Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-08-01

the past year, or rather had been in
,huenced to market 1t in such way as
to prevent any overlooking or swamp
ing and causing any considerable re-
duction In. price.
Southern cotton farmers In the op-
inion Of Chairman Johnson, deserve
q much higher price for their product
than they are receiving at the present
time and with intelligent cooperation
they would receive its worth. He re-
lated how in the past the big English
interests and other interests had been
boarding great supplies Of cotton, hav-
ling surplus Of from 1000, 900 to e.
100000 bales at a time, bought at q
very cheap figure because Of heavy
selling and how after accommodating
such a reserve would withdraw from
the market causing the market to
tumble completely.
The American Cotton Association, he
said. did not propose to try to keep the
price Of cotton up through persuasion
OF its members to reduc> acreage. 1t
did propose to urge II members to
raise all foodstuffs at home and then
raise all the cotton possible as sur
plus. Furthermore. by the operation
|of its own system Of warehouses
Throughout the south 1t expected to A.
nance the crop and keep itout Of the
hands Of the SPECTATORS who have
fixed prices for so many years In the
past.
There are some people who will tell
you, he said, that the farmer Is fairly
though he is now getting to the place
where he is able to obtain those COM
forts Of life for himself and his family
that other people have enjoyed for
years. Ten years ago The average SIS
clerk was In much better financial
position than the ten-horse farmer
who owned his own land. There has
been some improvement In his condi-
ton since that time. The farmer is
getting to the place where he is able
to educate his children and furnish mis-
family with ordinary comforts; but his
financial condition today Is nothing
like what, Il should be-nothing in
keeping with his labor and toll and
benefit to mankind. Through intelli-
gent cooperation as included In the
plan Of the American Cotton Aesocia-
ton, he will be enabled to come into
his own. "
The speaker sail that he had
thoroughly studied the plan Of the
American Cotton aisociation and was
confident that 1t was good. It would
take much money to bear the expense
of such q national and local organi-
zation as was contemplated: but 1t was
expense worth while. he pledged
himself to do his best toward adyanc-
ing the association in York county and
he sought the cooperation Of every
farmer, business and professional man
IN the county.
r. n Sturgis of Rock Hill, address,
ing the meeting, heartily endorsed the
American Cotton Association and adj
vocated the organization OF the York
county branch. The association, he
said, had already saved millions to the
farmers through its influence. True,
there bad been farmers unions before
and there was lot Of hot air In con-
nection with them, although they had
resulted in much good. In his opinion
the present union was the best and
most encouraging that had ever been
undertaken and he pledged himself to
do everything possible to promote It,
John Fl. Steele called attention to the
fact that the American Cotton Assoc
citation was absolutely political.
The officers were practical farmers
and business men who have no politi.
cal axe to grind; but were interested
in seeing to 1t that the cotton pro-
ducer got the full value OF his product.
He suggested that 1t would be well
to arrange for q meeting In every
school house In York county at which
good speakers would educate the peo-
pie TO the value Of cotton, the policy
Of the association In regard to secur-
ing fair price for cotton and all mat
ters connected with the cotton indus
try. 4, Z
that he was very much interested In
the organization OF the York county
branch Of the association both from
the standpoint Of a business man and
q banker and said he was sure that
Fort Mil township could be relied
upon to heartily endorse the move-
ment.
Chairman Johnson explained that II
was desired to include In the associ3-
ton membership, not only every cot
ton grower In the county; but every
merchant, manufacturer and profess
sional man In York county. He felt
sure that he could secure the member
ship of the respective presidents OF al
manufactures and industries In Rock
Hill and he hoped that every enter
prise In York county would be enroll
ed because all were vitality affected. Z
It< was explained that the member
ship fee for farmers Is based upon the
number of bales Of cotton they pro-
duced in 1917, the amount being
fixed at 25 cents per bale. Thus the
farmer who produced IL bales OF cot
ton in 1917 would pay fee Of 80. he
who produced 40 bales would pay SO.
This membership fee would pay all
dues until January /, 1921. After that
annual dues would be at the rate OF
ten cents per bale In production.
The membership fee for manufac-
Eturers and other business enterprises
Is fixed on the amount Of capital In
vested at the rate Of 25 cents per
81, 900 and annual dues at 10 cents per
thousand dollars per annum.
Membership fee for professional
men-lawyers, teachers, doctors, etc, 10
fixed at SO with yearly dues the same.
PRESIDENT Johnson appointed three
citizens as membership canvassers for
each of the nine townships Of, the
county. These canvassers and SUCH
assistants as they may appoint are TO
visit every farmer and every business
and professional man in their respect
i've communities for the purpose OF
securing their respective member
ships In the York County Cotton
Growers association. A meeting OF
these commissioners will be held at the
courthouse in Yorkville probably about
September 1, at which time they will
make report on the progress they have
made and will discuss other matters In
connection with the progress OF the
association.
Members Of the canvassing COM
hittees as named by Chairman john
son are as follows:
Catawba-D. P. Lesslie, c. D. Reid,
n. II. Williams. -.
Ebenezer-T M. Oates. John F..
williams, Joe M. Taylor
Fort Mill-Major w. w. Boyce,
Fred Minis, Carl G.. Faris.
Bethesda. T. Crawford, n. j..
tinker, W. II. Dunlap.
Bethel-J. B. Ford, T. II. Riddle J.
B. Currence.
Kings Mountain-J. Darby Smith,
Leslie McGill, ]. F. Pursley.
Broad Riyer-W. B. Wilkerson, ]. e.
Allison, DR.. B. N. Miller.
Bullock's Creek-John s. Rainey,
DR.. ]. H. Saye, ]. e. Latham.
York-C. M. Inman, w. F. Jackson,
J. NJ. Brice.