Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-26
AMERICAN COTTON
| MEN GATHER HERE
IN LARGE NUMBER
Face Problems of De-
creased Production and
Increased Consumption.
CLAYTON SAYS IGNORANCE
OF GROWERS is MENACE
u. S. Commissioners of Educa-
ton Urges Campaign to
Increase Efficiency.
URGES DEFINITE SHIP POLICY
Homer Il. Ferguson Says Prefer.
cntial Treatment for American
Bottoms Essential to Marine.
CLAYTON SAYS IGNORANCE
OF GROWERS Is MENACE
URGES DEFINITE SHIP POLICY
Homer l.. Ferguson Says Prefer
cntial Treatment for American
Bottoms Essential to Marine.

Problems OF decreased production
OF cotton and tho steadily increasing
consumption featured the opening
session OF the twcnty-fourth annual
convention Of tho American Cotton
Manufacturers Association at the
Jefferson Hotel yesterday.
Albert l.. Scott, of Boston, sub
$mitted figures showing that during
the years from 1913 to 1919. inclu-
sivc. 100000 more bales OF Ameri-
can cotton were consumed in Amer
ca than were produced. Last avail
able figures on world production and
consumption showed about the came
relatiHc condition. Mr.. Scott offered
II resolution, coming from the ma
fional council OF the National Asso-
;iation of Cotton Manufacturers. pro.
siding for tho creation of a joint
cotton production bureau to cooper
ite and encourage production. Tho
resolution went TO the committee on
resolutions and will be reported out
for action this morning.
+. i. ClaSton, United States Com
missioner of Education. talking on
The Souths Special Interest in Edu-
,ation." declared that so per cent OF
he people who grow cotton canno,
'ead or write. aud that this condi-
ion rs largely responsible for de-
pletcd and inefficient cotton produc-
Ion.
Importance of Co-OpcratIon.
sIIc stressed the Importance OF CO.
operation between tho Manufacturers
nd tho cotton growers in an educa-
ional campaIBpe that. Will ralso the
,niciency and establish that degree
" man power that is necessary for
maximum results. Mr.. Claxton de-
Jared that the manufacturers should
,et in closer touch with the cotton
Producer and should spend money In
|, systcmatized campaign Of cduca-
ional propaganda and should also
% cooperate WITH Federal and State
gencies in the dissemination OF
technical education.
The commissioners made strong
appeal for increased pay for school
teachers and technical training for
he teachers. He declared that tech
heal lines should be taught in all
he high schools. Importance of bet
cr- highways was stressed. and he
declared that during the next twenty
ears moro money Will be spent in
heir constructions In this country
han has been spent in any twenty
,cars in building railroads. He said
hat the building ofNbctter highways
s most important part in any pro-
kram for the bettcrmcnt OF produc-
ion conditions.
tdvocntes Sale OF Merchant Marine,
Iun I'M rola NJ he
american merchant ships and their
operation by private owners. Homer
:. Ferguson. president of the New
bort News Shipbu!ldnE and Dry
Dock Company. in an address yester-
lay afternoon, declared that sucl,
ransfer and attempted operation
would be n failure unless the govern
ncnt first adopt a policy of prcferen-
ial treatment for American ships.
He pointed out that through lack
,f governmental encouragement and
protection this country practically
vas without a merchant marine for
\mcrican commerce was at the
mercy OF other nations, principally
England.
He said that latter the restoration
pf world business following the war
here IS going TO be extraordinary
competition for world trade, and that
he only way that the United States
an hope to compete successfully with
Is goods Is to provide it's own ship
ling facilities under as favorable
onditions as are given by other
ountries.
Mr.. Ferguson declared that after
lmcrica gets back to work" It's
manufacturing plants will have about
5 per cent surplus capacity, and
hat this surplus production must
nd>profitable markets in the foreign
elds. He declared that with the vast
mount OF goods. now being i'm
orted from South America, the
Tnited States Is selling but little in
eturn, and that this Is largely due
. the fact that American merchant
essels have not the advantage OF
hose OF other countries.
Adopt Definite Policy.
In closing. MFR. Ferguson declared
hat unless the United States adopts
definite policy of preferential
reatment for its own ships the $780,
10000 OF vessels built during the
,ar will pass under foreign flags and
merican commerce VIII drop back
ito It's utter dependence on foreign
ountrios for it's commercial advant-
ges.
Theodore II. Price. of New York,
g Ssessed himself to tho question,
Shall We Sell Our Cotton Mills? ~
nd, while not&attempting to answer
showed that while there is more
ian usual trading In these PROPERTIES
nd also enlargement OF capitalization
nd costs to meet new conditions,
le business is In q fiourishing con.
Cen ttnsed on Second PEge,y Sss