The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-03-13


street, and stressed the point that
We cannot hope to get cooperation
from the United States government,
inasmuch as only seven out of forty
five States in the union grow cotton.
The other 3S States do not want to
see high priced cotton, but rather
would prefer for the price to go
lower. 1t is, therefore, up to the
States themselves, to act in the
premises to protect the Southern
farmer, and, of course, by protecting
the farmer every class in the South
will be helped, as all depend on the
farmer. Mr.. Rizer also recalled the
fact that the South has been the un-
der-dog throughout the war. While
great prosperity came to other Sec
tions of the country, the South suf-
fered heavily through several years
of the struggle. Now that the
South is getting on prosperous. ba-
sis, he strongly urged every effort to
retain the prosperity that the section
has so hardly earned.
The meeting was called for the
purpose of receiving reports from
the various committeeman on the
acreage reduction movement. The
reports showed that the farmers OF
the county are waking up to the ne
cessity of prompt and determined
action. The overwhelming majority
of the farmers are agreeing to re-
duce their acreage; some few are re-
fusing, and some few have agreed to
reduce, but not to the extent OF one
third, while a good many others
have agreed to reduce even more
extensively than asked. Some of the
committeeman reported that they
had pledges calling for as much as
a seventy-five per cent: reduction: -
One matter that was discussed at
some length at this meeting was the
provision in the acreage reduction
plan which allowed farmers who or
dinarily plant small acreage pro-
portionately small reduction. This
was one phase of the movement not
thoroughly understood. 1t was ex-
planned that each pledge contains the
provision that the signer would re-
duce his acreage 33 1-3 per cent. or
would reduce his acreage in accord
ance with the schedule adopted. AS
this schedule was not printed on the
pledges, it has caused a great deal
of confusion. The schedule alluded
to was arranged for the purpose OF
taking care of the farmer who does
not make a practice Of planting
largely of cotton, and runs as fol-
lows:
Farmers who planted last year
10, II, IL, or 13 acres to the ploW
are asked to reduce three acres per
plow.
Farmers who planted last year
eight or nine acres to the plow are
asked to reduce two acres per plow.
Farmers who last year planted six
or seven acres to the plow are asked
to reduce one acre per plow.
Farmers who planted last year
five acres or less per plow are not
asked to make any reduction what
ever.
Farmers who planted last year
more than 13 acres per plow are ask
ed to reduce the acreage one-thrid
straight through.
This schedule recognizes the fact
that the farmer who plants just
few acres per plow is entitled to
plant a relatively larger acreage
than the farmer who plants on a
large scale.
It developed that this has afford
ed the committeeman quite a stun
bling block, and quite few, it was
reported, who have refused to sign
heretofore, will sign according to
this schedule. Others have objected
to signing the reduction pledge on
the ground that a uniform reduction
should be made, that is, limit fixed.
The reports were called for, and
are briefly stated below:
Denmark-About go per cent. of
all the farmers have signed the
pledge; many of those who have not
signed have not been seen. Results
have been better than expected. The
reduction in the Denmark neighbor-
hood already aggregates about
5000 acres. One section not yet
canvassed, and very few have re-
fused.
Govan-The territory has not
been covered yet, on account of some