The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-06-10
STANDARD COTTON BALES.
Those Handling and Dealing in Cotton
Urge Uniform System.
proceedings
State, 9Th.

Commissioner Watson yesterday
gave out a resolution which was
adopted at a recent conference of
cotton dealers urging the ginners of
South Carolina to adopt standard
gin box. The commissioner said that
the Standard gin box was required by
practically all of the railways and the
steamship companies and that mil
lions of dollars a year would be saved
in freight on cotton shipments. The
gin box proposed is "a by
"a inches.
The following is the resolution:
"Resolved, That it is the sense of this
conference that a standard gin box
be "a by "a inches.
"Resolved, That the standard
weight of bale of cotton should be
approximately 500 pounds.
whereas, the American cotton
bale is notoriously unsatisfactory, and
that there results a loss of many mil
lions of dollars annually by reason OF
irregular packages, insufficient cover
ing and careless handling, and
Whereas, it is understood that the
congress of the United States is con-
templating investigation and possibly
legislation with the object of improv-
ing conditions, and
Whereas, this conference includes
representatives of the cotton ex-,
changes, buyers, exporters, compress
associations, cotton ginners, railroads
and ocean carriers.
Special Committee.
"Be it resolved, That special
committee Of 10 be appointed by the
chairman of this conference to take
the necessary steps to place before
congress- such data as will assist in
the following improved conditions in
handling cotton:
81. A standard gin box OF dlmen-
sions of 24x54 inches.
"2. A standard weight per bale OF
approximately 500 pounds.
SO. A bale so covered that the cot
ton will be thoroughly protected
against damage in transit when prop
erly handled.
81. The marking of the bale so as
to insure Identification at destina-
ton.
"Whereas, the American bale of
cotton has for generations past been
universally condemned as the most
shameful evidence of wasteful and in
efficient commercialism, because OF
the utter lack of protection given to
a very valuable product by unsuitable
fimsy and insufficient covering, and
handling cotton.
Whereas, the government experts
have figured the loss resulting from
the present system, as high as $5O,-
100000 per mum.
"Be it resolved, That this confer
ence of ship agaents, representing the
North and South Atlantaic and Gulf
ports of this country, hereby calls
upon the cotton carrying railroads
and all other interests to take
prompt steps to do their part in CO.
operation with steamship interests to
end the present shameful methods of
handling this, the second greatest
crop in the United States.''
The above resolutions were unni-
mously adopted
Roads Did Not Vote.
"Be it resolved, That if any bale
does not show the density of % IL
pounds per cubit foot, if not repress-
ed to the required density, shall pay
an extra freight of 50 cents per bale.
seBales of larger measurements that
can not be pressed to minimum den
sity of % 1-2 pounds per cubit foot
shipside, sahl1 pay an extra freight
Of 81 per bale; that this penalty be
assessed as soon as possible after the
bale laves the gin"
These were carried unanimously
with the exception that the railroad
interests did not vote either eyes, or