Arizona republican., 1921-01-21
COTTONCROWERS APPEAR OPPOSED
 TO GIN CONTROL
But Sentiment At Meeting Changes So Often That It Is Hard To Determine Real Attitude

Salt River valley cotton growers do not faycr classification of gins as pub 1 lic utilities nor their control by the state corporation commission. That, | in brief, was the expression of a public meeting for growers, held at the cham Der of commerce last night. The meet ing was called by the Arizona Ameri- can Egyptian Cotton Growers associa- ton to determine the position of grow CTS relative to the bill recently intro duced ii the house of representatives to regulate gins and allied industries, including oil mills.
 Although voting, to 4, in favor Of supporting a bill that would regulate cotton gins. excluding all sections per- taining to cotton oil or by-products. w. s. Stevens, chairman, held that the meeting was opposed to such legisla- ton. He held this view. he said, be- cause less than 20 per cent of those present voted on the motion,. the great majority seemingly being unable to de- termine their position
 Earlier in the evening, the meeting had voted to in favor of legislation that would govern all phases of the ginning industry including oil mills and allied industries. But in a general discusson that followed, sentiment swayed back and forth. until the chair
 
 1 journment about II o'clock. Probably 75 growers attended the meeting. while 1 practically all of the leading ginners of the valley were represented. ] Hear Proposed Legislation Proposed legislation under consider ation was draft prepared by the Ari- Zona American Egyptian Cotton Crow CTS association, at the request of many of its members supplemented by ex- cerpts from a bill suggested by Gov ernor Thomas E. Campbell. It was in tended to initiate this measure in the house as a substitute for the Nellie T. Bush bill.
 This draft provides for the grading, weighing and samplng of cotton in ad- dition to the control of gins, mills and allied industries by tho corporation commission.
 It was evident from the outset that the growers were undetermined as to the proper stand on the subject mat I ter. A majority, it developed in the discussion following, opposed present ginning conditions because of costs but they were notsprepared to go on record as favoring Legislation that would con- trol the industry, as the best means of solving the problem. Many favored a CO., operative scheme whereby the farm CTS themselves would own and operate the gins. but it was recognized that such a step would be impossible at this time in view of financial conditions.
 The position of the ginner was fully set forth in talks by Guy P. Nevitt representing the Southwest Cotton company, H. B. Atha of the Arizona Egyptian Cotton company, and Mir Madden, representing the Dunlop Tire company.
 T am not so sure that cotton gins would not be better off under a publie utilities act than under present con- ditions," Mir. Hewitt declared in open ing, ''but not the oil mills"
 T have heard a great deal here to- night about how much the ginners have been making from the growers MJ opinion is that the growers of this valley have no reason in the world tc kick.
 Have you ever stopped to realize that the Southwest Cotton compan, has loaned, at this time more thar $2.000, 900 among the farmers of thi: valley on demand notes. And do vol know that the Southwest Cotton com. pany has never forecIosed on an. rancher?
 The Southwest Cotton compan,