con
eress In 1910 TO govern the sale ~
yarn and cloth. conf1icted with ina
laws OF several countries in few
minor details and the international
committee was empowered to mal<s
the necessary changes as soon as ms
siole, in order that the rules NAV he
put Into practice
! Owing to the depre SID, ~ the cot
ton industry. the delegates we're ,,r.
gently requested to take IN seri,usn.
In their several associations the oucs-
! tlon or short time In order to cur,oI
the production of cloth and relieve
the very critical situation. The action
on this subject. was therefore advisory
only. and no official binding resolution,
was passed
There Will be no meeting Of tho
congress next year, but 1t Will lie
called together again In 1913 In Am
sterdam or The Hague, Netherlands.
at the discretion of the internationai
committee TO take the place of The
CONFESS. tour of inspection thorugh
Egypt VIII he taken in 1912"