The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-23
the TRUTH ABOUT COTTON.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICUL-
q TURE OF GEORGIA CALLS
y CONFERENCE.
Concerted Effort Ia, He Made to OBJ
tain Cotton Crop Conditions and
4, Ascertain Probable Yieid-;False
\ Estimates Sent Out BY Department
Of Agriculture Causing Farmers
Great Loss.

Cofumoia. Aug. 20.--Commissione
of Agriculture, Watson is in receipt
OF letter from Commissioner OF Ag-
1hcuiture Hudson OF Georgia suggest
ting that a conference Of commission
ers Of Agriculture Of the Southern
States and presidents Of State Farm
ers' Unions be called at the earliest
possible date to take steps to ascer-
1Ain the true condition Of the cotton
crop and lay the facts before the
world and thereby allay the alarm
caused by the exaggerated estimates
Of the size Of the crop sent out by tie
Department of Agriculture. Mr.. Hrd-
Nsen's letter was as follows:
The impression has been created
throughout the country that the cot
ton crop this year Is going to be the
largest ever made. This impression
has already had the effect Of lowering
the price OF cotton and will carry II
much lower. unless something is done
10 put the world on notice that the
''srop is not such a large one as they
would have you think.
'T have travelled all over Georgia
lanc know that the crop has de-
perforated very much In the past
month or six weeks. and from what
4Aear the same In true In your State.
II think an effort should be made
nt once to first disabuse the minds of
the people about the size Of the cot
ten crop. and then get> the farmers
all over the south to hold a sufaciency
pf their cotton to prevent the price
from being forced down TO where II
'sill mean starvation TO the farmer.
believe that the Southern States COM
iphsssonsrs of agriculture should meet
\ oosns 'eonvsnlsps pslnts thin the
next two weeks and ask all farmers
In the cotton States. especially the
Farmers union to join US In this cause
or q widespread movement. would
he glad for you to write TO the presi-
dent OF the Association of Commits
sioners Of Agriculture of the Southern
ff..ss at once. and to ask him to con-
Ter with the Farmers union and
rother farmers. with a view Of calling
his meeting at as early date as prac-
ticaole. and suggest In your letter that
the president. name time and place
cf meeting. after comforting with
the leads OF the Farmers union In
the cotton States
If this meets with your approval
which i am sure II will. I would be
glad for you not to delay the matter.
but take IL up at once.
II am this day writing a similar
letter TO each OF the commissioners of
agriculture Of the Southern States"
The following Is the answer Of
j Commissioner Watson:
II am in receipts OF yours OF. August
&c. snd beg TO say that under the cir
cunistGnces l think that your sugges-
tion fc- a joint meeting In regard to
this matter. To be held under the call
CT the president OF the Association Of
the Commissioners OF Agriculture Of
the Southern States. Ia an Admirable
enc. and l am today writing the pres
tient OF the association. indorslng the
contents OF your circular letter and
the suggestion made therein. and urg-
Ing that the matter be undertaken
Immediately.
II think We ought TO go little fur
ther. however. and notify warehouse
men. and particularly presidents Of
local banks. a. participate In this
meeting. for. with the amount OF
money now In the local banks OF the
South. which Is largely due to the ef-
forts OF the Southern farmer. to my
mind. these banks ought to Join hands
with the farmer and render him such
material aid as will enable him 20
hold his crop I'm the warehouses and
not be forced TO r',sn II to market
with consequent decentralization Of
price.
"In this matter the Southern peo-
pie will have TO help themselves. and
fer the first tine In our history our
own local banks are In position to
render most substantial aid In a mat
te- that involves their own future
prosperity. as we'll as that OF the
masses OF our people,"
A'letter To Dr. TAFT Butler. presl-
dent of the association. indorsed the
suggestion III the idea advanced
that warehousemen and bankers also
participate.