The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-05
Concerted Action Urged in Marketing
Cotton.

tarE OF the OIdIe uuAo1i' 1S-
lowing to the press:
ITO all Southerners, farmers, mer-
chants, bankers, mill men and all bus
ness men interested in the industrial
DEVELOPMENT of the South, this paper
is addressed in the hope that 1t Will
arouse you to concerted action in the
proper marketing of the South's grt>~s
staple, whether in its crude or tlnlsn-
ed state. Within the ranks OF the farm
ers proper a movement has been be-
gun and will be perfected further. But
since all Southern interests are con-
cerned, it is contemplated to join all
in a greater effort in this regard.
I'm comforting upon the problems
and the advantages Of the South there
is no more vital question for our con-
sideration than that of the disposition
of her one great crop-cotton. The
words South and cotton are insep-
arabic to such a. degree that they are
wellnight synonyrnous-the one great
country, the other the worlds greatest
clothing product. Kind nature has
given US a monopoly! how natural for
the nations of the earth to turn to us
to be clothed! Nor do they look IN
vain. Bare hillsides that We're once
plowed into gulles by thei wet wether
streams now bear a green coat, ter
races preserve their fertility, woods
are cleared, swamps are drained, all to
make way for the plow. How Won
derfully has cotton, culture raised the
calling of the farmer! How rapid has
been his transformation! No more is
he jeered at He is the pet of the
South, his interests are guarded, his
home is frightened, his children are
educ ated, his vocation is made a
science. His ranks are recruited with
the flower of Southern manhood,
scientists, students, men of talent, am
bition, equipment. Why? Because
ha ho'ds within his hand a world in
terest; he is the planter and producer
of cotton: and yet little thought or
help is given in the marketing of his
crop.
Handle Crop Carefully.
"How carefully, then, should the
crop be handled, how minute1y the
acreage proportioned, how closely the
market watched, how carefully sup
piled? The question demands united
effort: union not only Of the ef-
forts of the farmers, but of the mer-
chants and bankers and mill men as
well, for the fortune of all is founded
upon and with it all are closely con-
cerned. Our fortunes; our happi-
ness, our interests are all promoted
by this industry. We should, all move
together and stand with frmness, but
only after mature deliberation. II our
position is uncertain, so will the mar
ket be; if our purpose is shifting, SO
it's results. And when We move we
should move intelligently, 18th all the
possible information at hand. The
fixing Of a price involves an accurate
estimate of the crop, and that IS al
! ways involved in more or less uncer-
tainty until the crop is nearer ma
turity. And at, this point We can NOT
exaggerate the danger of attempting
an estimate at too early a date. Ma
ture moves in a mysterious way. She
may marshal hundred forces to teal
down or materially effect that which
she has built up.
"A field that is smiling this month
might suffer and wilt the next AND
why need we hurry in stating figures
The crop is in OUT hands, and it is
our safest asset. Our banker friends
will loan US money On it, and We
should wa1t no better security. Tc
! let it go at 10 cents today might be
as disastrous as when We let it go al
cents. When We take a stand We
can not retrace our steps without feal
of a serious breach in our own ranks
Experience has taught US the danger
of too hasty action. The outlook may
| be promising today. But a healthy
weed is not the crop. A genera.
drought will cut short the process OF
growth as the plant advances into
fruition. The crop is young. The
early drought set it back in its early
stages and it was we'll up into the
summer months before it showed signs
of rapid growth. Having begun late
it must be allowed to grow late. A