University of South Carolina Libraries
Slfp lamkrg $2.00 Per Year in Advance BAMBERG, S. C., THURSDAY, JULY 17,1919, Established in 1891 COTTON SHOi SEVENTY % * $ Our experts have completed a tlior-! ough investigation as to the supply anjl demand for raw cotton. They; Were guided in this investigation of supply and demand solely for the; purpose of securing accurate, con- j servative and correct figures, and have submitted the following report as to the supply and demand of Am- j 'erican cotton. This statement is submitted to leading firms engaged in various in- ] dustries affected by cotton, including cotton buyers, manufacturers of raw; cotton anci dry goods people. Many of ' them state that they consider same conservative: Total visible supply of American cotton as of July 3, 1919 in bales: Liverpool stock 346,000 Manchester stock 45,000 | Continental stock 225,000 ; American afloat for Europe 435,896 | IT. S. port stock 1,258,484 ! U. S. interior stock'. 1,027,232 U. S. exports today 72,335 ' Total American 3,409,947; * This visible supply will, of course, be very materially reduced at the j present rafe of consumption before the close of the present cotton year ending July 31, 1919. Total amount of cotton carried J - over from year closing July 31, 1919 ^ into year opening August 1, 1919, 2,700,000 bales. Production of cotton from growing crop as shown by government estimate, approximately 10,960,000, total 13,660,000 bales. * Consumption. A painstaking investigation con-1 . vinces us that the countries named below will finance and consume the * following amount of cotton; however, i this only represents the pressing and absolutely necessary demand which amount will be consumed as shown in j > , bales: United States will require 8,500,-j 000. A Europe will require 10,000,000. Other countries of the world including Japan, will require 2,500,000. > Total absolutely necessary requirements, 21,000,000. This will show a shortage in supply of 7,340,000 bales. v > (See paragraph following headed "Important," which swells this total to 9,050,000 bales). In this estimate we have shown Eu-! rope far below her requirements. Eu- i rope shows a shortage of cotton; bought in the last four years as compared with the previous four years of 15,935,437 bales. Japan will certainly make a des-j perate effort to secure an amount of | raw cotton far in excess of the amount . . consumed during the present year. f Tr? tlio ahnro pstimafe luipui laut. 1U VUV v>vv f v we have shown the government esti-1 mate as to the production of cotton amounting to approximately 10,960,000 bales. With information before * us as to the abandonment of acreage we find as a result of a very careful investigation and recheck that the abandonment is 8i per cent. The government condition report was the lowest in 14 years. With information before us as to acreage and condition, we consider a crop of 10,000,000 bales a liberal estimate, and taking this from the government estimate, shows a difference of 960,000 bales. Adding this amount to the above shortage in supply of 7,340,000 j bales, make a total shortage before; ? the 1920 crop becomes available of I 8,300,000 bales. Concerning the visible supply of cotton shown above, which enters v finally into surplus, it is the unanimous opinion of our experts that the visible supply of cotton would be ^ enormously decreased by an actual count. This, of course, is cause^ by unspinnable cotton, and also by rotten cotton due to enormous amount A. of cotton being exposed, entirely un protected, during the past wet winter as a result of the acute labor situation and congested conditions. It is estimated that the decrease from these conditions will amount to around 750,000 bales. This added ^ to the shortage of 8,300,000 bales as j shown above, will make a total short- j age in supply of raw cotton, as cam-! pared with the pressing demands, of I 9,050,000 bales. More Consumed Than Produced. We find that regardless of ^the fact i that Europe, purchased in the last four years 15,935,437 bales of cotton ! less than for the previous four years, | the amazing fact stares us in the I * face, that there is still 3,000,000 j ULD BRING -FIVE CENTS bales more cotton actually consumed from the four last years consecutive crops of American cotton than was produced. The trade is overlooking these startling facts. According to the latest figures obtained from the department of agripiiitnvo in Washington, the world's production of cotton for the last four years shows an enormous shortage as follows: World's production, 1913, 17,609,000 bales; 1916, IS,095,000 bales; 1917, 17,410,000 bales; 191S, (shortage even greater than shown above. Exact figures not yet compiled.) The world's consumption for the last four years has exceeded the world's production as follows: World's consumption, 1915, 19,761,000 bales; 1916, 21,011,000 bales; 1917, 20,180,000 bales; 191S, 17,701,000 bales. It is our unanimous opinion that the above figures are conservative; that it will be necessary for the mills to curtail production, in many cases close down, before the 1920 crop becomes available; and that we are facing a cotton famine. We "have rendered the above report upon true condition and facts, and without bias, it being our sole purpose to render a correct statement." Cost of Production. The 1919 cotton crop expert representatives of the department of agriculture, employed for the purpose of making a estimate of the cost of production of the 191S cotton crop find this cost is in excess of 30 cents per pound, basis middling. The cost of production of the 1919 crop, that is the growing crop, will be far in exnf thf> 1 9 1 & rrnn. We are now engaged with the best experts obtainable in preparing a statement showing the cost of production of the present growing crop. This statement can not be completed until the season has become far enough advanced to ascertain approximately correctly the production, which will probably be ascertained the first part of September, at which time statement showing the cost of producing said crop will be completed. We are conducting in every section of the belt a thorough and painstaking investigation, so as to show the absolutely correct cost. With information before us, however, we find that this cost will be far above the 1918 cotton crop. Acreage in 1920. We are also working with leading experts in preparing a statement as to the world's needs for cotton for the year commencing August 1, 1920, These estimates are being made for + mimnco nf octa hlich in & a mini mum price for which the growing cotton crop will be sold, and also for the purpose of deciding upon the acreage to be planted in cotton in 1920 and cotton will not be sold below the minimum price agreed upon, nor will an acreage be planted in excess of the acreage recommended. A mammoth meeting of the American Cotton Association, with representatives from every county in the cotton belt will be held as soon as these reports have been rendered, and at this time a minimum price at which cotton will be sold, based upon these reports, will be agreed upon; total acreage to be planted in 1920, based likewise upon this information, will be agreed upon and not a pound of cotton will be sold below the minimum price so established and only the acreage agreed upon will be planted. Many of the European countries consumed every pound of cotton avail/iiiTintr tVio war OArmanv ftven used all mattresses, cushions and everything containing cotton, and Germany is today in the market for regins and linters to help replace this shortage and help fill her great demand for cotton. However, there will not be even enough regins and linters which went begging and which we thought valueless to anything like fill the demand. Cotton is worth basis middling 75 cents per pound based on the price for the manufactured product. Based on supply and demand as. shown above it will be worth the highest price it has sold for since the War Between the States. It will prove a wise business policy to hold your cotton until it brings a price based on these conditions and to plant your lands in food and feed crops which require much less labor and which crops are bringing very profitable prices. . Do not swap one bird in the hand SUBMITS TO FORDXEY PROBE. Lever Lays Before Chairman Results of Clenison Investigation. Washington, July 11.?Representative Lever today laid before Representative Fordney, chairman of the house ways and means committee, which is handling the potash legislation. a copy of the news letter issued by Clemson College in which it appears that an investigation has been conducted in Darlington county on the effect of trona potash upon cotton, corn and tobacco. The investigation seems to demonstrate that the potash of this character is disastrous to these crops. Mr. Lever feels that these findings should be of interest to Mr. Fordney and his committee and that they may have a aeeiaeci mnuence upon me cuaiauiei of legislation that may be finally determined upon and for this reason he was quick to lay the matter before the proper committee. The dove of peace has certainly not evinced the speed of the homing pigeon. ^V^Sj (|U COTTON BURNEI) IN NEWBERRY. Blaze at Platform of Standard Warehouse Company Causes Big Loss. Newberry, July 11.?Fire on the outside platforms of the Standard Warehouse Company this afternoon at 5:30 o'clock burned over about 250 bales of cotton. When the blaze was discovered it was very small, but in a little while it had spread over many square-yards of space and was sending a blaze high up into the air. The fire company -responded promptly to the alarm and the firemen worked xlike Trojans and soon had the blaze out, but continued to play on the cotton for an hour or more to make sure of having all the fire out. Some of the cotton burned over was insured, but much of it was not. The loss amounts to several thousand dollars. Nobody can tell how the fire happened, but the measly little cigarette will likely get the blame. There was a cutting scrape on the crowded portion of Main street last night at 11 o'clock that gave spice and variety to the usual just before midnight trade.' The parties were women and colored. Ella Belle Glymph, with a razor or some other very sharp instrument, cut Edith Wilson more than half the length of one arm and gave her two other slight gashes. The main wound laid the arm open nearly to the bone and Dr. Robert Mayes took 26 stitches in it ml li ^3 A J in sewing it up. me cuiier ucu num the scene, but was caught by the police soon afterwards. There was a man at the bottom of it. mm < m > ? Sunset at Ten O1 Clock at Night. Washington, July 11.?Temperature five degrees below freezing was encountered and sunset was observed at 10 p. m., Thursday night over Arcadia, Fla., by Lieut. Charles C. Cauncey and Sergt. Thomas Cook, two aviators who took an army plane, 20,000 feet up from Carlstrom Field at that hour. An eighty-five minute flisrlit was made as an experiment in seeking high altitude after darkness^, the air service announced today in giving out the report. for two in the bush. You have your cotton, hold it. Do not sell at these prices for purpose of planting more with hopes of making another crop with hopes that you can sell it for something like what it is actually worth; demand it for the cotton you have held and you will get the price. t ? # EXECUTED IX STATE PRISON. Convicted in Aiken County Proclaims1 Innocence in Electric Chair. Columbia, July 12.?George Johnson, 19 year old negro, was electro-: # I cuted yesterday morning at 11:50! o'clock. He died proclaiming his in-1 nocence of the charge of assault with intent to ravish. Johnson was con- j victed at Aiken on .May 10 and was sentenced to die on June 13. The governor granted a reprieve and yesterday he paid the penalty. The prison officials are holding the body until relatives of the aegro can be heard from. Johnson lived at Au-: gusta before the crime was commit- \ ted. .Tamp? Allen nearo. has been arailt ! ed a reprieve, and next Friday is the : i day set for his execution. He is; ' charged with killing a white man in j i Lancasted county. He was sentenced! i to die yesterday. ' Death and taxes are alike in their certainty. But you do get through , with death some time, while taxes i I are eternal. f *'i -i ?'-.r -.7 Ah-- /' :V/,; V.V v/ ; .. ;v'\ , V ,~r- \ ? ' * - - ; S " . I-.'? 'C*i \ ' *, * . T-'S:' * ' ; . - V 4.^'; : 'Zi .r2-V* *. . * . Vr> , ' / *453j^\ -; rJ+.&Z-" -yxc ^ OFFICERS SEIZE LIQUOR. ' W. C. Wise Charged With Owning Unique Outfit. Columbia July IS.?The police vis; ited a room on the 1800 block of ! Main street yesterday afternoon and i seized a copper can containing about i three gallo?is of what is commonly | called blockade liquor. W. C. Wise, ; white man, about 32 years old, was I arrested and sent to the barracks. | Wise was charged with storing and carrying a revolver and was held for the federal authorities. Wise immediately took steps to gain his release and satisfied the city authorities when he deposited $200 in cash to cover bond on the two charges. The federal commissioner fixed bond at $500 and the cash was forthcoming. Wise will be expected to appear before the recorder tomorrow morning, and before the next session of the United States court. The copper can seized by the ofii! cers was made to fit the inside of a ! valise. It was equipped with an in| take for filling purposes and a pet cock was soldered on the opposite end for distribution. A rubber tube could I be placed over the pet cock and a j few draws would bring the liquid toI n A**?% *% a m An TVin pan \> dl U Ci aaSA Ul LUC inuum, JL. uu vi*u was adapted for traveling purposes and is unique in design. The liquor in the can and in a pint flask which was seized has the color of plain alcohol, but possesses the odor of good whiskey. This is the first "home made" liquor to be taken in Columbia since the dry season went into effect. mm ! ! CURT NOTE FROM HOLLAND. In Reply to Council's Warning About Ex-Crown Prince. Paris, July 10.?The Council of Five received today a reply from Holland in answer to the council's note regarding the reported escape from thp Tclnnri nf Wiprineen of the form er German Crown Prince. The Dutch note, in what were said to be rather curt terms, pointed out that the rumor of the escape was unfounded and expressed surprise at the warning1 given by the council. The Dutch Government, the reply added is conscious of its internal obligations and must he left free to exercise its sovereignty as it sees fit. The Red army of Hungary is going on with its cheerful summer sports of massacre and loot. t CONTRACT IS. TO PAVE M. The town of Bamberg took a long | st] step forward Thursday, when the con-1 ph tract was awarded for the paving of j in .Main street from the Southern pas-jot senger station to Church street, below | tli the cotton mill, a distance of approxi- j wj mately 1,."00 feet. The contract was! 1)0 let to the Powell Paving and Con-i struction company, of Columbia, j of whose bid was $19,S03.50. The work} wj is to be completed within 110 days:so from July 10th. ! In order to widen the street, the ni, sidewalks will be reduced slightly, thus allowing more room for vehicle to traffic, which is at present congested.j ns In addition to paving the street a , ov "white way' will be constructed the it entire length of the pavement. This, ni will consist of 30 steel poles, fifteen : In on each side of the street. | th All wires will be removed from is Main street. The commissioners of' or public works are now removing the th a; of j | ? . _ ?1 d { ' i i_ . YAKBKUli'H JWl'Al.VS Hyiuii. j di i !th Traveling With Five Hundred Gallons cc Acquitted at Columbus. I in I lij Columbus, Ga., July 11.?W. T.: er j Yarbrough, who was arrested charg-' T i ed with violation of the State prohi- h< tion law when he reached here last!4< week carrying 500 gallons of liquor g] from St. Louis to Habana, was ac-; quitted by a jury in the city court here late today. After a hearing in the federal dis- * trict court in Birmingham, where he] also was arrested, Yarbrough had been allowed to proceed under a recent supreme court decision which; b' held that persons transporting liquor j may only be dealt with at their des- E tination. At his trial here in the city J ^ court, a branch of the State court, | n it was contended that Yarbrough had ! ai removed part of the contents of one h; bottle and intended to sell it here.! w After his acquittal his liquor was or- a: dered returned to him and he said n' he would continue on his way to w I Cuba, where he says he is to open a h I saloon. tl Yarbrough was transporting liis li- b quor in the drawing room of a sleep- b ing car and was taken from the train a here.as he crossed the Georgia line. ! ^ < > ? i tl COAST LINE WRECK INJURES 4.j w ! h Freight Train Going to Camp Jack- fc son Jumps Track. C( I a /- -l u;~ t,,i1 o Vrkiif mon Vi UOl UIII Ul'clj O U1J J. u jl- vui i u were injured, two box cars were e: burned, and 250 feet of track torn c< up as a result of a freight train wreck fi on the Atlantic Coast Line yesterday h morning, the wreck occurring b&- tl tween Columbia and Camp Jackson, 2 I near Sims and not far from Hampton f; Pond. o The injured were engineer R. B. w Sheppard, Chadbourne, N. C., bruised about the head and scalded on arms, j now at the Baptist hospital; Richard! Smalls, fireman, negro, * Florence,! ^ right leg broken above the knee, cut; s< in head and scalded on the arm and ; s< leg, condition serious, now at the I b Good Samaritan hospital. E. C. Kind, j car inspector, Columbia, injuries j o i slight, now at Baptist hospital; R. A. j s; Lewis, brakeman, jarred severely. While in France "Ma" Burdick of j the Salvation army made the record v of baking 342 pies in 12 hours. And even this was only a drop in the, bucket of the doughboys' capacity for J pies. ci AWARDED AIN STREET [*eet and store lighting wires and acing them in the rear of the buildgs 011 .Main street. Telephone and her wires will either be removed to e rear or placed in conduits. No ires will be permitted on the paved >rtion of the thoroughfare. The plans call for remodeling all the sidewalks. At present the alks are uneven, some high and me low. This condition is to be medied, and all sidewalks will be ade entirely uniform. Inasmuch as this is the first paving lid H /-v * n "DV? ~ ?T uuuc in uamucio, mere is, tturally, a great deal of enthusiasm er the proposed improvement, and is generally felt that Bamberg has ade a real step forward in progress. order to lend public interest to e opening of the street, a contest being staged for the selection of le of Bamberg's fair ladies to push e button to first light the street, i order that this may be done effecirely, it is planned to have the lightg system finished upon completion the street paving. The street is to be paved with conete, that is cement, sand, and crushl stone, in the proportion of ohe irt cement, two parts sand, and ree parts crushed stone. The pavg will have a thickness of six and le-half inches in the center, graduing to a thickness of five and oneilf inches at t-he curbing. .. $ The sidewalks will be constructed f one part cement, three parts sand, id five parts crushed stone for the >se, which will have a thickness of ;ree and one-half inches. The surce of the sidewalks will be one ch thick and will be composed of le part cement to two Darts of sand Engineer G. D. Ryan drew up the lecifications for the work and has targe of the engineering. Mr. Ryan ated Monday that the work would j pushed rapidly, and would be cometed in schedule time. The contract for the fighting sysm on Main street was awarded Moniv afternoon to G. D. Ryan, whose d was $3,373.75. It is understood 'at Mr. Ryan will have the work >mpleted by the time the street paVg is completed. It is said that the ?hting system will be the most mod n of any small town in the State, he steel poles will be twelve feet in sight, and will support each one 30-candIe power light in a white [obe. < > ? ACCUSED OF ADULTERY. oung Man and Woman Arrested in Florence. Florence, July 10.?Leaving the ome of the husband whom she mared about a year ago, Mrs. Mary tta Barfield, of Darlington, went to rinona in this county and there reewed a former pleasant acquaint aceship with Otis McKissick, who ad recently returned from the war, ith the result that the two soon fterward came to Florence and were iarrieri flv the iudere of nrobate. The oman in securing the license gave er name as Harrell. Now she is in le Florence county jail, her first husand. W. H. Barfield, of Darlington, aving sworn out a warrant for her rrest on the charge of adultery. Otis McKissick was also named in le indictment and he was arrested ith Mrs. Barfield at their home near Winona. McKissick today gave bond >r his appearance at the next term of , aurt. Mrs. Barfield has not been ble so far to arrange bail. The case as attracted much interest in Flornce. It was stated today by an offl3r that McKissick knew of Mrs. Bareld's marriage and had visited at the ome in Darlington. The parties to le marriage are scarcely more than 2 years of age. McKissick is a irmer and was plowing when the fficers arrested him. Mrs. Barfield -as washing the family clothes. The Onl^ Help. When the railroads were tied up 'ith the worse glut in history one *vere winter, one train was fiftyiven hours late, and a passenger eeame wearied. 'Get me something so T ran figure ur when I will get to New York,*' he Hid to the porter. 4 Yes, sah, I'll get you a tlme-tab'e, ah." replied the porter. 44Time-table? Time-table? Thunder, That I want is a calendar. We trust that none of this years une brides will be numbered in the rop of next year's June divorces. i