Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-08-13

SAYS MILLS MADE BIG PROFITS.
Anc TINT tho Producer was Entitled
to Higher Prices.

And TINT tho Producer was Entitled
to Higher Prices.
Columbia, Aug. 1.-THE follow
ing was issued to-day by the Amerl-
can Cotton Associations:
The American Cotton Associatio
through expert representatives has
secured detailed information show.
ing the earnings of various cotton
manufacturers in America since the
year 1914. This statement is truly
startling. The relations between the
Southern manufacturers and the
American Cotton Association have
been extremely friendly. We have
not the remotest intention Of criti-
cizing them. However, with the
statement of earnings referred to
above, 1T Is absolutely impossible to
reconcile the prices paid for raw cot
ton with profits made by the manu-
facturers. These earnings in many
instances are stupendous and are GER
tainly a safe barometer in Judging
the ability Of the mills to have paid
a higher price for the raw material.
We have no quarrel whatever with
the mills for making enormous prof
its. II they have violated any law
along this line we are not even crit
icizing them. At the same time. how
ever, we do feel that, with this in
formation before us, the producer
was entitled to a far higher price
than has been paid for his product,
and with information before us con-
cerning even recent earnings, we
unhesitatingly state that the produ-
Ger Is not receiving a fair price for
raw cotton. These figures showing
the earnings of the mills are abso-
lutely correct and official.
Market Manipulations.
"ln addition to information con-
cerning the earnings of the mills our
representatives have secured q great
deal of information concerning the
manipulations of the cotton market
nese manipulations have cost the
producer millions. Dry goods con-
tinue to advance; the demand Is far
greater than the supply. Still, regard
less Of this, under the agitation, the
prices for the raw material are beat
uown. 1t would seem that all laws
against manipulating the cotton mar
ket and depressing cotton prices are
dead. Show us single instance of
prosecution for depressing the
price! We can point to you many
violations Of the law Of supply and
demand by flagrant manipulations
which resulted in unjustifiable de-
pressions. Truly some Of these ma
nipulations are startling-a reve-
latiOn. 1t is unnecessary to refer 10
the fact that men who have 3ul!cd
the cotton market have almost inVa-
riably been prosecuted, while men
who have beat it down have never
been prosecuted. Why is this? What
is sauce for the goose should also be
sauce for the gander.
sta tistics secured from the very
best sources on production and con-
sumption render it impossible to rec
oncile published statements showing
enormous surpluses. Why is it that
these surpluses fail to show the
amount of spinnable cotton? This is
due to the fact that the producer is
without friends.
Experts Of the American Cotton
Association are working along all Of
these lines, and every effort possi-
BILE will be put forth to protect the
interests Of the producer, and thor
ough and official investigation would
reveal startling conditions.
"The large packers are to-day re-
SCiFlH6 "HdI tIlSy are why not
clean out the entire stable? 1T is a
poor rule that won't work both ways. >
A man who boards food and prof.
teers upon It most assuredly should
be prosecuted. The manipulators
who beat down the price Of cotton,
which has been produced by the toll
and sweat Of the farmer, most as
suredly, in like manner, should be
held to strict account. The packer
charges such price that the con-
sumer cannot buy. The manipulators
beat down prices to starvation fig
ures so that the producer has not
the money with which to Duy. This
is six Of one and half q dozen of the
other--no distinction. Remove the
grip Of the manipulation to-day, per-
nit cotton to respond to the law. Of
supply and demand, and many peo-
pie will think that the days Of mira
cles have not passed. Men in their
greed and selfishness can violate and
manipulate laws, causing the world
to suffer, and escape punishment.
However, they cannot violate contin-
uously the laws Of God, which are
Interchangeable. Artificial manipula-
tion Of supplies will not furnish cot
ton to run the mills"
COnflScatc HOardcu Food.