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Postcard showing stacks of cotton stocked in the cotton yards in Red Springs, North Carolina. A man is walking through the center of the yard, and buildings surround the perimeter.
Unknown
The Philadelphia Evening Item reports on the good economic conditions in various industries, companies, and places in the United States and its trading partners, which it says “give[s] the lie to the calamity howlers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-22
President Roosevelt has received a number of complaints on the cotton report leaks which might have been used to “help the stock gamblers.” He would like to hear from Secretary James Wilson on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-11
Edward A. Horner writes to Theodore Roosevelt about the cotton industry. According to Horner, the current cotton handling methods cost the farmer $100,000,000 a year. Horner does not blame the farmer entirely, he believes everyone in the industry plays a role. He discusses European tariffs which result in American farmers adding refuse to their cotton shipments. Horner thinks the biggest culprit is the practice of “compression in transit,” which allows transportation companies to increase the weight of shipments and charge higher prices. Horner encloses two booklets which detail the issues in the cotton industry and Horner’s ideas for remedies. Horner also asks Roosevelt if they could meet to discuss this matter in more detail. Horner has spoken with Alfred Henry Lewis, who thought it would be an interesting subject to write about.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-27
In response to a number of documents and letters sent to him by Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus, Commissioner of the Bureau of Corporations Smith responds to several matters regarding bucket-shops and stock exchanges. First, he writes that the bill purporting to ban bucket-shops is confusing and does not merit attention, largely because of its poor definition of such exchanges and the difficulty of enforcing it as written. Second, Smith discusses the merits of attempting to limit speculative transactions. It is especially important to keep prices stable. Finally, Smith discusses German laws regarding speculation and exchanges. He examines the constitutionality of the government managing the markets and exchanges and believes that the most effective way would be through the use of taxation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-21
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson informs President Roosevelt that he has given the charges in the cotton matter to the Secret Service, dismissed the man who was under suspicion (Edwin Sanford Holmes), and sent the papers to Attorney General William H. Moody. He will help Moody push criminal charges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-12
James Bronson Reynolds reports of his travels in the Philippines, where he believes Filipinos have just complaints regarding liberty, with the powerful taking the spoils. Reynolds also spent time in China and believes there is great opportunity for trade in China, especially in cotton. He applauds setting up a commission or investigator there. Reynolds also writes of Chinese students in Tokyo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-07
Text of a speech delivered by John Milliken Parker on the financial importance of the cotton industry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-02
An opinion column about a fateful day for the cotton industry which is resting on the verdict of the twin bureaus.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-02
Charles S. Hamlin speaks on behalf of merchants and those in transportation along the border of the United States and Canada who are concerned about the recommendation of Commissioner Powderly to limit the border crossings of Chinese merchants. Such an act would be disastrous to New England merchants, especially for those involved in the cotton trade. Hamlin hopes that President Roosevelt will make no such radical recommendation to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-27