The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-04
|MAY STUDY EGYPT
WITH MUCH PROFIT
This Country Has Many Things
to Learn About Cotton
Growing.
COMMISSION MAKES REPORT
More Intensive Cultivation Is
Urged as Chief Need of
Americans.
COMMISSION MAKES REPORT

Washington. July 3.-Methods OF ball
ing, sampling and marketing cotton lint
In Egypt may be studied with profit by
American cotton producers. both by
way of teaching to save waste and by
way of exhibiting the excessive charges
OF middlemen, is the conclusion reached
by j. s Williams and Clarence Ousley
the subcommittee of the American com
mission to investigate and study agri-
cultural credit and cooperation. whose
report on their study of the produo-
tion and marketing of Egyptian cotton
has just been published as Senate
document.
Egypt, however. they found can Of
fer TO the United States no instruction
whatever in Skill, science or other ele-
ment of economy or efficiency In cot
ton production, nor does that country
constitute any menace of overproduc-
ton Summarizing their investigation
briefly. they say:
Egypt. with her 100000 to 1000, 900
bales of cheaply produced but dearly
sold cotton, admonishes American
growers to improve their methods OF
cultivat ton and marketing In order to
reduce their cost of production.
Can Maintain Prices.
The proprietors of large Egyptian
estates. representing ~ to 10 per cent
of the crop are in n position to CO.
operate and render powerful aid in
maintaining fair prices for their com
modities. and these prices will tend to
steady the prices of American cotton
If our producers do not commit the
folly of producing more than the world
VIII take at profitable values, and If
the cotton States will establish a sys-
tenn of State regulated warehouses.
which will enable the farmers to store
their cotton and secure cheap money
upon warehouse receipts, whereby they
may sell the crop gradually over
period of several months instead of
forcing it upon the market, as they
do now. within two or three months"
These proprietors and the British
department of agriculture promise
hearty cooperation in evolving sys
tenn OF accurate reports of cotton con-
sumption"
Concluding. the subcommittee states
there is vital relation between ESyp-
tian and American cotton production
which should be cultivated in amity
and mutually by every possible Off
cial and cooperative endeavor. They
state that the result of their investiga-
ton was three-fold. and in each re-
spect the situation is we'll worth care
full consideration. First. Egypts cost
Of production In the ratio to the value
of her commodity is much lower than
y
varies but little from year TO year, and
is capable OK but slight expansion. and
is. therefore. n more or less fixed factor
Of great economical potentiality. Third,
an influential and predominating group
OF large planters is in cordial sympa-
thy with Americas purpose to estab-
fish more intelligent system of mar
keting.
we have reason to hope that Egypt
Will join in any effort the Cotton States
and international bureau of cotton in
teiligenec for the promotion of more
efficient production and more economi-
cal marketing" says the report.
In this connection we earnestly re-
commend that the principal cotton
States Of the Union create the office
of cotton commissioner. and that such
commissioners together, constitute
themselves as a bureau of cotton in
formation. with special reference to
consumption and the extended use Of
cotton goods. and that other cotton
growing countries be invited to have
representation In such bureau to the
end that intelligent information may
be furnished the producers for their
guidance in adjusting supply to de-
mand, and that the demand for our
great staple product may be stimulated
I'VE are confident that such n bureau
would operate as practical insurance
against eithc: over production or un-
der production. and yet prevent alb
normally high prices, to the injury
and hardship Of consumers"
'ESypts comparatively low cost OF
production. Notwithstanding her an
tiquatcd methods OF cultivation, her
heavy expense OF conversion from seed
cotton TO spinnable lint is matter
Of serious concern to America for
Egypt is able TO produce her supply OF
cotton worth new IS 10 20 cents
pound at about g a cents n pound
compared with American cost of 10 to
~ cents Il pound, worth now II to
II l-2 cents" they state American
cotton growers amust face the fact
that the Egyptian crop is produced Mt
II cost approximately no greater than
American cost, and yet tho Egyptian
cotton, by reason OF superior quality,
sells for about cents a pound more
In other words, decline Of 3 cents
n pound below the current market
price will still leave a fair profit to
Egyptian output, while such decline
would carry American cotton below
the cost OF production, and we know
from sad experience how difficult II
is under present methods and condi-
tons OF remnant farming in the United
states to adjust supply TO demand
Therefore. ii bchoovcs American cot
tor growers 10 reduce the cost OF
-. O'HSN'ci ~ Ilblt iHlc.lSc cultivation.
by the use and development of varie-
ties OF superior staple, and especially
by eliminating the waste and graft
IN American methods of sampling. bal
ing and marketing.
But while Egypt is somewhat n
menace in respect to her low cost OF
production. we are Hratitcd to be able
to report sympathetic attitude upon
the part Of representative and innucn-
tial Egyptian planters and the British
advisory administration of Egypt In
respect TO all the marketing problems
which concern the producers OF both
countries alike, and especially with re.
spect to securing accurate information
concerning cotton consumption"