The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-10-03
COTTON OR CREDITl

L
OF the state as what the farmer will iu
with his cotton and the effects of his
action on the welfare OF the country
There are many persons OF many
minds on this question as on every
other. Some say the farmer should
sell at the present price; others that
should hold for higher prices. Some
are OF the opinion that there Is bound
to be loss If cotton be sold for less
than ten cents pound; others that
cotton can be made for eight cents,
and we have heard Of one large farmer
In this county who says his cotton does
not cost him more than six cents
Then there are many persons who
think the loss caused to the farmer
In the impairment of his credit, and
to business generally through n con,
tinueG stagnation waiting on cotton to
be sold, will more than offset the pres-
ent loss IL cotton be sold at present
prices and the money received therefor
be placed in circulation.
The arguments of many apply of
course to the farmer who is In debt. II
there were no farmers In debt, there
would be no cotton problem. Then
the individual farmer could do rs he
pleases, and the country would pros
per anyway. But so long as The far
mer has mortgaged his pros
pectiye crop to the banker
or the merchant, 1t really
does not belong to the farmer after his
debt becomes due. The question then
becomes personal one between the
farmer and his banker. his merchant
or the person to whom he Is indebted.
II he can arrange to borrow money .5n
his cotton at a warehouse and pay his
debts. then II behooves him to do this
and save his credit. Or II he can store
his cotton with his creditor and Sc
cure an extension on his obligation,
this is also privilege and duty to
do this. But IL neither OF these courses
nor any other is open to the farmer,
as business man, who values his
credit, he must sell for what he can
get and preserve his credit That is
worth more to him and as a-heritage
for his children than to save little
money and lose the confidence of
those with whom he has been doing
business and thus have it said He
would not pay his debts"
Then there are those who contend
that the farmer has had several years
9f prosperity, and that he can stand n
loss OH one years crop, OF course ev-
eryone knows that the difference of
even one cent q pound In the price OF
the South'e staple money crop will
mean q great deal less money In circu-
lation and financial loss to- tho entire
South md every. business In It. It is
ae:stss'ees e L t;eat the present eousiitInn ex-
lists, and IL we could we would place
the price OF cotton today at 15 dents
pound and guarantee that 1t would re-
main that. We hoes, sincerely. that
the price will be advanced soon, and
that We shall be saved this loss. But
facts are stubborn things, and 1t
seems q rather gloomy prospect Just
now.
The Entelllgenear would mt Nave
any who can do otherwise sacri-
lice his cotton crop. and we trust that
the farmers who cen hold will not Of
fer bale for sale. We also hope that
the banker, business man, or money
ma man who has debtors, and can do so.
viii indulge them to the very farthest
limit. Ones banker is safe man to
20 to for advice In matters financial,
and Il the farmer will go to his banker
and place the matter In his hands, In
ninety-nine cases opt of hundred hc
win not suffer for the trust placed.
Bankers and other business man are
but human, md IL they, find that the
farmer. or any debtor, Is trying to
dodge a debt. or. not mako proper ef-
forts 20 pay II, he will get suspicious
and distrustful OF that nhn's honesty.
SO. Mr.. Debtor, go to your creditor and
talk 1t over with him. Frankness
often destroys distrust and creates
better feelings ail round.
Hold your cotton II you can but IL 1t
Is ehcsc;, OF losing on yonr cotton or
losing your credit let the cotton 80.
Your credit is the more valuable.
I As A BUSINESS MAN eERS 1T.