The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-08-23
POSITION OF COTTON GROWERS,
BUYERS AND clNNERs EX-
PLANNED FOR BANNER REAR
ERS BY SECRETARY or THE
WILSON-MASON co.

we nav conserved in your issue OF
the 18th, an article entitled Small
Farmers to Bear Burden Of Hold-oyer
Apparent Plan OF Ginners." and De-
lieying that this article was based up
on a msconception on your part VS.
beg to make the following observa-
lions: which we hink will SHOW you
that the plain referred to is in the in
terest of the small farmer. il fact. is
vital TO his realizing the price he ough1
to have for his cotton this year
l. The War industries Boad and
the War Trade Board have permitted
the importation into this country this
year, of enough Egyptian cotton to
last our mills for many month ahead
at their present rate Of consumption
?. Due to the policy pursued by
spinners last year Of buying only
such Sea Island cotton as they actual
ly required, there was quite a carry
over of Sea Island cotton from the
crop of last year, which is still IN
sold.
3. Under thse circumst ances, it was
apparent that if another crop were
rushed upon the market while a large
supply from last years crop remained
unsold, the inevitable effect would be-
to cause prices to drop far below the
real value Of the staple
f. 1t being APPARENT that the Sea
Island crop this year would be mucn
reduced ~ the boil weevil and that
all of the crop would be ultimately
needed by spinners. it was clear that
if the new crop could be held bacH
and marketed gradually, good prices
could be obtained for it,
). The truth OF the above state
ment impressed itself so forcibly upon
the minds OF students CT agriculture
and marketing that the Commissioners
of Agriculture of cotton growing
states formed an association acle1
Cotton States Official Advisory Mark
keting BQArd for the purpose Of urg.
i1fg upon farmers and ginners the
course that is now being followed by
the ginners.
s. 1t was upon the advice of the
body named in the proceeding para
graphs that the ginners decided not
to gin before October 1st, because
were the cotton ginned, even though
not put upon the market it would Of
feet prices adversely
I. We do not believe the small
farmer will be hurt by this policy We
think he will be the CHEZ gamer, ia
fact, it was in his interest that the
Marketing Board originated and urged
this policy We have taken the mat
ter up with supply houses. etc, and
feel sure that the small farmer will
not be forced to sell his cotton before
October in order to pay his debts
s. Were the small farmer allowed
to gin and offer his cotton freely at
this time, he propably could not sell
it at all, but in cases where he did
sell it would be for 4 low price. BY
holding his cotton of for while. it
is hoped that the small farmer will
receive a good price
9. The plan of which you complain
was not only originated and urged by
the Cotton States Official Advisory
Marketing Board. but it is irdorsed
by the State Food Administrators
State Field Agent of the United
States Department OF Agriculture and
Governor Cats. Each Of these thinks
the plan in the interest Ct the small
farmers
TO- IL is impossible fer tas Aunor
or dealer to hold muca more cotton rs
nearly all Of them have par. Of last
seasons output which he IS unable tn
sell. SO We don't see how he can s-I
the new crop at anything Ike 4lo,a-
tion5 il lie cant sell the cid crop
which Is much preferable. i tn N.aF-
ket is COINS 10 be maintained the
farmer must hold his own cotton un.
Ill demand appears. which is expected
by or before October 1st Would re,
fer you to Governor Cats proclamt-
ton requesting Sea Island gins roc TO
open until l0-1-1S.
H. The plan is therefore not the
efforts OF few men to control the
output as well as the price as you
state, but the efforts of the repreSel,
tatives of the farmers TO protect the
interests Of the small farmers by in
surfing them fair prices fer their pro-
duct by means OF sane marketing.
u. We trust that you may now