Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-09-10
(Memphis Commercial Appeal)

w e nave come luJO an eAII dOIuludiO
situation in the caring for this years
crop of cotton. Before the war cotton
was fetching 13 cents a pound. The
crop was reported to be large, but if
there had been no war there would
have been a demand for every bale
that was grown at fair price.
The opinion now is that there will
be 100000 or 100000 more bales OF
cotton than there is a demand for.
Certainly there will be little spinning
in France and Germany and little in
England. The English mills might go
ahead but for the fact that the mind of
England is absorbed by the tremend-
Gus problem of saving the nations
life.
Here we are at the opening of the
season with war sweeping lie world
and with every cotton future exchange
closed.
Naturally those American mills that
run are DESTROYS of securing the cot
ton at a low figure. So long as the
supply exceeds the demand there will
be a tremendous burden on the market
This war may end within so days. If
it should end within 60 days, an en-
ormous supply of cotton will be piled
up.
Again, the war may go on until
next spring. Unless more spindles
are put in motion, and the war does go
on until next spring that
the mills of England, France and Ger
many remain idle-little more than
half of the cotton grown can be spun.
But if the American spindles and
those in the Orient go full tilt, they
could consume much more than their
ordinary takings.
If we could carry this cotton crop
along and reduce the acreage next
wear, the present crop would be mark
eted at fair price in spite of adverse
conditions.
Unfortunately for US, we are not a
carrying people. We of the South have
been carried by others. We pay an
enormous toll for the service.
The wheat grower of the northwes:
and the farmer of Illinois and Iowa
long ago learned the trick of carrying
himself. He is his own fnancier
If there were some means of ou1
pulling together we could carry the
crop along. The undertaking is SC
big that an immediate tangible plan is
hard to reach.
But this much can be done. Every
man able to keep his cotton off thv
market should do so, because if he is
able to hold that cotton he is reason.
ably sure to get a good price for il
before another crop is grown.
The man able to hold cotton viii
not likely put in big crop next year
unless the situation is cleared up, un
til he gets rid of his present supply.
The Lord helps those who hell
themselves. Let the small farmer VIII,
is out of debt hold back what cottol
he can. Let the large planter do tn
same. Let the man who is in debt am
being pressed sell only enough to pa,
himself out. The small merchant IL
the country town should do his part il
not rushing the cotton to market
Same is true as to the larger merch
ant.
This sort of co-operat effort woul'
be one material help. After that tn
resources which we have always use,
should be called upon.
If cotton is properly warehoused,
genuine warehouse receipt is might,
good collateral
Just now there is a scarcity of mon
ey in Chicago and st. Louis centers
but within a few days big returns q!
wheat will have begun to filter int,
this country Part of this money, then
can probably be secured and used il
carrying our cotton along
If the cotton crop is carried, tn