The courier-index., 1918-09-27
THE PRICE OF COTTON
 WILL BE LIBERAL
GENERALLY BELIEVED NOW THE PRICE OF THE STAPLE WILL BE FxED-LETTER FROM JOE T. ROBINSON.

Washington. Sept Realizing that the price of cotton is going to be fixed in accordance with plans already matured and announced, members of the senate and house from cotton producing states have practically reconciled themselves to activities looking to the obtaining of the most liberal price consistent with facts faithfully acquired and consid- cred impartially. Members of con- question who have talked with the president have agreed that in their opinion he will fix price sufficiently high to stimulate production. Mean while committees representing the great cotton interests have been ap- pointed and will confer with the committee of seven named by the president to go to the bottom of the problem before final action is taken.
 In a letter to Bernard M. Baruch. chairman of the war industries board, Senator Joe T. Robinson of Arkan- sas presents the issue most compre- hensively. The letter follows:
 'T have heretofore transmitted a number of telegrams and other com munications addressed to me concern ing the cotton situation to the presf- dent As indicative of the great in- terest and anxiety which the people of our state feel in the subject of cotton price fixing l am transmitting for your consideration few tele- grams which have received within the last few days protesting against the agitation of price fixing and mak- ing various suggestions as to the course of procedure best to be pur- sued.
 q realize some of the international problems underlying this question and that it may be impracticable at this time to disclose fully some or the important conditions which have prompted consideration of the sub ject by governmental agencies. Never theless it has seemed to me that as to the present crop certain principles should prevail. take the liberty or suggesting them to you.
 "First-If it has been found neces- sary to fix the price of cotton in order to prevent this essential war product or a material part of 1t grown in the United States from passing into German factories, to be used in the manufacture of munitions by the government, that considera- tion, to my mind, would be conclu- sive of the duty of our government Tn this emergency. and a price shoulr be promptly fixed.
 "Second-Particular with respect to the present crop the price should be liberal and so adjusted to amply take care of the cost of production and reasonable profit and should not be less than the prevailing price at the time the agitation of the subject caused a reduction.
 "This argument is supported by the necessity for encouraging the production, certainly throughout the war period. If the producers feel that the government has waited until they have borne the enormous ex- pense incident to the rise in the commodities essential to their pro- ducts. and until they are ready to market their crop, to raise the ques- tion of price fixing (which unavoid- ably results in disturbance in mark ct conditions and which has produc- ed decline in value). the result Will be a great falling off in production next year, our people naturally turn ing to other activities.
 "The net result so far has been wide spread disturbance throughout the south which has occasioned alarm in the very strongest financial organi- cations in that section, and shrink age in values probably out of propor" tion to anything justified by fair market conditions.
 "It must be borne in mind that drouths, weather conditions ana other influences have reduced the cotton crop in the United States by approximately 3,000.000 bales. and all this has tended to increase the price of cotton. know need not address to you arguments as to the necessity for dealing with this subject fairly and promptly, and l have confidence that the matter will take no other course. am giving these assurances to the public in my state in ths firm conviction that there Is no occasion for great alarm. and that the difri- cult problem will finally be worked out in the interest of the public and to the nation. and without avoidable | injustice to anyone"