The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-08
A SYSTEMATIC MARKETING.
MIX. Il, T.. DAVIS, OF NATCUEZ.
SPOKE TO SMALL GATHER
ING OF FARMERS FRI.
DAY.
MIR. T.. w. DabbS to Attend Called
Convention at JacksOn. Hcadquar-
tcis for Organization, Next Friday
and Learn More of Its Operations;
S"mc of Those Present DO not Seem
To BE FavOrably Impressed.


Farmers Union, held in the grand
jury room of the court house Friday
morning, Mr.. l.. T.. Davis, of Natchez
spoke to about twenty farmers of the
county on the subjetc of systematic
marketing for the farmers and how
the warehouse system which had been
ing.
Mr. Davis was introduced by Presi-
dent F.. w. Dabbs of the State Far
mers' Union, who stated in few in
troductory remarks that a method Of
systematic purchasing and marketing
among the farmers was something
that those of this State had been
working for for long time. and they
had gathered today to hear Mr.. Da-
Wis. who would tell how the ware
house system which had been organiz-
ed in Mississippi was working. He
stated that the plan had been first dis
cussed in Charleston by Mr.. High
tower, The president o. the organiza-
tiOn. and plans had been formed to let
the people know about the matter
with the idea of forming an organ
izaton i'm this State with 100000
capital as a part of the Mississippi
organization. The organization must
cover the entire cotton belt to be ef-
fective and he, as state president. had
first taken up the matter in Sumter
county as it was in this county that
the first steps To get better prices for
cotton had been commenced.
Mr. Davis told how the Mississippi
farmers had organized their ware
house system three years ago and
how it had been operating satisfac-
torily since that time. being the
means of immense saving and profit
to the farmers. Stock amounting to
$4,000 had been sold at $40 a share
when the price was raised to $12.5O a
share because Of the fact that no
dividends were declared and because
warehouses all through the State
were used in the operation OF the
plan. The organization established Of
fees at various places where farm
products were handled at benefit
to the farmers. There were now SO
warehouses in the chain and Offices
In this country and in the cotton mill
section Of England where the cotton
farmers through the agents Of the
company. generally at a good profit.
The aim Of the movement was to get
rid of the middle man and to let the
farmer get that profit which now went
to this middle man.
IT was absolutely necessary to get
more capital to run the business sue
cessfully. Up To this time the or
ganization had been fearfully cramped
in its operations because Of lack Of
funds. The plan now was To organize
the other States in the company and
to in this way get funds to extend it's
operations. lie stated that the officers
of the company had decided that
100000 worth Of the stock should
have to he sold in this state. about
$4,000 worth of which had already
been placed in Charleston, which had
last year thought To join i'm the or
ganization. but dropped out later
when the storm came along and the
cotton crop was reported to be so
i'm this state would be used i'm cstab-
fishing offices here and i'm Europe
among the mills. the whole amount
being used for the benefit Of the
farmers Of this section, i'm aiding their
facilities for selling
The Farmers Warehouse Company
i'm Mississippi besides being engaged
i'm the sale of cotton also acted as n
purchasing agent for cotton seed
mills and rs selling agent for fer
tilizer mills, the company fixing the
price i'm both instances so as to make
one dollar q ton on the traffic, and
not being liable i'm the fertilizer traffic.
II also handled other articles. always
at profit. and was now making good
money" hcsldcS lending money on
cotton. MIR. Davis was unable to eX-
actlN tell what were the assets of the
company to the satisfaction of his
hearers. who asked many questions of
how the stockholders were rcmuncr-
atcd for their investment i'm stock.