Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-09-08
THE BUY-A.BALE MOVEMENT.
South Can Absorb and Hold Cotton
Crop If IL Will.

The Buy a Bale Of Cotton" move
ment inaugurated by many leading
business men Of Atlanta, Is making
considerable headway in Georgia, ac-
cording to reports in the Atlanta
Journal.
This movement is designed to re-
lieve those farmers who are financial
ly unable to hold their cotton, from
the hardships imposed by the closing
of the cotton market as result Of the
war in Europe. 1t is proposed that
each man ana woman who Is in posi-
tion to do so, purchase at least one
more, If possible,) bale Of cotton
direct from some farmer, preferably
10 cents a pound for 1t, and holding
such cotton off the market until not
less than 10 cents can be obtained.
While this movement was started In
the object of the promoters
Is to extend II to the entire south, the
belief being that in this way practi-
cally the whole cotton crop can be
saved from sacrifice. With this in
view, the Atlanta committee announc-
es that 1t is prepared to cooperate
with the authorities in other sections
Of the cotton growing belt. Already
in Atlanta several hundred bales have
been bought by individuals and or
and the buying continues.
The proposition to buy up the en-
tire 1914 crop Of cotton Is fully set
forth in the following call. issued by
the Atlanta committee:
Committees Call.
The committee Of five appointed
Friday to outline preliminary plans
for the people Of the south to buy the
1914 cotton crop raised by southern
farmers and thereby tide over the cri-
sis caused by the European war on
made the following inter-
esting report:
ITO the general meeting called to
the complications which have
arisen in the marketing Of cotton
The statistical bureau at
shows that the cotton
crop this year will be one Of the larg-
est and Of the best quality it has yet
grown, perhaps as much as 100000
bales. This cotton up to August
oade fair to bring IL cents per pound,
DR. $50 per bale, or an aggregate
amount of $900,0O0,00O, and including
he seed it would have reached the
sum of s1,00O.000.000.
Because Of the European war cut
ting the demand for this valuable pro-
duct some 100000 or 100000
bales, the market has been complete
" demoralized. So much so that cot
ton cannot be sold at all. It Is appar-
ent that unlesa some plan or plans can
be inaugurated by which this excess
supply OF cotton can be bought up
and taken entirely off the market for
At least twelve months, the price at
which the product will sell will be 80
ow as to lose the south at least one
.hird of the real value Of this crop.
Or a loss Of some three hundred and
fifty or four hundred millions Of dol
ars: and yield a return to the pro-
iucers far below the cost Of 'produc-
ion and thus spread ruin and bank
-uptcy through the land.
1--WE are not unmindful Of the fact
hat this grave situation has been con-
,idered by many committees and as
,ociations Of planters, merchants,
and business men generally.
And it's gravity Is we'll worthy Of the
,est thought and efforts Of US all. We
second gratefully the remedial legis-
alton passed by the congress and the
'elief proposed by the treasury de-
,artment in making cotton ware
louse receipts legal collateral for the
ssue of currency. But realizing that
Ill Of these helps and more will be re-
luired to meet the situation, and be-
ieving that Providence helps those
hat help themselves, we recommend:
Recommendations
First. That we appeal to every
oval and patriotic southerner, male
md female, to aid in carrying this
,urden that has fallen on our plant
RS without any fault Of theirs.
Second. That in extending this
elief in such form as the largest
lumber may assist we urge upon ev-
ry one to make purchase Of one or
more bales Of cotton.
Third. That in order that the
'lanters may get a price that will at
cast pay them for the cost Of produc-
ion, the price Of said cotton be fixed
t 10 cents per pound, basis good mid
ling.
Fourth. That in order that this
i'd may reach the class who are suf-
f this cotton be made not from mid
lie men or spectators, but from the
'lanters only, and as far as possible
e distressed cotton Of the tenant far
ners.
Fifth. II. order that this proposed
elef may be eRL"tual, 1t is necessary
hat this cotton be h.'d off the mar
ct for at least twelve mu3ths or un-
II the cotton can be sold at or above
en- cents per pound and carrying
harges.
Sixth. That we urge upon every
ity, town and hamlet throughout the
otton growing states that public
neetings be held and complete ar
be made to warehouse
uch purchases and the loyal and pa
riotic citizens be given an opportu-
ity to support this movement.
Seventh. This philanthropic ac-
ION is taken to relieve distress in our
outhland. but it will be wholly inef-
actual unless the planters reduce the
9l5 cotton crop to one-half OF the
sual crop. Therefore we appeal to
armers and planters. supply houses.
lerchantS and business men OF every
lass and in every section and state to
cooperate to accomplish this result.
Eighth. That you will appoint
ornament committee Of five Of your
umber who will invite the cordial CO.
peration Of the Chamber Of Com
lerce, the Merchants and Manufac-
Irers' association, the freight bureau,
ne Credit Mems association, the Ad-
lens club, the Rotary club and any
nd all other civic organizations, to
Id them in the furtherance Of this
'ork.
Ninth. That this committee be
to do all things necessary
} the perfecting of all arrangements
S TO securing subscriptions with
'hich to buy this cotton and to pro-
ide for its actual purchase, storage,
lsurance, and any and all other
lings necessary to execute fully the
urpose of these resolutions.
I'VE trust that no person in the cot
IN belt will take advantage of this
tuation by trying to buy cotton for
Dss than the price stipulated G0
ents) from farmers; and that every
ldividual in the south will cooper
te patriotically to save our farmers
'om loss.
(Signed) Sam d. Jones, chairman;
. II. Inman. II. Y. McCord. w. A.
arker, w. w. Orr, David Strauss"