The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-03-31
EX.GOV. MANNING
URGES REDUCTION
TO PLANT ANOTHER NORMAL
CROP MEANS HARD TIMES
FOR EVERYBODY

An urgent appeal to the farmers
of South Carolina to plant less cot
ton and more foodstuffs is made by
former Gov. R. I. Manning in a state
ment issued at Columbia Monday. He
declares that to plant another nor
NAL crop of cotton means hard times
for every farmer and every business
interest in the south. He urges that
banks lead the south to prosperity N
the present crisis by insisting upon
radical reduction in cotton acreage.
The statement issued by MIR. Man.
ming follows:
"The cotton south faces crisis.
She is impoverished by the wealth in
quantity of her chief staple, cotton.
"Let US know the truth and face
the facts.
"The government estimates cotton
carryover on July 81, 1921 at 1885,
2Os bales. The Memphis committee
estimated that the cotton cror
1921 shall be the same as the crop OF
1920, we will have a carryover on
July 81, 1922 of 16,517,909 bales:
enough cotton to last nearly two
years. -
"Get it out Of your head hat any
thing but the supply and worlds abil-
ity to buy, fixes the price of cotton"
says DR.. Bradford Knapp.
"In 1920 South Carolina imported
in corn, $4,000, 900; hay, s12,00o,000;
oats, s1O,0O0,O00; meat s2o,00o,00e;
-four s2O,0OO,0OO; eggs, $3,0oo,00o aud
so on and other foodstuffs, all Of
which we can raise cheaper than we
can buy them with money from cotton.
"The cotton crop of 1920 was the
most expensive crop ever raised. We
made more than we could harvest, and
have more low grade cotton than ever
before. The price has fallen from
over 4Oc to 10c basis middling. But,
the cotton on hand VIII not average
middling and the average price IS
much below 10 cents. Is there any
business sense in raising any more
low grade cotton? Cotton is below
pre-war prices. Fertilizers, labor,
hardware, foodstuffs, and everything
that is needed in making a crop are
above pre-war prices. Therefore,
there is not a gamblers chance for
profit in raising a normal crop this
year. It is certain, unacceptable loss.
Landowners, share-croppers and ten
ant farmers will all be subject to loss
as well as every business interest in
the south. The south should and
must continue to raise cotton, but 1t
can not do so unless it returns a llv-
ing wage and a fair profit to the pro-
Queer.
"Tha remedy is self-evident.
"The Memphis plan provides that
two-thirds of the cultivated area
should be in food and feed crops and
cne-third of the area in cotton. This
rlan will increase food production and
decrease production of cotton.
"When manufacturers find that
there is over production they curtail
production. There is an excess sup
ply of cotton, more than the world
can buy. 1t is, therefore, good busi-
ness for us to reduce cotton produc-
ton by reducing cotton acreage. Ev-
cry agency that will convince the cot
ton producer of the necessity Of re-
duction should be actively engaged.
"Our banks must be looked to as
leaders ir this proposition. To them
farmers turn for advice, for help and
for credit. The banks have saved the
south from bankruptcy by holding
cotton from a market in which there
is little demand. In this acute crisis
they can lead the south to prosperity
oy insisting on a radical reduction IN
cotton acreage.
ITO plant another normal crop
means hard times for every farmer
and every business in the south. To
plant less cotton, means better grace
of cotton and more money. The pro-
ducer will then be independent, and
the south will come into its own
and enjoy the fruit Of its labor. Have
We the courage and business sense to
face the facts and adopt this plan?".