Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-11-28
DOUBTS SUCCESS OF TIE PLAN. !
President Dabbs, However, Stands
Ready to Support 1t. If Good.

South Carolina Farmers Union, Is
rather doubtful how the farmers Of
the State will receive the plan of the
New York syndicate TO lend $25 a
bale upon the cotton crop Of South
Carolina. Its success will depend,
he said, upon whether the planters
embrace the offer Of the syndicate.
He also said that he could not see
any noticeable effect of the syndi-
Gates scheme, as he thought the main
desideratum to be obtained, had al
ready been obtained through action
by the Farmers Union.
Nevertheless, If the plan seems
good to him when he has had time
to examine its details, he will lend it
his heartiest support. He hopes, he
said, that it will prove successful in
| helping the farmers to secure a fair
| price for their cotton.
Two Points.
"While do not wish to throw cold
water on the New York syndicates
plan Of advancing s25 per bale on the
| South's cotton crop" said Mr.. Dabbs,
| 81 do think the promoters have over
looked two points. One Of these, as
| pointed out to G. S. Barrett, presi-
dent Of the National Farmers Union,
is the question whether the farmers
will embrace the offer of the North
ern syndicate. l suggested to him
| IF or
posed in the original plan, there
should be three for each State, and
that one member from each State
should constitute the central board
Of control. Mr.. Barrett seemed to
think that the more important point
was to secure the confidence of the
financial men, while l maintained
that the farmers trust should first
be gained. TO this end made my
suggestion as to the appointment of
three trustees.
1.-The second point that the pro-
moters seem to have overlooked Is
the effect that will be produced by
the action Of the business agents of
the Farmers Union, which urged
that the farmers refrain from buying
fertilizer at high prices. That will
make for substantial reduction In
acreage even without the trustee
movement.
Would Cause Reduction.
II had thought that the effect of
tying up 100000 bales Of cotton in
the hands of trustees would be very
strong tendency on the part Of the
farmers to reduce their acreage next
year. The knowledge that there we're
100000 bales Of cotton that might
be carried over until the next crop
was put on the market, | thought,
would lead the planters to see the
futiity of excessive production.
| This purpose, however, l think,
has been subserved by the present
conditions. With cotton selling at
nine cents and below, and with ferti-
liZers high, think the farmers will
take the advice given by the business
agents of the Farmers Union in their
|
such now that farmers, by reducing
their acreage and cutting down their
purchases OF fertilizers, will so cur
tail production that another exces-
sive crop is unlikely. This, then, dis
posed OF one object of holding the
cotton by the trustee system. This
condition seems to prevail wherever
have been Of late.
Now, as to the success OF the
plan: 1t depends, as ! intimated be-
fore, on whether the farmers will en-
brace tho offer of the hnanclers.
$50 far, | can see no notable ef-
feet. The action of the Farmers
Union business agents, and the ac-
ton we took at Sumter. will prevent
the sacrifice Of cotton to purchase
fertilizer. The matter Of reduction
Of acreage will be accomplished by
this means without the application Of
the trusteeship plan. Judging by the
response to the pledges to hold cot
ton and reduce acreage, | do not
think that the planters will readily
embrace the proposition made by the
| syndicate.
Il should like to see the plan sue
ceed, but fear it will not take with
the Southern planters
81 am not at all antagonistic. to
this plan; | will be glad to see any
thing succeed that will insure us a
price for our cotton which will give
us profit After | have secured a