The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-01
by THE GOVERNORS
Action Taken in Interest
of Cotton Growers.
Campaign for Reduction Of Acreage
Now Led by Chief Magistrates
of Several Southern
States.


Especial to News and Observer.)
Baltimore, Md, March 30.-Deep
and active interest in the campaign
for a reduction of the acreage in
cotton this year, as shown by the au-
thorities of Southern States, led the
Manufacturers Record this week to
wire to Governors of the cotton States
asking for their opinion as tC the ex-
tent of the reduction to be made. Gov
ernor Vardman, of Mississippi has en-
tered upon a canvass of his State in
! the interest of reduction, making di-
rect appeal to growers and others, and
Governor blanchard, of Louisiana, has
issued an official call urging the grow
ers to promote their individual inter-
ests, as we'll as the interests of the
entire South, by planting a largely de-
creased area in cotton than that plant
ed in 1904 and the bankers mer-
chants and others to exert their influ-
ence iii behalf of such reduction. Such
actions by State authorities together
with the Vigor with which other prom
inent men throughout the South are
pressing the campaign, reinforce the
impressions favorable to reduction
given in the. letters published by the
Manufacturers Record about a month
ago from nearly thousand Southern
bankers telling of plans in their re-
SlGCtANG communities
of the acreage. kilograms received
from Some Of the governors will tend
to strengthen the campaign. They are
us follows:
Governor James X. Vardman, Of
Mississippi: your request for a re-
port on the question of the reduction
of cotton acreage in Mississippi has
been received. / am now making q
pretty thorough canvass of the State,
but 1 am not as we'll prepared to am
swer your question rs l shall be a
little later. However, ] I'M sure that
/ am within the limits of conservatism
when | say that in Mississippi the cot
ton acreage will be reduced not less
than 20 per cent. [ believe it will go
ly interested in this matter, and the
work Of campaigning has hardly be-
gum
Governor N. B. sBroward. of Florida:
~ know of no reduction contemplated
by our farmers"
Governor j. NJ. Terrell, of Georgia:
AT least rs per cent of the cotton
growers win reduce their crop from
25 to 80 per cent. Twenty-Five per
cent Of the growers will make only Il
nominal reduction. A reduction of 20
per cent is a. conservative estimate.
Governor S. w. r. I4anham, of Tex
as:--"It is impossible to answer with
any certainty. GACGSolNG LcllliS AAeSFI
affected the sowing of spring oats.
Corn planting has been delayed for
the same reason, and it is not likely
that the usual acreage will used for
corn. In consequence it is not prob-
able that the cotton acreage will he
materially reduced"
Governor ID. G. Hayward of South
Carolina: - Answering your telegram
of inquiry, / do not feel warranted at
this time in making a forecast as to
the reduction of the cotton acreage in
South Carolina this year Official duties
have prevented my having the oppor-
tunity to observe the conditions of the
fields, and, consequently, such fore
opinion should think that
the officers of the South
GERS of the South GERS of the South
Carolina Growers Association who
have travelled over the State would
be a better position to furnish the de-
sired forecast These officers report
that farmers are making the reduc
tion as pledged by them. am in
hearty sympathy with the Cotton
Growers Association and the impor
tant movement that has been inaugu-
rated looking to the reduction of the
acreage and an increase of the price
of cotton. I do not hesitate to express
my belief that South Carolina's acre
age in cotton will be reduced. / also
believe that this movement has done
much to encourage our farmers in un-
dertaking diversified agriculture.