Quattlebaum, Bill 1973-03-27
Bill Quattlebaum discusses the cotton industry in West Texas, his career with Paymaster Oil Mill Company which is a division of Anderson-Clayton, Inc., and the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association, of which he was president at the time.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Bill Quattlebaum
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: March 27, 1973
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 55 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Biographical information related,
Received degree in agriculture from Texas Tech,
Began working in 1949 for Paymaster Oil Mill,
First started at Paymaster Seed Farm in Aiken,
Then traveled, establishing cotton gins in West Texas,
Moved to Lubbock office in 1961,
Cites reasons for 75% reduction in number of gins run by Paymaster,
Diapause control program for boll weevils explained,
Reduction in area cotton production affected related industries,
Reasons for reduced number of oil mills in Texas,
Need for greater volume to make a profit,
Notes changes in processing cotton seed,
Outlines Anderson-Clayton’s policies and procedures,
Buying cotton seed,
Financing cotton gins,
Crude oil sent to Abilene refinery,
Sale of the refined oil,
Growth of the A-C Foods Division,
Paymaster also crushed soybeans,
Labor problems in the oil mill industry reviewed,
Use of seasonal workers,
Fringe benefits and wage increases,
How the problem of air pollution is dealt with.
Tape 1, Side 2: Control of air pollution (continued),
Development of cottonseed flour discussed,
Mentions Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association,
Currently serving as president,
Functions of the association explained,
Lobbying for favorable legislation,
Safety and accident provention program,
Relationship to the organizations for independent and co-op ginners,
Anderson-Clayton’s opinion of the association,
National Cottonseed Products Association discussed,
Expresses future possibilities of storing cotton,
Reveals labor problems in the cotton gin business,
Advantages of government’s farm program listed,
Problem of disappearance of skilled labor from the industry,
Training programs currently available,
Role of traditionalists in the cotton industry,
Future of textile mills in the South Plains area.
Range Dates: 1949-1973
Bulk Dates: 1949-1973
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