The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-02
WYATT AIKEN ON
COTTON QUESTION

Attitude of Congress on Matter
of Lending Aid to Farmers
Sees Little Help-Takes Steps
Which he Believes Might Help
in Boosting Price of Staple.
(Anderson Intelligencer)
Hon. Wyatt Aiken, Congressman from
the third district, is visiting in Anderson
for few days. Asked yesterday for a
statement as to the attitude of Congress
on the question Of lending aid to the cot
ton growers OF the South, Mr.. Aiken gave
out the following:
"While Southern congressman have from
the beginning felt the sincerest sympathy
with the cotton grower in his extremity
and almost without exception they have
voted and worked for every measure Of
relief offered, 1t has, been apparent from
the beginning that little help could be ex-
pected from the National Government
even Democratic Congressman from non
cotton growing sections could mot be
brought to see the question except as
sectional measure and the Republicans
generally were against any legislation Of
the character sought.
"There are phases Of this cotton ques-
tion that should be we'll considered before
being adopted. The United States istill
has practical monopoly Of cotton produc-
tion but that monopoly is falling away
year by year.
"Varying statements of the world sup
ply of raw material places the foreign pro-
duction at about ~ per cent, averaged.
"Cotton Is an adopted crop in the United
States, while 1t Is Indigenous to the soils
Of India and South America. 1t grew
wild in India from the earliest recorded
times and as early as 800 years before the
Christian era cotton was cultivated there
and the staple woven into cloth that con-
stituted the principal article Of clothing
worn by the natives.
when Cortez conquered Mexico he
found the natives clothed in cotton gar
mtllCS VI OWu WcdNluR.
"Unquestionably the temperate section
of South America, great part of India
and Egypt, and the temperate section Of
Africa are as well suited to cotton raising
as is the United States, and European in
terests are developing the cultivation Of
cotton in these sections. The first great
impetus THAT was given to cotton produc-
by foreign countries came as result Of
the war Of Secession. From a nominal
production in previous years, Egypt pro-
duced in 1866, 161, ,12S bales and in 1875,
392,575 bales. In 1914 she produced 9S4, 900
bales Weighing 700 pounds. Last year she
produced a few more than one million
weighing 700 pounds.
The same growth Is noted In the produc-
tion in India. That country produced in
1886, 1857, 900 bales and in 1910, $4,000
bales. India now produces more than six
million bales.
"While the idea of diversification and
reduction Of cotton acreage is undoubted-
ly good one, this reduction should not be
radical. The cotton crop is and should al
ways be the money crop Of the South, and
radical reduction in acreage means to turn
it over to the foreigner.
"Cotton spinning has undergone perhaps
even greater changes Of locality than cot
ton production. 1t may surprise some to
know that 300 years ago Spain was the CEN
tire Of cotton manufacturing in the world.
Today England holds that honor with the
United States second and all other coun-
tries well distanced. Jspan is coming into
Importance in the manufacture Of cotton,
and owing to her proximity to eastern
markets, bids fair TO become formidable
competitor.
''This country should not take step
backward either in the production Of or
manufacture of cotton and the safest way
to guard against this danger is produce
enough, and just enough, cotton for the
worlds supply under extraordinary war
conditions. In guarding against present
disaster, Of which every Southerner must
approve, the cotton grower should not in
cur the greater danger Of losing his hold
on the greatest money crop known to the
industry Of the world. Though the South
ern farmers present ordeal may be charge
able to cotton it must not be forgotten
that the South cannot compete successful
ly with the West and Northwest on an ex-
tensive scale in the production Of grain
and cattle, while under normal conditions
the cotton crop should grow more and
more valuable with each recurring year.
The supply now is barely equal to the de-
mand.
"The public should understand that cot
ton is fnot listed as contraband, either ab-
solute or conditional, by any Of the bellig-
erents; Ion the CONTRARY, cotton is non
contraband articles.
"The department Of state recently re-
ceived a statement from the British am
bassador, in Washington, in effect that, as
cotton Is not listed as contraband by his
government, the British authorities have
no intention OF interfering with shipments
Of cotton on neural vessels to any of the
countries Of Europe. The cotton situation
is practically free from complications, and
no difficulty should be experienced with
shipments of cotton to any Of the Euro
pean countries, including those Of the bel