The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-01-25
RAPIDLY
RECA|N|NC
BUSINESS
EVERY AVENUE OF COMMERCE IN
THE SOUTH SEEMS THROWN
WIDE OPEN-BUSiNE CONDi-
TIONS NORMAL.


the south within the last few weeks is
indicated in reports from merchants,
| cotton factors and bankers from all oV-
er the section. The last month in par
! ticular, business men assert, has de-
yeloped the recuperative power of the
cotton states. In all these states cot
ton, which was selling few months
ago for little more than 6 cents a
pound, now is finding "A comparative
! ly ready market at above s cents.
Since the government reports of No
vember |, the increase of cents a
pound in the selling price of cotton,
with the corresponding advance in the
price of cotton seed, according to the
figures and estimates of experts, has
resulted in net increase during this
period of approximately $120,00O,0O0 in
the cash value of cotton. The effect of
this enhanced value, it is stated, has
been felt in every line of business in
the south.
Conservative observers of the situa-
ton say that never has there been
such a holding movement in the south
as that noted since the opening of the
present cotton season. At the out
break of the European war fall deliver
les of cotton ranged from II to 13
cents pound, which with crop es-
timated at more than 100000 bales
forecast a season of remarkable ac-
tivity. With the European markets
suddenly closed and the exchanges
suspended, the price abruptly de-
creased about one-half.
Farmers Protect Crop.
When the mills entered the market
for their usual fall supply, they found
| the market closed. Farmers refused to
sell and southern business which de-
pends so largely upon the moving of
the cotton crop, marked time, awaiting
readiustment of conditions. About De
cember /, Improvement began, owing,
it is said. to the resumption of for
| eign shipments and the adjustment
and reopening of the exchange mar
kets. both at home and abroad. Today
| throughout the south the movement of
cotton from farm to market is steadi-
| ly progressing, and as a result, ac-
cording to reliable reports, the farm
ers are paying their debts to the
merchants for supplies, the mer-
chants are meeting their obligations
to the small banks and they in turn
are settling their accounts with the
larger banks. The general business
tone is declared optimistic.
In statistical statement of the situ-
alton. II. G.. Hester, secretary of the
New Orleans cotton exchange, men
tions that on November I, last, the
federal department of agriculture fig
ured the average price of cotton to
producers at about $3.50 per bale,
while today the same bale is worth
about so more.
AT that time Mr.. Hester says,
with the cotton exchanges practically
closed, the trade for several months
had been drifting with no fixed stan
dard of value Gulf state farmers We're
selling at one price and Atlantic
state farmers at another. Consterna-
tion prevailed.
Cooperation Brings Results.
Prom August l to November /,
1914 farmers marketed 2,719000 bales,
or 2,323,000 bales less than was mar
keted during the corresponding three
months of the previous year. But the
figures show that from November l.,
1914, to January -, 1915, 6,S01 900
bales were marketed as compared to
5,59S,O0O bales brought into sight dur
! ing the same period last season. Thus,
since the exchanges have opened, the
south has marketed at advancing val
ne, almost 100000 bales exceeding
last years movement for the same
period by 100000 bales.
The worlds visible supply of
American cotton January % last, was
5.217Os bales. The 1914 crop gener-
ally is estimated at 16,25O,OOO bales. of
which 9,25O,OOO have been marketed,
leaving 6,7SOoOO to be marketed The
visible supply and that remaining to
be marketed totals 11,947,0O0 bales.
on basis of $40 bale advance, the
increase in value since November !
last. has been &IlS,+7O,0OO and prac-
,icaily all OF this increase belongs to
the south. Thus the south is better
on today by approximately 100000
coo than she was on November 1. last
The growing confidence in cotton
is held TO be due largely to the ex-