The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-08-11
A MESSAGE TO
THE FARMERS
HOLD YOUR COTTON; STAND
AND STAND FIRM is THE
ADVICE GIVEN
CONDITIONS GOOD
Plenty of Money With Which
To Move or Hold the Coming
Cotton Crop Assured
CONDITIONS GOOD
(By Associated Press

Washington, August I'm an al.
dreB sto the cotton growers and pco-
pie OF the cotton growing states made
public tonight, the congressional COM
mittcc. which volunteered several days
ago to seek measures which would
prevent serious consequences to the
south because of the European sltua
ton, declared:
Our message to you is-stand firm
Sell cotton only rs last necessity
Members OF the committee headed
by Senator liOke Smith Of Georgia, af-
ter careful investigation of condl-
tions up to the present time gave It
as their mature judgment that tL
least possible cotton should be nut up-
OH tho market during tho next sixty
days, asserting that the agencies of
the federal government, both execu-
tive and legislative, were doing all
possible to relieve the strain OF tho
situation caused by the lack Of trans
portation facilities and the danger oil
fncing no market abroad They call
cd for unsclfish cooperation among
the farmers. merchants and bankers
OF tho south for the common good ana
declared:
ut should be understood that we are
not In the midst OF II panic, nor Is
financial panic possible under ou.
new bank and currency law and II is
not necessary for us to throw our cot
ton on the market at prices less than
.tS Tea; value,
The statement OF the congressional
committee follows:
I'VE recognize the fact that cotton
Ia I,o mr. <,f
pie, and any situation which vitality
affects It's value must be felt by all
lines OF commercial and Industrial ac-
tivlties.
while tho condition of war in Eu-
rope gives rise to situation which is
EeriOus, we believe that II can be
ional. state and local, prDmptly and
vigorously respond to their respective
duties.
"Your president. the several execu-
tive branches OF the government, and
your senators and representatives. are
| exerttng every effort to deviae rluans
by shich t.:e>=cotton crop may be
marketed at price warranted by a
| normal law OF supply and demand,
and not by coalition caused BY tho
European war.
"The important problems involved
III this situation are:
First: Transportation 1t Is essen
tlRl that lint cotton, and cotton manu-
factured goods. should reach foreign
markets where thoy may be consumed
We are confident congress- will pass
within few days an amendment IL
our shipping laws which will greatly
facilitate transportation. We have nu
doubt transportation facilities will be
available for cotton. and cotton manu-
factnred goods within very shori
time.
Second: Consumption OF cotton
Tire EuTupuau war must necessarily
reduce temporarily tho demand and
consumption of our cotton. Tho state
department has cabled our oonsuls
abroad for detailed information. From
the Information We have received. NO
are confident the consumption, domes-
tic and foreign. OF our cotton, will be
much larger than is generally sup
posed. The mills OF the United States
and Canada will consume approxi-
matoly half OF our production, and the
demand for American cotton by Great
Britain and the Orient will not be
greatly reduced. Great Britain con-
sumes nearly half OF our exported
cotton. Eleven million bales of our
cotton should be absorbed by the
trade, even under the most aggravated
conditions.
These facts should be most reas-
suring. and should entirely iiispel the
idea that our foreign trade In cotton
will be wiped out.
Third: Money to market the crop
and care for the surplus. Already
the secretary OF the treasury has ar
ranged to deposit In, southern banks
the sum OF $4,000. He desires this
used especially to handle the co,toi.
crop. During the present week. your
congress- has passed an emergency
currency bill, under tha terms OF
which not less than Si,500. 900 900 or
additional currency will be available
to meet every emergency which may
arise.
"The reserve banks, under the new
banking and currency act. will speed
lily organize. They will accept notes
secured by agricultural products.
insures ample money for moving the
crop and to care for such distress cot
ton as. may come upon the market,
and also to keep In operation the fac
tories and various industries neces-
sary for the ,consum3tion Of the crop.
1.-THE. financial situation Of the coun-
s:y cnmla nnt do heater. and when II is|
understood that the treasury depart
ment stands ready to lend its great
power to prevent sacrifice OF the
cotton CROP: q feeling OF confiaehcs
and assurance should come 20 us all