Evening star., 1924-06-07
MEXICAN REVOLT MAY
HIT THE U. S. FARMER
Uprising at End, But Resulting
Economic Depression Likely to
Halt Twine Production.
YUCATAN LABOR SHORTAGE
Amen cans Hope to Procure Sub
.stitute Binding Fiber.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW WORK, June THE Ameri-
can farmer may be wounded in the
pocketbook- this summer by q shot
fired in the recent Mexican revolution
That revolution now , is over, but
there are stray bullets in the form
of economic, depression still flying
about. MOREOVER. the danger to the
American farmer will increase in di-
rect proportion to the size of his
crops of wheat, rye, oats and barley
That danger consists of a possible
shortage of binder twine. Raw ma
terial for twine consists largely OF
sisal hemp OF henequin, grown in
Yucatan, Mexico. Shipments were de-
layed and interrupted for some time
by the revoluti pm and the labor con-
ditions now ex lsting in Yucatan are
not conducive TO the production OF
the largest possible amount before
the 1924 harvest in America is over
even il the plamti ltions were in ths
best possible shar'e to furnish sup
plies.
Substitute iber Sought.
1t is possible, however, that other
fibers may be rec eived in this coun-
in the harvest fiel rs. The Philippines
will furnish considerable Manila fiber
but only the VOLUME already shipped
or now in transit will be of use ir
1924. Some fibers also are coming ir
from Africa New Zealand, Java anG
Cuba. but the use Of these on account
OF freight charges has tendency
to increase costs. The Mexican ship.
ments will be supplemented by ixtIf
and maguay fTberS. but none of these
substitutes really takes the place OF
sisal.
Company, one of the largest producers
OF binder twine IN the world, do not
anticipate a serious shortage this year
Now that the VI exican revolution is
over" said Vice Pres ident H. +. Perkins
shipments of sisal from Yucatan have
been resumed While the further supply
of fiber from this source for this years
requirements may not be as definitely
assured as splnners could wish, fbers
are coming into the market from other
sources. and we do not anticipate a
serious binder twine shortage for the
1924 harvest"
Higher EstIma ATE af Deficit.
Other men in the trade, however
place the possible deficit as high as
50,000.000 pounds of twins. They admit
this estimate depends on the extent &c
which carry-oyer is reduced, on the
grain situation in the Canadian fields
and the size of the American crops.
On the other hand, sorpe sections OF
the country fear an excess of grain bags
In the northwest large dealers have con,
cluded orders for immediate delivery
and are watching the market closely
They expect reduction in prices as a re.
suit of siIrinkage in grain crops. es.
pecially in California They estimate
that California's requirements will moi
exceed %, 200 bags, and fear that a sur
plus may be released on the northern
holders
The market has been steadied, how,
ever, by the fact that sales in the
northwest by Calcutta, the center o.
the jute and burlap bag industry
have been lighter than usual. The
number of bags used by fertilizer
companies has not been up to expec
tations, bat Cuba seems likely tc
have a record sugar crop, and as Z
result Calcutta dealers are very firm
in their price ideas.
Paper manufacturers. especially those
making newsprint, now are de-
batting the relative value of quantity
production and lower prices and cur.
tailed production and high prices
Production so far this year has beer
heavy and the capacity of a number
of plants has been increased, wherea:
since the slight to business through
out the country, which has been no.
ticeable recently, demand has dropped
off and the market has softened. TIL,
Canadian mills seem in better posi-
tion than the American plants to meet
this situation.
The book paper mills are fairly
well supplied with forward orders
but wrapping paper and paper board
factories are facing a period wher
the dull season of the year VIII force
keen and active competition.