The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-09-25

than half of the cotton grown can be
spun.
But if the American spindles and
those in the Orient go full tilt, they
could consume much more than their
ordinary takings.
| If we could carry this cotton crop
along "and reduce acreage next
year. the present crop would be
marketed at a fair price. in spite of
adverse conditions.
Unfortunately for us, we are not
a carrying people. We of the South
have been carried by others. We pay
an enormous toll for the service.
The wheat grower of tie northwest
and the farmer Cf Illinois and Iowa
long ago learned the trick of carry
ing himself. He IS his own financier.
If there were some means of our
pulling together we could carry the
| crop along. The undertaking is so
big that an immediate tagible plan
is hard to reach.
But this much can be done. Every
man able to keep his cotton off the
market should do so, because If he is
able to hold that cotton he is reason
ably sure to get a good price for il
before another crop is grown.
The man able to hold cotton will
not likely put in a big crop next year,
unless the situation is cleared up, un-
til he gets rid of his present supply.
The Lord helps those who help
themselves. Let the small farmer
who is out OF debt hold back what
cotton he can. Let the large planter
do the same. Let the man who is in
debt and being pressed sell only
enough to pay himself out. The small
merchant in the country town should
do his part in not rushing the cotton
to market. Same is true as to the
larger merchant
This sort of cooperate effort would
be one material help. After that the
resource which we have always used
should be called upon.
If cotton is properly warehouseed,
genuine warehouse receipt is
mighty good collateral.
Just now there is scarcity OF
money in Chicago and st. LOUIS cen
etrs but while few days big re-
turns on wheat will have begun to
filter into this country. Part of this
money, then can probably be secur-
ed and used in carrying our cotton
along.
If the cotton crop is carried, 1.-The
question OF acreage next year will
adjust ITSELF" For at the beginning
of the season IL the war is not over
and the price of cotton does not
promise to be high the planter with
money will plant other stuff and the
farmer without mony will have to
grow something else becuase he can
secure precious little to grow anoth-
er crop when the present crop is not
yet off the market.
At the meeting Yesterday there
were various suggestions. Every sug-
gestions in a time like this is good
The variety ,of the plans show that
the minds of Ahe people are at work
and "WheneFer people BEGIN to think
about the solving of a problem, the
solutions is usually reached.
One plan suggested was that as
many people as possible agree TO take
off the market one bale of cotton at
10 cents a pound. This suggestion
sounds visionary but it is being con
sidered by some very hard headed
ing pushed in a neiyhborinG city
The action Of tn meeting In ap-
pointing a committee TO see bankers
in the east and north aud ascertain
how much, If any money could lie
secured to tide cotton over untiI IL
could come into its own WAS v iac
If it can be arranged To carry cot
ton along, say at $50 = bale, then IL
deed will the supreme element in
The problem be worked out
There is no necessity Of our people
becoming panic-stricKau. Let every
man hold on to his cotton as long as
he can, if he can: got good pr.,c
for it now. If we ire not patient
we accomplish nothing
and don't cooperate, then indeed Vii
we accomplish nothing.
England, France and Russia have
signed a pact to stand together until
the end. Not one will make a peace
without the consent of the nthcr.
At first this proposition looks bad
for speedy conclusion of the war
But this ageement in itself may be
an element for peace rather than for
war.
The English, French and Germans
are, after all, hard headed business
men. The business men of all these
countries are beginning to realize
that war costing 100000, 900 day
is so expensive that to continue it
long will mean the business suicide
of the contending nations. These
forces will begin to exert prssure for
peace as soon as they get over their
first anger and begin to see the
awful price in money and blood
that is being paid for the glo~y Of a
few rulers.