Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-24
DABBS IS DOUBTFUL.
President of the Farmers Union
WithhoIds Endorsement.

E.W. Dabbs, president of the 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 Caro-
lima. It's success will depend, he said,
upon whether the planters embrace
the offer of the syndicate. He also
said that he could not see any notice
able effect Of the syndicate's scheme
as he thought the main desideratum
to be obtained by the plan, in his es-
timation, had already been obtained
through action by the Farmers
Union.
Nevertheless, If the plan seems good
to him when he has had time to eX-
anime it's details, he will lend 1t his
heartiest support. He hopes, he said
that 1t will prove successful in help
ing the farmers secure a fair price
for their cotton.
while I do not wish to throw cold
water on the New York syndicate's
plan Of advancing $25 per bale on the
south's cotton CROP" said Mr.. Dabbs
Wednesday. Il do think that the pro-
moters have overlooked two points
One Of these, as I pointed out to C.
s. Barrett, president of the National
Farmers Union, Is the question
whether the farmers will embrace the
offer Of the northern syndicate.
suggested to him that instead Of one
trustee, as proposed 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 main
tained 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 have seemed to overlook 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. This counsel, II
reduction in acreage even without the
trustee movement.
81 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. Then knowledge that there were
2, 900, 900 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 fu-
tility Of excessive production.
This purpose, however, I think has
been subserved by the present con-
ditions. With cotton selling at nine
cents and below, and with fertilizers
high. think the farmers will take
the advice given by the business
agents of the Farmers union in their
meeting at Columbia. Conditions are
such now, that farmers. by reducing
their acreage and cutting down their
purchases of fertilizers, will 80 cur
crop Is unlikely. This, then, disposed
Of one object of holding the cotton by
the trustee system. This condition
seems to prevail wherever 1 have
been of late.
Now, as to the success OF the plan
1t depends, as intimated before. on
whether the farmers will embrace the
offer of the financiers.
$50 far, can see no notable effect
The action Of the Farmers union
business agents and the action we
took at Sumter yesterday will pre-
vent the sacrifice Of cotton to pur-
chase fertilizer. The matter Of re-
duction Of acreage will be accomplish
ed by this means without the appli-
cation Of the trusteeship plan. Judg-
ing by the response to the pledges
70 hold cotton and reduce acreage,
do not think that the planters will
readily embrace the proposition made
by the syndicate.
"I should like to see the plan sue
ceed. but fear 1t will not take with
the southern planters.
IT am not at all antagonistic to
this plan; I will be glad to see any
thing succeed that will insure us a
price for our cotton which will give
us a profit After / have secured a
better knowledge of its details, IL II
meets my approval, / will give 1t my
heartiest support and cooperation. u
Mr.. Dabbs also explained the action
taken yesterday at a meeting OF the
Farmers Union called to discuss the
fertilizer situation. The result Of the
meeting was a recommendation that
the farmers buy no fertilizers for 1912
except on this condition.: that the
payment be made In three INSTALL
ments, one not earlier than December
/, 1912, and the other two at inter-
walls of not less than thirty days.
This recommendation, with that OF
the business agents of the. union, that
the farmers be conservative In their
purchases Of fertilizer at the present
prices, II followed, Mr.. Dabbs thinks
will lead to a reduction in acreage
and will put the farmers In a better
position to hold their cotton.