The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-02-01

I
every cotton growing county on bust
| ness basis to carry into operation a
permanent system of relief and pro-
lection for the future"
New Orleans, Jan. 25.-Firmly be-
| lieving it to be the most important
step in the solution Of the cotton prob
lem, the Southern Interstate Cotton
convention without a dissenting vote
today declared in favor of 25 per
cent. reduction in acreage and an
equal reduction in commercial ferti-
| lizer and backed that action Up with
the adoption of comprehensive plan
to secure the support Of every farmer,
big and little, in the cotton belt. An
overwhelming majority of the dele
gates were present when the, report
was received and acted upon.
At the opening Of the afternoon ses-
sion Former Senator McLaurin, of
South Carolina spoke along the lines
of national protection for the cotton
grower, saying that heretofore the cot
ton planted had been sacrificed to the
doctrine of free raw materials. A
reference to President Roosvelt's
friendliness to the south provoked a
favorable demonstration on the part
of the audience.
Former Lieut.. Gov. Jester, of Texas,
from the committee ION holding and
financing the balance Of the present
CROP presented report setting forth
that each state and local section seems
amply able to finance its present hold
ings. The ommittee believes that the
cotton now in the hands Of producer
should remain on the farm or be
stored in local warehouses protected
against weather and fire and said that
the bank and commission men
eyinced a Willingness to aid in market
ing the balance Of the crop so as to
hold in check any disposition to rush
i'm cotton unduly and break the mar
ket. Belief was expressed that rs per
cent. reduction inacreage and 25 per
cent. reduction in fertilizers will solve
the cotton problem.
After the convention had voted an
invitation to Capt. Richmond P. Hob
sonto speak, r. II. jenkins Of Texas
was recognized to read the report OF
| the committee on acreage which the
convention had voted to be of para
mount Importance:
The report follows:
| 'To the Hon. Harvie Jordan, Chair
man Interstate Cotton Growers
Convention:
1--WE your committee, on acreage
and the use of fertilizers, do recon-
mend that acreage planted in cotton in
1905 shah be 25 per cent. less than
in 1904 and that there shall be re-
duction of 25 per cent: in the use of
commercial fertilizers in growing cot
| ton.
1--WE recommend the following plan
for the accomplishment of said reduc-
ton:
First. That the vice pesident of
this association for each state shall
call meeting Of all persons interest
ed in cotton on the 11th day Of Feb
ruarv. 1905, in the county seat Of each
county not already organized. on the
plan hereinafter set out, at which
meeting there shall be elected coun-
ty chairman and precinct chairman
for each school district or other small
political subdivision of the county.
Second. That there shall be held
in each school district or other small
political subdivision of the county on
the 18th day of February. 1905, at l
o'clock D. M, meeting Of all citizens
of said district or other small political
subdivision who are interested in
the growing Of cotton, which meeting
shall elect a committee of three on
acreage and membership.
Third. At said precinct meeting
the farmers and land owners present
shall be asked to sign the following
| agreement:
The Agreement.
1--WE, the undersigned farmers or
land owners, living in (school district
| teat or precinct No. -, county o.
State Of --, hereby pledge
ourselves to reduce the acreage plant
| cd by us in cotton and to reduce oar
| consumption of fertilizers in growing
CT ,tol: as srown by ,h'. statements set
opposite our names.
| Fourth, That said committee on
acreage and membership shall imme-