The Robesonian., 1918-09-23
WILL FIX PRICE OF COTTON
Government Will Name Fair
Price,, But Has Not Indicated
: What That Will Be.
President Wilson

President Wilson will Tx
the price of cotton, placing
the last of the principal COM
modities necessary in the prosecution
of the war under Government regu-
lation, despite strong pressure from
the Southern States. In addition to
determining the price, the Government
will take over control of the dlstrlbu-
ton of this years crop.
The decision of the President, def
nitely announced at conference last
week with Senators and Representa-
t;ves from the cotton States, became
known Friday. Plans to carry out the
decision are said to be under way:
Agitation for fixing cotton prices
has been prevalent for number Ct
months, owing to the rapidly mount
ing cost of cotton products and the
belief in many quarters that the sta
pie should be placed on the same basis
as wheat and other essentials, the
price of which has been fixed. The
principal factor in the Presidents
action is understood to have been the
shortage in the present crop estimst-
ed at between 100000 and 100000
bales.
The price to be named by the Pres
ident or the means of controlling dis
tribution have not been decided upon.
The President is understood to have
emphasized at his recent conference
that "faic price, would be fixed but
did not indicate in eny way what this
would be.
Before price fixing was firso men
toned, cotton SOD at 33 cents pound,
Secretary Houston. it is said. had re-
commended that 25 cents would be
fair. Southern Senator deny TINS
would be fair price and declare that
because Of the increased cost OF pro,
duction, a price above 80 cents should
be named.
In determining a plan for CONTROL,
ing cotton distribution, it Is under
stood the President is endeavollng te
work out a method of cooperation
with the British and French govern
ments. AS the needs of these TWO gov
ernments and the>United States repre-
sent more than so per cent OF the cot
ton produced. it hac been pointed ou
that a price could readily De fiAe'
which would control the world mar
ket. Commissions have been sp
pointed by the British and trenca ap
governments, which buy not only TO
tI,e:r own governments hut for til
private SINNERS at prices slxed D.
those commissions.
Both commissions, it is known, az
cooperating WITH tie Pres!cenS l
this matter.
While opposed 20 any ste-s wh'c
would result in the fixing of cotto
pr:ces, Southern Senator's urged tn
President, if he was determined
take this action. not to delay It longe
than possible, declaring that IN We
of the present uncertainty, cotton lnal
kets are stagnant and many grcwe1
are holding while awaiting some al
rouccement as to the price to be nan
ed
No government plan for price-f;
ing las aroused more opposition Tia
to determine the price Of cotto
Hardly had Chairman Baruch Of tt
AZ indus -ries Loard announced
- to arnoirt a committee ta :;
-r:cate tEe cotton situation with
vie" to taking steps looking to t
stabilzation of prices than Ssnato
and REPRESENTATIVE s head ed " Ser
TOR Smith, of South Carolina, brst;
ranged conferences for the puroc
CT protesting. When Pes deHt "
son later announced tnat the pl
;cu!d be carried out, Senator'S a
REPRESENTATIVES. at orcc arranged
lake g direct protest to him. Il
they did at a conference Tuesday
Hundreds of kilograms and lettt
Lave been received by the Conr.a
men from the South protesting agai
price-fixing while prices on the c
ton exchanges gradually have falie