Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-09-04
OFFER
CURRENT PRICES
WITHOUT EFFECT
LITTLE COTTON FOR SALE
NJ Change in The Situation
Locally

While cotton continues to come to
Americus in quantity, each days re-
ecipts go into storage along with the
1000 bales marketed here already to
this date. There are no sales; no
throng of busy buyers or expectant
farmers around the warehouse sales
rooms, where conditions are the same
as in the dull season of summer, ex-
cept for the unloading of cotton-laden
wagons. A few farm supplies are TAX
en- on, and the wagons depart home
ward.
What contrast in the situation now,
and this date year ago. Then, cot
ton was selling readily at twelve cents
per pound-$6O per bale, and money
was in evidence Today cotton is
quoted at 7 IL cents only, or $3.50
per bale, with practically no sales at
that low starvation price.
Under the advice of local bankers
and warehousemen and the several
conventions of cotton growers and f.
nanciers who have discussed in meet
ing the present situation, Sumter coun-
ty farmers are still holding to their
bales and refuse to sell at the offer
7 IL cents for the finest grades-a
price far below the cost of production.
They declare they cannot afford to
sell cotton for $3.50 per bale less
than it has cost them to plant, cult
vate and harvest this same cotton.
Americus buyers are in the field to
take all offerings of very fine cottol
at I IL cents, but scracely a bale do
they get. Other markets report a few
sales at this price, but there's moth
ing dong in Americus, nor will there
be.
Viewing the situation sanely and
sensibly The Telegraph gives the fol-
lowing timely advice:
1T will not be very long before the
English markets are open to the sta
pie, even though the English mills may
not take their full quota of the staple.
II may be much later before the Ger
man and French buyers get in the
market again. Whatever the English
buyers take will leave that much less
for the Southern farmers, warehouse
men and banks to carry over.
The American mills will increase
their output to probably fifty per cenA
of the entire crop.
AT any rate there ought not to be
more than forty cent. of the crop car
ried over. Cotton is not a perishable
crop and does not have to be sold in a
hurry.
1T will be as good twenty years
hence as it is today if properly stored
and cared for. When the war ends
there will be an increased demand for
it. War consumes cotton goods, as
well as other things. 1t creates
vacuum which will have to be filled
when peace is restored.
Therefore, it would be the part of
wisdom for the farmers to hold back
their cotton. The bankers and mer-
chants should see to it that no cotton
grower is forced to sell his cotton at
depressed prices. The merchants and
bankers should help the farmers keep
down their cotton acreage next year.
"One way to do it is to call those
farmers who undertake to exceed the
limit. That would be better than
cotton tax-which politicians are hard
ly going to pass.
I'm place of cotton plant, grain, peas
and hay. Let the land rest. Build up
the land by giving it a change of
diet" and "rest cure" Then when
peace is restored golden stream will
flow this way for our carried-bver sur
plus. The farmers soil will have been
his expense account cut
down and his present crop saved from
disastrous sacrifices"