The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-02-21
February 28 Named
as Acreage Reduction
Day By Gou. Cooper

Cooper tonight issued a proclama
ton designating Friday, February
~, 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 and
to reduce the use OF commercial fer
tilizers. The text OF the procIama-
ton follows:
Whereas, an extraordinary situa-
ton exists in the cotton growing
safes, 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
by the fact that the available supply
of raw cotton is in excess OF the de-
mand. which condition will continue
if the 1919 crop should be large
one; and
Whereas, the only plausible solu-
tion for the situation presenting il
self is reduction OF the 1919 cot
ton crop;
Now, therefore, I, Robert A
Cooper, governor OF South Carolina.
do declare Friday, February 2S
1919. TO he Cotton Acreage Reduc-
tion Day and do call upon the cotton
planters OF South Carolina to ex
press themselves upon that day TO
reduce the acreage ordinarily planted
in cotton by one-third. and to curtail
the use of commercial fertilizers.
Large Crop OF 1918 Still on Hand.
THE cotton growers today have
on hand more than one-thlrd OF the
1918 crop. which they cannot sell at
the prevailing prices without sus-
tanning great loss. II is a matter O.!
common knowledge that the ratio OF
| supply and demand determines price.
and should the supply OF raw cotton.
already too large. be greatly aug
mented by large crop in 1919. the
result would he tremendously disas-
trous TO the individuals OF the south.
to the state. and to the south at
large. The prudent person who is
overstocked with line OF wares does
not procure more OF these wares be-
fore he has sold that which he has
on hand. and has paid for. The
southern cotton growers must orer-
ate on these same principles. 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 nations
are enjoying.
Therefore. as governor OF South
Carolina, and as one to whom the
hanniness OF this state is OF first i'm
port. ! call upon the farmers to as
semble in each county OF the state
on Cotton Acreage Reduction Day. 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 weather
"''u i'i lHt tuTldlnent or the l11 y
crop so that II will not exceed two
thirds OF the average WELD I call
unon the farmers to sign the cotton
reduction peldges which will be pre-
sented TO them on that day. and to
create public sentiment which will
not permit individuals TO violate the
reduction program. Unless this he
done we NAV eXpect poverty while
Others enjoy wealth.
Shou'd Appeal to Patriotism of All
During the world war our people
responded nobly to every call Of pa
tr'otism. This movement to prevent
the financial collapse OF the south
should appeal to the patriotism OF
every citizen. and no one should de-
sire personal gain to the injury Of
the whole people. J. therefore most
earnestly urge that the bankers
merchants, business and professional
men, cooperate with the farmer in
this move and that the farmers CO.
operate with each other"