The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-12-16

J our marketing system no longer close
! markets to the world to our goods.
The national and international signif-
cance Of this crop Is brought forcib-
ly to the front by the order Of Great
Britain in placing cotton on the con-
traband list This action by Great
Britain, unprecedented as 1t was, em-
phasizes the Importance Of the vital
question of the distribution OF cotton
now and after the war Is over. The
shortage Of the present crop, the ex-
tended uses and demand for cotton,
the prospect for still further curtail-
ment in production next year, due to
the absence Of potash and the almost
prohibitive prices Of fertilizers, make
1T probable that increased prices for
cotton should be obtained; and the
increased demand, with curtailment
In production, emphasize tho necessity
for greater care, more businesslike
and sensible plans, In the handling
and marketing Of this national and
international and world-needed COM
modify.
Along with the consideration Of cot
ton, goes hand-in-hand the question OF
diversification, and Of applying science
to agriculture, the raising OF cattle
and stock for the production Of cotton
Will not be permanently profitable un.
TIL our farmers learn to raise at homo
all necessary food supplies. The
production Of cotton, the marketing
and warehousing of cotton, with diver
sification Of crops and stock raising,
are inter-related and must be worked
together. The practice Of having cot
ton as our one money crop must be
abandoned
This congress Is peculiarly fortu-
nate in the person Of its president, for
Senator Fletcher, If he will pardon
personal reference to what is Of
broad public interest, is Chairman OF
the National Commission on Rural
Credits. AS such he. with the manag-
Ing director Of the Southern CONNER
clal Congress, Dr. Owens has travelled
on tour Of study, drawing on the
systems Of Italy, Austria, Germany,
Switzerland and France, for sugges-
tions that would be valuable to u.s.
The results Of these Investigations
have been laid before the President
OF the United States and President
> dress to the Federal Congress, give
token OF his approval by urging legis-
. lation OF this kind at the present ses.
o sion. 1t Is but just to give credit to
y the Southern Commercial Congress
:, lor initiating the movement The
: commission of which Senator Fletch
. er was chairman and Dr. Clarence J
, owens was secretary, Investigated the
question OF agricultural finance pro.
duction, distribution and organization
IN sixteen foreign countries. The re-
port OF this commission Is the basis
Of proposed legislation, state and fed
eral, that Is to provide for long-term
mortgage loans and also short-time
personal credits for the American
FARMER. We must perfect system to
meet the needs Of agriculture just as
the Federal Reserve Act now meets
tho needs Of commercial tranaactions
II such system can be made prac-
tical and workable, 1t will mean the
regeneration Of the rural life of the
south, and Of America. It will provide
plan by which the farmer can be
the owner Of his homo and farm
1t will mean q new declara.
'io'i VI independence In agricultural
business and life.
In 1913 the Commercial Congress
was addressed by the President Of the
United States, and the opening Of the
Panama Canal was the great event to
De emphasized at that time The
united States, and South Carolina.
ana Charleston particularly, were ar.
ranging for great official movement
IN commerce, on account OF the open.
ing OF the canal. Our eyes were turn.
ed in hungry desire for trade relations
with Latn.Amerca and the Oriont
with the waterway completed, and
win basis of exchange, it seemed
but matter Of short time before the
United States would assert cmphati.
cally It's commercial supremacy. The
war in Europe has emphasized the
lack OF transportation facilities on tho
ocean. TO remedy this, President
wilson recommends to Congress the
enactment OF such legislation as will
give goVcrnmcnt-cOntrolle merchant
marine The outlook seems to favor
lhe passage OF shipping bill, under
"hich our country will be in position
10 selZe commercial opportunities. In
thls the south will be vitality interest.
cd. we have witnessed abnormal
conditions In trade for the past eight
cen months. This country has sun
piled all possible needs in finance
1t may be necessary for us to
look after new markets and to de-
vclop trade relations with Latin.
America and the Orient, but in anv
event the United States must be
ready, on the one hand, to meet com.
petition with her former rivals IN