Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-27

farmers union ISSUES StIrrln9 Ro-
dress to People.
The following address has been is
sued to the farmers, merchants and
bankers:
Beginning with last September, the
south, with dire disaster threatening
the nations greatest money crop, has
been engaged in one of the greatest
economic struggles in her history. The
last year ended with commercial VIC
tory that perhaps saved millions of
dollars to the growers Of cotton and
to those whose business interests are
absolutely dependent upon cotton and a
fair price for that commodity.
The south Is now facing another cot
ton crop year and already the influences
that have heretofore been at play, at
will, to manipulate the marketing of
this commodity, which brings back from
Europe to this country $500,000,00 an
nually, and upon which the stability of.
American finance and the balance Of
the worlds trade in favor of the ma
ton depend, are again at work, as is
evidenced by the depression, Of the
price of cotton to the extent of SO
per bale in the last ten days.
The real fight for proper marketing
and greater stability Of price must now
be fought, and it rests with the pro-
ducing, banking and commercial inter-
ests of the south to push that fight
upon sound economic lines based upon
business. principles applicable to
changing international commercial re-
lations.
The time for decisive and concerted
action has arrived.
1t has occ" red to the undersigned
hot dot ha
taking Of such action throughout the
communities of the cotton belt states
could be selected for the purpose than
Monday, September 2, which is Labor
day. 1t Is eminently proper that upon
this day, which Is a national and state
holiday, those Of our people who labor
in the fields to create the wealth of
the country should meet with those
whose business interests are dependent
upon this particular product of the
soil, and determine upon a fixed policy
in the matter Of marketing of the 1912
cotton crop. We unhesitatingly and
most earnestly recommend that this
policy be the slow and gradual market
ing of the crop. We most earnestly call
upon every banker in the south, and
particularly in this state, to make such
financial arrangements that will enable
the banks to render to the producer
such aid as will make it possible for
him to avoid the placing Of all his
cotton upon the market at one time in
the early fall, enabling him instead to
gradually market 1t to the best ad-
vantage. We would call the attention
are interested in the banks to the fact
that even If the banks did not get one
cent Of profit for advances to farmers
for this purpose on cotton, the increas-
ed volume Of business would more than
recompense them.
We wish to take this occasion to
commend those banks in this and other
states which last season secured the
necessary money to loan to the farmers
and especially do we commend those
banks and bankers which, this season,
have come forward and announced SIM
liar arrangements.
Other Calls Urged.
We most earnestly call upon the
commissioners of agriculture of the
several states of the cotton belt and
the presidents Of the several state
Farmers unions to issue calls similar
to this one for meetings on September
2, to the farmers, merchants and bank
ers of their respective states, for the
execution Of the purpose outlined above.
Realizing the impending danger and
onslaught that is beng made upon the
markets by the manipulating forces, we
have, after most careful deliberation,
determined to issue this most earnest
call, which we desire to be understood
as directed to each individual farmer,
each merchant and each banker to as
semble at such meetings as are sug-
gested on Labor Day and give this
matter the most careful and thoughtful
We wish all to bear in mind that last
year though the Farmers Union began
in August, it was impossible to secure
the cooperation We are now seeking.
This year with that experience as
guide the work was begun as early as
June Could We have had earnest and
active cooperation last season such as
We are now asking and securing, an
additional $10,000,00O at least would
have been saved to the farmers of
South Carolina alone, and that, too,
without any other state working on
the same line.
The Thoushtless Farmer
In conclusion we wish to impress as
forcibly as we know how, upon the pro-
ducers the fact that the greatest ally
that the speculative element who would
hammer down the price Of cotton relies
upon, is the thoughtless farmer, who
without regard to his brother produc-
er's welfare, unloads all of his cotton
upon the market at inopportune and ILL
advised moments. We wish further, on
the other hand, to impress upon the
bankers and merchants of the south
that 1t Is not only the securing of the
necessary money that should be their
mission, but that their most hearty and
earnest cooperation should be extend
ed-that they should realize that the
foundation of their success rests upon
cotton, and that If cotton is marketed
in accordance with the policy outlined,
then, and then only, will the circulat-
ing medium in the southern states be
materially increased; in other words,
unless this policy be pursued we will
experience what we have already
experienced a number of times, the
marketing of a large crop of good quail
ity at several millions Of dollars less
to the south than such crops would
have brought could they have been sent
to market gradually.
We realize, for we have had rea-
son to fully appreciate the services rem
dered in the past, that no matter what
the farmer, the merchant and the bank
er may do, nothing can be accomplish
ed in this vital undertaking without
the fullest and freest cooperation Of
the press of the south. That cooper
alton we are proud to say has never
failed. We do not believe it will fail
now; indeed, we know it will not.
E. J. Watson,
Commissioner of Agriculture and
President Southern Cotton Congress.
E. w. Dabbs,
President S. c. State Farmers Union;
r. M. Cooper,
Jno. L. McLaurin,
r. T. G. Hunter,
w. o. Tatum,
S. c. State Farmers Union Committee
on Cotton Warehousing, Marketing
and Banking.
-Gaffney special Of August "a, to|
Spartanburg Herald: Information from
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