Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-02-25
REDUCE THE ACREAGE.
Governor Cooper Issues Proclamation
to Cotton Farmers.

to Cotton Farmers.
Governor Cooper has issued a proc
lamation in which he designates Sat-
urday, February %, Cotton Acreage
Reduction Day." A cut Of one-third
Of the acreage customarily planted Is
urged and also a reduction in the
quantity Of fertilizer used.
The governor calls on the farmers
to assemble in each county that day to
discuss and agree upon plans looking
' to the holding of the present crop, to
the protection Of this cotton against
damage incident to exposure to the
weather, to the curtailment Of the yield
Of the 1919 crop, and to sign the re-
duction pledges presented. Unless
this be done, we may expect poverty
while others enjoy wealth." the gov
ernor warns. The full proclamation
reads:
Whereas an extraordinary situation
exists in the cotton growing states, due
to the low price cotton 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 by
the fact that the available supply Of
raw cotton is in excess of the demand,
which condition will continue If the
1919 crop should be large one; and
Whereas, the only plausible solution
for the situation that presents itself
is a reduction Of the 1919 cotton crop;
Now, therefore, I, Robert A. Cooper,
governor Of South Carolina, do declare
Saturday, February %, 1919, to be
Cotton Acreage Reduction Day, and do
call upon the cotton planters Of South
Carolina to pledge themselves upon
that day to reduce the acreage ordina-
rily planted in cotton by one-third and
to curtail the use Of commercial fer
tilizers.
Cotton growers today have on hand
more than one-third of the 1918 crop,
which they cannot sell at prevailing
prices without sustaining great loss.
It Is a matter Of common knowledge
that the ratio Of supply to demand de-
termines prices, and should the supply
Of raw cotton, already too large, be
greatly augmented by large crop in
1919, the result would be tremendous
ly disastrous to the individuals OF the
states, and to the south at large. The
prudent merchant who is overstocked
with a line of wares does not procure
more Of those wares before he has sold
that which he has on hand, and has
paid for. Southern cotton growers
must operate on this same principle.
Unity Of purpose and concert Of action
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 South Car
olina, and as one to whom the happi-
ness Of this state is Of first import I
call upon the farmers to assemble In
each county of the state on Cotton
Acreage Reduction Day, to discuss and
agree upon plans for the holding of
prensent cotton on hands, for the proper
protection Of this cotton from depre-
dations Of weather, and for the curtail-
ment of the 1919 crop so that it will
not exceed two-thirds Of the average
Weld. 1 call upon the farmers to sign
the cotton reduction pledges which
will be presented to them on that day,
and to create public sentiment which
will not permit individuals to violate
the reduction programme. Unless this
be done we may expect poverty while
others enjoy wealth.
During the world war our people re-
sponded nobly to every call of patriot
ism. This movement to prevent the
financial collapse Of the south should
appeal to the patriotism Of every citi-
zen, and no one should desire person.
al gain to the injury of the whole peo-
ple. I, therefore, most earnestly urge
that the bankers, merchants, business
and professional men, cooperate with
the farmer in this movement. and that
the farmers cooperate with each
other.