The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-23
Cotton Famine
is Predicted
Statement Issued by Harvie
Jordan

1 washington. lJec. 10. f11TVIc
{ Jordan OF st. Matthews. S. c., nat
ionale secretary and treasurer Of the
American Cotton association, SAID
/ today, relative to the present and
future cotton situation:
| .1The recent forecast of the fed
eral crop reporting bureau indi,
Gates the smallest cotton crop
grown in the United States since
1903, with the exception Of the dis
astrously short crop of 1921. The
heaviest reduction in production
this year is in the old cotton grow
ling states east of the Mississippi
river. If better success is not
had in 1928 world famine in raw
iIcotton supplies is definitely assur-
Led.
! The most serious factor develop
ing in connection with the cotton
boil weevn menace is found in the
isteady and increasing exodus of
Thousands of. negro and small
white tenant farmers from the
South Atlantic and Middle Gulf
cotton states. The white farmers,
with their families, are moving to
feotton mill centers. in the Caro-
Ehnas and Georgia, while the negro
farmers are migrating. to large In
dustrial centers in the middle,
eastern and western states. Due
Ito the extreme hazards of growing
cotton under heavy weevil infesta-
3tion and in the absence of usual
fcredits from landlords, supply
merchants or, local banks, these
people are becoming discouraged
| and forced to secure other employ
ment to obtain a living wage for
/ themselves and families.
Numbers OF cotton plantations
are being depopulated and this
fcondition presents most serious
agricultural economic. situation in
itf1e sections affected. The negro
farm Iaborers who have gone and
who are leaving are not likely
ever to return. There have been
mo young mules shipped into the
old cotton states for farm purposes
Esince the spring Of 1920, and this
shortage in mule power, together
with hundreds of abandoned
farms, gives a gloomy outlook for
cotton production in 1923.
The American Cotton associa-
ton is making every effort, through
the esta blishment Of county DEM
Tonstration farms and boil weevil
Icontrol measures, to overcome the
disasters of the weevil in 1923.
Il came here to attend the con-
yenton Of the National Coopera-
tive Marketing associations, as a
representative of the American
( Cotton association, which has ac-
itiyely aided in the organization Of
cooperative marketing associations
Throughout the cotton belt.
For the last three years the
American Cotton association has
waged a persistent fight for federal
legislation for comprehensive sys-
TEN of intermediate agricultural
banking credits. Officials Of the
association have spent much time
! in Washington and in appearing
I, before the senate agricultural
committee in advocacy Of this inn
! peratiyely needed legislation. Con-
ditions now appear satisfactory.
and. American farmers, I feel.
can be assured of a solution OF
this matter in the near future, as
both the present administration and
the congress are definitely COM
mitted to the speedy enactment Of
an agricultural banking bill that
will give necessary credits to
! farmers. The advocacy Of this leg
islation is among the principal rea-
sons of my presence in Washing
ton, together with other officials Of
the American Cotton association"
I s~olot;1o loocptt caoNo