The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-12-21
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1922
THE BOIL WEEvIL A MENACE
TO CIVILIZATION.

most important single industry in tn
world, when we consider it from it
production as n raw material to it
manufacture and it's wide ramifica
tons III world trade. 1t represents al
aggregate Investment in lands, II
mills and cognate industries of $25,
oO0, 100000 or over. The South alon
has about s1,oOOOOO,OOO invested il
cotton mills, knitting mills and kin
dred interests. and many billions il
ns production.
The develoument of the cotton in
dustry during the first half of the
last century was the greatest bust
nps. achievement during that perioc
in the world. Beginning with a pro
Guction Of few bales in the early
years Of that century. cotton-growne
developed in the South TO a point
where it largely dominated the
finances and politics of tris country
aid Of Europe.
During the Civil War the famine in
cotton endanl cred the welfare of mil
lions of people in England. The pow
cvty in the Lancashire district during
that four-ye6r period stands out a
one of the awful records in the life
of an industrial center. A few months
ago one of the foremost cotton manu-
facturers of England wrote to an
American friend that the inability of
England to secure it's usual supply
Of American cotton, in any one year,
would cause greater distress in the
Lancashire district than did the war
- rliilions of people in Lancashire are
wholly dependent on the manufacture
of cotton. Millions of people through,
out the world-hundrcds of millions
indeed-are dependent for clothe&
upon the production, from the South's
staple, of the finished cloth. Millions
If people in this country are directly
dependent upon the growing ano
handling Of cotton, while the financial
interests Of the nation would be shak
en- to their foundation by the loss OF
the cotton t'ade. The South coulC
weather the storm better than any
other section, because the South coulc
turn its farm lands into the produc
ton Of diversified agriculture, once
moro regaining the prosperity which
rever would have been lost if this sec
ton had not by force of circumstance.
urwisely centerd it's agriculture upor
tie production of cotton.
This great industry, without which
tie world could scarcely maintain it:
civilization for without cottor
clothes we would sink back into bar
barism--is menaced by the boll-wee
vii. This is not merely menace t.
the South, for the South could stanc
the shock Of its cotton crop bein.
destroyed, better than the world coult
stand the loss of cotton goods. 1t is ,
menace to the nation-a menace t.
civilization itself.
II is, therefore, incumbent upon ev
cry agency Of this government and O
all other civilized governments; upol
chemical manufacturers, cotton man
ufacturers and financiers, to spen,
money with the utmost freedom in en-
.ouraging chemists and others to fin,
remedy Cor the boll-weevil. Vari
GUS remedies are being developed
some of them are more or less sue
cessful; but the task is very great
The danger Cf the destruction of tn,
cotton industry is 30 vast that unit
the whole nation realizes the exten
ard Importance Of that industry ant
the seriousness Of the menace tn,
task will not be tackled on a seal,
commensurate with the magnitude O.
the problem tG be solved.
The world faces a cotton famine
Civilization may be at stake by tn
lcss Of cotton. But we believe rem
edy will be found. We believe tha,
this crop-in many respects the mos
important si,.gle crop ever given by
q benefcent Providence to humanity
will be saved from the destructive
power of the boll-weevil, but we b,
licve that the utmost energy Of the
nation must he concentrated upon the