The Dillon herald. (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, July 11, 1918, Page Page Seven, Image 7
The latere* la tlxf cost of produc
las eotton la becoming almost nniTer
eul tkro?|hott the United States
Thoee la the non-producing sectiom
are chiefly latereeted because, ac
eeptlng the unsupported statement!
of latereeted propagandists?organised
or unorganised?they better*
the price of cotton is too high and
that the South is rapidly growinfl
rich at the expense of the consumer!
of eotton products.. The producini
sections of the country is also becom
, lag interested in the facts upor
^ which an estimate of the cost ol
eotton production must be based
kanilM ttim ara anvinna ?? K?
to moot with facts and figures th<
inaccurate or prejudiced statement!
of those who want to see the pric<
of cotton reduced.
Many not familiar with farmlnj
and some of those who are familial
with every detail of cotton produc
tion have endeavored to arrive at th<
cost of cotton production accordinc
to the methods of the accountants
as used in manufacturing and othei
commercial lines. In fact, this hsa
been the method employed by practically
a!! who have written on thii
subject, but there are certain conditions
which make it impossible tc
arrive at a conclusion with any assurance
of accuracy which will represent
the average by the ordinary cost-accounting
methods. The reasons whj
these generally used methods are nol
applicable in estimating the cost oi
cotton production are about as follows:
First. There are so many factors
which largely Influence the cost of
cotton production, that are not under
the control of the producer, and
these vary so widely that a very
great number of accurate cost accounts
would be necspsary for every
section of varying soil and climate
on which to make an estimate.
Second, farm bookkeeping is ?c
difficult, because of- varying conditions,
and unknown quantities, which
do not enter Into general commercial
Kvoi wcouaung sua iarmers are sc
little interested or skilled in bookkeeping
that a sufficient number ol
accurate records do not epcist and foi
many, years must remain unattain.
able. A very large number of records
would be necessary for each section
and season for a long term of years
and these simply do not exist, nor
do the data exist upon which any
such re cords could be predicated.
In the same soils with the same
methods and with the same farmers,
the cost of producing a pound of cotton
in Alabama, for instance in the
year 1916, was easily 2 1-2 to 3
times what it was two years before
in 1914. And for the whole cotton
tirodurlnir srroa the ir?rlo?Un
two years of the same 10 year period
may easily bq as much as 35 to
40 per cent because of the differ?
ences in yields per acre. In short,
.J .with the numerous and large varialioQB
from year to year, from farm
to farm, and from section to section,
making necessary a very large number
of records extending over a
term of years on which to base an
estimate, end in view of the almost
total absence, of these records and the
impossibility of obtaining them, no
estimate of the cost of cotton production
in the past, by such a method, is
worthy of more than incidental interest.
Such a few records we have merely
show the estimated cost of producing
cotton on the individual farm
for which the accounting was done,
:*nd for the year or years for which
such records were kept. These vary
;BO greatly and are open to such serious
critism in so many ways that
on the face of them they are worthless
as a means of determining the
average cost of cotton production for
the country as a whole or for even
the individual farms to which they
apply, except for the specific years
to which they apply.
Moreover, there are many factors
entering into the cost of cotton production
for the measuring of which
no ready or easy method has yet
been devised. The cotton laborer is
- entitled to the same pay for the days
he works or for the time he devotes
.to the making of his cotton crop as
is the laborer of a like grade of intelligence
and efficiency in other
lines. But thn: does not mean, as
some have sun- . "1. that he should
receive the same i'y money compensation.
The cotton laborer may
not be able to work ps many days
out of the month or year, and for
that reason must receive more per
day to maintain the s; -e standard
of living, or on the other hand he
may receive free house, garden, pas
ture for cow and the privilege of
laboring for day wages when nut
engaged in making the cotton crop.
To give money value to all these
things on the farm is well nigh impossible.
There is no market on the
farm for these .things to set their
values. But if we had the records,
which we have not, or if we could
by any means get the accurate facts,
which we ran not we could then only
estimate the average cost of cotton
7 production on this basis for the past
years to which the non-existent records
might apply.
It therefore seems apparent thai
by such methods it is impossible tc
accurately estimate the cost of cotton
production, because of the un
usual and ever varying conditions
and the almost complete absence o
accurate records or data.
But there is a method by which w<
- can positively ascertain the cost o
.?utw production la the past, based
]oa the actual wages or compensation
- and living conditions ot those farm-jers
who hare actually produced the
'cotton. For the ten year period. 1907
in 191C inclusive, the farmers of the
* South received an average farm price
^of 11.8 cents a pound for theii
- cotton, based on the actual wages,
1 land values, rent and other items ol
I expense entering into the making of
1 cotton for this ten year period. For
1 one or two years unfavorable weath>
er condltlltna ? * -*
? ??, ?. uu iuc uiuer uauu,
' over production tnight cause the mar
1 ket price to be less than actual* cost,
1 but when the pendulum swings too
> far one way it is bound to swing back
* to the other extreme. If profits above
' wages, rents and other costs of pro1
duction existed for more than a year
' (or two, production would be so increased
as to depress prices below
t cost of production. Therefore, the
: best and in fact the only way of getting
at the average cost of producing
5 cotton is what the producer has ac'
tually received for it over a term of
'; years. But it must not be overlooked
". that while an acre of Southern soil
1 averages a higher money return for
',the crop3 produced than the average
1 of most other oections, the values of
our lsuids have been much less than
* the lands of those sections. More"
over, the wages of the men who have
produced cotton and consequently
their standard of living have been
' low. The results of these conditions
, are that laborers are leaving the
' farms for work on public improve
menta and in manufacturing, until if
, cotton and foodstuffs are to be proi
duced in needed quantities in the
South, higher wages and a higher
' standard of living on the farms must
I (be maintained. The largest items of
r expense in making cotton are rent of
' land, horse power and man labor.
' More than labor is required because
f I of the peculiar Bgturq Qf the crop
jthan in making most other farm
> |crops. These are also' the items of
expenses which have increased most
i under war conditions*
' j Wages have been stf slow for the
} farm laborer and the labor income so
j small for the renter and farm owner
I that the standard of living on the
' Southern farm has been below the
standard set in other parts of the
' country and in other lines of work,
i If men are expected to stay on
Southern farms and produce the food
,and clothing supplies needed, vrages
must be raised so that a higher stand
ard of living can be maintained. Conditions
existing elsewhere must be
met. It is not necessary that the farm
laborer receive the same hours and
wages that the laborers in manufacturing
lines receive, but he must receive
what he regards as an equivalent
in wages and living conditions.
The items of cost which enter into
the making of a cotton crop in 1918
as compared with the decade 1907 to
1916 have increased from 1 1-5 to 5
times. The cost of man labor, the
I
P-1N
nventor, Davi
mpted to sink
hnell towing fc
nns of a hand-]
ten it to the
(lunger; then *
? torpedo?too
Safeguarding the
never markets an t
Goodrich Tires, t
skill of the oldest and
out by the practical
Fleets to make then
' ' I
000
: a 1 _ jiiasffi
vlii . "
v ! | Tor Goodrich re<
t ?.. : ?*?? i-i
Ill Wl? ? V/lliUJ
r" % ; x tire vai. ^ ? SERVICE
; I Whatever** pounds
2 in tires; whatever
! fi i VALUE to roc
- ?Jr?TsLii /or/, deflendabi
\1 S& And you S
. 1 GOODRICH S
-{^iipyi BLACK SAF
Make sure
l ' demanding bij
- THE B. F,
? * / J Charlotte Bran<
: THE CIT
i
i lirgeat item in cotton production Is
i now 2 to 3 times the average of the
ten-year period 1907 to 1916 and ev-|
i on at this increase much difficulty j
will be experienced and probably still
i higher wages will have to be paid to!
i get the crop gathered, for cotton can j
only be gathered by hand. The cost'
, of making the cotton crop of 1918, :
' provided an average yield is made, <
' will be somewhere between 2 and
' 2 1-2 times the average for the previous
ten year period, probably neari
2 1-4 times is the closest approximation
which can now be mude.
Sin'o the price of wheat has been
fixed, which owing to the smaller'
proportion of the man labor involved [
i in its production has not had its re-:
lative cost increased as much as has |
cotton, it is of interest to show the !
iintco nuivu ?uem, corn, ana conon
will bring if tbe prices are increased, j'
2, 2 1-4 and 2 1-2 times the cost of
actual farm prices received for the
ten year period, 1907 to 1916: '
Wheat.
96.2 cents per bushel x 2?$1,924
96.2 cents per bushel x 2?$1,924.
96.8c. per bushel x 2 1-4?2.1645.
96.2c. per bushel x .2 1-2?2.405.
Corn
61c. per bushel x 2?$1.22.
61c. per bushel x 2 1-4?1,3725.
61c. per bushel x 2 1-2?1.523.
Cotton
118.c. per pound x 2?$ .236.
11.8c. per pound x 2 1-4?.2656.
11.8c. per pound x 2 1-2?.295.
, From the above facts before us j"
I we estimate that with an average
yield the average cost of producing
a pound of cotton will not be less
than 25 cents, nor more then 27 cents >'
for the 1918 crop.
UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Entrance Examinations.
Entrance examinations to ihe University
of South Carolina will be
I held by the County Superintendent
| of Education at the County Court
I House Friday, July 12, 1918, at 9
a. m.
The University offers varied courses
of study in Science, literature,
history, law and business. The ex- <
penses are moderate and many opportunities
for self support are af- ,
forded. A large number of scholarships
are available. War Courses
and a variety of courses in applied
science, such as wireless telegraphy,
| book-keeping, type writing, and
' kindred subjects will be offered.
Military training compulsory for J
; freshmen and sophomores. Reserve 1
. Officers' Training Corps. For full 1
! particulars write to 1
The President 1
! UXIVERSrtT of SOUTH CAROLINA I
Columbia, S. C. I
I
I Oysters Must Have 8alt.
It has been found that oysters can
only live in water that contains at
least 37 parts of salt to every L000
parts of water. '
I r
IN THE LONG R
d Bushnell, an American, in 1776
the British warship, Eagle.
lis torpedo, charged with powder.
Kwer semi-submersible, planned
ill of the attacked ship with a
rrolode it by clock work.
? much ui on experiment?failed. 1
t user against ta*AMre, Goodrich xperiment,
tires or an^<v,{ng clse '
hough built with the experience
I largest rubber factory, a; e proved^
road travel of Goodrich Test Gar
a in word and deed?
IdriciT
WE IVES
, gf
zognizcs but op 2 value in tires?
? on your car end on the road; one
VALUE.
i of rubber and other material go
hours of work and skill, their
>torists is their SERVICE, in comlity
and durability.
ire sure to get it if your tires are
ilLVERTOWN CORDS, or
ETY TREADS.
of economy and security in tires by
g, masterful SERVICE VALUE TIRES.
. GOODRICH RUBBER CO.
:h: 435 S. Church St., Charlotte, N. C.
V OF GOODRICH AKROf
S etr t * ^4 n?:l?:.< ?te
I
Professional Cards.
i
i.lUSON * MULLER ,
.ittorne^Mt-Uw
)/Bc? over Malcolm Mercantile Oo
DlbliON, s.
t'ructlce iu State and Federal Court*
<> T.I OK | 1
V(ioru?*> at-Iat.. Ic
. Id. > j :;
!>R. C. It. TABEK
IMiyeician and Surgeon 1
umce a; residence, No. 5 Harrison t a
i c
Residence Phone No. 90. ' I
McCnidy Bros. A Chevis
Civil Engineers '
\. J. Evans, Jr., Resident Engineer
Surveys, Designs, Estimates '
HAMLET. N. C. J
ueave calls at Evans Pharmacy or address.
Box 604.
8. C. HEN8LBB, M. D.
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Spectacles Fitted.
Office Hours 9 to 11 and 2 to 4
Evening Hours by Appointment.
DR. E. N. GORDON
Veterinarian
Calls answered Day or Night.
Phone Evans* Pharmacy.
Dillon, S. C.
L. B. HASELDEN
Attorney at Law
r DILLON, 8. C.
-foney to Lend on First Mortgage
Real Estate.
J. W. JOHNSON
Attorney-at-Law
Practice in State and Federal Courts
Marion, 8. C.
DR. J. H. HAMEU, JR.
Dentist
Office over Peoples Bank.
HARGROVE & BRADDT
Attorneys-at-Law.
XBce first floor People Bank Bldg.
TOI.IiON, 8. c.
L
OPd CtimfiiB *445.06
!<\>rd Runabout 480.08 ,
?ord Touring 406.37
?"ord C oupelet 600.26
?ord Ti jwn Car 696.50
^ord Sodan 747.81
ford Ti mck 650.31
Dillon Motor Sales Co..
Dillon, S. C.
t*om?body Qoea Wrong.
"To kAep on playln* de races." skid
Jncle EJben, "a man baa to have a !
<? ' -;-V2
' i }N ?&$&*iLvfe^
'^ t^Va'?*? 5f* ftii&F*>C S-J
OHIO* *"i* V* * i
ae??v.y?ur, *? -JS*Iv?*VV&22
Lacks a Home.
"De kind of charity dat begins at
home," said Uncle Eben, "mos'ly a In'
fot no borne."
o
Littleton CoUege
las just closed one of the most sucessful
years In its history- The 37th
nnual session will begin Sept. 25th.
Write for new illustrated cataogue,
also and quickly for particuars
concerning our special offer to
t few girls who can not Day our
analogue rates. Address J. M.
Ihodes, Littleton, N. C.
Be Sure of 1
Before
The telephone c
frequent intervals for
benefit of the telephc
Every effort is rr
accurate and up-to-c
that telephone-users \
making calls. A c
number causes delav
ance to a third party.
Avoid inccnvei
cerned by looking uj
in the directory befoi
Wben you Te
SOUTHERN BELL T
AND TELEGRAPH
I Both
( Producer an
Aria
Is M v ^
The M
! (The F
j The consumer w
price for meat.
; The farmer wai
i price for cattle.
| The packer stai
, conflicting demand:
possible to complc
The packer has r
prices of live stock
most that can be <
that he keep the
the two as low as
this successfully by
into meat and dist
1 at a minimum of <
I profit too small to b
I farmer's returns for
meat bill of the cons
|j Swift & Com pan
^ dons in Cattle were
Sold Meat to Retailer
Sold By-products for
Total Receipts
iPaid to Cattle Raiser
Balance (not paid to Ci
f Paid for labor and <
Packing House^ Freigl
and Cost of operati
distributing houses
Remaining ix\ Packer'
Returns on investmei
The net profit was
about one-fourth of
I of beef.
By what other m
I ference between cat
jjj prices be made sma
the conflicting dem
f, and consumer be bei
| 1918 Year Book of
p instructive facts s
Address Swift
Union Stock Yards,
| Swift & Comi
?? ?? ?ggB
1785 IMS
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON,
South Carolinas Oldest College
134t3i Year Begins September 97.
Entrance examinations at all the
county-seats Friday, July 12, at 9
a. ni.
Four year courses lead to the B.
A. and B. S. degrees. A two year preniedical
course iB given. Military
training in all courses. A free tuition
scholarship is assigned to each coun- %
ty of the state. Spacious buildings &
athletic grounds, well equipped laboratories,
unexcelled library facilities.
Expenses moderate. For terms
and catalogue, address
HARRISON RANDOLPH, President.
|6- 20-4tb.
the Number
Calling
iirectory is issued at
the information and
>ne-using public.
lade to keep this list
late. It is expected
vill consult it before
all for an incorrect ^
and possible annoy-" r |
nience to all con- ***!
, . >?
3 telephone numbers
re raHiniS
'I I
Upbone?SntiU
ELEPHONE (fWj\
COMPANY
End
d Consumer )
inst 1
fiddle El
rants to pay a low j^JM
nts to get a high |l
m
ids between these |r?
s, and finds it im- |H
;tely satisfy both. hS
10 control over the |jfl
or meat, and the |H
expected of him is ?
difference between IH
possible. He does jW
converting animals ||H
ributing the meat
expense, and at a U
e noticeable in the
live stock or in the H
;umer.
y'l 1917 tranuc- I
as follows: H
Averse* Per Hm<
for . . $68.97 |H
93.06
. . . 84.45 H
kttle Raiser) 8.61 II
expenses at
tit on Mest, II
ng Branch IB
. . 7.32 UJB
hands as taiH
it ... $ 1.29 |H
i $1.29 per head, or |M
a cent per pound H
ethod can the dif- |H
tie prices and beef |H
ller, and how can i
tands of producer gS
tter satisfied ? jj
' interesting and
ent on request. SH
ft Company, |H
, Chicago, Illinois
>any,U.S.A. |