The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-23
COTTON SMITH PROTESTS.
ESTIMATES UNDCLY
BEARISH.
CROP
Calls for InvcstigatiOn-Acco to
Reports From COttOn-growing
states Production Will Not be Very
Heavy.


Washington, Aug. 1s.--A resolu-
ion calling upon the department of
agriculture to investigate and report
immediately on the cotton crop Of this
year in the Southen States was intro
duced in the senate by Senator E. D..
smith of South Carolina today. who
wanted to have a vote taken imme-
diately. Objection was made by Sem
ator Burnham, chairman of the COM
mittee on agriculture, who asked that
the resolution be referred to his com
mittee.
Senator Smith said cotton dropped
$50 bale on the strength Of the gov
ernment's report Of a 100000 bale
increase in this years crop.
This estimate was made June %,
before part of the crop was out Of
the ground" he said.
Il should hate to draw in the SEN
ate Of the United States" Senator
Smith said, "the conclusions that I
might feel might be drawn from this
remarkable report of the agricultural
department. Either the commissions
ers Of all the cotton States, men right
on the ground and familiar with con-
ditions. are utterly mistaken or else
the agricultural department Is wrong
in it's deductions that there will be a
record crop this year.
Believing for some years that the
people Of the coton-growing States
hcve probably been losing large
amounts Of money because Of erron-
eous reports issued by the depart
ment Of agriculture. Senator Smith
began a movement a short time ago
to get at the bottom Of the matter
He wants to know who issues these
reports and by what authority and
how checked up and scrutinized be-
fore being given to the public. To.
day. after visit to Secretary Wilson
regarding this subject. Senator
Smith issued the following statement:
On July 3 the agricultural depart
ment issued it's monthly crop report
giving the condition Of the growing
cotton crop as sS.2 per cent Of nor
NAL. as compared with 80 per cent
as the average condition on June %
during the past 10 years. The num-
Der OF acres to be harvested was esti-
mated at S4.000.oo0. 5
The following language as report
ed by the press. was used as a deduc-
ton from these two facts: q"
'The condition indicates a probable
yield Of 202.S pounds per acre, which,
on 100000 acres. would mean g.
s5,o00.o00O pounds. or about a.
$4,000 bales"
l saw the secretary Of agriculture
and he informed me that any esti-
mate as TO the probable yield that
may have been issued from his de-
partment, based upon a condition re-
port, was without his knowledge or
consent. and would not occur again
On August 2 the crop reporting bu-
reau Of the department of agriculture
estimates gathered up to July 25, at
S9.1 per cent of normal. An estimate
was made upon this, but marked in
the press reports unofficial" that the
probable yield would be 14,7OO,OOO
bales.
In introduced n resolution in the
senate requiring the secretary Of aeri-
culture to furnish detailed informa-
tion as to the methods employed in
ascertaining the condition of the
growing crop, the names Of the per-
sons by States making the reports.
on August Is / received the follow
ing telegram:
Sumter, S c., Aug. Is, 1911.
Hon. f. ID. Smith, Washington, d. c.
Joint meeting Sumter Farmers
union and chamber Of commerce
Cotton situation discussed. From in
formation cotton yield greatly over
estimated. Drought unbroken. Dete-
rioration rapid and general. Request
you urge department of agriculture
make Immediate investigation and
publish results.
(Signed) "E. w. DABBS,
president Farmers Union.
"a. V. SMELL,
Secretary.
ar. I. MANNING,
Acting Chairman Cham. Com"
| took the matter up with the de-
partment of agriculture and the as
Sistant secretary informed me that
the department had been discussing
the adVSability Of making arrange