Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-07-19
aARyIE JORDAN TO FARMERS.
Warns them Against Speculation OF All Kinds.
Advises Conservative Course.

Harvie Jordan, President of the South
ern Cotton Association, has issued the
following:
The South is to be congratulated on
the prospects for general prosperity dur
lug the next eighteen months. The 10y
atty of Southern farmers In standing to-
gether during the first three months of
the year and holding their staple off a
depressed cotton market and following
this by curtailing production for 1905, by
materially reducing the cotton acreage
and use of guano under cotton, is more
largely responsible for the present condi-
tion of good prices than all other causes
combined.
The loyalty of Southern bankers, cot
ton men, fertilizer companies and bust
ness men generally who have so gener-
ously contributed funds to the associa-
ton, and the Southern press, which, dur.
ing the hard struggle of the farmers for
the past six months to whip the fight
they had undertaken, has done such val
liant and effective public service without
price, are other highly important factors
in making possible existing conditions.
All of these things, coupled with bad
seasons following in the wake of heav-
lily reduced acreage aud an enormous de-
mand for spot cotton by the spinners of
the world, gives to cotton the strongest
statistical position it has occupied in
many years. If crop conditions do not
rapidly improve the supply of raw cot
ton for consumption in 1908 will fall far
short of the demand and prices will 20
very much higher. But abnormally high
prices will be as dangerous for tho future
to the producer and spinner as abnor-
mally low prices, and we must endeavor
to be conservative and consistent.
1t will be the best part Of wisdom for
all cotton producers to discourage specu.
lative interest that would tend to drive
the price of spot cotton above IL cents
per pound just as it is imperative that
no farmer should ever again sell pound
of middling cotton under 10 cents per
pound. Let us not encourage the growth
of the staple in foreign fields. We hold
complete monopoly of the cotton in
dustry of the world up to 12 cents per
pound and at that price good profits to
the producer can be realized.
The recent advance in cotto is induc-
ing many farmers already to sell their
crop for delivery in October. This is
bad policy, and If generally indulged in
will deluge such an enorclous amount of
the staple on the market during that
month as to break prices and prove in
furious to those who must sell. Learn to
market the crop slowly and do not go into
speculative propositions.
BY cooperative action refuse to sell
any cotton under 10 cents and so market
the staple as to keep the legitimate de-
mand active and healthy at good prices.
The Southern Cotton Association, in
its meeting at Memphis, June 20, 1908,
endorsed the plans for immediate con-
struction of warehouses under the plans
and specifications of the insurance COM
panies and to be owned and operated by
the local communities In the develop
ment of cotton warehouse system as
absolutely essential to the best system of
marketing cotton for high prices and
this matter should be pushed at every
cotton point in the South.
1t is now imperative that the farmers
rally in each county and build up the
membership of the association. Those
counties which have not yet organized
should get into line at once. Those that
are organized should be pushed by the
local officers and the membership of
each rapidly increased after the crops
are laid by.
We want to be in a strong position by
September to handle the situation next
fall and winter The outlook is most
encouraging. The State and county Off
GERS of the association are to be congratu-
lated on the splendid work they have
done and now that success is assured
they should redouble their efforts.
We have everything to be proud of and
must not let the golden opportunity now
in reach to still better fortify our posi-
tion for the future, slip by or fail to
measure up to the highest standard of our
duty to one another. Very truly,
Harvie Jordan,
Pres. Southern Cotton Association.