Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-01-30
ABOUT NITRATE OF SODA.
Senator Tillman Writes Explaining
Method Of Distribution.

Washington, Jan. 21.-Senator
Tillman yesterday gave out for pub
lication the following:
Hon. e. w. Dabbs, Of Mayesville,
S. c., transmitted to the Senator a
resolution about nitrate of soda.
Senator Tillman Immediately tele-
phoned over to the House and got as
many Congressman as he could, and
after conference Of the delegation,
wrote the letter below:
Senator Tillman's letter.
Washington, Jan. 10, 1918.
e. w. Dabbs, 'Mayesville. S. c.
Dear Sir: am in receipt of your
letter enclosing me copy of the
resolution adopted by the Sumter
County Council of Defense with ref
erence to the purchase Of nitrate Of
soda by the farmers Of South Caro-
lima. The purpose Of the legislation
authorizing the government to pur-
chase nitrate Of soda was to secure
and furnish soda to the farmers at as
low price as possible. The law
provides that "for the purpose Of in
creasing agricultural production. the
President IS authorized to purchase
nitrate of soda and dispose Of the
same for cash at cost"
The Department Of Agriculture in
carrying out the provisions Of this
law has adopted regulations provid-
ing that the nitrate Of soda shall be
sold only to farmers, and while these
regulations have not yet been pub
lishcd, | understand that they will
provide that a land owner can pur-
chase nitrate of soda for the tenant
farmers who are engaged in farming
on his land. Dealers will not be al
lowed to purchase and l am Of the
opinion that this is an exceedingly
wise regulation and that any other
regulation would be contrary to the
plain purpose of the law. can we'll
see what would be the result of the
department allowing dealers to pur-
chase soda under this legislation.
The merchant is always more alert
to business customs than ,is the far
mer. If the dealers were allowed to
purchase. their representative
would 60 to the ports and purchase
every ton Of nitrate of soda as fast
as it arrived at the ports, and they
could then sell to the farmers at
profit and thus defeat the very OBJ
'ject of this legislation. For instance,
You state in your letter that this
meeting was called at the request OF
dealers who desired to secure soda
from the government at cost, and
then sell to poor farmers at profit
Of 10 per cent. I think this would be
nothing more than an outrage.
When the government is willing TO
lend it's credit and will sell to the
farmers at cost, to allow any mer-
chant to exact profit Of 10 per
cent would be countenancing usury.
The poor farmers Of South Carolina
are in better position than they
have ever been in their lives and l
feel satisfied that they will be able
to raise enough cash to enable them
to purchase their nitrate Of soda at
cost. If the merchants. in Sumter
are interested in the welfare Of their
poor farmers they can advance them
this money, and If they want to be
secured, they can take a mortgage
over the crop, but I am unalterably
opposed to the Department Of Agri-
culture allowing dealers to hog this
supply Of nitrate Of soda intended
for the farmers of our country.
I have consulted members of the
delegation and they agree with me
In the views I have above expressed.
Yours very truly,
B. R. Tillman.
The Resolution,
Sumter, 8. c., Jan. AT large
ly attended meeting Of the Sumter
County Council, Of the State Council
OF Defense, held to-day, after lengthy
discussion Of the effects of the sale
OF nitrates by the United States gov
eminent, the following resolution
was unanimously adopted, and copies
thereof ordered sent to United States
Vtty