Davis, Roy B 1972-07-05

On Tape 1, Roy B. Davis, former Plains Co-op Cotton Mill President, describes his joy as county agent in the 1920s and 1930s, and expresses his attitudes toward Plains agricultural development and government cotton programs. In Tape 2 he discusses the origin, function and operation of many organizations and institutions with which he has worked. He relates the history and operation of Plains Cooperative Oil Mill, along with its labor policies and research, on Tape 3. He closes with a further discussion on Government agricultural policies and his hopes for future area agricultural development.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Roy B. Davis

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: July 5, 1972

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background and early life, Theory about the significance of milo in South Plains settlement, Recalls sale of railroad land near Lamesa, Cotton production and prices reviewed, Describes pioneer living conditions in Dawson County in 1906, Difficulties encountered in adapting to the plains, Influenza epidemic of 1918, Discusses living conditions, social life, and education on the plains, Student activities in Lubbock, Farming operation on the plains recalled, Received education at Texas A&M, Working toward county agent position, Gaines-Terry counties

Tape 1, Side 2: Aspects of county agent job, Explains governmental machinery through which county agent is appointed, Nature of county agent's position, Working with 4-H clubs and with adult programs, Mentions first area cold storage locker plant in Plainview--mid-1930s, Position as county agent at Hale County in 1930-32, Recalls effects of the Depression, Reasons for farmer protest meeting in Plainview, Theory on the stability of land value, Irrigation as a factor in agricultural development, Expresses concern over water depletion, Attitude toward federal cotton programs revealed, Current cotton program described, Attitude toward farm diversification, Speculates on use of castor bean as cash crop, Need to develop plains textile mills, Explains thoughts on role of cattle feed lots in plains economy

Tape 2, Side 1: Recalls living in a dugout as a child, Work with Postex Mills in 1917, Marriage and family information, Review of organizations and institutions involved with, Board of Directors of Texas A&M--1936-1939, Problems involving university oil lease, Texas Tech Foundation, Board of Directors of Texas Tech, Advisory Council of the Texas Education Agency, Work with vocational education, Soy Cot Sales Incorporated, Soybean discussed, National Cotton Board--1967, Origin and operation of cotton research program, Regional Export Expansion Council--1967069, Speculates on markets for South Plains agricultural products, Cotton and Cottonseed Research Marketing Advisory Committee, 1940s and 1950s

Tape 2, Side 2: Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., its purpose and operation, Problems with South Plains cotton, Service on Board of Governors of Agricultural Hall of Fame, Receives Man of the Year Award in 1966, Progressive Farmer magazine mentioned, Lubbock Chamber of commerce Director--1960-1965, Experiences on Cotton Mission to the Far East--1967, Director of Farm Credit Administration--1951-1959, Function and operation explained, Attitude toward federal aid to agriculture, Expresses thoughts on farm cooperatives and their relationship to government, Advisory position with Houston bank of cooperatives, Building farm co-ops on the plains, Discusses legislation concerning national agricultural policy, Expresses attitude toward government bureaucracy, Names various awards received, Lions' Club Man of the Decade Award, Knapp-Porter Award, Research-industry conflict described, Honorary Kentucky Colonel, Admiral of Texas Navy, Examines need for cotton uniformity

Tape 3, Side 1: Urban-renewal test case in Lubbock reviewed, Dairy Co-op Association in Plainview, its function and operation described, Working with Houston co-op bank, Began working with Lubbock co-op cotton oil mill in 1943, Names competitive area cotton oil mills, Traces evolution of mill equipment, Growth of the Plains Co-op Gin, Association to Co-op Oil Mill, Discusses internal administrative changes in the Plains Co-op, Mill, Financing of co-op mill, Recalls open house at the co-op mill, Labor union activity in 1950s and 1960s described

Tape 3, Side 2: Labor problems and policies discussed, Sociology of the mill workers, Plains Co-op Mill becomes "largest in the world" in 1960s, Mentions government contracts of 1940s, Role of oil mill in cotton industry, Explains cotton gin management, Problems involved in proving a cottonseed product commercially, Speculation on profit and loss at the co-op mill, Plain Co-op Marketing Association discussed, Explains co-op exemption from corporate tax, Relationship between the community and air pollution, Cottonseed products and properties, Development of savings plan for mill workers

Tape 4, Side 1: Problems in research explored, A&M Distinguished Professorship established, Explains National Cotton Council policy, Government subsidy to cotton growers discussed, Describes cotton grading and marketing, Changes in structure and administration of National Cotton Council, Federal cotton legislation explained, Regulation of cotton producers, Expresses hopes for Plains textile industry, Mentions presentation of a bust by Managers Association, Examines significance of National Agriculture Conference, Explores means of establishing textile mills, Dawson County Agent job recalled, Lists agricultural innovations and inventions

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1909-1969

Bulk Dates: 1909-1969

Access Information

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Transcript:

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