The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-27
ESTIMATES TO BE ABANDONED.
Wilson Repudiates Bureau Report on
Cotton Outlook.

washington, July ZO.-SendtOT =.
D. Smith, of South Carolina, to-day
discovered, by chance that Secretary
Wilson is apparently no more cogni-
zant of what is going on in the de-
partment of agriculture than the man
in the moon.
When Senator Smith called at the
department to ask about the prelimi-
nary cotton report, issued July 8, the
most astonished man in Washington
was Mr.. Wilson.
He did not know that such report
had been issued.
But the story is best told in the
words of Senator Smith, who said to-
day:
"July 8, statement of the condi-
ton of the cotton crop was issued
from the department of agriculture
putting the condition at 1872 per
cent. of normal as compared with a
10-year average of 80 per cent. Also
that the acreage of cotton was about
35,0O0,000 acres. To quote the ex-
act language of the alleged report in
this respect, it says: The report
shows condition of the crop to be
higher than on any corresponding
date in the last 10 years. A month
ago the general condition was S.5 per
cent. above the 10-year average. To-
day it is 1913 per cent. above the To-
wear average. The acreage Of cotton
this year is about 35,000,000; allow
ing for the average amount of aban-
donment, about 100000 acres, the
indications are that approximately
34,00O,OO0 acres of cotton will har-
vested. The condition indicates a
probable yield of 202.S pounds per
acre, which on s4,000,000 acres,
would mean 6,S95, 100000 pounds,
or about 14,425,000 bales
Valuable to Gamblers.
s:'This being the first estimate OF
the kind, and realizing its immense
value to the speculator and gambler,
I believed that there was some mis-
take somewhere, for it makes no diff
ference as to the fact that this is a
mere guess. Coming as it is alleged
to have done, from the agricultural
department, it carried with it official
sanction, official weight, and there
fore was calculated to have vastly
more effect upon the market than
any private guess could have had, I
therefore this morning interviewed
Secretary Wilson in person. He in
formed me that this estimate was
without his knowledge or sanction,
without the sanction of law and that
on account of the many influences
that are likely to occur affecting the
final yield of the crop, it was fool
ishness for any one to attempt to
forecast the yield at this date; that
if this did come from any OF his d.
visions, that it was the first time and
the last time it would occur.
"Of- course, the damage to a large
extent has been done. That is, it's ef-
feet on the price of cotton has already
been felt, but it is due to the public,
the cotton growers and the legitimate
cotton dealers to know that the agri-
cultural department does not lend It's
sanction to the alleged estimate.
y The Absurdity.
Gas an illustration of the absurdity
of an attempt to make a guess now,
in 1908 we had 32,S44,oo0 acres and
made IS $4,000 bales. In 1910 we
had s2,403,O00 acres and made H.
565,O0O bales. In 1906 we had 3D.
374,0OO acres and made 13,305,O00
bales. In 1907 we had 31,311,00
acres and made 11,325,000 bales.
"Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ar
kansas, Mississippi and Alabama are
infested with the weevil. This pest
begins it's ravages about the 18th OF
July, The extent of its ravages is
largely dependent upon the condition
of the weather. If there is an excess
of rain, the damage by the weevil is
greatly increased. If there is not an
excess of rain, the damage Is lessen
ed. Already complaints are coming
from these sections of too much rain.
This factor, together with many 9TH
ers that the cotton trade is familiar
with, makes it impossible to foreteli
what the ultimate yield may be. And
I am extremely gratifed to know
from the secrtary in person to me,
that this dangerous and absurd pre-
liminary estimate will not be made
again."
BULLET PARALYZES WOMAN.