The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-08
PUBLIC DISCUSSION

statement. For instance, official bulle-
tin 492 shows the average cost of the
crop OF 1913 to have been 1905 cents
per pound Since that year these rec
ords show that the commodities whose
consumption make up the principal cost
Of growing cotton have advanced 1877
per cent, representing an actual in
crease in the cost Of production of 24,40
cents per pound; or making the cost
now, according to the highest class of
records to be had, 37.45 cents per pound,
II Is significant that this record would
have been the basis for fixing the price
of cotton, had the price been fixed by
the government, and the authorities had
used the same methods as had been
used In fixing the price Of wheat.
Now, 1t is true, viewed as a world
problem, that the need for cotton is
much greater than the supply. This Is
fully borne out by the official records
which show that England, France, Bel
GUM, Germany and Austria are short
about II, 000, 900 bales for the four years
of the war; In other words, the records
show that the drastic economies of war
have reduced to that extent the use
OF cotton goods by the people of these
five countries alone below what they
would have used under normal condi-
tfons. 1t Is also borne out, with just
as much emphasis, by the recent state
ments Of Mr., Hoover. In an interview
given out during the last few days, he
specifically states that the need for
clothing among the destitute millions
of the old world Is now just as urgent
as the need for food.
Notwithstanding this obvious made
quacy Of the supply, as compared with
the worlds actual needs, the current
price of cotton is we'll below the cost
of production. 1t is an extraordinary
/ and Illogical situation, but 1t Is a fact,
nevertheless, and a fact for which the
cotton growers are In no sense respon-
sible. What can the growers be eX-
pected to do under such circumstances?
Is II reasonable to expect them to con-
tinue to grow cotton at what promises
to be a great loss when they can Just
as easily turn to growing food crops at
what promises to be a great profit?
Would the wheat farmers Of Kansas, or
any other state, be sufficiently altru-
istic to Increase the crop Of wheat in
face Of such an outlook? There is one
thing perfectly evident to the mind of
the writer, and that Is, If the farmer
does not reduce the output of cotton
until these anomalous conditions In the
world are corrected, he wi. not be able
to buy clothes for his family, much less
furnish them for other people.
1t Is notable that individuals, like
Gov. Allen, and many others besides,
some In the South as well as the North,
1t Is fair TO admit, steadily ignore the
rights OF the cotton laborer to any
thing like a decent living. h has
been shown In many striking ways. For
instance, something more thai a year
age the writer had occasion to make
out an itemiEed estimate covering the
cost Of cotton growing, Labor was list
ed SIS per month. The statement was
widely, and, in some instances, quite Sc
verely criticized, 1t Is significant, how
ever, that not n single item was criti-
ciZed except the item of labor, 1t was
of the discussion. hat these critics In
the last analysis were unwilling to al
low the man whose labor produced the
cotton such an indifferent living even
as SIS per month would buy, All in
formed people know that such a wage,
or the price OF cotton II reflects, hardly
removes the horizon Of life for the cot
ton grower and his family much beyond
the miserable shack and a menu OF
bread and pot liquor, This Ia a very
homely term, to be sure, but 1t exactly
portrays a condition Of living that has
meant a tragedy to thousands of people
in the South just as good as you or /
Or all sides are to be seen the signs
that the cotton farmers are determined
to get as much out OF cotton as any
body else who has anything to do witt
II. And tho writer Is fully convinced
that tho world henceforth will have t
pay the price in accordance with this
very remarkable change that has taler
place in the economic life Of the cottoy
grower and in the economic position Of
the cotton crop.
w. w. MORRISON,
2l6 Varieties Place, New Orleans La