Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Friday, February 12, 1943 fcl -1L 1. •— THE NEWBERRY SUN PAGE FIVE The Spectator I attended the Annual Convention of the National. Cotton Counoil of Ahserica last week in Memphis, Ten nessee. Some impressions almost overwhelm me, as I shiver in recol- lection. I arrived in Memphis in balmy weather, almost summery warmth, that made me think my overcoat one of the most unnecessary articles ever made. But by the next day at lunch the temperature had dropped 51 degrees—and was still diving. Sleet, then snow, covered the streets, and we grave and sol emn men walked splay-footed, or skidded—not always on foot. The National Cotton Council is an organization to promote the use of cotton. It is not composed of pli- ticians and orators, but its member ship is composed of delegates from the six groups which handle raw cotton: producers, ginners, crushers, warehousemen, merchants, and spin ners. Instead of boosting cotton by denouncing Wall Street, as was once the political method, the Cotton Council has adopted the methods of successful business enterprise, by studying the staple so as to find new uses through fuller knowledge, both of the plant, as well as of the possible market. The Cotton Coun cil maintains a staff of chemists who devote full time to a study of the stalk, lint, linters, hulls and fats. Their promotion department has developed cooperative activities with many large manufacturers, as well as the greatest retail style places. The Council is constantly alert to speak for cotton. This is not just by appealing to patriotism, but by appealing to the test tube to prove the equality or superiority of cotton, in any given case. Much is being done in the name of the war. Enthusiasts and faddists on one side; and cold, calculating men on the other—all ascribe every thing to the war. We have a great campaign for the production of pea nuts. Farmers everywhere are be ing appealed to. One might imag ine that only the Soy beans and pea nuts contain oil; but the average farmer can produce more oil for the nation through his cotton than through experiments with either peanuts or Soy beans. Apparently the enthusiastic advocates of pea nuts and Soy beans have overlooked the steady old staple, which is still the foundation of the South’s econo mic structure. While a speaker was telling of the Incalculable value of cotton, even if regttrded only for its oil content, Mr. Lipscomb made this note: from 278 pounds of lint per acre, which, as you know, is not a heavy yield by any means, being, I think, below our State average, the seed already tak en out in ginning would weigh 495 pounds. This weight of seed pro duces 78 pounds of oil, 202 pounds of 41 per cent meal, 150 pounds of hulls and 45 pounds of linters. So you see what cotton means to the nation If you have an idea of the war use of oil, meat lint, hulls and linters not to speak of the fleecy staple itself, which Is spun into cloth. One of the most informative fea tures of the Convention was the dis play of cotton’s part in the war. The Quartermaster corps prepared an exhibit of what is being made of cotton for the fighting services. Little would you think it, but cotton ranks next to steel as an indispensa ble product for the war. Listen to the part that cotton plays in the war: The versatile army Jeep in any situation has a fascination for every one. With a cotton water-proof tar paulin securely fastened in place, or aboard a raft, the Jeep easily navi gates streams. Cotton duck up holsters the seats, windshields, and tops. Weather-resistent cotton fabrics assure warmth and comfort for the j soldier while on the field. One of the essential uses of cot- [ ton in the army is for ammunition ! belts for machine guns, automatic I guns and the soldier’s personal fire i arms. Cotton cartridge-cloth for ' powder bags is used in loading big guns. Every soldier is protected against gas risks. In cleaning up gas poc kets, the decontamination squad wears a gas-proof uniform of spec ially treated cotton fabric. Tents of every description used by the army are made of weather-resis tent cotton, proofed against fire, water and mildew. The khaki or olive drab uniform for general summer wear is made of fine twill. The army nurse is spick and span in her white poplin uni form. The army truck driver wears a two-piece suit of herringbone twill. For certain unusual climatic conditions, the Q. M. corps provides other special uniforms. In the mechanized equipment of modem desert warfare, cotton fab rics are essential elements. Improv ed cotton cords enable jumbo tires of the vehicles to withstand terrific heat and stress. Cotton duck not only covers the truck and tractor bodies, and also the gun muzzles and breechblock mechanisms, but houses maintenance shops for the famous “General Grants" and other equip ment. For “warmth without weight” the Ski-Trooper wears a reversible uni form of cotton fabric, tightly woven to make it wind-resistent, and spec ially treated to make it water re pellent. In either open snow or green Woodland, he is able to merge into the landscape. For fighting in the tropics numer ous cotton items, specially designed for that particular service, help in an important way to assure comfort and efficiency. Mosquitos and other insects cannot penetrate the shelter tent’s protective netting, or the sol dier’s headnet. About 120 yards of cotton cloth are required to clothe and equip one soldier. The average soldier con sumes about 10 times more cotton •per year than the average civilian. A cleverly camouflaged mobile field kitchen is housed in a canvas- covered truck. In connection with the operations of an army comissary and kitchen, cotton provides cooks' and bakers’ uniforms, fatigue clothes for ‘K. P.’, canvas bread trays and bags for bringing up many of the army mess items. For keeping depots and other mil itary installations concealed from enemy eyes, cotton Osnaburg fabric and camouflage nets are specially useful. For the cotton uniform and equip ment of the daring Paratrooper, the fabric, harness, webbing an para chute cords are made of combed yarns, carefully selected from the cream of the crop. No rubber is used in the new army raincoat. It is made of water-proof coated cotton fabric. The field-jack et windbreaker is made of the finest cotton poplin, given a lasting water- repellent finish. Windproof cotton fabrics insure the warmth of other cold climate clothing. Specially coated cotton fabrics lengthen the life of rubber footwear. For lack of a bridge the army does not stop at a river’s edge. A canvas cot turned upsidedown ana wrapped in a waterproof cotton tar paulin makes it easy to transport six machine guns and the ammunition therefor, while soldiers cross on their own rubberized cotton fabric ferry. In army Jeeps, trucks, motorcy cles and other motorized equipment, the canvas tarpaulin tops and wind shield fabrics, seat upholstery, wire insulating yarns, tire cords and cha fer fabrics are made of cotton. For the newest arm of the army— the Women’s Army Auxiliary corps— cotton fabrics are used for summer uniforms and other items of clothing. In clothing, housing, feeding, and transporting the army, the Quarter master corps is the world’s biggest buyer of cotto textiles. What an almost inconceivable range of uses for our cotton, which we were told was a crop without prospect, or even hope. We must promote uses for cotton; we must be as pushful a s the Californians and Floridians are. We are waking up. As Mr. Symmes said: We have a merchandising problem and we must learn to merchandise our wonderful staple. The genial Billy Banks, the Spinner, said to me: “Some day we shall spend a dollar a bale to pro mote the sale of cotton, and it will be the finest investment ever made.’’ The promotion of cotton to its fullest use would create and sustain a demand for all our cotton without seeking foreign markets. It would rebuild and re-vitalize the stable economy in the South and, by so much, invigorate agriculture from Carolian to California, for Califor nia produces cotton and is a hearty supporter of the Natioial Cotton Council of America. Three of our South Carolinians are high in the Council of Cotton leadership: Rob't H. Coker of Harts- ville is vice president, and Fred W. Symmes of Greenville and B. R. Walker of Columbia are directors. Mr. Symmes is chairman of the com mittee on Scientific Research, of which I have the honor to be a mem ber;' Mr. Coker is chairman of the Committee on Production, Process ing and Marketing. On this Com mittee are W. M. Agnew, J. Wade Drake, C. R. Sprott, Jr., Charles N. Gignilliat, Jr., J. A. Chapman Jr., Ed win Malloy, J. B. Caldwell, and W. T. Mikell of South Carolina. Among the South Carolinians I met at the Convention were: T. N. Durst, H. Gordon Kenna, R. B. Walker, D. M. Lipscomb, and C. R. Sprott, Jr., of Columbia; Robert R. Coker of Hartsville; Mr. and Mrs. J. Wade Drake of Anderson; Mr. and Mrs M. S. Stackhouse and L. Cottingham of Dillon; J. C. Miller of Chesterfield; FIND THE MAN WITH THE MOST WAR BONDS An apple a day will keep the doctor away, and the brilliant splashed reds and clear greens in this apple red cotton print dress will keep its wearer feeling fresh and fit. The dress has a fitted bodice which is accented by a full akirt and a dainty white blouse edged in red embroidery. Like all cottons, it’s fresh and tnbbable. CHANDLER ON ACTIVE DUTY Second Lieut. Thomas Erwin Chandler, Newberry, has been as signed to active duty with the fight ing leathernecks, it was announced here today. He was ordered to lead Marines in battle after successfully completing officers training course at the famous leatherneck base at Quan- tico, Va. Lieut. Chandler, 23, attended U. S. Naval Academy, Newberry College and Spartanburg Junior College. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 1942. PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR JANUARY IN SILVERSTREET SCHOOL First grade: Jimmie Bowers, Al fred Dorroh, Beth Dorroh, Celia Ep- ting, .Bertha Long, Joye Long, Eu gene Longshore. Second grade; Faye Davenport, Billy Johnson, Jackie Lancaster. Third grade: Eibert Dominick, Wa ters Duffie, Bernard Hendrix, Betty Long, John William Pitts, Paul Stou demire. Fourth grade: Mamie Bishop, Doris Blair, Connie Boozer, John 'Derrick, Herman Johnson, Horace Longshore, Betty Murray, David Pitts, Marian Sligh, James Stilwell. Fifth grade: Horace Bowles, Mary Dorroh, Billy Duffie, Sara Hamm, Vivian Floyd, Betty Wayne Hendrix, Nell Johnson, Lorena Lancaster, Ro bert Lancaster, Doris Livingston, An nie Long, Donald Long, Patricia Mar tin, Joe Pitts, C. J. Koon. Sixth grade: Thomas Blair, John Kesler, Annie Laurie Long, Bernice Martin, Joyce Pitts, Odell Ruff, Bet ty Stoudemire, Eugee Wessinger. Seventh grade: Faye Blair, Ida Davenport, Rebecca Johnson, Betty Livingston, Donald Longshore, Tom Murray, Ray Sligh, Billie Walton, June Walton. Eighth grade: Ralph Bozard, Eli zabeth Davenport, Bobby Sligh, Ro bert Stoudemire, Ruby Hamm. Ninth grade: June Livingston, Der- rtll Longshore, Hubert Ruff, Shuford Stilwell. Tenth grade: David Bozard, Beulah Hamm, Attice Holland, Arnold King, Annette Longshore, Hazel Nichols, Elizabeth Sanders. Eleventh grade: Frances Craft, Mary Ruth Derrick, Holmes Eargle, Paul Epting, Frances Long, Miriam Hendrix, Evelyn: Neel, Audrey Sligh Zobel, Mildred Werts. R. M. Hughes of Greer; Charles N. Gignilliatt, Jr., of Spartanburg; W. A. Hambright of Blacksburg; Ellison A. McKissick, B. A. Hagood and Fred W. Symes of Greenville. Among the other South Carolinians on the various advisory committees are W. A. Floyd, Earle R. Stall of Greenville and D, W. Anderson of Pacolet. During the Convention the South Carolina delegates met to organize their State Unit of the National Cot ton Council, electing for the year R. M. Hughes of Greer, President; J. Wade Drake of Anderson, Vice Presi dent; and J. K. Breedin of ’Manning, Secretary. I think I have given a fairly full report of some features because no economic interest is so vital to the whole South as that of cotton; and no interest or combination of interests in South Carolina can remotely ap proach in importance, individual ap peal, dollar investment or social and economic ramification the six in terests, from producer to spinner, which deal with cotton. STATE’S TEXTILE PLANTS BUSY OXIDIZED COTTON MAY AID WITH WAR ORDERS SCIENCE FIGHT PNEUMONIA •Another powerful monarch has plunged wholeheartedly into the Allies’ war effort. King Cotton, whose throne seemed tottering only a few years ago, is demonstrating that “They do come back,” and this state is playing an important role in that come-back. Billions—11 1-2 to be exact—yards of cotton rolled from America's looms last year and reports received from authoritative sources by the Office of War Information indicate that the tempo of production is like ly to be maintained in 1943. Needed for a multitude of purpos es on fighting fronts and home fronts, cotton ranks high on the list of America’s most important war materials. It is easily the number one fibre, spun into 50 types of yarn, woven into a hundred basic types of fabric for civilian and for warrior. Army, Navy and Marine conps, like civilians, need vast quantities of hot weather clothing, underware, sheets, towels, surgical dressings, sleeping garments and the needs of the allies fighting men extend far beyond this list of necessities. In 1942, for example, orders for military-medical supplies approached the billion yard mark. The military demand for cotton products was boosted recently by the WAACs when they ordered more than 300,000 pair of flannelette pajamas. Then, too, cotton is needed for lend-lease shipments. The quarter- master corps buys large quantities of cotton materials for the relief of suffering populations in areas over which the global was sweeps piti lessly. Many of South Carolina’s largest cotton textile plants are employing three shifts in order to keep pace with the orders for products needed to prosecute the war against the Axis. Some of them have received awards coveted by plants engeged in the war effort, eloquent evidence that Palmetto state manufacturers and their employees have worked ef ficiently to provide the materials es sential to victory. The products turned out by cotton textile mills in this state are as varied as he wants of the armed forces. They run the whole gamut of military textile de mands. Chemical Unit Similar To Th*t In Germs. Developed In Tests New York.—Cotton—one of Amer ica’s major weapons of war—may soon become one of medical science’s major helpers in combatting pneu monia. A study with oxidized cotton, con ducted by Professor Michael Heidel- berger at Columbia University, re veals that particles of oxidized cot ton act chemically like certain sub stances in pneumonia germs of a particular type, indicating that this simple material, under special but easily given chemical treatment, might be turnqd into a substance for preventing pneumonia of this type. Pneumonia germs, it is pointed out carry a load of substances knows as “polysaccharides” or sugar-like com pounds, which are responsible for harmful effects in the human or animal body. In their attempt to cure diseases by chemical methods, scientists have been searching for a simple chemical unit present in these “polysaccharides” which ac counts for their action. In oxidized cotton, Dr. Heidelber- ger points out, a simple chemical unit has been found which corres pond? to the unit of which the dis ease-causing substances in pneumon ia germs of type eight is composed. In other words, oxidized cotton pro duces in blood serum the same kind of reaction the germ’s own “poly saccharide” develops. The discovery marks an advance toward development of methods for predicting just how the human or animal body will react to disease germ substances whose chemical is known. One of the outstanding achieve ments of this war has been the con version of the cotton textile indus try from peacetime to military pro duction, and that transition has been accomplished so speedily and so quickly that it might easily have es caped the layman’s notice. Some South Carolina mills are devoting all of their time and equipment to turn ing out the products that are enab ling the Allies’ fighting men to meet the Axis challenge on many fronts. I THE Newberry Hotel Corciially Invites Clubs and Other Organizations To MEET HERE Modest prices for Dinners, Teas, Luncheons, Parties | . No Charges $ For use of Private Dining Room o Poultry Wanted The Greenville Poultry Company will have a truck in Newberry Every THURSDAY from 10 to 11:30 a. m. CASH PRICES AS FOLLOWS: Colored Hens, pound 22c Leghorn Hens, pound 18c Roosters, pound 10° Turkey Toms, pound 23c Turkey Hens, pound 25c Ducks and Geese, pound 12c Loading Point at Lake’s Machine Shop This will be a regular schedule, rain or shine Be on Time and Tell Your Neighbors Do Not Feed Poultry on Day of Sale Greenville Poultry Co.