The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1911-11-02
Why Hold Cotton?
Sumter Watchman.

BASED on the conviction that the /
present price of cotton is below the |
cost of production, and that the |
economic law that the producer is
entitled not only to the cost of
production, but a reasonable profit
on his labor and investment, i
feel fully justified in advising and
urging the producers, wherever pos
s1ble to hold their cotton.
First, because the present prices
are below the cost of production.
1t may be true that where larger
yields Of a bale and more per
acre are made it is possible to
raise cotton at 8 to 9 cents a
pound, but the average production
per acre is less than two-fifths of
bale, and it is not possible to
make cotton with an average of
20 of a bale per acre at less than
10 to IL cents a pound actual cost.
The producer should certainly be
entitled to sufficient profit from
his crop to support himself and
tamlly. 20 per cent. profit can
not be considered excessive. This
would make a fair price IL to 13
cents per pound. Second because
the trade expects to pay the pro-
ducer a profit. And will do so if
we do not glut the market by sell
ing too fast. a glance at statistics
will show that at some time dur
ing the year for the past nine
years, cotton has sold at above II
cents per pound, basis middling.
Two crops during the period were
practically as large as the present
crop bids fair to be, and consump-
ton capacity considered were rela-
lively larger.
Third, because the world needs
and can use at profitable prices to
the raisers 100000 bale crop
this year. For the past five years
the acreage consumptio.. of Ameri-
can cotton has been in round fig
ures 100000. The 1909 crop
fell short of the demand over l.
100000 and the 1910 crop over
100000, so that a 100000 crop
is needed to make up the shortage.
That the shortage actually exists is
amply proven by the fact that the
mills depending on American cotton
nave been running on short time
the past two years. 1 am reliably
informed that this curtailment has
amounted to more than 1-6 of the
total running time. If, running
So of the time the mills use 49,
100000 bales, it will readily be
seen that for them to run full time
more than 100000 bales are
needed.
Fourth, because to sell at present
prices means a loss to the State of
South Carolina of more than $780,
100000, and to the South of more
than 100000, O,000-the difference
between what we are receiving, and
what We should receive for the
crop judiciously marketed.
ha
and the East Indies is reported
short and this means a greater de-
mand for American cotton.
Sixth, because to hold off the
market every bale possible is the
only way to check the present de-
cline. The banks throughout the
State realize the benefits to them
in saving to their depositors as
much of the possible $2O,00O,O0O as
practicable, and are ready to lend
on cotton wherever properly stored
and insured. The present low price
is largely the result of glutting the
market by selling too fast.
Seventh, because a movement will
be begun in the immediate future
to reduce the cotton acreage in 1912
one-fifth, and to secure definite
pledges to that effect from all plant
ers throughout the cotton belt. Since
it seems that we are to get more
money for a 100000 bale crop
than for a 100000 bale crop as
the trade, overlooking the drought
produced premature opening, says
we are making, is it not good busi-
ness to cut off the one-fifth of the
acreage that produced the 100000
bales and put it into corn, oats, hay
and other forage producing crops?
There was never a time when the
latter crops were bringing better
prices. and the movement to get
one-fifth of the 1911 cotton acre
be successful.
Eighth, because on the welfare
and prosperity of the cotton pro-
ducers depends the prosperity Of the
South. Every ointerest in the South
Is coming more and more to realize
this, and willing to help the produc-
er in his fight to realize a fair
return for his product. And 1t is a
fight worth while. $2O,OOO,OOO lost
or saved means prosperity or de-
preston In the State of South Car
olina not only for the coming year,
but for several years to come.
$2OO, 100000 lost or saved means
the same to the South. The cotton
producers should be able to count
on the unstinted support and CO.
operation of every interest in the
State and throughout the cotton
belt. And now is the time to begin
the fight.
Hold your cotton off the market.
Plant one-fifth of your cotton land
In oats and forage producing crops.
The effects on prices won't take
long to show up.
r. B. Belser.
Kansaa Women I'm Office