The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-08-27
FIRE OPENING GUNS
IN CAPITAL CITY
COTTON GROWERS BEGIN De
TERMINED FIGHT TOMORROW
Probably Four Thousand Persons
VIII Attend Mammoth Meet
ing in Columbia.
TIE State. 24th.


fcials of the American Cotton asso-
citation term ":the bear forces that
are unjustly pressing the price of
cotton down" has been sounded
throughout the South, and it was de-
clared yesterday that in every state
in the cotton belt the people are pre-
pairing for the fight against finan-
cial Bankruptcy, which faces them if
they should be compelled to sell
their cotton at the figure to Which
it has declined.
Yesterday was one Of most marked
activity throughout the belt. Prob
ably the greatest activity centered
around the headquarters Of the
South Carolina division of the Amer
lean Cotton association in Columbia
, because it is in this city on Wedres-
day that the opening gun Of probably
the most determined fight ever w2ged
by the cotton growers for fair ana
reasonable price for their staple will
| be fred. The meeting in Craven
hall tomorrow, beginning at nooa. IS
! expected to be the largest Of the sort
ever held in the state. Officials Of
! the South Carolina division said yes
! terday that the attendance might
reach 1000. Farmers, merchlats,
bankers and business men from every
county in the state have wired and
! written that they will be present.
Railroad officials Yesterday prerared
to send out special coaches to handle
| the throngs coming to the city for
, ,',e meeting.
| Details of Program.
| The program outlined for the
meeting calls for the formation of q
foreign corporation, with capital
stock stock Of 100000 bales; the
retirement Of 25 per cent. of the
crop from the market; the launching
/. of a determined holding campaign,
and a drastic acreage reduction cam
paign ard the taking Of other steps
! which it is figured Will insure the pro-
ducers securing ct least price Which
viii: meet the cost Of production.
Harold C. Booker, secretary OF the
South Carolina division Of the Arlerl-
can Cotton association, yesterday re-
ceived a telegram from the Texas
division, announcing that a mes ring
had been called in Dallas for Sepsem-
ber 1, and that the people of that
state would fellow the action token
| by the South Carolina people Oh that
day. The Texas division also sent
telegrams to all other states, urging
similar action, and reports received
at the headquarters Of the South Car
DINA division last night indicated
that all other states would comply
quickly.
"The woods are on fire. it was de-
ciared in a statement issued from
the headquarters of the South Caro-
lima division last night. "The. pro
ducers of cotton are determined that
they will not sell their product at the
price to which has been forced by
the bears. They will die of sta va
ton before they will do it. Prob
ably never before in the history of
the South have the people been so
greatly aroused. They declare that
the present crop is the most costly
ever produced and they declare that
they can not and will not sell it at
present prices."~
Matter of Credit.
J. Skottowe Wannamaker, pre5i-
dent of the American Cotton associa-
ton said yesterday he had received
kilograms from all over the South
urging that the matter Of credit to
the cotton industry be laid before
Governor Harding of the federal re-
serve board. In response to these
telegrams he yesterday sent the foi-
lowing message to Governor Rar-
ding:
"Cotton manufacturers and ex-
porters in America have withdrawn
from the market for raw cotton,
claiming this action necessary be-
cause neither the manufacturer nor
the customers for manufactured
goods can obtain credit. Cotton is
selling today at price far below the
cost Of production. Unless credit can
be extended by the federal reserve
banking system to relieve this situa-
ton confronting The producers and
other iires of the cotton industry,
enabling the harvesting CT the crop
and enabling the producers to ware
house their cotton and only sell if
there is legitimate demand from
the manufacturers at price above
the cost of production. the entire
South is facing a calamity The cot
ton producer will be forced into
bankruptcy. The entire nation and
world will suffer for the want of raw
cotton. In justice to eve-y legiti-
mate line Of the cotton industry and
The entire commercial life Of the
South, l beg that you issue a state
ment showing that the federal re-
serve banking system will extend the
necessary credit to enable the pro-
ducer to harvest and market his crop,
cnly selling same when there is a
legitimate demand from the manu-
facturer at profitable price"
The meeting in Craven hall tomor-
row begins at noon and will be at