The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-21
WILSON WILLPIX
PRICE OF COTTON
Announces Decision After
Hearing Strong Opposition
From Southerners.
U. S. TO DISTRIBUTE CROP
President Working Out Co.
operative Method With
Allied Countries.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 20. - President
Wilson will fix the price OF cotton, plac-
ing the last Of the principal commodi-
ties necessary In the prosecution Of the
war under Governmental regulation, de-
spite strong pressure from the Southern
States. In addition to determining the
price, the Government will take over
control of the distribution Of this years
crop.
The decision OF the President, def
nitely announced at conference this
week with Senators and Representatives
from the cotton States. became known
to-day. Plans to carry out the decision
are said to be under way.
Agitation for the fixing of q price for
cotton has been prevalent for a num-
Der OF months, owing to the rapidly
mounting cost OF cotton products and
the belief In many quarters that the
staple should be placed on the same
basis as wheat and other essentials, the
price of which has been fxed. The
principal factor in the action OF the
President Is understood to have been
the shortage in the present crop, esti-
mated at between 1000, 900 and $780,
900 bales.
Price Not Decided Upon.
The price to be namei by the Presi-
dent or the means OF controlling dis
tribution have not been decided upon.
The President is UNDERWOOD to have
emphasized at his recent conference
that fair price" would be fixed, but
did not indicate In any way what this
would be.
Before price fixing was first men
toned cotton sold at IS cents a pound
Secretary Houston. It Is said. has
recommended that e5 cents would be
fair. Southern Senator's deny this would
be a fair price and declare that be-
cause OF the increased cost of production
i figure above 80 cents should be named
In determining a plan for controlling
cotton distribution 1t Is understood the
President is endeavoring to work out a
method OF cooperation with the British
and French Governments. As the needs
OF these two Governments and the United
States represent more than SO per cent.
OF the crop produced, It has been pointed
out that a price could readily be fixed
which would control the world market.
Commissions have been appointed by the
British and French Governments which
buy not only for their own Governments
fixed by those commissions Both COM
missions II is known are now cooperat-
ing with the President In this matter.
To Relieve StaGnant Markets.
While opposed to any steps that would
result In the fixing OF cotton prices.
Southern Senators at the conference
urged the President. II he was deter
mined to take this action. not to delay II
longer than possible. declaring that in
view Of the present uncertainty cotton
markets are stagnant and many growers
are holding while awaiting definite an
nouncement by the Government.
No Government plan for price fixing
has aroused more opposition than that
regarding cotton. Immediately after
Chairman Baruch OF the War Industries
Board announced plan TO name a COM
mittee to investigate the cotton situation
with a view to taking steps looking to
the stabilization Of prices. Senators and
Representatives headed by Senator Smith
OF South Carolina hastily arranged con-
ferences for the purpose OF protesting.
When President Wilson later stated that
the plan would be carried out Senators
and Representatives at once arranged to
make a direct protest to him. This they
did at conference Tuesday.