Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-08-05
COTTON MUST BE CONSIDERED.
Senator Smith Calls Attention to
Grave Situation Made by. War.

Columbia, Aug. 3.-Taking notice
of the effect of the European war on
the price of cotton. Senator e. D..
Smith, who was among the visitors
in Columbia yesterday, suggested
that a conference be called at Co
lumbia of the farmers, bankers, mer-
chants and other business men Of the
State with a view to providing means
for holding off the market the cotton
that will soon be forced upon 1t.
Fall i'm Price.
The following statement was is
sued:
"The appalling fall in the price of
cotton that has taken place within
the last few days as the result Of the
threatened war in Europe should
give concern and anxiety to every
now indicated should he maintained
through the next few months the dis
aster to the South would be beyond
calculation. 1t would go even fur
ther than that, because the United
States looks to the South to furnish
cotton to Europe in sufficient guam
tity to turn the balance of trade to
America. Without our cotton crop
the balance of trade every year
would go against us in favor of Eu-
rope. The matter is, therefore, Of
nationwide importance, and it be-
hooves the people o. the South not
only to take action to protect them
selves, but to protect the entire Uni
ted States. That something must be
done is plainly apparent. The war,
coming as it may at this time when
the bulk Of the cotton crop is to be
marketed, the situation is filled with
the greatest gravity. 1t is hardly
possible that such a war could last
more than three months, but that
would be long enough to bring disas-
ter upon every Southern cotton plan
ter
Need of Conference.
"In view Of this distressing situa-
tion | would advise that if prospects
for peace are not brighter within the
next few days, a conference be called
at Columbia of the farmers, bankers,
merchants and other business men
Of the State with view Of providing
means for holding off OF the market
the cotton that will soon be forced
upon it.
81 have heretofore attempted to
point out to the farmers the disas-
trous effect on the entire crop Of this
distress cotton. The Federal gov
ernment is keenly alive to the situa-
ton. | ain sure we can count on the
hearty cooperation Of President
Wilson and Secretary McAdoo in any
plan that will avert this appalling
disaster to the South and the ma
tion. This matter has given me con-
siderable concern and | felt a desire
to direct the attention Of the peoDle
to this threatened disaster sooner
but in view Of the fact that we are in
the midst Of heated political cam
paign have refrained. But | do not
now feel that this is a sufficient rea-
son to restrain me any longer. A few
days since the newspapers reported
that in view Of the grave crisis which
confronted England her people had
forgotten their political differences,
which were very acute. Let us fol-
low their example, and in this grave
crisis which confronts the industrial
welfare OF our people, let us forget
our political differences and give our
best thought to some plan by which
those who produce cotton and those
who are dependent upon it may re-
ceive proper return for their labor.
Il would greatly appreciate it If
those in the State who are interested
in this movement would write me at
Columbia, giving me the benefit Of
their suggestions, SO that a meeting
may be called and plans outlined
which may be promulgated through
out the cottoNs States"