The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1911-11-30
THAT LOAN PLAN
HEARD FROM AGAIN
PRESIDENT Of STATE FARMERS UNION
DOES NOT THINK IT NECESSARY
HOPES IT WILL Be GOOD
Says he Hopes That 1t Will
Help, But He Believes That
Its Object Has Already Been
Achieved, But il All Depends on
Farmers.

achieved, But IL All Depends ON
Farmers.
+. 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
S25 bale upon the cotton crop of
South Carolina. Its success will de-
pend, he said, upon whether the
planters embrace the offer OF the
syhdlcate. He also said that he
could not see any noticeable effect of
the syndicate's scheme, as he
thousht the main desiratum to be
obtained by the plan, in his esti-
nation. had already been accom-
plished 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
1t his heartiest support He hopes,
he said that it will prove success
1ul in helping the farmers to Sc
cure fair price for their cotton.
While l do not wish to throw
cold water on the New York syndi-
Gates plan of advancing $25 per
bale on the South's cotton crop"
said Mr.. Dabbs Tuesday night. Il
do think that the promoters have
overlooked two points. One of
these, as | pointed out to S. s. Bar
rett, 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 or
lginal plan, there should be three
nh
Der from each State should consti-
tute the central board of control
Mr.. Barrett seemed to think that
the more important point was to
secure the confidence of the finan-
cial men, while / maintained that
the farmers trust should first be
gained. To this end ] made my sug-
gestlon as to the appointment Of
three trustees.
THAT second point that the pro-
moters seem to have overlooked is
the effect that will be produced by
the action of the business agents
Iot the Farmers Union, which urg-
ed that the farmers refrain from
buying fertilizer at high prices.
VIII make for a substantial reduc-
tlon In acreage even without the
trustee movement.
| 1'Nu Shou6hl ludl lHC elect Oh
tying up 100000 bales of cotton
In the hands of the trustees would
be very strong tendency on the
part OF the farmers to reduce their
acreage next year. The knowledge
that there were $2,OOO,OOO bales of
cotton that might be carried over
until the next crop was put on the
market, l thought, would lead the
planters to see the futility of ex-
excessive production.
This purpose, however. / think,
has been subserged by the present
conditions. With cotton selling at
nine cents and below, and with fer
tilizers high, l think the farmers
Will take the advice given by the
business agents of 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 farm
ers, by reducing their acreage and
cutting down their purchases of
fertilizers will so curtaii produc-
ton that another excessive crop is
unlikely. This, then, disposed of
one object OF holding the cotton
by the trustee system This con-
dltion seems to prevail wherever /
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
So far, ! can see no notable eff
tect. The action of the Farmers
Union business agents and the ac-
tlon we took at Sumter yesterday
will prevent the sacrifice of cotton
to purchase fertilizer The matter
of reduction of acreage will be ac-
complished by this means without
the application of the trusteeship
plan. Judging by the response to
the pledges to hold cotton and re-
duce acreage, / do not think that
the planters will readily embrace
the proposition made by the syndi-
cate.
81 should like to see the
planters succeed, but | fear it will
not take with the Southern plant
ers.
Il am not at all antagonistic to
this plan; | will be glad to see
anything succeed that will insure
us price for our cotton which will
give us a profit. After l have Sc
cured better knowledge of its de-
tails, If 1t meets my approval, /
will give it my heartiest support
and cooperation"
Mr. Dabbs also explained the ac-
tion taken Tuesday at a meeting of
the Farmers Union called to dis
cuss the fertilizer situation. The
result of the meeting was a recon-
mendation that the farmers by no
fertilizer for 1912 except on this
condition that the payment be made
In three installments, one not earli-
er than December l, 1912, and the
other two at intervals of not less
than 80 days.
This recommendation, with that