The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-09-05
COTTON EXPERT
0DELL REPORTS
Former TarheeI Serving
Uncle Sam Reports BARGE
Iona Congress
nv p. H. MCGOWAN.

Cotton Congress-, recently held at Bar
celona, has been sen to the United
States government by special agent
Ralph NJ. Odell. Mr.. Odell until a
few months ago was interested IN the
tevtile industry at Concord, N. c.. His
renort 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
ali its stages and the problems con-
fronting the industry today. Among
these subjects may be mentioned the
expansion of the present cotton fields
and the opening up of new ones in
any part of the world, where this can
be lone with success to meet ever
increasing requirements; the more
scientific cultivation Of the raw ma
terial: improvements in the ginning
baling, warehousing, and transporting
of cotton especially American cotton,
by which large savings can be effect
ed; the international standardization
of grades Of cotton. and reforms in
marketing Of same; plans for the ap-
plication of worldwide shOrt-time
running, to deal with the o~ver-produc-
ton of cotton Goods and the conse-
ouent universal depression in the in
dustry and trade, mill-fre insurance
problems:. the drafting of a uniform
contract for the purchase and sale OF
warns and cloth; and the esta b1ish-
ment of a table Of percentages Of
moisture to apply to cotton yarns.
Among the matters discussed at
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 e~ndeaVOring to secure the
adoption Of a uniform system of buy
ing cotton on a net-We1ght contract
as opposed to the present method in
vogue in Europe &C. j. f and 6 per
cent?. 1t is contended hat under the
latter system it is to the interest Of
the ginner to add additional canvas
in order to make the weight Of the
tare equal to & per cen whereas the
purchase of cotton on the net weight
contract would encourage the use OF
less canvas and the packing of a
smaller, more compact bale. A spe-
cial was appointed to draw
up a form of contract that would be
equitable both to the growers and to
the Spinners Of cotton and to confer
with the representatives Of the cotton
exchanges Of Liverpool, Bremen and
Havre. The net weight method Of
buying cotton was recommended and
the manufacturers were urged to pur-
chase at least a part of their supply
of raw material on this basis n to
do everything in their power to in
duce the American planters to adopt
this system. In this connection the
British, German and the French
manufacturers associations were urg-
ed to confer with the respective cot
ton exchanges at Liverpool, Bremen
annd Havre regarding the rules and
regulations for buying cotton, in
which they have no voice at present.
The countries affiliated with the
international federation were urged
to the formation of mutual
fire insurance companies in order to
facilitate the establishment Of ar in
ternational mutual association for the
insurance of cotton mills against fire.
In order to ecure the adoption OF
a universal contract for the sale OF
yarn with a uniform condition as le-
CARDS moisture the International com
mlttee was authorized to make q
careful study of the laws of natura
absorption in the various OF
yarn and the several classes of cotton
and to appoint scientists to conduct
experiments, if necessary.
The congress also expressed its
satisfaction with the constant efforts
being mad to increase the area and
cultivation of cotton and the aid given
TO the movement by the several gov
ernments. India was recommended
as the country Which offers the bes'
opportunity for increasing the quaint
~ Of its production and for improv-
ing the quality Of the staple grown
there, and the delegates from thai
country We're urged to end their best
efforts to the accomplishment o.
these results.
1T was found hat the rules OF
arbitration adopted at the Brussel:
congress in 1910, to govern the sale
OF yarn and cloth. conflicted with The
laws of several countries in a few
minor details and the international
committee was empowered to make
the necessary changes as soon as. pos,
slble in order that the rules may be
put into practice.
owing to the depression in the cot
ton industry the delegates We're ur