Evening star., 1923-04-23
SCORES OFFICIALS
FOR CROP REPORT
Cotton Association Head
Calls Forecast "Measure
in Behalf of Gamblers"
By the Associated Press.


ST. MATHEWS. S. c.. April ga
The action of government officials in
making public the crop and acreage
report Of eighteen economists to the
Department of Agriculture In which
planting Intentions of farmers wero
forecast. was denounced as a measure
''tn behalf of the gamblers" who faced
heavy losses through selling cotton
they did not own. in q statement here
today by J. S. Wannamaker. president
of the American Cotton Association.
Protests against the report Mr..
Wannamaker declared. had come to
him by telegraph from every section
of the country, and from persons in
all walks of life. including members
of Congress
These economists must be mind
readers" Mr.. Wannamaker said, be
cause they profess to tell us what
the farmers intend to plant. and in
addition. they must be readers of the
future. because they tell US what
nature is scheduled to do in connec-
tion with the crops during the c"In-
ing months"
Calls Action Unprecedented.
Making public a government fore
cast at this time. the cotton associa-
in this country for at least nifty years,
the first regular forecast not being
due until July. Last year. he con-
tinued. Department of Agriculture
officials refused the requests of cotton
interests that the probable decrease
in acreage be estimated early in the
year. whereas this year. when there Is
the possibility of a contrary effect of
a prediction. 1t is made.
Mr.. "annamaker questioned the
authority with which these econo-
mists. prophets and mind-reahers''
spoke In regard to crops, declaring
that he doubted them having sutfi-
ctent Information upon which TO base
a dependable statement of conditions.
"Satural Corner" In Cotton.
There eNtsts now. hc declared. "A
natural corner" In cotton. due 10 the
law Of supply ana demand. which law
Is governed In this case by the CON
sumption and production factors. Con-
sumption Is overlapping production.
he said The worlds visible supply of
American cotton is only I.974.52S
bales. according 10 Mr.. Wannamaker
while. he asserted. the mills of the
world are using II at the rate Of a
million bales month. The result is
the natural corner" he said.
The problem of those who sold
cotton that did not exist and were
making frantic efforts to secure IL
OF their efforts to do so through ex-
EauStion of the supply, and who
therefore, were facing enormous
losses. the cotton association presi-
dent asserted. has been solved by
this action of the government in be-
half OF the gambler"
Mr. Wannamaker charged that Eu-
ropean influences were working to
depress the prices OF cotton 1.-The
statement has been made by one OF
highest firi rf
roRe," he said. that II is necessary
for Europe to secure cheap American
cotton in order that European gov
ernments may pay their enormous
debts TO the United States and that
individuals of Europe may be able to
pay their obligations to American IN
div!duals ard corporations. He de-
clared that they would not pay
price for cotton which would enable
the south to take our women and
them into the homes and schools"
Urges Washington Conference.
Proposal for 4 national conference
Of representatives. Of agrtc IIture and
friendly allied interests" TO meet i'll
Washington TO protest against the De-
partnlent of Agricultural report. is
made in a telegram sent to Norman
Mayer GO, Of New Orleans by
Mr.. Wananlaker, made public here to-
day. The telegram urges members OF
the firm to confer with friends and
advise the sending of their Judgment,
saying that many requests for such a
conference have been received.
In another telegram sent to the
same firm on Saturday. Mr.. Wana-
maker says that he can find mo law
either human or divine. justifying ac-
ton OF the government IN issuing re-
crease In cotton OF approximately l2
per cent"