Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-11-04
4 TO RAISE PRICE OF corroN.
President Barrett Issues Call for In
dustrial Congress, Nov. III.

ers' Union, has Issued the following
statement regarding the industrial
congress he has called to meet at New
orleans, November IL, for the pur-
pose OF formulating a campaign for
advancing the price of cotton in the
South: -
AS the executive head Of an or
ganization of more than 100000
farmers In the Southern States, con-
troillng approximately 60 per cent of
the cotton grown in the United
ates, feel that 1t is incumbent
pon me to take the initiative 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 its produc-
ton and its value to civilization.
ut is needless for me to state
that the prosperity of every business
interest between Mason and Dixon's
line and the Rio Grande river is
largely dependent upon the return
the cotton crop is bringing to this
section.
"a proper return for cotton means
prosperity to the farmer, the coun-
try and town merchant, the city bust
ness man, the manufacturer, the
wage-earner, every railroad and cor
poration in the Southern States.
To-day spot cotton Is selling In
the neighborhood of az cents per
pound less than one year ago. In
many instances, 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 19OS-9, the
South will sustain a loss approaching
$50, 100000. e
THE Significance Of such a deyel-
opment would be sluggishness in
every Southern commercial circle,
construction of money in every busi-
ness, stoppage of construction and
development in each direction, and a
failure to recuperate from the panic
Of last fall as rapidly as we have a
right to expect.
There is no logical or necessary
reason for this slump in the price Of
cotton. The output of the South will
be infinitely smaller than last year,
when prices ranged to higher level.
American and European spinners ad-
NIT that they expect to book the
usual volume of advance orders at
the prices obtained in 1907
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
manipulators, whose efforts have
been to show that the cotton belt
would make record-breaking yield.
AS matter of fact, we who are in
most intimate touch with the situa-
tion know there is not the slightest
ground for such an opinion.
"The members of the Farmers Un-
ion, as l have said, control in the
neighborhood of 60 per cent of the
South's staple crop.
with the cooperation of the bus
mess interest, large and small, of
every Southern State, they will un-
intrinsic value 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 notice freely and frankly
upon every business man Of the en-
tire 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-
lildl dhu SIllu III StGSSS-
I'VE have the right to expect their
assistance upon these conditions.
ITO he end of arriving at definite
plans, I have summoned delegates
from every Southern State to meet
in New Orleans on November II. /
will answer for large attendance OF
these men, each thoroughly familiar
with the cotton and the financial sit
uation in his community.
Il invite the cooperation Of busi-
ness man, manufacturer, professional
man, banker and wage-earner in the
South. 1 urge them to be present
personally. | urge on commercial
bodies. chambers of commerce,
boards Of trade and labor organiza-
tions 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 business men of the South, the
success Of our plans, and the prosper
ity Of the entire section is assured be
yond peradventure.
Il will be glad to receive notice
from parties intending to be present,
as well as suggestions for promoting
this universal movement. unprecc.
dented in scope and vital Importance
in the history OF the South.
Bear in mind that the moment
the South makes 1t 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 equitable level, corresponding
to the laws Of supply and demand
hn hIty, ,srn trfo