The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-22
Importance of Itemized Statments and Records in Estimating Cost of
 Growing Staple
MANUFACTURERS
 RECORD ARTICLE
New Orleans Cotton Man Gives Rea- sons for Increase in Interest in Production of Cotton in the
 Past Few Years
By w. w. MORRISON

During the last two years, especially during the last year, there has been a steadily increasing interest in the cost of growing cotton. It promises to be wholly constructive in the end. As it often happens when funda- mental economic question is under re- view this question has been notable for many statements based wholly on mere assumptions, heresay evidence and frank disregard for existing conditions
 Sust statements always hinder reach ing an enlightened conclusion on any question and. in the instant case, is apt to be very harmful to the unin- formed. Hence, it seemed we'll that something be done to aid in substi- tuting facts, defined by definite rec ords, for vague and inclusive gener- alities. With this object in view, the writer prepared paper for the Manu- lecturers Record which was printed on February 21 of the current year. An itemized account of the cost of pro- duction was given, each item being carefully identified and separately discussed It was expected at the time that the paper would be sharply criti- cized, and it was.
 It is not at all the aim of the writer to answer these criticisms in defense of the paper referred to- It must stand, or fall, on it's own merits as all such papers should The sole object in refer ring to these critics now is the hope, that by emphasizing the indefiniteness upon whfch their criticisms, without exception, were based. it would cause more general recognition of the harm such reckless criticisms might do. Hence, would emphasize the importance of having the discussion of the cost of growing cotton steadily confined to a definite statement of facts, sup ported by records and subordinated to sound business usage and the rules of sound bookkeeping.
 STATEMENT INCORRECT The calculations in the paper refer red to were based on a 20-acre farm and labor was estimated at $75 per month. The editor of a financial jour nal in referring to this, stated that one man could do all the blowing in 20 days necessary in the cultivation of 20 acres in cotton. There are per haps more than 1,00O,OOO people in the south who know that this statement is absolutely incorrect. The harm of such statement lies in the fact that this editor might have, and probably did, mislead hundreds of others who were no better informed than himself.
 There are other critics who claimed that cotton could be produced at cost of Is cents pound When the writer asked for the proof, they took refuge in the vague and conclusive generali- ties referred to. When pressed fur ther to make out an itemized account of the expense, it developd that they did not have sufficient Knowledge of the subject to do it. Although they were thus clearly incompetent to dis cuss such an important matter, they no doubt have had an important and very harmful influence on many minds
 surprisingly large number of crit ics, mostly confined, however, to the large centers, based their conclusions solely, it was found. on the undigested opinions reflected in common rumor. One cotton mans views, for instance were founded on the statement re- ported to have been made by a promi- nent planter that he could grow cot. ton for 23 cents. The writer happened to know the planter and interviewed him. He found that the planter did make the statement, but had based his calculations on an acerage yield of 300 pounds of lint per acre.
 AVERAGE COST 38 CENTS
 This was 100 pounds more than the gov ernments forecast for the yield this
 
 for the last three years. Taking this planters estimate basis and figured on the average yield for 10 years, it makes the average cost around 3Sc in. stead of 23c. From this we can see tha dangerous untrustworthiness of the opin. ions of this class. Yet it is certain that the psychological effect of their activ- ties has been a great hindrance to reaching a conclusion of practical value and, in the same ratio, has been very harmful to many people.
 The writer discussed the cost of pro duction with large cotton planter, who stated he could make money out of cot ton at from 1Sc to 20c per pound. He was quite capable of making up an ex- pense account, and when asked to do so, he listed labor at $50 per month When it was pointed out that this meant economic slavery for the laborer and, besides, that it could not be had for less than S75 jer month, he admitted that men would cost that much, but stated that greater part of the work this year would be done by women and chill dren, which was cheaper form of labor and would. therefore. justify his figures on that item.
 1 lhls class is much larger than many