The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-23
Mr.. Wannamaker Gets Manufac-
turer's Viewpoint
CONDITION POINTS TO
BIG SHORTAGE
Says Spinner5 Will Soon Be Glad
to Get Cotton at Any Price

Columbia. June 1S.-In a state
ment issued here J. Shottowe Wan
namaker, president O: the American
Cotton Association, declared that he
had recently laid before the largest
manufacturers of America and larS-
est dry goods houses aud best e-l-
perts of America the question, What
is pound OF lniddlirg cotton worth,
based Oh the price CT the manufac
turcd product today, after deducting
the price for manufacturing and q
fair prc:it 70 the manufacturer? Mr..
Wannamaker says in his statement,
their answer to this inquiry is that
it is worth from So to Is cents per
pound basis middlins."
Mr.. Wannaraker further declared
in his statement that, based on sup
ply and demand the world is facing
the greatest shortage IN raw cotton
it has ever faced since cotton vas first
introduced ir:o America, j am firinl;
Of the opinion that the New England
and English spinners are terribly un-
easy On account OF the tremendous
advantages which the American Cot
ION Association is bringing to the en-
tire cotton interests" said I1r. Wan
camaker. They are terribly uneasy
on account of the fact that they re-
aiize the world is facing a great
shortage; that the producer will nev-
er again operate his farm except up
on a. business HasiS and will not over
produce.
Before this time next year the
spinners will be glad to buy cotton
crafty is such as many of tnci,
friends claim, they have (. golden op-
por,unity to prove this row b.: pay
ing q, fair. just price for cotton based
IN the manufactured product, which
would be 65 to Is cents per pound
basis midlign, instead Of continuing
20 buy 1T present pricec l;;,scG on the
manipulated prices CT the New York
Cotton Exchange. The price being
paid at present is absolutely unfair.
Mr.. Wannamaker yesterday re-
ceived the following letter from Uni
ted States Senator E. d. Smith, com
r'endins his recent article on supply
and demand
L want to congratulate you on fol-
lowing up by actual States the ire
nendous shortage in the supply Of
cotton as compared with demand.
careful study OF |ai conditions. pre-
way conditions and now postwar con-
ditions will be wonderfully instruc
i've 10 cur farmers; and to the world
at large. The world consumed prac-
y 1.,-
can cotton while the embargo was Oh
the Central Powers and while we were
still at war American consumption
roso from about five millions to seven
millions. nov with all emhargoes
lifted and with tho supply OF cotton
goods necessarily depleted the world |
over Just what price cotton is going
to is hard to say. The supply Of cot !
ton goods throughout the world is |
far-;eachins causes: The drafting OF
operatives aud labor from mills. the !
decentralization of business aud then
the total Inadequate supply Of the
raw material. Now that employment |
is Being sought by those released /
from militar. duty and the world is
clamoring for co,ton goods. and no /
cn;bar2oe;. prchititions or restrictions /
exist and the supply so nanifcstly
short it is onls question of what
t!lc world is wiling to pay OF rather |
can pay. The outlook. from all l can !
gather. IS Cor perhaps q shorter crop
than oven last year
= hope IN the near future to give
out an interview on this cotton queS-
ton tha: VIII be Of aid ia the !lsht.'