Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-24
As to FIXING Cotton Prices.

IRON the day America entered the war The
Journal has unhesitatingly advocated every
measure of control for which the Govern
ment has asked; and shall always count it
privilege as well as a duty TO support every pro-
posaI. no matter how far-reaching. that appears
needful to the triumph of our country's We
can but feel. however. that in seeking to fix the
price of cotton the authorities have ventured upon
extremely dubious ground.
Wherein this step is necessary 10 the effective
prosecution of the the protection of the
cOuntrys common interests remains to be demon
strated far acquaintance with the issue
extends. Misinformed and prejudiced persons, we
are aware. picture the cotton grower as a Croesus
of the fields. waxing Unfortunately rich upon the
profits of his staple. But that fiction find ere
dence with no one ar all familiar with Southern
ditfons. and with the record of price movements
during the last four years.
II is a matter of common knowledge that while
most American products reached pinnacle prices
in the earlier stages of the European war, yielding
royal profits their producers cotton fell to
starvation figures in the autumn OF 1914 and for
many a month remained unmarketable at anything
like intrinsic value. The rank and file of cotton
farmers are just recovering from the setback
of those distressing times in which they fore
cd TO pile debt upon debt the bare emergen-
Cies of existence. Far from bearing any resent
bIsnce prOfteers, they class still
much behind the average prosperity enjoyed by
the food farmers of the West and by industrial la
hOr everywhere. Nor the highest prices they
have recently received for their crop all excessive
in comparison with those of other basic commodi-
ties.
In fact. all things considered. cotton prices are
lower than those of any other product entering
into war industries. is doubtless true as Wash
ington experts say that the prices the Government
now pays for cotton goods average three times as
much as those current before the war. But has
not the price of wool and iron and steel and
end every other necessity also advanced. in some
cases more than treblng? Is forty cents a pound
for cotton any higher, proportionally than two dol
lars and twenty cents bushel for wheat-the
minimum price which the Government guarantees
the grain grower? Is not forty cents poUnd for
cotton a moderate price at this time when one
considers the low supply. the high demand, the
shortage % the last crop. the towering of its
production and the extraordinary difficulties at
tending every stage of its planting, cultivation and
harvesting? Cotton. it should lie remembered, is
pre-eminenty labor crop. and the shortage of la
bOr on Southern farms is by all accounts more
marked than in any other section or any other oc-
eunation Add to the well-nigh prohibitive cost of
labor that OF fertilizers and the constant menace
Of the boil weeviI; add this the peculiar
tainties Of cotton growth. the possibility of a few
weeks unfavorable weather blighting en-
tire years income; and top OF this consider the
doubled and trebed of all necessaries that the
farmer buys. Who that is fair 0f mind and
straight OF vision will say the light of these con-
,Iitions that the cotton farmer has been receiving
more than his due?
The South is willing. cheerfulIy willing. TO make
zny sacrifice requisite the winning of the war 1t
seeks no exemption from any duty and asks ia
vOr of the Government. But the South does ask
a fair and reasonable deal while il is devoting its
energies. in common with the rest of the country
the all important work OF winning the II in
sists that fair return 10 its cotton farmers is
genital 10 effective program and that
iIl advised Government Intervention in the cot
ton market would be injurious the nation S
common interests it would be unjust to the peo-
pIe OF this section Certain it is that farmers will
not produce cotton at prices that do not warrant
the Tabor and the hazards of the crop.
II there is no avoiding this step. if the dubious
experiment must be made. the authorities should
see TO il that the price hxed shall be least no
lower than that necessary TO compensate the pro-
ducer amply for his 1918 crop The Southern
Senators ard Congressman are eminently justified
in the stand they have taken TO protect the rights
of this patriotic region. Their people are solidly
behind them. and the judgment of the entire ma
informed will sustain them,