The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-07-20
DAVID X. COKER EXPLAINS
STATE DEFENSE COUNCIL

David K. Coker, of Hartsville,
chairman of the State Defense Coun-
Gil, has issued the following statement
to the people of South Carolina:
"The State Council of Defense
wishes to call attention to several
features on the present and prospec-
tive situation which seem to call for
thoughtful consideration by all of the
people of the State, but especially by
the farmers.
Tremendous advances have recently
taken place in fertilizer materials and
especially in ammoniates. Tankage,
cotton seed meal and Dried Blood are
already so high that it is doubtful
whether they can be proftably used as
fertilizing materials. This is because
these materials are more and more be-
ing used as food for live stock, being
substituted to some extent for corn,
wheat bran and other materials which
can be used for human food. Sui
phate of ammonia, which has been
largely used for fertilizers, is al
most entirely off of the market. being
required by the government for the
manufacture of munitions. 1t is al
together probable that next spring the
average farmer will be unable to buy
any source of ammonia except nitrate
of soda, which is now nearing $4,000
per ton with a possible further ad-
vance. There is no certainty that even
this material can be obtained in ade-
quate quantities as it is also used
largely in munitions of war.
This situation seems to calls for the
planting of every acre of Stubble land
and all vacant corn middles to COW
peas which is the only available
legume for planting at this season.
Later on (September 18th to October
10th) it will be advisable to plant
cover crops in all of the cotton.
The farmer who understands the
situation now and takes all possible
steps to meet it in advance may be
able to carry on his operations next
year without contracting fertilizer
bills so heavy as to endanger his
profits. The farmer who "takes no
thought for the morrow" will he in a
very different position and may face
a situation next spring out of which
he will be unable t ofgure living.
We trust the people of the State will
carefully consider the above situation
caused by the prospective shortage
and high prices of fertilizer and will
take all possible steps to lessen the
threatened danger to our agriculture.
Another very difficult problem
seems to us to confront our people.
1t the State this year produces an
average or even three-quarters of an
average cotton and tobacco crop and
1T sells at anywhere near present
prices, there will be, after debts ale
paid, the greatest volume of surplus
money ever known in this State.
Previous periods of unusual pros
perity have almost invariably been ac-
companied by speculation, extrava-
gance and large investments in new
enterprises. With the boil weevil on
our threshold and with the war pre-
senting Kaleidoscope of problems
which at any time may reverse the
financial outlook, our people should
show wise conservatism this fall. If
the present outlook for a profitable
business is realized it will present
great and unusual opportunity to all
farmers and business men to pay off
accumulated debts and to lay aside
surplus to meet boil weevil conditions
and other probable contingencies.
Every man who reads and thinks
should use all of his influence to see
that the prospective prosperity is
properly utilized and does not event
ually result in disaster. Waste and
extravaganza should be frowned upon
and made unpopular by public senti-
ment.
The government will undoubtedly
offer other issues of bonds from time
to time and large part of the profits
of our people must go toward financ-
ing the nation if the war is to be sue
cessfully conducted. The Red Cross,
the Y. M. G. A. and other national
charities must be supported and sup
ported literally
After debts are paid and national
financial needs fully attended to every
dollar not required for modest but
comfortable living should be safely
put aside for future use.
The State Council of Defense re-
quests the County Councils, the news
papers an dthe citizens generally to
give the widest possible publicity to
the above suggestions.
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