The farmer and mechanic., 1914-09-29

a firm fOothold where heretofore they
have been compelled to struggle even
to secure the most limited recogni
ton"
There occurred here a running de
bate between Senator Simmons and
other Senator'S in which he defended
and elaborated his position. resuming
the thread of his discourse later on as
follows:
Assuming that the present condi-
tiOnS shall continue, that the mer-
chant marine of the belIigerent coun-
tries of Europe is withdrawn from
traffic with US, that we are compelled
to rely upon our own transportation
facilities, and that we are not able to
devise means and methods to secure
adequate transportation facilities,
either separately, through the indi-
vidual efforts of our citizens or in
conjunction with such help as we can
get from Europe in the conditions
| which exist there, ] insist that not
only the agricultural but the manufac-
turing and commercial interests of
this country will be confronted with
situation which calls for the exercise
of every power and resource of the
| government to safeguard the public
| welfare against the disastrous conse-
QuenceS which will inevitably follow.
| Mr.. President, reverting to the cot
| ton situation, / said that was some
what differentiated from the situation
| with reference to tobacco. wheat and
other food products. The demand in
Europe for these latter products will
| be as great in time of war as in time
| OF peace, while the price will be
| higher, SO that if we had transporta-
tiOn there would be no trouble about
| finding a market for our enormous
| surplus of these products. That is
not true with reference to raw cotton
AS a result Of the war the demand in
| Europe for our raw cotton will be.
think, unquestionably diminished. 1
do not mean all European factories
will be closed. In many countries in
Europe, like Italy and perhaps Eng
land, the demand will not be inter-
ferred with to any serious extent In
Germany and France the inference
will be greater. The net result will
be considerable decrease in the Eu-
ropean demand. That may beget an
increased demand for raw cotton in
our own country 1t may. and ] think
undoubtedly will. result in opening to
us new markets and lead to increase
in the output of our cotton mills. But
| think it is safe to say that with the
great crop we have raised this year
there will not be the usual demand
for the whole output of our cotton
fields and we may be compelled tc
, protect this staple, to provide for
carrying over a part of this crop to
the next year. This will call for
money. | thinl. this part Of the sit
, uatiOn will be amply met. l think
) the banks of the South, with the
l our new currency legislation, will be
able to take care of this part of the
emergency"
Conditions Affect Demand
Mr.. President, / do not suppose
d that the cotton crop of this year will
v be in excess of the worlds demand il
t normal conditions but the condition
e | which exists throughout Europe will
f necessarily affect this demand. First
n because it will place a limitation upol
5. the activities Of European spindles
e and, secondly, the consumption o
e those countries, which, of course, con
s stitutes considerable part of tn
II worlds consumption of cotton goods
: will be materially lessened. If tn
d war is of short duration, ! should sa
:. that there will be no great differenc
IS between the supply and the demand
# If it is Of long duration, l think tn
# supply will greatly exceed the de
mand. In any event the present dis
n turbance suspends the present de
3 mand for raw cotton in this cOuntr
is to such an extent that unless relic
n can be secured through withholdir
= from the market, temporarily at leas
% a part of the present crop, the effeo
If upon the price Of this comm odity wi
be matter of very serious conse
Is quence not only to the cotton produe
p ers but to the country at large.
20 "Of course it is out of the Questio
e to think of Withholding from tn
IN market for any considerable length {
"a time that portion of the crop Whic
at Europe usually takes, and if we car
De not secure transportation 50 as to dc
as liver to the spindles of Europe sue
III part of the present crop as can
ps present conditions be utilized, the e
re feet upon the price of raw cotton Wi
n be far reaching, not to say disastrous
Ia At this point Senators interrupte
ng to ask for enlightenment on vario,
al phases of the subject and Senate
Thomas OF Colorado, having express
re, ed the view that there would be
nc great demand for cotton in Europe
OF spite or the war, Senator West.
nd Georgia said:
should like to say that am fea