Thompson, Bill 1973-05-07

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Bill Thompson, manager of a cooperative gin near Shallowater, discusses his career, changes in farming and ginning, and ginning problems and proposals. He also discusses farm programs and legislative possibilities.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Bill Thompson

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: May 07, 1973

Location: Shallowater, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour 45 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Steam ginning system and use of sleds recalled, Discusses move to Plains area and comparison to Plains-East Texas farming techniques, Mechanization mentioned, East Texas-Plains cotton varieties reviewed, Explains use of sled stripper, Used "hand labor" and mechanization in cotton harvesting, First irrigation well described, Lint cleaners and gin power systems cited, Traces origin of Lubbock coal supply, Comments on inadequacy of gin equipment, Origin of ginning laboratory explored, Lists Plains ginning problems and practices, Green boll separator used, Emphasis placed on micronaire, Discussion of gin labor, Speculation of air pollution regulation, Cotton burr pelleting process examined.

Tape 1, Side 2: Technical ginning assistance and Plains ginning lab discussed, Ginning organizations explained, Comments on ginning charges, Review of ginning labor regulations, Proposal to extend ginning season and store cotton in the field examined, Speculations on future of ginning, Narrow row cotton mentioned, Cites increase of services by gins, States attitude toward bracero farm labor program and illegal entries, Traces origin of Goodman gin, now located in the Texas Tech Museum.

Tape 2, Side 1: Reconstruction of Goodman gin discussed, Increased capacity in ginning and mechanical innovations mentioned, Explains universal bale proposal, Moisture problems in ginning identified, Cites bysinnosis problem, Comments on farmer attitude concerning cotton varieties, Ginning problems and ginning organizations’ work reviewed, Complaints on weight dock based on foreign matter.

Tape 2, Side 2: Examines legislative problems, Farm program, beef boycott, and government beef programs mentioned.

Range Dates: ?-1973

Bulk Dates: 1950s-1973


Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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