Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-27
THE FARMERS UNION.
National Convention In New Orleans,
November II.

National Convention In New Orleans,
November II.
Union City, Ga, October 23-Charles
S. Barrett, national president Of the
Farmers Union, has issued the follow
ing statement regarding the industrial
congress he has called to meet at New
Orleans, November 18th for the purpose
Of formulating a campaign for advanc-
ing the price of cotton in the south:
LAS the executive head of an organi-
zation Of more than 100000 farmers
in the southern states, controlling ap-
proximately 60 per cent of the cotton
grown in the United States, feel that
it is incumbent upon me to take the in
itiative in practical steps looking to
stopping the downward trend Of the
price for this staple, and restoring 1t
to a figure warranted by the cost of
it's production and it's value to civiliza-
ton.
1T is needless for me to state that
the prosperity Of every business inter-
est between Mason and Dixon's line
and the Rio Grande river is largely de-
pendent upon the return the cotton crop
is bringing to this section.
"A proper return for cotton means
prosperity to the farmers the country
and town merchants, the city business
man, the manufacturer, the wage work.
er, the salary Garner, every railroad
and corporation in the southern states.
To-day spot cotton is selling in the
neighborhood Of "a cents per pound
less than one year ago. In many in
stances, this means that the producer
is called upon to dispose of his output
below cost.
IF this price level prevails through
out the selling season of 190s-O9, the
south will sustain a loss approaching
150000,000.
THE significance of such a develop
ment would be sluggishness in every
southern commercial circle, constric-
ton of money in every business, stop
page Of construction and development
cuperate from the panic Of last fall as
rapidly as we have a right to expect.
There is no logical or necessary rea-
son for this slump in the price Of cot
ton. The output Of the south will be
infinitely smaller than last year. when
prices ranged to a higher level. Amer
lean and European spinners admit that
they expect to book the usual volume
of advance orders at the prices obtain
ing in 1907.
1.-The sole excuse now standing be-
tween fair prices and the south's cot
ton, is the belief of spinners that they
will be able to obtain the staple at
their own figure. In this belief they
have been aided by exchange manipu-
lators, whose efforts have been to show
that the cotton belt would make rec
ord breaking yield. AS a mater Of fact,
we who are in most intimate touch with
the situation know there is not the
slightest ground for such an opinion.
1.-The members Of the Farmers Un-
ion, as 1 have said, control in the
neighborhood of 60 per cent Of the
south's staple crop.
with tie co-orsratfon of the busi-
ness interests, large and small, Of ev-
cry southern state, they will undertake
to secure for this crop it's intrinsic val
ue in the markets of the world.
I'VE are determined to win this fight
regardless of the temporary sacrifice
it may entail upon us. serve this no
tice freely and frankly upon every bus
mess man Of the south.
They can aid us materially, and
they can shorten the time Of waiting
by active cooperation in this effort.
I'VE are battling not alone for our
selves, but for the prosperity and the
freedom from debt Of every man, wo-
man and child in the southern states.
I'VE have a right to expect their as
sistance under these conditions.
ITO the end of arriving at definite
plans, have summoned delegates from
every southern state to meet in New
Orleans on Nov. 18th. l will answer
for large attendance of these men,
each thoroughly familiar with the cot
ton and the financial situation in his
community.
II invite the cooperation Of business
man, manufacturer, professional, bank
er and wage Garner in the south. l
urge them to be present personally. l
urge on commercial bodies, chambers
of commerce, boards of trade and labor
organizations to send representatives to
this convention.
I'VE are going to adopt extraordi-
nary measures to meet extraordinary
conditions. That fact is settled. With
the active help and counsel of the busi-
ness men of the south, the success OF
our plans, and the prosperity OF the
entire section is assured beyond per-
adventure.
81 will be glad to receive notice from
parties intending to be present, as well
as suggestions for promoting this uni
versal movement, unprecedented in
scope and vital Importance in the MIS-
tory Of the south.
Bear in mind that the moment the
south makes it evident at New Orleans
that it intends to work in concert for
a just price for cotton the price for
that staple will begin to mount and
that it will not stop short Of an equi-
table level corresponding to the laws OF
supply and demand.
Are the business interests OF the
south ready to join hands with the
producers of the south in promoting