The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-08-26
CLOSING WORLD
MARKETS TO COTTON
Central Europe Needing Cotton While
Bears Beat Price Down

Columbia, Aug. 2i.-TelegramS
pouring into headquarters of the
American Cotton Association dem
onstrate the fact that 1t is fully
realized by the agricultural and COM
mercial interest of the South that they
are feeling the most serious conditions
that have confronted the South since
1914; that regardless Of the enormous
demand for raw cotton and the in
sufficient supply, cotton is selling to-
day at price far below the cost or
production, says a statement issued
today by the American Cotton Assoc
iation.
The mills in England and in large
portion of America, the statement con-
tinues have gone on one-third time,
regardless of the record-breaking per-
iod of prosperity which they have just
passed through and the unheard-of
earnings made.
The markets of central Europe, not
withstanding their pressing needs for
low-grade cotton. are unable to OBJ
tain same.
The fourteen cotton-producing
states are organized and united as
never before and are determined to
fight to the last ditch for square
deal. Under no conditions will they
sacrifice their cotton crop which is
desperately needed by the world, at
unprofitable prices. Based upon supply
and demand, this crop should bring
a far higher price than any price
since the close of the World War and
the South is determined not TO per-
nit repetition Of the crime of 1914.
1t is prepared to defend itself today.
Cotton will so into the warehouses
and the lands will be entirely planted
in food crops this fall and next spring.
In response 10 the urgent requests
referred TO, from every section OF the
Cotton Belt, call has been issued
by President Wannamaker OF the
convention of the National Board of
Directors, Finance and Executive
Committees, and members of the AS
sociation, 10 be held in Montgomery,
Alabama, September 1st, End and 3rd
for the purpose OF recommending
minimum price for cotton and cotton
seed, and Of forming plans and wag-
ing campaign in every section OF
eN cry county and parish IN the cotton
producing states for planting the
largest acreage in small grain this
fall and food and feed crops next
spring, ever planted in the history OF
the South, it being decided 10 follow
this course, after investigation as to
the needs of the world for food and
feed crops
On account Of the enormous short
age of labor in the South this will
enable the cultivation of these crops
to advantage as they require far less
labor and experience and do not en-
brace the great hazardous risk in pro-
duction that cotton does.
Systematic efforts will be put into
force that will assure the absolute
certainty of the largest reduction in
cotton acreage for 1921 ever made in
the South.
The National Finance Committee,
of which Mr.. B. F. Mcleod. of Char
lesion S. c., is chairman, with repre-
sentatives from every cotton-produc-
ing state in the Union, will meet with
the National Executive Committee on
September 1st and prepare a detailed
report to be submitted TO the National
Board of Directors when that Board
iconvenes on September 2nd.
On account of the enormous in
crease in the scope of the work OF the
American Cotton Association the
Board of Directors will subdivide and
systematic the work into various de-
partments, electing one of the most
prominent and successful business
men of the South as Vice-President
and General Manager. They will also
elect experts to head the various de-
partments, each with full working
force, so as TO absolutely assure the
fact that the American Cotton AS
sociation will become a powerful and
potential factor in the agricultural
and commercial life OF the South and
assure the placing OF the handling and
marketing Of the American cotton crop
upon an efficient and economical bu-
siness basis.
The report Of the special commit
tee on cooperative marketing will be
given special consideration at this
Convention and plans will be put in
TO effect and force 10 assure the uni
form adoption of the cooperative plan
for handling and marketing the cot
ton crop throughout the entire cotton
belt, thus absolutely assuring the
handling and marketing Of the Amer
ican crop upon a strictly efficient and
economical business basis; the erec-
1ion of sufficient warehouses in each
and every county and parish 10 ware
house the cotton produced therein,
the cotton moving from the gin house
TO the warehouse and the sale only
being made when the minimum pric"
recommended by the American Cot
ton Association has been reached.
tEas assuring the producer 4 profit
able price for his cotton. based upon
supply and demand and III" cost Of
production.
4 special committee of the leading
representatives from every cottOn-pro-
I,ciny s,arn will Iuu0iDt for the. lIlr-