The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-24
he office of the secretary of state.

the ONCE OIL tIle ScCIcldiS VI SIdIS.
After J. II. Claffy, Orangeburg, had
called the meeting to order the roll
by counties was called. Men not di-
rectly affiliated with the union but
who responded to the call were in
vited TO remain in the meeting and
hear discussions and make sugges-
tons, being put on an equal footing
with men who are union members.
Many matters of interest to farm
ers were discussed. Two matters Of
especial moment were brought out.
Senator Smith, who was present, en-
phasized the fact that the 100000
surplus which was being held some
where, and the rumors of which
tended to depress prices, was <practi-
cally non-eXistant.
The other matter of special mo-
ment had to do with the prices of
ginning, and was discussed by
Food Administrator Elliott, who said
that a ginning price Of $3.50 per 500
pound bale had been fixed. It a gin
ner gins below that figure and
investigation shows that he is not
seed somewhere else, then no penalty
is attached The food administrator
emphasized the fact that the food ad-
1ninistration wants the farmer to be In
a position to pay the ginner, take his
cotton off if necessary and sell to
some one else if he so desires. Sew
eral of the gentlemen present said
they could get their cotton ginned
Tor less than $3.50 per bale, and Mr..
Elliott said that if the ginner was
dealing fairly and no profit is made
elsewhere, then the ginner could go
ahead
Senator Smith, in his remarks, said
hat a runlor that a surplus OF 5,000,-
100 bales was somewhere had had its
effect on cotton prices. He said he
had gone to the director OF the cen
:us, and had secured from him some
igures which brought to light some
interesting facts.
The 1915-1916, 1916-1917 and 1917
1913 cotton crop aggregated about
100000 bales. The consumption for
he same three years aggregated some
Il, 600, 900 bales. The difference be-
.ween production and consumption
.howed that about 100000 more
)ales were consumed than were pro-
luced, and yet the rumor that there
S surplus Of about 100000 bales
lad been in circulation.
Senator Smith said he had asked
.arious officials what the surplus cot
on amounted to, and they as a rule
we're under the impression that the
surplus was about 100000. When
he actual figures from the census. Of
ice were shown, surprise was mani
ested.
Senator Smith also pointed out that
-overnment cloth is made out OF cot
on graded middling and above mid
ling, and that this tended to run up
he price of middling and at the same
ime run down the price of lower
,rades of cotton He said the lower
:rades and practically the same ten
lie strength as middling and bleach
d as we'll.
In conclusion Senator Smith urged
hat the farmers organizations take
ONE steps to get men who would
;eep them accurately posted on cot
on affairs, so that scares and hysterla
night be avoided. He said that the
;orld was in the midst of the great
st cotton famine ever known, and Il
.1formation can be made available to
armers through their organizations
hey can keep fully posted and not
scared at every rumor that may
set afoat.
At the conclusion CT his remarks,
,enator Smith was bonbarded with
lany questions relating to fertilizers,
.tc., and save much interesting lnfor-
,lation. He was heartily applauded
t the close Of his speech.
Food Administrator Elliott was
resent by invita zion and was intro
luced to the m ting soon after Sen
tor Smith had departed. MIR. Elliott,
n his introduction, said he wished to
peak of the cottonseed situation gen
rally; he said there was much spec
,lation prevailing and that farmers
lad thought they were selling TOO
heap to mills, which sometimes had
o hold their products until prices ad-
anced in order to sell at a proflt tie
aid the efforts OF the Food Admins
sration had been directed at stoppins
peculation and stabilizirg prices. The
uncertainty in prices this year, ne
aid. was due to the uncertainty OF
he supply of oil; that when Oh
rices are stabilized then the prices
If seed will become more stable. The
Ill mills, he said, are under contro
# the Food Administration; they are
licensed; have inspectors who arc
kelly to hear Of it if anything un'
.sual in regard to prices takes place
md that licenses can be cancelled ant
he mill put out Of business If unlaw
nj practices are INDUCED in.
Then the ginning price came, up 1ol
! discussion. 1t was said that some gin
aers could gin at $3.50 per bale. l
;uch a ginner does not make prom
,ut of the seed or somewhere else
hen the Food Administrator said NJ
penalty would be attached MI. T.!
lott said the administration coui'
protect the situation if the farmer
would cooperate with the admlnlstra
ton. and he asked for the contldenc
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