Kraft, Gayle 1973-08-29
Gayle Kraft, manager of the New-Tex Gin near Plains, Texas, reviews his career, discusses ginning policy and problems, and makes speculations concerning the future of ginning and cotton agriculture.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Gayle Kraft
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: August 29, 1973
Location: Near Plains, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Discussion of problems of being located on the Texas-New Mexico border,
Family background examined,
Early work with cotton gin in Peacock, Texas recalled,
Closing of Peacock gin due to drought (1956),
Management of Plains area gins discussed,
R. E. Hillburn gins mentioned,
Credits religious faith and a success factor,
Labor problems cited,
General cotton ginning changes from 1956 reviewed,
Labor policy examined,
Use of women labor force in cotton ginning,
Reason for liquidation of Hillburn gins,
Federal-state regulations discussed,
Cotton burr pit described.
Tape 1, Side 2: Discussion of attitudes toward ginning organizations,
Advantages of ginning cooperatives surveyed,
Plains ginners as an "arm" of Texas ginners expressed,
"Ginner of the Year" award described,
Examination of conflict over transfer of cotton allotments from South and East Texas to the Plains,
Speculations on feasibility of the centralized ginning project at Crosbyton,
Reservations expressed about dwarf-type, broadcast cotton,
Attitude toward ginning services offered to the farmer,
"Price fixing" and USDA ginning cost study on Plains gins described,
"Power shortage" mentioned,
Failure of effort to use Indians for gin labor cited.
Range Dates: 1956-1973
Bulk Dates: 1956-1973
Access Information
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Transcript:
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