Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-09-08
The Buy-a-Bale Plan.

The "buy-a-bale plan" of relieving
the cotton situation, which originated
in Georgia, holds out about as much
south as any one of the many plans
that have been suggested, notwith-
standing the fact that II 1t is depend
ent for it's success solely on the arous-
ing of a wholesome sentiment that
will compel volunteer action on the
part of the people.
In brief the situation is this. The
people Of the south, including those
engaged in all trades and professions,
have the results Of a years activities
locked up in a 100000 bale cotton
crop, the bulk of which they expect
ed to sell in Europe. Europe has
suddenly been thrown into a terribly
destructive war that has paralyzed all
her financial and industrial resources,
and made it impossible for her to meet
the requirements that were expected
as matter of course.
AS certainly as anything Of tomor-
row can be, the cotton crop which to-
day stands at half price or less. must
come to 1t soon and that very soon.
Any other idea is absurd. Cotton is
as much a necessity almost as bread.
In the present state of civilization it
is as much a necessity as bread. No
one will think of questioning this
proposition. In the nature Of things,
the present paralysis Of the cotton
market cannot continue a great while,
and as soon as the change begins to
set in cotton will be in greater de-
mand than any other commercial
commodity Then prices will begin
to go up.
If the cotton crop of the south is
sold out of the south at present prices,
or under present conditions. the re-
suit will be the loss of a whole years
labor or more and distress to thou
sands of our people. That distress
will not be confined to those who are
now looked upon as the poorest; but
it will extend to all classes, and Will
bring about hardships that will be
very little short Of those incurred in
actual war.
The south has been prosperous for
some years past and has accumulated
tremendous wealth. 1t has enough
means to actually hold and take care
of an entire cotton crop.
The buy-a-bale plan contemplates
the idea of every man who is able, to
buy a bale Of cotton at 10 cents a
pound and hold it, to do So The 10 cent
limit is suggested because it is rea-
sonable, because 1t will give the pro-
ducer of the cotton a chance to pay
his debts and make arrangements for
the future. because it will leave safe
margin of profit to the purchaser who
is willing to lend helping hand not
ONLY to the producer but to himself
and all his fellow men.
1t will not be necessary under this
arrangement to buy the entire cotton
crop Of the south; but only the dis
tressed cotton-that which would
otherwise be forced on the market,
and which would fix the price or the
balance. There are thousands and
thousands of farmers who are able
to pay their debts and hold their cot
ton, too, and who can be depended
upon to defend the price to the last
ditch.
There is nothing impracticabie
about this idea. The only question Is
whether the people will undertake
to carry it out. And beauty about
il. the success of the plan does not
necessarily depend upon concerted
movement. The more who go into It,
the better of course, and the greater
the benefit to all. But even If only
few go into It. they are sure to DO
some good and win for themselves
for prices will certainly advance.
However, the main thing is to see that
such cotton as must be sold brings a
reasonable price. not less than lo
cents pound, for economically as
well as otherwise there Is more 10 De
gained by helping the producer than
there is by a heavy profit TO the puyer'
at the producers expense.