The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-11-20
damning the South is that which i
closing the channels of trade.

/ damning the South is that which is
closing the channels of trade.
The following is the resolution. in
troduced by Mr. Coker, as the senti-
ment Of the convention:
Whereas, the best available figures
seem to show that the present crop of
American cotton will not exceed con-
sumption under war conditions; and
Whereas, hostilities have ceased 2
resumption Of a part OF the idle spin
dies of the world may be expected be-
fcre the next crop is available; and
Whereas, there is an abnorma!ly
small reserve of cotton held by mills
for operating; and
Whereas, no considerable amount
Of spinable cotton could be had for
the building up of reserve mill stocks.
or for the resumption of new mills
without r. iucing visible supply fig
ures to finance proportions next sum-
naer; and
Whereas, there is an accumulated
deficiency Of all textile fabrics
throughout the world, which should
stimulate manufacture and trade as
soon as transportation is available,
and
Whereas, the above facts not only
do not justify the recent heavy de-
cline in the market, but foreshadow
an actual scarcity and much higher
prices for the balance of the present
crop; and
Whereas, the restoring OF cotton
prices to a figure justified by cost OF
production, and the worlds need is
the most important task Of all South
ern interests dependent directly or IN
directly upon cotton; and
Whereas, many new and serious
problems affecting the future Amer
lean agriculture in all of its branches
have suddenly been injected into the
situation by the end of the war,
which makes necessary a thorough
study of the new status in all its
phases to the end that wise and united
action may be taken by the Southern
farmer and his allied business inter
est:
''Now, therefore be it resolved by
this body representing the cotton in
terest of South Carolina:
First. That a committee of Is be
constituted to study the cotton situa-
ton, to establish and maintain CO.
operative action with the other cot
ton States, to advise the farmers and
other allied interests as to what steps
to take to secure the best possible
prices for the 1918 crop and as to cot
ton food production for 1919, and to
organize the farmers and, allied inter-
est for their mutual protection; that
said committee be constituted as fol-
lows: Gov. R. 7. Manning, A. c..
Summers, commissioner of agricul-
ture; DR.. W. NJ. Riggs, president Of
Clemson Colle"e; w. W. Long, direc-
tor of extension work; Capt. J. H.
Claffy, president of the Farmers In
ion; W. G. Smith, State warehouse
commissioner; +. Skottowe Wanna
maker, president South Carolina
Bankers Association.
The eight above mentioned are to
meet at once and select seven other
men we'll qualified in agricultures
marketing or finance. The commit
tee as finally constituted shall con-
sist of at least eight bona fide farm
ers, and at least one of its members
shall come from each Of the seven
congressional districts of the State.
The committee shall meet, organize
and proceed with it's duties at once.
It shall have power to call together
this convention from time to time,
and may fill vacancies in its own
personnel.
Second That the members of
this convention be asked to contribute
$1,000 at once for the preliminary
expenses of the committee Of Is.
Third. That the farmers of South
Carolina be urged to withhold all
cotton from the market pending the
action of the committee. unless the