Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
Cotton Interests TO Be
Discussed at New Orleans
RY HARDEN COLFAX.

HOUSTON, Tex, June 30.--PoliticS
has been the center OF attention IN
Houston this week, but even this ao-
sorb.ng topic found it impossible 70
crowd cotton from the picture, when
is not surprising when q third o. the
delegates and three fourths OF the spec
tators at the Democratic national con-
vention spell Cotton with. capisal y.
The South-wide Cotton Councn,
launched at q meeting ia Jackson.
Mich. last February. has been called TO
meet In New orleans next Friday 10
consider uniform State legislation and
plans of cooperation among many or
carnations looking toward Stanilixation
of price and production OF the great
money crop of the South, which forms
the largest single item Of the exports
of the United States and whose pront-
able price, or the lack OF 1t, Is re-
fiected in the business OF every section
of the country.
THE wonder is that this meeting was
not held Immediately after the Demo-
cratic convention, Tor gatnered IN
Houston this week have been hundreds
Of cotton producers, merchants, manu-
facturers and goods distributors. men
and women, who come into contact
with the staple in some form, from
every State In the Union. The author
of the present cotton futures act, Scna-
tod Ellison d. Smith, was here as
delegate from South Carolina. And
here in Houston is the headquarters of
n partnership which has worldwide
organization and whose story Is faS-
cinating chapter In the romance OF
American business. Anderson, Clayton
S Co. handle from 10 to 10 per cent
OF the cotton crop Of the United States,
which Is speaking In terms OF many NIL
i " II
It is hoped to bring about, at the
New Orleans meeting. plans whereby
there may be some definite action to-
ward control OF cotton acreage by vol
untary action. Price depends, In the
main. upon supply, and supply Is regu-
lated by the acreage planted In so far rs
this factor may regulate the production
of any crop SO dependent upon weather
conditions and freedom from insect
pests as lis cotton. This object sets no
mean task for the conference.
Guessing at the size OF this seasons
cofton crop ran close second 10 the
political forecasts In the discussions In
hotel Hobbies In Houston this week,
An observer win discover that there
was considerably less conviction about
the former than the latter. Trying to
nrophesy IN June the size OF cotton
crop which will not be gathered for
weeks to come, and regarding even the
acreage of which there Is yet no au-
thoritative confirmation, Is. indeed, a
hazard
THE crop Of l926-27 was the largest
on record, 10000, 900 bales. Acreage was
reduced last season and $4,000, 900 bales
we're produced Yet with this 5000. 900
bale reduction the price broke last Fail,
whereupon there came charges and an
investigation 10 determine whether this
was due to economies or to artificial
causes.
But the cotton folks are perked up this
Summer, It Is apparent TO the conserva-
tives here. The price has been advance
ing on the futures markets for several
weeks The crop Is late all over the
belt, Texas. big In everything, has
planted about million acres more cot
ton than last year the State commits
sinncr OF agriculture estimates, There
have been rains and hailstorms and
sandstorms In some parts OF this State
to fetard the crop, but warm weather
has helped growth Of the plant In recent
days. Rains have damaged the fields
In most OF the cotton States east OF the
Mississippi rather severely. There. too.
busv little boil weevii has been rather
active encouraged by weather condi-
tions. The aituatid Is In that delight
ful STAGE where 10 one has positive
knowledge OF what the outcome will