The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-12-06
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coming alarmed lest the niS1
price of cotton will stimulate an
Increase in acreage, and bring
about a condition OF over pro
duction, similar to the condition
of 1885,. Our recollection OF
those years is that there was no
over production, but to the con-
trary, we had storms which des-
troved a large part of the crop:
and damaged a great portion OF
that which was not destroyed.
There was no concerted action
on the part of the farmers, and
the consequence was, the specu-
lators hammered down the price
away below the cost of produc-
ton. At that time we heard no
appeals to the spectators to lift
the grinding heel from the neck
of the farmer, but now, that the
pendulum is swinging the other
wav, we are warned that the
high prices will be the farmers
ruin.
If the Cotton Trade Journal
will think of it for a moment, 1t
will realize the fact that the cot
ton industry in the United States
is badly hampered on account OF
labor conditions, and for this lack
of labor it will be almost impos-
sible to make more than enough
to supply the increasing demand
for the staple. Since 1898 there
have been many discoveries for
the use of cotton, and it no
longer is confined to the manu-
facture of clothing, therefore, we
say conditions now, are different
from then, and there is very lit
tie to be feared from an increase
of acreage. The only thing that
is to be feared, and which we
regard inportant, is the high
price of cotton will cause our
farmers to neglect their grain
crops. and depend upon the
West for bread and meat. The
wise farmer however, will not
neglect this important part OF
his business, it matters not how
high cotton goes. The cotton
association is here to stay, and
the farmers having realized its
benefits will give more heed to
it's teachings in the future, and
when the association recommends
the curtailing Of cotton acreage,
past experience will teach the
farmers that the theory is their
salvation, and they will endorse
and act upon it.
There is no use now to cavll,
the conditions warrant a higher
price for cotton, in spite OF
those who have been hammering
it down until they are whipped,
and to now fee in the face of
victory, because the enemy is
promising all kinds Of calamitles,
is nonsense. We expect to see
Is cents for cotton and the spec
ulators realize it. We reproduce
the Cotton Trade Journals edl-
torial, but we do not endorse the
spook it sees:
EFFECT OF FIFTEEN CENT COTTON.
The cotton Trade Journal has natur-
ally supported the Southern Cotton
Growers Association in all its efforts,
and intends to continue so as long as
thev are within reasonable bounds.
We hope for the entire trade the AS
sociation may live long to render future
service But long life to the Assocla-
ton with ffteen-cent cotton is a hope
we cannot confidently cherish. Mr..
Jordan, justihably or unjustihably,
clamors for fifteen cents. Does he not
know that with cotton fifteen cents or
above. neither he or his Association,
nor all the funds obtainable by it, nor
any other possible influence could cur
tail an enormous acreage or curb pro-
duction next season? Have the costly
lessons of 1902 been so soon forgotten?
At a time when all is bullish 1t may be
we'll to '.let next season take care OF
itself" and sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof" But that the penalty
of high prices has in the past been
such that the question properly arises
whether the profits they bring justify
future big crops and losses.
Natural enough it is for growers to
want to fullest prices and concessions
would be unnecessary if the S. G. A. is
able to continue the exercise of It's In
fuence for moderate acreage and pro-
duction agoinst the desire to cultivate
enormously created by ffteen-cent cot
ton. We do not believe this Associa-
tion can hold the acreage down with
cotton ffteen-cents or above. 1t IS en-
tirely different to curtall acreage tho
with cotton 81 cents and drifting to-
ward 5 cents, as was the case when the
Association last cut the acreage.
The question Of price appeals pecu-
liarly to the Association just now. Con-
ditions are bullish beyond doubt, and
apparently warrants picking the plums.
Everyone is joyful and a happy day
seems near, with prices away up and
all prosperous. But the adage Of the
young mans friyolity and the future
day payment for it occurs. Undoubt.
edly the realization of Is cents will call
at least unoficially, to move on and on,
so that it does not appear improper to
raise the question of price-danger-
line.
A NEW UNITED STATES DISTRICT.
There is a strong proba billty
|of Congress creating another