The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-10-14
Columbia Record, Oct. 10.

appointed to consider the matter of
reduction of acreage planted to cotton
Will not draft bill for total elimina-
ton is practically assured. Although
there is decided sentiment among a
portion of the members Of the general
assembly for total elimination. ma
jcrity of both houses are against such
radical legislation. Opposition from
the Piedmont is particularly pro-
nounced; for, it is argued, the farm
ers of that section can not produce
any other money-making crops, and
total elimination would drive the ten
ant farmers into the cotton mills. The
mill operatives are fighting the idea.
bill curtailing the production of
cotton for 1915 probably will be draft
ed by the committee Friday afternoon.
At the meeting of the special COM
mittee held Thursday afternoon, four
contenders for total elimination ad-
dressed the body. They were: j. G.
Anderson, Of Rock Hill; j. J. A. Gra-
ham. Of williamsburg: Wade Stack
house, of Dillon, and ]. A. Rhame, of
Lee. AT the meeting held Friday
morning, DR.. Stackhouse spoke again
Eefore the body, and w. +. Stevenson,
OF Cheraw. made an argument, stat
fng the acreage curtailment would be
constitutional, while the entire elm
ination Of the staple would probably
be constitutional.
Only two members of the commit
toe are in favor of total elimination.
and there is no chance of majority
bill providing for such legislation be-
ing introduced in the house There
are eight measures now before the
committee providing for the curtail-
ment of the cotton crop, and each is
Being given consideration.
The members of the special commit
tee are:
Mr.. Lee, Darlington, chairman; Mr..
Belscr, Sumter; Mr.. Pegues, Marl-
boro; Mr.. Atkinson, Chester; Mr.
Blackwell, Laurcns; Mr.. Bethea, Dill
lon; Mr.. Mower, Newberry; Mr.
Wyche, Spartanburg; Mr.. Welch,
Richland; Mr.. Epps, Sumter, and Mr..
Riley, Saluda.
In opposing the total elimination
plan, Mr.. Belser. of the committee,
gave the following statement to re-
porter Of The Record Friday after
noon
There is considerable agitation for
planting no cotton in 1915. Before we
are swept from our feet by this no.
cotton propaganda, let us examine the
data and deductions which are put
forth by it's advocates.
| They estimate the supply for a
two year period as follows: On hand
September 1, 1914, Visible and invisi-
ble), 100000 bales; production in
the United States, 100000 bales
1914 production in other cotton-grow-
ing countries 100000 bales produc-
tiOn 1915 in same countries, $500, 600
bales; total of $4,000, 600 bales. If
these figures were correct there would
be considerable ground for their posi-
ton. The estimate for 100000 on
hand, however, is at least 100000 in
excess of any reliable estimates. The
world ordinarily carries over a sur
plus of something like 100000 bales
rs Il stock or source of supply from
hich the mills draw their cotton as
needed, 50 this can be practically eli
minated from the available supply as
the same amount will be needed at
the end Of the two-ycar period.
1T seems moro reasonable to esti-
mate the supply and consumption for
the twu-ycar period as follows: Cotton
mate), 100000 bales; American crop
1914, 1880, 600 bales; all other coun-
tries, 1914, 100000 bales: non-Amer-
lean production 1915, under war condi-
tons. 4.5O0.OOO; a total of 2S,SOO, 900
bales. The normal consumption is
approximately 21,0O0.OOO bales. The
highest estimate | have seen of the
reduction owing to the war from any
reliable source is 5000. 900 bales. and
the estimates Of reduction run down
as low as 100000 bales. Taking the
highest reduction figures give us a
consumption of 16,OOO,0O0 bales n
year or 33.00O.OO0 for the two-year
period Add to this the necessary .
100000 working surplus and we have
Il probable demand for the two-ycar
period, commencing September |.
1914, and ending September /. 1916,
$4,000. 900 bales. Against this we have
Il world production of the two-ycar pc
rioI of 2S,S00,0O0 bales. If the no.
American cotton idea were adopted,