Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-07
HOLD AND CURTAll.
Watson's Plan to Increase the Price
of Cotton.

To hold all cotton possible for a
price of 13 cents per pound, and to
pledge the reduction of the acreage
for the 1912 crop to not exceeding 60
per cent of the arabic land under cul-
tiyation, Is the object Of the move
ment begun for a concerted and i'm
mediate holding from the market Of
all possible cotton throughout the en-
tire cotton belt. The action follows
the meeting of the farmers held in Co
lumbia Thursday night. kilograms
explaining the situation in full, and
requesting the immediate co-opera-
tion of all parties interested in all the
cotton states, went forward last Fri
day from the office Of E. ]. Watson,
commissioner Of agriculture, COM
merce and industries and president Of
the Southern Cotton congress.
The kilograms, each some $50 words
in length, were dispatched to all the
commissioners of agriculture in the
cotton states and to the president OF
every state farmers union.
Books are to be opened in every
county seat throughout the length and
breadth Of the cotton belt, according
to the plan now being inaugurated,
and every farmer who produces cot
ton will be asked to sign his name.
pledging himself to hold a stated
number Of bales Of cotton until Sept.
1, 1912, unless the price previously
reaches 13 cents per pound. Another
set of pledges Is to be recorded, the
farmers agreeing not to plant more
than 60 per cent Of their arabic lands
in cotton in 1912. An assessment Of
2 cents per bale will be asked Of cot
ton growers to pay the expenses OF
the campaign.
The object Of the campaign is to i'm
mediately retire from the market
sufficient quantity Of cotton to enable
the farmers to control, to some de-
gree, at least the cotton The pledges
will be published daily.
The telegram which was forwarded
to the commissioners Of agriculture
and Farmers Union president Is as
follows:
Following action of mass meeting,
South Carolina farmers would urge
upon you to take immediate steps to
push with all vigor you possess, in
every township and county, your
state, the holding movement on fol-
lowing lines, similar request being
made Of state farmers union presi-
dent, your state: Open books at each
county seat for signatures Of farmers
to pledge to hold stated number of
bales until September 1, 1912, or un-
til the price has reached 13 cents,
prosecute vigorous campaign in each
township for holding cotton and get
ting pledges; get also pledges to re-
duce cotton acreage for 1912 to not
exceeding go per cent Of arabic land
held; get reports each day as to
pledges filed and publish names Of
signers with number of bales pledged.
Call for not less than cents per bale
from growers holding cotton, to be
sent Immediately to secretary treas
urer state union to defray expenses
quick campaign for pledges, publish
ing receipts daily. This plan already
under way in South Carolina and
quick and effective retirement Of cot
ton seems assured. 1t Is absolutely
necessary to bring the individual pro-
ducer into line right now IL millions
Of dollars are to be saved to the cot
ton belt. Plans for the future can
be agreed upon later, but a feasible,
simultaneously in all our states can
and will effectively stem the present
disastrous tide in this critical mo-
ment. I most earnestly appeal to
your patriotism in the name Of the
masses Of southern people to act up
on this matter, and act quickly. Am
arranging for whirlwind campaign
through belt in holding cause for
Senator Smith, President Barrett and
other members Of national committee
created at Montgomery. Kindly wire
me Immediately II in behalf Of every
material interest in the south you
may be relied upon to take the speedy
action invoked.
&c. J. Watson,
president Southern Cotton Con-
gress.
Approved:
"E. w. Dabbs,
President State Farmers Union.
~. Whitner Reid,
"Secretary-T Farmers Union
Sum-"
The form of agreement suggested
Is as follows:
81. We, the undersigned owners Of
cotton Of the 1901 crop hereby pledge
ourselves to withhold from the mar
ket the number of bales entered op-
posite our respective names until Sep
tember 1, 1912, or until the price Of
cotton has reached 13 cents, and we
do severally solemnly declare that we
will regard this pledge as sacred.
"2. We further agree not to plant
for the crop Of 1912, more than go per
cent of our arabic lands in cotton.
"3. We hereby agree to forward to
J. Whitner Reid, secretary-treasurer,
the State Farmers union, Columbia,
S. c., by postal money order, two
cents per bale for the cotton held,
to defray the expenses Of the holding
90 y,opo ION