Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-02-26
PROCLAMATION by GOVERNOR.
Calls for Acreage Reduction Pledges
by Cotton Planters.

Sso~A NSroNASsih6 lIuuyp
%, as Cotton Reduction Acreage
Day" In South Carolina. He calls
on all the farmers Of the State to
sign pledges on that day reducing
the 1919 cotton acreage one-third
end to reduce the use of commercial
fertilizers. The tex. Of the procla-
nation follows:
whereas, an extraordinary situa-
tion exists in the cotton-growing
States, due to the low price that cot
ton is bringing, which situation
threatens dire financial distress and
suffering to these States, because
the existing market prices do not
allow any margin of profit to the
producers Of cotton; and
Whereas, this situation is caused
hy the fact that the available supply
of raw cotton Is in excess of the
demand, which condition will con-
tinue, If the 1919 crop should be a
large one; and
Whereas, the only plausible solu-
ton for the situation presenting it.
self is reduction Of the 1919 cot
ton crop;
Now, therefore, l, Robert A.
Cooper, Governor OF South Carolina.
do declare Friday, February %,
1919, to be Cotton Acreage Reduc-
ton Day. and do call upon the cot
ton planters Of South Carolina to
express themselves upon that day
tc reduce the acreage ordinarily
planted IN cotton by one-third and
to curtail the use Of commercial
fertilizers.
Large Part Of 1918 Crop on Hand.
The cotton growers to-day have
on hand more than one-third of the
1918 crop, which they cannot sell
at the prevailing prices without sus-
tanning q great loss 1t is a matter
OF common knowledge that the ratio
OF supply and demand determines
price, and should the supply Of raw
cotton, already too large, be greatly
augmented by large crop in 1919,
the result would be tremendously
disastrous to the individuals OF the
South, to the State and to the South
at large. The prudent person who
is overstocked with a line Of wares
does not produce more Of those
wares before lie has sold that which
he has(on hand, and has paid for.
The Southern cotton growers must
operrateS on these same principles.
Unity OF purpose and concert of ac-
tion will save us from calamity and
give to us our just share of the
prosperity which other sections of
the nation are enjoying.
Therefore, as Governor of Soutb
Carolina, and as one to whom the
happiness Of this State is Of first
import, l call upon the farmers to
assemble In each county Of the State
On Cotton Acreage Reduction Dav'
to discuss and agree upon a plan for
the holding Of the present cotton on
hand, for the proper protection Of
this cotton from depredations of
"S~''SAb e"Au Aol tio CuTldllllenL OF
the 1919 crop, so that it will not
exceed two-thirds Of the average
yield. call upon the farmers to
sign the cotton reduction pledges
which will be presented to them on
that day, and to create a public SEN
timent which will not permit indi-
riduals to violate the reduction pro-
cram. Unless this be done we may
expect poverty while others enjoy
wealth.
Should Appeal to Patriotism.
During the world war our peo-
pie responded nobly to every call Of
patriotism. This movement to pre-
vent the financial collapse OF the
South should appeal to the patri-
otism of every citizen, and no one
should desire personal gain to the
injury of the whole people.
81, therefore, most earnestly urge
that the bankers, merchants, busi-
ness and professional men cooper
ate with the farmer in this move.
and that the farmers cooperate with
each other.
Robert VI. Cooper,
Governor.
columbia, Feb. 20, 1919"
DANGER OF CONGESTION.