The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1919-12-24
FACTS ABOUT COT
TON CROP OF SOUTH
Jordan Urges Producers to Mar
ket Slowly and Watch
Spinners.

The forecast of the production of
cotton for the year of 1919 has been
estimated by the crop reporting
board of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture to be 11,030,000 bales
of 500 pounds gross weight. This
estimate is exclusive of linters and
is from 100000 to 100000 bales
higher than estimates coming from
other sources. 1t is conceded from
all past records that the 1919 crop
was grown and harvested under the
most unfaVorable climatic conditions
and insect depredations ever known
In the history of cotton production.
The above facts indicate quite
clearly that If normal climatic con-
dttions had prevailed throughout the
growing and harvesting period of
the crop, with the acreage planted
last spring, there would have been
grown crop of not less than 49,
00W000 bales.
II makes no difference how much
raw cotton the world may require, it
10 imperative that production be held
down to the actual capacity of the
spindles engaged in spinning cotton.
spindle capacity is determined by la
Dor and financial conditions existing
in the various countries where A
merican cotton is spun and manu-
factured into cloth. 1t is we'll known
that a spirit of unrest exists in the
rank and file of labor in all depart
ments OF industry throughout the
world, and in no section of this coun-
try or any foreign country, are cot
ton spinning and weaving mills op-
Grating up to their full peace time ca
pacities. The consumption of a raw
product in any country is further de-
termined by the financial ability of
its manufacturing industries to buy
ana pay the full market value of such
products. Foreign exchange has
reached the lowest mark recorded in
the past century and this fact rem
ders foreign manufacturers unable to
purchase our cotton in quantities
needed.
ADVISES TO MARKET SLOWLY.
The peace treaty is still unsettled
and maybe yet made an issue in the
presidential campaign and national
elections for 1920. During peace
times and full normal operation of
the spinning mills of the world the
consumption Of American cotton did
not exceed 100000 bales per an
mum. 1t is conceded that under-ex-
isting adverse conditions every bale
OF the short crop of cotton grown
in 1919 will be required for con-
sumption before another crop can
be harvested. The American Cot
tor Association calls upon every
holder OF spot cotton to market the |
balance Of the crop slowly and not |
become stampeded under temporary
speculative and Oppressive influences. |
There is no possible legitimate rea-
son why the price of spot cotton for |
this balance OF the 1919 crop should |
be depressed even the fractional part |
0h&a Sezit. Every indication points |
to higher prices if the crop is sold |
slowly.
1t is imperative that every cotton |
growing county be fully and effici- |
entity organized into the American |
Cotton Associations through their |
State Division as rapidly as possible. |
There must be Unity Of action thru
out the cotton growing area of the |
South in 1920 in the cotton acreage |
to be planted, and well developed |
ways and means provided for the safe |
and profitable marketing of next |
years crop. If existing world ccndi-
tions continue and a large cotton |
acreage is planted in 1920 followed |
by normal crop conditions, the price
of spot cotton next season will fall |
below the cost of production. Octo-
ber future prices for 1920 are al
ready below the cost of production |
several cents per pound. Nothing |
can save the the cotton growing in
terests of the South but organization |
along sound and safe business lines
undertaken by the American Cotton
Association. Organize now while the |
opportunity is presented and while
there is sufficient financial strength
among the people to make organiza-
tion successful.
Look the hard and true facts here
in presented squarely in the face,
based on the present and the future,
then determine upon an ironclad or
ganization Of Southern forces close
ly allied together for successful So
luton of every problem which is to
arise in the years to come.