The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-22
DEFENSE COUNCILS AND COTTON
PRICES.
Correspondent Dilcrs From Dr. ".
NJ Riggs on Scope OF Work of War
fiodies.

~ Hlc ftttol ol Inc stale.
Whatever theories may be advanced
about the finances OF the South; how
ever much the South may become
or sections of II has become, indie
pendent OF cotton: however much bet
ter food producing farms can stand
low prices OF cotton than these farms
that grow all cotton or fail to pro
vide the food crops needed to feed Ia
Dor and stock-the indisputable fact
remains that the price of cotton de-
tcrmines the ability OF our farmers to
reach a better plane OF living, to be
able To do their share ian the war ac-
tivitics. The price OF cotton deter
mines the business prosperity OF all
our people i'm the South and helps all
the national life.
l think a bare statement Of these
kcts sufficient No one will try to
efute them. Therefore it seems to
ne that In the South at least the
question of "A remumerativc price for
,ur great staple crop is n pertinent
question for discussion i'm the state
Council of Defense.
am told that when at the last
meeting OF the State council two mem
bers suggested that the outlook for
cotton prices should he discussed and
O line of action suggested whereby
the price may be reinstated and kept
To profitable figures. that DR.. w. NJ.
Riggs. president OF Clemson Agricul-
tural College. opposed il and took the
position that cotton. prices should have
no part I'm the discussions OF the coun
Gil OF defense. am surprised that
the head OF a state institution, tho
support of which comes directly from
the pockets OF the farmers i'm the
shape OF the fertilizer taxes. three
fourths OF which is used for cotton
should take such n position.
Not only do | believe that the flnan-
cial condition Of the people OF the
State and their ability To take Liberty
bonds. war savings stamps. give to
the Red Cross and other causes Is
properly subject for discussion i'm the
meetings OF the councils of defense.
but the special ways by which their
financial standing is improved or in
jured should also he discussed.
Further. take 1t that the head of
our agricultural college should bc
especially interested i'm tho MARKETING
side OF farm life and of all men I'm the
Council OF Defense he should be the
hast To object To such n discussion. III
the head OF the agricultural college
supported directly by us farmers is
indifferent To our marketing prob
lens. II ls high time that the lcgis
lature take the matter up and by
special act direct the college to do thi
Kind of work. I'm this article shal
80" 'NN'H'I' w ouStStNt ilOW lIlla
should be done. l want the people to
begin to think about 1t and only vote
for members OF the legislature who
will see that proper direction is given
To the trustees and faculty of Glenn
son TO take IN this work.
1 want to say further that councils
OF defense. federal reserve banks, war
work commissions and other agencies
that are bending every energy to win
the war must look at problems from
the standpoint of the producers OF
raw material as well as from the
standpoint OF manufacturers and con
sumers. While we are trying to fix
fair price to the consumer and a
fair spread" to the manufacturers
we must not lose sight of the mer
who produce the raw material.
IL seems 10 me from what sec AMI
read that. alas. too often the grower
of the food and clothing OF the world
hre looked upon as class that IL not
to be considered. They have free air
free wood. free water. Gods free sol
and sunlight. What more DO the;
want? Any suggestions that they H.
paid rcmuneratlve prices is at ono
called "prohtecring." Federal rcserv.
bank officials say that farmers VIII,
did not sell cotton at 3j cents per
pound should not he enabled to carry
Their cotton for a more equitabl,
price when mills were selling their
goods at so cents 10 81 per pound In
the open wholesale markets of thc
country. "Thcsc prices would have
justified ti@n mill paying 80 cents to
90 cents for their staple and still
havc fair u not Il handsome profit"
ana this in my Judgment Is the
7. RI fftfr ftrf Ia. "a. Il A..