The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-11-24

MANNING APPEALS TO RAIL-
ROADS ON LIMESTONE AND
PHOSPHATE RATES.
Governor Points out That These Ma
terials are Necessary to Farmers
and Asks for Reduction OF Cost of
Hauling Them.

urging a cheap rate on ground lime
stone and raw ground phosphate,
pointing out the necessity to the
farmers Of getting this, as they are
unable to get potash. His letter fol-
lows
''As chief executive of the State of
South Carolina, one of the greatest
agricultural States in the Union, 1 am
extremely interested and deeply con-
cerned in the uninterrupted productiv-
ity of the soil of our State, and the
consequent continued development Of
trade and commerce, and the general
prosperity of our people.
Conditions brought about as an ef-
feet of the European war now in pro-
gress, threatening to curtail produc-
ton, necessitates my addressing this
letter to you, and similar letters to
the executives Of the other transporta-
ton systems operating in this terri
tory.
"These conditions are, in my judg-
ment, very grave, and indicate a great
shortage of ordinary commercial fer
tilizing materials essential, under the
present-day practices, to the produc-
ton of corn and cotton. Particularly
dc l refer to potash and acid phos-
phate, and, as was the case last sea-
son, great decrease in commercial
fertilizer tonnage. During 1915 the
farmers Of the State managed to raise
fairly average crops in spite Of the
shortage of artificial fertilizing ma
terials. This, the experts tell us. can
not be done again in 1916, and they
assert that there must be large and
free use Of ground limestone and raw
ground rock phosphate in the form of
floats, If anything like normal pro-
ductiOn is to be obtained. In order to
secure these materials in quantity
they must be purchased interstate, and
when the farmers are urged to use
them they answer that freight rates
on ground limestone and on floats
are so high as to make their use prac-
tically prohibitive. This is particular
ly true, it appears, in all territory
where Joint rates and transfer charges
must apply. I enclose herewith copies
of letters received in reference to this.
These letters speak for themselves
and in large measure set forth the
true situation.
Feeling profound interest in the
continued prosperity of our producers,
on whom depends to large extent
the prosperity of our people, and hav-
ing in mind the welfare of our COM
merciar interests, our manufacturing
interests and our transportation in
terests as we'll 1 deem it proper to
most earnestly call this matter to your
personal attention and suggests to you
that you confer with the executives
OF other lines operating in this State,
with view to Offering, by agreement,
ana Immediately, such a rate on the
two commodities named rs will not
only enable, but encourage, the fullest
employment of both on the farm lands
of this state during the coming year.
1t is urgent that some action be taken
without delay. If it be not possible
or eXpedicnt to authoricze very cheap
rate permanently, l would most earn
estly suggest that such = rate be
promulgated. effective for the ensuing
twelve months at least, to meet an
emergency that, in my judgment.
threatens not alone this States most
vital intcrest-agricultura production
but also the tonnage income to the
transportation system in freight rates
on fertilizers and on farm products as
well.
trust that you will give this mat
tor your immediate thought and at
tention, bearing in mind of course.
that whatever is to the interest Of
the people in the territory traversed
by your line of railrcod is also to ,hc
interest of your system.
Il will thank you to advise me in
reference to this matter at your
earliest convenience"
Letters Received.
forkville, $. c., Sept. %, 1915.
AT this particular scason-but with
reference to the 1916 crop-the farm
erS all over the State are (whcthcr
they know it or noD intensely inter-
cstcd in the question of the best and
cheapest way to get their phosphoric
acid for said crop. ] myself thor
ouGhly believe that il is to be accom-
pliShcd by applying floats (ground
Phosphate rock) this fall.
The price Of floats (29 per cent