The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-09-06
issues ADDRESS
COMMITTEE OF STATE FARMERS
SPEAKS TO PUBLIC.
The South, Having a Monopoly Of
Cotton Production Should Organ
iZe and Protect Her Industry.

Cotton Production Should Organ
ize and Protect Her Industry.
A committee of the State Farmers
Union, whose chairman is Alan
Johnstone, has just issued an address
to all "Southerners, Farmers, Mer-
chants, Bankers, Mill Men, and all
Business Men in the industrial devel-
opmet of the South" in the hope of
raising interest in getting the South's
great staple cotton, marketed reas-
onably and profitably. It points out
the uncertainty Of any crop estimate
that can be made. AS it says, a field
that is smiling this month night SUI
fer and wilt the next And why need
we hurry in stating figures. The
crop is in our hands and it is our
safest asset. Our banker will loan
US money on it and we should want
no better security. To let it go at
10 cents today as when we let it go
at cents. When we take stand
we cannot retrace our steps without
fear of serious breach in our own
ranks. Experience has taught US the
danger of too hasty action. The out
look may be promising today. But a
healthy weed is not the crop. A gen
eral drought will cut short the proc
ess of growth as the plant advances
into fruition. The crop is young.
into fruition. The early drought
set it back in its early stages and it
was we'll up in the summer months
before it showed signs of rapid
growth. Having begun late it must
be allowed to grow late. A late fall
is our only hope for anything like a
full crop. And so an early frost
would cut short what seems to some
estimators the best prospect in years.
The cold rains of fall, if they come
early will prevent the opening of a
large part of the crop.
In view of all these possibilities
common sense will tell US that it is
nothing short of folly to base an es-
innate upon data that must be very
uncertain; and the following of which
might prove disastrous. Aside from
the loss in money that might result
from too hasty action we cannot es-
mate the loss that would result to
the cause of the farmers, If after TAX
ing a stand we fail to hold it. The
movement for concerted action on the
part of all Southerners interested in
the cotton crop advances slowly be-
cause in the great stretch of country
that it covers there is such a diversi-
ty Of interest. A change of policy
that would suit our section might
bring calamity to another. We should
wait therefore until such time when
there can be no possibility of great
mistake in the estimate Of the crop.
Basing our figures then on sure es-
innate we should count on the sup
port of all Southerners.
If when we are ready to market,
consumers are reluctant to purchase
we need fear no disaster Having
arrived at fair estimate OF the crop
we may easily retire percentage OF
it, leaving available only so much
as will supply the market at a fair
price to ourselves. If we are to pro-
duce fourteen million bales, let US
retire two million bales and stand
firmly by this fixed pledge.
With all the attention given to the
raising of cotton the industry is but
partially developed. A crop must not
only be economically and efficiently
produced, but it must be wisely
marketed. Heretofore all our atten-
tion has been given to the plowing
and we have bestowed but scant care
upon the disposition of the crop. AS
much energy, as great labor, as fine
business judgment is needed in the
marketing as in the raising Of cotton
AS the growing is a science, so ought
the marketing to be system. With
united front We can place southern
cotton in every market in the world.
We Jan all join memorializing our
Congressman to aid us in finding new
markets for the staple, in opening all
the ports of the world to- southern
cotton. There is no possibility that
the product of the South can flood
the world market.
The foregoing facts having en-
rhasized the deep concern that all in
terests have in the crop of cotton and
in the proper marketing of the same,
let us call upon all to aid us in
strengthening the markets. Not alone
the market for raw materials but
for the finished product of the mills.
We are all farmers il that We deal
with the product of the farm. The
interests of the South are common to
all Southerners whether bankers,
merchants, mill men, or farmers.
The history Of the South should
bring US a lesson On the value of
nited effort. Through many resolu-
tions, commercial and otherwise, she
has passed and has been able to
withstand them only by united effort,
When the armies of the nation were
arrayed against her in the SOS con-
federation was all that saved her
from complete annihilation. When
she lay at the mercy of the unscrup-
ulous men during the period of re-
construction all rallied to free her
from the curse of the false govern
ment. AS in war so in business,
events OF the last twenty years seem
to argue against her prosperity. Hav-
ing by united effort overcome re-
verses her industrial development has
been wonderful. And yet when the
one great crop in which ali interests
centre seems a success, something