The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1918-07-16
WORLDS COTTON
STOCK VERY Low
AMOUNT OF OLD CROP TO BE
CARRIED OVER SMALL

statement issued by the Cotton States
Official Advisory Board. following its
New Orleans meeting, at which plans
were made for the gradual market
| ing of the 1918 crop, the board pays
| tribute to the National administration
| for the splendid showing made in
| handling the war, expresses regret
| that should be any pessimism at all
with regard to handling the cotton
crop, and gives assurance that, with
| the proper spirit of cooperation, the
crop can be handled with satisfaction
to all concerned.
The amount of the old crop carried
over, the board points out, will not be
as large as it has been many times
in the recent past The carry-over this
year is 4,231 900 against 100000 in
1916 and 100000 in 1915. 1t is about
300 900 bales larger than in 1917, caus-
ed wholly by inability to ship abroad,
and not by any lack of demand. AS
matter of fact, the worlds stock of
cotton is lower than it has been for
long time; and what there is will be
eagerly taken up as soon as ships can
be provided.
the fact that in order to handle the
hcotton on hand and successfully mar
ket the growing crop, at fair and equi.
table prices, all the people of the south
must lend their best efforts to the
consumation of this purpose. In this
connection the the board says:
1.-THE cotton farmers must resolve
now that they will not ask the cotton
trade to absorb the entire cotton crop
in three or four months, as has often
been the practice in the past. They
must determine that they will market
the crop only as the trade demands
it.
Further the board states:
1.-THE bankers of the coutry must
not only assist in every way in financ-
ing the crop, but must encourage the
cotton farmers to pursue the policy
that will least tax the ability of the
banks to handle the situation.
THE merchants of the country to
whom large percentage of the farm
ers are indebted, must collect the OBJ
legations as slowly asconsistent with
practical business methods and, like
the banks. must encourage the farm
crs to market their cotton gradually"
The, board finds that the cost of
producing the 1917 crop, based on
figures received from all the cotton
producing states averaged approxima-
tely 80 cents per pound.
According to the United States Cen
sus Bureau, there are 100000 fami-
lies in the South engaged in the pro-
duction of cotton. Based on the last
crop of less than 100000 bales, or
an average six bales to the family,
this gives each family an average of
5000 or only SIS month gross, for
those owning their own land. For the
60 per cent of tenants who pay one
fourth rental, the average income was
only $675 year or about $50 month
gross. The board says no one will
seriously contend that this is more
than family should be permitted to
earn.
Continueing, the board congratulate
cs Southern Bankers on their prompt
action looking toward the financing
the cotton crop, and expresses the
hone that they will be able to work
out plan for carrying the new crop,
until tho trade in its regular course,
can absorb 1t.
The government is urged to pro-
vide more tonnage for moving cotton,
as we'll as better railroad facilities
for handling the home needs, if this
be not inconsistent with the needs
Of the government in the prosecution
of the war.
Another thing urged by the board
is that foreign purchasers be induced
to nay for their purchases in advance
plan which would greatly relieve
the strain on the banks in the height
of the season.