Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1921-04-08
GOVERNOR RUSSELL Is RIGHT
In Urging Reduction OF Cotton Acreage.

Is. 1921
Governor Lee NJ. Russell issued a
letter to the people of Mississippi
last week, in which he vigorously
urged farmers not to plant a large
acreage in cotton. The theme of
his letter, which was published in
the Hattiesburg American, was that
it would be best for cotton to be
made a secondary condition "a sur
plus-aud certainly this is good ad-
vice for the entire South.
To prove this, look at market quo
tatlons, fall months below l3c
Think of growing cotton at ven l2c,
present expense considered. to say
nothing of the probability OF six
cents or less. which is the fear of all
who are close to the question,
Little wonder that the governor of
our state hois6s the danger signal,
he being the head of the CIVIC orga-
nization, and therefore, in a position
of great responsibility. The propo
sition, in its final analysis, is up to
the farmer. He controls. He will
determine, as every n always does.
the fate of self, and the sum total
fixes the condition of the people as a
whole.
This cotton year will close with a
surplus of 5000, 600 bales. Nine mil
lion bales of American cotton will be
consumed this year. AT the close OF
the cotton wear, August l. there will
be on hand enough cotton for all oil
next year, at the present rate of con
sumption.
Consumption will continue below
normal for some time, maybe years.
Some authorities estimate the de-
crease in efficient people since the
beginning of the wal at 30, 600, 900
people. due to death, wounds, dis
ease and famine. The war cost over
two hundred billion dollars.
Therefore. it is natural that con
sumption has greatly deceased.
The people of the entire earth
must, and are, economlzing. They
are, and must, conserve. The CON-
bination, economy and little or no
waste, reduces demand. Every one
should heed these facts.
Six million bales of new cotton is
enough. and would sell for more cash
than fifteen million bales would
bring. Cutting the crop is not dis
loyal, either, as all the cotton pro-
duced this season will probably have
to be carried owe as surplus. All
that can be hoped for is to so reduce
the surplus that what we have on
hand will become more valuable, and
the new crop sell for a reasonable
value above cost.
Eight million new bales means a.
bout two years supply at one time.
The market cannot advance against
eight million bales. Nine to ter
million bales means disaster. and the
realization of the forecast of Cover.
nor Russell.
Farmers and business men of the
South, 1t is up to you. Have you
the patriotism, intelligence and
courage to shield self and South.
land?
Usually a big crop follows such
agitation because the individual.
farmer has been disposed to take ad
vantage and plant a full crop, not be.
ing brave enough to sacrifice and dc
his individual duty. The rea' mer
in every community should look ur
and advise their weaker brethren.
The South can pull out this year il
she will.
Fortunately for the Hattiesbure
environment. we produce but little
cotton, and our farmers are conse-
qnently in good shape, but we sym.
pathize with the bigness of this ques.
ton. and appreciate that every par
of the nation is involved in the vel
fare OF any part thereof. Therefore,
the piney woods farmer must also be
keenly alive to his share of the re.
sponsibility.
IAdvsrtissmentI