The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-08-18
COTTON SITUATION
AS WATSON SEES IT
Head of Cotton Congress Opt
mistic Over Meeting.
SAYS PLANS ARE LOGICAL.
Believes Farmers Will be Protected
Through Warehouse
Receipts.

Through Warehouse
Receipts.
Columbia Special to Charleston
News and Courier, Aug. 16.--Com-
missioner Watson, president OF the
Southern Cotton Congress, upon his
return from Washington today, said:
THE press dispatches have, no
doubt, kept the people posted as to
the sessions Of the Cotton Congress.
The gathering was one of the most
thoroughly representative ever held
in the country, and more than filled
its mission. Action has been taken,
which will be quickly followed up
in every state, promising results of
substantial character. I shall i'm
mediately announce the selection of
certain field committees provided for
and call gatherings in eacn state, as
directed by the congress to do. So
far those of us who have been wrCst-
ling with the intricate problem i'm
Washington since last Sunday are
concerned, / can only say that we
have feeling of the highest opti-
mism. If our people will only sit
steady in the boat right now for 4
few days, perhaps rorJnight, and
do not attempt in a moment of hys-
terical uneasiness to do things they
ought not to do, and for the doing of
which there is no occasion, we be-
lieve the situation will be fully and
adequately cared Tor by the United
States Congress and the federal
treasury and currency officials.
MONEY IN SIGHT.
I'VE have all the evidences OF
wealth we had before the war com
menced, and there is no reason why
one bale of cotton should be sacri-
feed. l would, on account of posi-
BILE severe losses on seed, urge every
farmer to hold every bale of cotton
he can in the shape of seed cotton.
The authorities in Washington rea-
lize that the greatest demand is for
that, and that shall reach the small
man, who raises the actual bale OF
cotton, and as far as existing laws or
amendments to those laws can eX-
tend that aid, I aR sure, it will be
given.
This feature was thoroughly
brought home to every man who is at
work on the problem. Immediate
ware house facilities in all the cot
ton belt states by arrangements foI
utilization of every square foot OF
available warehouse space existing
now are essential to anything thai
will be done. There is no time fol
building extensive warehouses any
where. / have been securing infor
nation on all warehouse floor space
in South Carolina, and while all the
reports are not yet in, it looks as II
this State can take care of her i'm
mediate needs in this regard.
WAREHOUSE RECEIPTS.
"It is practically certain that tn,
new Federal warehouse bill, whicl
will thoroughly establish the receip
on properly warehoused cotton as
basis of credit anywhere in the ma
tion, will be a law in few days, anC
as soon as passed the cotton ware
house receipt will be given a nation
al and International recognition a
a security. This is perhaps all
can say just now. The calls 70
State meetings will be ready to-mor
row. We have been working nigh
and day in cooperation with thos
able Southerners who are applying
to the cottoL situation the best tina
is in them and theFsituation to-da,
is far different he from what
was just a week Hago. The mail
thing now is for our people to 81
steady and refrain from rushing cot
ton to market, when one is first open
ed or doing some other thing tina
may be ill-advised, costly and un
necessary. The other necessit
now is warehouse facilities, and thi
necessity, for emergency purposes
we hope we can meet"