The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-04-08
WILL RECOMMEND
A MINIMUM PRICE
FARMERS TO PLANT CROPS THAT
CAN BE CULTIVATED WITH
MACHINERY.

gaCneleQ D0tn at nOWe anu dDIOdu Wy
:: representatives of the American Cot.
ton Association who have conferred
with representatives of European
manufacturing interests and experts
of international reputation will be
laid before the special committee
which will recommend q minimum
price for the balance Of the cotton
crop now in the hands of the producer
at the convention Of the american
Cotton Association in Montgomery
Ala, on April 1916, said ]. Skottowe
Wannamaker, president of the asso-
citation today.
This information, Mr.. Wannamaker
said, would show that reduction OF
cotton acreage as compared with last
year on account of serious labor short
age is an absolute certainty that the
crop is six weeks late, that there is
a great shortage of good grade cotton,
that spot cotton will be demanded on
contracts and that an enormous
amount of cotton has already been
sold to Europe for delivery next fall.
"A reduction of cotton acreage as
compared with last season is absolute
ly necessary and certainty" says
Mr.. Wannamaker with a great
shortage in labor the producer cannot
compete at present prices for cotton
with other lines of industry and will
be forced to other crops than cotton
that he can cultivate and harvest with
machinery. He realizes that he would
commit commercial suicide to plant
even as large an acreage as last sea-
son. A systematic canvass conducted
in the various counties of the cotton
belt shows an enormous shortage.
The crop is around six weeks late and
there is serious shortage in planting
seed.
"The United States Census Depart
ment is now making an investigation
through 5000 places in America where
cotton is held for the purpose OF is-
suing a most complete report as to the
amount of spinable cotton. 1nforma-
ton already received shows the newt
able certainty of an enormous reduc-
ton in the so-called surplus.
"The result of an investigation
shows startling conditions concerning
the sales of cotton. On account OF
the great shortage of good grade cot
ton, purchasers on the exchanges will
demand the delivery Of actual spot
cotton. The amounts so purchased
for Ma and July break all previous
records. The fact that this cotton
will be demanded is an absolute Ger
tainty, the information being secured
at first hand. This will have a start
ling effect upon the market. From
whence will the cotton come?
can enormous amount of cotton has
already been sold direct to Europe for
October and December delivery at tre-
mendous premiums over the prlce
paid on the New York exchange. The
parties so selling are Immediately re-
buying on the New York exchange
the business being handled in this
way by a number of the leading and
strongest spot houses in the South.
"Information secured by these ex-
perts clearly reveals the fact that spot
cotton is selling over 100 per cent. be-
low a moderate price. AS a result OF
this the bear manipulation and gam
bier is caught between the upper and
lower mill stone. The Montgomery
convention will open the flood gates
Cotton will sell at the highest price
it has ever brought since the War Be-
tween the States. The manipulators
and gamblers will be ground to pow
der"