Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-06
COTTON
Brings MORE,
SAYS REPORT
Improved Conditions
Fair Index to Better
Conditions on Farm,
Terrell Says
BY GEORGE B. TERRELL
fComusaafou.w - -ma-1A---


AUSTIN, Tex. Jan. 6-Texas farm
ers got moro money for less cotton
IN 1877 than they did in 1926, and
sim better prices are in prospect, If
tne iaW OF supply and demand con-
trolls prices.
Our corn crop Is larger and al
reed crops except oats have IN
creased over the 1925 production and
70 per cent of the counties have
MADE enough feed to do them. The
price OF cattle has materially i'm
proved, and wool and mohair have
brought fair prices. The turkey crop
IN some sections of the state has
been remunerative. Dairy products.
pork and poultry products have In
creased-ali adding to the material
wealth Of the state.
These improved conditions ara n
xalr index 70 future prosperity.
Inc got about $425, 600, 900
1or q 4,25O,O00-bale cotton crop in
1927, as contrasted to about $685.
$4,000 for the 1926 crop Of 5.609. 900
naies. or some $SS. 45o, 900 more for
the past years crop.
short Crop liked Price
IL the present rate of consump-
ton continues, the world will be
three million bales short of enough
cotton to supply the mills for the
next IL months. This fact certainly
indicates better prices il the law
OF supply and demand controls the
prices.
While the prices for cotton have
been much better during the past
Few months than they were one year
ago, with the whole crop 5000. 900
nAI4R lACg 81
lied better price than they have re-
ceived for the present crop.
The short crop CEASED the price
70 advance Is cents at one time dur
ing the fall, and no more cotton
has been made since that time.
There IS no apparent reason for the
price to decline below 20 cents. caus-
ing . loss of $25 a bale, except spec-
ulation OF the cotton exchanges. I
have been greatly disappointed in
the price OF cotton the past few
months, as every indication pointed
TO higher prices, and IL Il the first
time / have been deceived in my
judgment about prices, but wher
gamblers control the market. the]ow
OF supply and demand ceasef' m
operate. These exchanges hrv ell
and deliver very little actual cotton
They are purely paper tFanssctior.
betting on future prices but tbess
gambling transactiors affect the
prices Of spot cotton generally 70
the detriment Of fotton -producers
All gambling textures Of these cx-
changes shoulV be suppressed nv
law. They Will cease 10 exist wher
tne gambling is stopped. and the
pIiSe OF SStton can then be stabil-
Advance Not Expected
CStton prices may probably ad-
s9Nce during the next few months.
Eut 4 do not expect any big adj
\ vance, because the cotton trade gen
orally. and the operators on the ex-
changes expect n larger acreage in
cotton the coming year. as increased
acreage always follows improved
prices. and the trade will wait and
not stock up on spot cotton until
the size of the next crop IS indi-
Gated by the acreage.
want to urge all farmers not 70
Increase the cotton acreage over last
years planting il they want in
creased prices, or even expect "a
maintain the present prices: for
just as sure as the acreage il in
creased, the price will decline. The
only way to get = profitable price
Tor cotton is TO reduce production
below actual needs Of the mills. I'M
less we had an organization finan-
Cially strong enough to hold anv
temporary surplus off the market
until there was a demand for Il
strong enough to compel good prices.
The matter of controlling the cot
ton acreage is largely in the hands
of the land owners and they should
encourage tenants to plart less cot
ton and see that enough feed ana
food crops are planted 10 supply the
farms and town and city population
adjacent and be sure not 10 increase
cotton acreage. even IL il becomes
necessary to let some Of the land
Tie out" This will help the land
and make il produce better IN the
future, and insure better prices for
what cotton Is produced.
We are starting the New Year
with more home supplies and home
comforts and brighter prospects. We
should continue the practice Of max.
ing the farm self-supporting, and
making the cotton crop a s~urnlus
erop-produced at less cost, so as 10
continue the present improved arri-
cultural conditions.