White, Dixon 1972, 1973

Dixon White, president of Lubbock Cotton Oil Mill, discusses the history and present condition of the Lubbock operation. He also reviews the achievements of Plains cotton organizations and the present cotton situation.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dixon White

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: September 22, 1972; May 30, 1973

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour 20 minutes

Abstract

September 22, 1972. Tape 1, Side 1: Family background and early life, Reasons for liquidation of small cotton oil mill, Employed at Swift and Company Oil Mill in Brownwood, Description of Cotton Oil Mill in Houston, Explains moisture factor in seed processing, Management at Coleman Cotton Oil Mill described, Chemical poisoning developed for insects, Restrictions on DDT and other insecticides explained, Began work with Lubbock Cotton Oil Mill (1947), Simmons Mills discussed, Evolution of equipment of Lubbock Cotton Oil Mill, Names cottonseed oil’s competition, States methods and policies concerning buying seed and blending, Russian competition with cottonseed and sunflower oil, European export markets discussed, Problems in processing soybeans, Relates attempts to establish labor union in Lubbock mills.

Tape 1, Side 2: Policy of oil mills’ financing cotton gins, Reasons for decreasing number of gins, Ethnic distribution and stability of labor force, Explores alleged influence of government welfare programs, Reports changes in labor policy, Attitude toward government imposition of regulatory laws, Air pollution control mentioned, "Linters" product discussed, Explains feelings toward future of innovation in cottonseed processing and cotton industry in general, Hopes for water solution expressed, Gives location of oldest cotton gin in Lubbock County, Description of early Lubbock, Relationship between Cotton Oil Mill location and environment, Joe Flagg, first Lubbock Cotton Oil Mill Manager, characterized, Trade and civic organizations discussed, Discusses the oil mill whistle.

May 30, 1973. Tape 2, Side 1: Legislative function of Plains Cotton Growers (PCG) discussed, Cotton allotment controversy and West Texas Chamber of Commerce’s relation to it, Cotton classing discussed, Oklahoma influence on Plains cotton cited, Oil mills’ relationship to cotton gins and ginning profits explained, Pink boll worm controversy, Attitudes toward "Maid of Cotton" and promotion of Plains cotton expressed, Use of moisture in ginning, Attitude toward Texas Tech’s ginning program given, Reason for compress sample, Failure of cotton bagging, Centralized ginning discussed.

Tape 2, Side 2: Centralized ginning (continued).

Range Dates: 1930s-1973

Bulk Dates: 1947-1973

Access Information

Original Recording Format: open audio reel-to-reel tape

Recording Format Notes:reels digitized July 2018; audio CD available for patrons in Reading Room

Transcript: no

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