The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-12
TO ATTEND COTTON CONGRESS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL
BE ASKED no FINANCE
SOUTH'S GREAT CROP.

watson Prepares Plan iuv Action
Delegates are Named BY South
Carolina state Farmers Union -
Committee Meets Today in National
Capital. Tllman TO Attend.
| Columbia. Aug. 1O.-E. j. Watson.
president Of the Southern Cotton con-
gress. left yesterday afternoon for
Washington. where he will prepare
the plans for the extraordinary ses-
sion OF the congress. when the Unit
ed States government will be asked
TO give financial assista nee to the cot
ton farmers Of the South. He was
accompanied by +. b. Stackhouse.
Referring to the published report"
said Commissioner Watson. Ito the
effect that at the meeting at Ben
nettsville i had been called upon as
commissioner or agriculture of the
State OF South Carolina to call a
mass meeting Of the citizens Of this
State at Columbia on the 18th and
preliminary meetings In each town
ship on the 18th. I wish to say that
Immediately after the meeting I talk :
led on the long distance phone to Mr..
Exum and pointed out to him that
practically all Of the men in South
Carolina who were In the forefront
Of the fight to save disaster to the cot
ton crop would not have returned
from Washington by the 18th, and
that by that date 1t perhaps might
not be known what action the federal
government would be able to take. I
also called his attention to the fact
that In order for anything in thi,
crisis to be available 1t must be on u
basis as wide as the cotton belt itself,
and that that was the reason every.
body vitality concerned in cotton had
been invited to the conference in
Washington; that nothing short of
federal action could be made effective
OF the fight to save disaster to the cot
ton now to be moved. After discuss
ing the matter advised that 1t would
be well before attempting a meeting
at which our people could only crop"
In the dark to wait and see what
could be- done In Washington on q
national basis. and I told him that
should We fail Of something effective
there the people OF South Carolina
might rely upon me to Immediately
issue a call to them enabling them to
get together and do what they can
within the borders Of their own State
to protect themselves from the total
loss which would perhaps threaten.
In any event no matter what Is done
In Washington 1t Is very likely that /
shall comply with the request that
comes from Marlboro and call q
gathering Of all interests concerned In
cotton for about the 18th or goth Of
August. However. I expect to confer
further In Washington with the men
from Marlboro who passed the reso-
iutions at the meeting at Bennetts-
Vile and will largely be guided by the
results Of that conference"
Commisioner Watson will today
hold q conference with q representa-
tive from each Of the cotton States.
when the action by the cotton con-
gress will be discussed. The congress
meets Thursday and delegates will at
tend from every State In the South.
I'VE have worked out a clear cut
proposition. 1t Is one that will benefit
every cotton farmer of the South"
said Commissioner Watson.
e. w. Dabbs. president Of the
South Carolina State Farmers union.
was appointed delegate to attend the
cotton congress.
Those from Sumter county are:
J. Frank Williams. Sumter; j. M.
kolb. sumter; X. b. Belser. Sumter:
j. M. Brogdon. Sumter.
The following telegram was re-
ceived yesterday by Commissioners
Watson from Senator Tillman:
If all my duties here will permit
1t. will be glad to be present at the
appointed meeting Of your congress.
for 1 am ready and anxious to CO.
operate with you in doing anything
that will help the farmers Of the
South dispose Of their cotton without
u great loss"
COngre ssman James r. Byrnes
wired: II believe that such confer
ence Ia bound to result In our devils
Ing some plan to assist the cotton
growers and congratulate you on
taking the Initiative In this matter. -
j. II. Tumulty. secretary to Presi-
dent Wilson. yesterday sent the fol
Il Ix.~~