The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-09-14
Here's New Scheme to cut Acreage.
Columbia State.

Columbia State.
The call for a convention here on
the Goth of the State cotton growers
to consider the Memphis plan to re-
duce the cotton acreage or devise
some other scheme that will deliver the
farmers and those whose business de-
pends upon the success of the farmers
from the depressing effects of the star
vation price of cotton, seems to be
meeting with general approval. All
agree that the way to get relief is to
have the acreage reduced, but this is
a mighty big task to tackle. Every
body interested seems to have put his
thinkshop to work to devise some
thing practical, as it is now recogniz-
ed that preambles and resolutions
won't bluff anybody or have any ef-
feet on prices, and the result is that
President Wilborn, Of the association,
is getting many letters encouraging
him and offering him suggestions. As
a sample Of these communications, the
followering letter from Manager An
derson, of the Rock Hill Buggy Com
pany is quoted, as it is thoughtful and
to the point
Crock HILL, 8. c., Aug. 80, 1893.
"Dear Mr.. Wilborn: I notice your
call in the papers for cotton grow
ers' convention. If you remember I
was quoted in the Rock Hill Herald
about the first Of this month in con-
nection with the reduction Of acreage.
Now would be good time to open
up this matter so that next years crop
would be lighter. My plan in gen.
eral way, is this: Let each State
and all Of them must cooperate to
make it success-appoint commit
tee in each county who will have
charge Of affairs in their respective
counties. This committee will appoint
one or more canvassers who will make
"house to house" canvass Of the
whole county and get each farmer to
sign an agreement that he will not
plant but so many acres to the horse.
The details Of the agreement can be
gotten up later. Let these canvassers
be paid men and they will do their
duty. The county committee can get
up some scheme to raise the money;
or the State committee can doit. That
is merely detail which will come out
all right when you think over the mat,
ter with view Of developing it. OF
course every farmer is not going TO
sign the agreement. Such a thing is
not expected. But if every State will
put canvassers in each county to work
men who are paid cash for their ser
vices-it will show the world that you
are indeed in earnest and that some
thing practical is being done, and the
price Of cotton will go up in 80 days.
When fellow gets in earnest about a
thing something is going to happen.
Talk will never be worth q row of
pins unless something definite, posi-
tive, practical is done. This is prac-
tical world we live in and it's full of
mighty practical folks, and they are
not gring to be fooled by preambles,
resolutions, etc.
This scheme has suggested itself to
my mind as being something definite
and practical, and ! believe it can be
developed into something practicable,
and if carried out will raise the price
Of cotton at once. I don't want any
notoriety in connection With this. My
only purpose is to suggest this to you
and If you think it worthy Of mention
get it up in good shape and present it
to the convention.
Yours, &c.,
j.. G. ANDERSON.