The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-23
fEIr0W-FhRMERS...

memoer my appear through the
The Manning Times of Novem-
Der Is. 1911, for farmers to get
together on some firm and prac-
teal plan of doing business,
when at that time it was boasted
that we were millions strong and
national vide.
It was not my purpose then,
neither is it now, to intersect
one thought that would stand in
the way of any move made in
the farmers behalf, but rather
suggest a word of warning for
the future. I am boasting of be-
ing in position to see and know
the true situation as confronts
farmers of many classes. And
also in position to know that
plans could have been provided
which could have saved US as a
whole, the great feeling of en-
barrassment under which we are
stralning today, but low and be-
hold, we have ssmillions strong
and national wide" fallen over
board, and those of us who can
not swim must sink and crawl
out just as we did in 1911.
I do not wish to reflect upon
any honest effort that has been
put forth in our behalf, but I am
much constrained to say that we
need to take an entirely different
stand IN the future.
Remember three years ago
when the reduction of COTTON
acreage was urged up 4 the
farmers, and how it was pointed
ont that they would profit there
bys And how willingly some few
farmers put forth plans for a
large surplus of corn, oats, and
pork. OF course, none OF Us
could raise shis surplus without
expense, and much of this being
borrowed money, consequently,
late in the year when debts be-
came due and nothing except
the cash would be accepted,
could We take our grain and
pork to town in exchange for
cash? No. If yon offered it to
your banker he felt insulted,
and the merchant, the stockman
ia al os:ler creditors would
take it only as an aecommodat
to you. and that at a price below
the cost of oduction. Does this
encourage 3 reduction in cotton?
Not the way I see it. We are
therefore in need of men at the
front who can restore confd fdence,
not oaly in our neighb bors, but
in ourselves, and give as a
chance to make good. It has al
ready been accepted as rule
to reduce the acreage next year
one. half. Now, suppose farmer
has been planting 100 acres of
land in cotton, and suppose he
has been paying 5000 rent for
said land, and buying $1,000
worth of fertilizers, and $1,000
worth of supplies. It is request
ed OF him to plant so acres in
grain or some other surplus
crop, which seems to be perfect
II reasonable. Just so on the
other hand. Suppose we request
the landlord to accept a given
amount of this as part payment
of his rent, and the same request
applied to the fertilizer man, the
grocer and all other creditors.
Would this not also be reason
ables
All advisers continue to tell
us that we raise too much cot
ton and not enough home sup
plies. Doubtless this is true, but
are we alone to blame? It is
time for all classes of people to
come to reason, and it could be
well said right here that there
IS something for all to do.
I trust the time Is not far in
advance when we can have a
complete system of small grain
aries and storehouses for vari-
ous other products, such as are
being operated in other countries
to day. Then we might hop e
for our first relief from over
production of cotton.
Suppose we had something Of
this kind already established?
So that a farmer could contract
TO furnish so MANY bushels of