The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-31
North Learning Truth
Campaign of Education Conduct
ed by Cotton Association
Bearing Fruit

OSd11llS L u1t
Columbia, May 29.-J. Skottowe
Wannamaker, president of the Ameri-
can Cotton Association, recently sent
a letter to the bankers Of the United
States, North and South, giving them
information on the cost of production
of cotton and urging that they as
sist the farmers of the South in their
fight for better prices.
Letters from many prominent
Northern bankers received during the
past few days indicate marked dis
position on their part to assist our
farmers" says Mr.. Wannamaker in a
statement issued yesterday. These
bankers frankly admit that, they
were entirely misinforn1ed as ito the
true conditions existing in the South.
They further state that they will CO.
operate with the cotton association
because they feel that as a matter Of
patriotism and justice, the cotton
grower. should get a profit on his
cotton. They. say they were Of the
opinion that the, production Of cotton
had been, enormously profitable until
the information which we sent them
was received.
"One prominent banker says in his
letter to Us: After receiving your let
ter. Enclosures and information and
giving them careful attention I have
made a personal investigation, and TO
my great surprise. find that you have
not at all overdrawn conditions.
have been in the banking business for
the last 40 years. Thought I thor
oughy understood the Southern con-
ditions, but am frank to admit that
have been entirely misinformed. AS
an American citizen who has the in
tereSt Of every section at heart, feel
it my duty to cooperate with every
section Of America and will gladly CO.
operate with You in your campaign
which / find is based on simple JUS
tice. Your cotton crop, on account Of
the great uncertainty of production,
the planting Of cotton being to q large
extent a gamble, as YOU are forced to
contend with the weather, storms and
insects, should bring an extremely
large profit to the grower, especially
as it is strictly hand made product.
and 7 sincerely hope tnat your cam
paign will bring complete changes for
the better to the cotton producing sec
ton of the South
"a personal letter from another
prominent Northern banker. a friend
of the president of the cotton 2ssocia-
ton states: I congratulate you upon
The wonderful work being done. Your
campaign in this section is certainly
bringing about results. 1t is cam
oaign of information and education.
l have been watching il with deep in
terest but did not realize The enormous
scope upon which you have been con-
duc1ing it. p1.-Il your letters we're re-
ceived. 7 y Ill gladly cooperate in any
way possible knowing your ability
as q banker having had the pleas
ure Of meeting YOU at various con-
ventionS. ] would suggest and urge
that you prepare strong paper along
the financial side Of the question. The.
imitation of the currency should be
emphasized You have the ability 70
do this
Il note that YOU expect to conduct
a speaking campaign throughout the
South It would probably result IL
much good if YOU could also arrange
:,t least few of these schedules for
the great Northern centers. The trHlh
never hurts. Information and educa-
ton is what we want. People arc
thinking TODAY as never before. IN
every line Of life. the social, the COM
rercial and others. they want truth
and you have it on your side. From
personal information and my expert
cnce in travelling through the South.
it would require vast sum to re-
build the rural sections so that they
would draw and hold white men on
the farm and improve general condi-t
tions in rural life.
:. The sum necessary TO rehabilitate
the South would be truly stupendoHs
and I realize that to enable you to do
this. it would be necessary TO get
high price Cor your cotton. 1t would
pay the nation to pay such q price.
1t would prove profitable invest
ment as there is no asset worth mere
to the nation than the man on the
farm. He is the backbone Of any
country. He will be needed in the re-
construction period, not only as pro-
ducer, but as a safety valve and as q
protection against these dangerous
foreign doctrines"