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Sumter County Organized To Make Itself Self Sustaining. Minutes ul the Meeting of the General Committee of Public Safety, Held Saturday, April 7th?Plans Outlined to In creese the Acreage of Food Crops and to Grow More Pood to the Acre. . The plana of organization of the RumUr County Committee of Public . (safety, for cooperation between the city and the rural districts, and the white and colored peoplo of Sumter . county to prepare our cointy against , a threatened food famine, having been adopted by the recent Atlanta eon fers nee and telegraphed to every county in the South, after Messrs. E. W. Dabbe and A. C. Pbelpe, our dele* gatee to the Atlanta conference sub mitted report of what Sumter county la doing through the 8uinter Cham? ber of Commerce, cooperating with tha iliessas of the people, we are re* . calving numbers of inquiries regarding Sumter county's methods of cooper? ation. As It is almost impossible to reply Immediately ii every Inquiry, I am eendlng you mlnutea of our meeting I of the township committtees of the genera) committee of Public Safety for publication either In whole or in part an yen see fit, for information of ? ether counti j a Tours truly, B. I. Reardon, Secretary. Sumter County Committee of Public Safety. - Sumter. S. C. April 7th, 1917. Pursuant to a call Issued by a meet? ing of Sumter county cltlsens held at Sumter Chamber of Commerce on April 9, 1117 for the purpose of form? ing a Sumter county Committee on Public Safety, a meeting of ths com? mittees from the different townships was held at 11 o'clock today, at Cham? ber of Commerce rooms. The object et todays meeting being to form a permanent organisation by the elec? tion of u chairman and euch other of Score, and for the purpose of de fining the eeepe of the work to be undertaken. The purpose of the Sumter county OeeamJtes* e? F?hlte Safety is to aid ' anal earnest the government and the pee pis et Sumter county In the pres? ent crleta Mr. Neill O'Donnell, temporary chairman called the meet? ing to order. The call for the meet? ing was read As suggested by Mr. Neill O'Donnell a permanent organisation was entered into at once, and the following offi? cers were unanimously elected by ac? clamation: Chairman, A. C. Phelps, president of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce; let Vice Chairman, H. Drane Tlndall, of Tlndall, Privateer Townahip; 2nd Vice Chairman, Col. J. L. Irby, of Boykln. Rafting Creek townahip; 3rd Vice Chairman. E. W. Dabbs, of Mayeevtlle Townahip; Secretary, E. I. Reardon. Managing Secretary Cham? ber of Commerce; Treasurer, O. A. Lemmon, president City National Hank of Sumter; Director of Public? ity. H. O. ?stren On motion of Mr. I. C. Strauss it was agreed that the chairman or eacn townahip committee compose the PI nance Committee, and that each chairman be'requested to solicit funds from the people oi his township to defray the expenses connected with this movement. Messrs. A. C. Phelps end E. W. Dabbs, delegates to Atlantic confer? ence from Sumter county Committee on Public Safety made u report of their attendance on Atlanta meeting and gave out n great deal of valuable Information and suggestions received at that meeting. It was announced by these two delegates that the At? lanta conference after learning of the plans Inaugurated by the Sumter County Committee on Public Safety adopted the Sumter county plans for the entire Southern cotton growing Statee as a part of the campaign for Increasing the production of food for I man and beast. Chairman Phelps read copy of a ICRs'- he had written an president of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce, to every white pastor In Sumter county under date of April 6th, 1917. asking theae ministers to cooperate by giving warning from their pulpits on Sun? day, April 8th, to their congregations of the serious crisis confronting the country and urging the people to plant every foot of ground possible In lif> nustulnlng food. Mr. Phelps suggested that a similar! letter be sent to eevry colored minister in this county. On motion of Mr. I. C. Strauss. Mr. | H. O. Osteen was selected as publicity agent of the Committee on Public Safety of Sumter County all matter of publicity being left to him. As suggested by Mr. O'Donnell, ev ery township committee chairman was requested to visit every farmer, white J and colored, in his township and im? press upon them the objects of the whirlwind campaign to produce food corps, and to urge every one to plant all the corn needed on every farm, for man and beast, and all other food I crops possible. It was agreed that as much as $25.00 be appropriated, if so much be necessary to defray the expenses of each chairman in canvass? ing his township. Mr. I. C. Strauss added to Mr. ODonnell's suggestion that every member of each township committee assist the chairman in his work of inducing the people to com? ply with the requests of the County Committee of Public Safety. Mr. NelU O'Donnell for O'Donnell and Company of Sumter subscribed for the Committee on Public Safety Fund the sum of |100. Mr. A. C. Phelps, for ..iarby and Company, Inc., of Sumter, for the same purporse, subscribed the sum of $100. Mr. Dabbs suggested that the ctr-j cular Issued by the special committee appointed oh April 3, 1917, constitut? ing an appeal to the farmers of Sum county to plant an abundance of food crops be amended to meet the ideas embraced in the suggestions and ac? tions taken by today's meeting. By unanimous consent the chair? man appointed Messrs. Dabbs, M. L?. Parier and NelU O'Donnell to draft an amendment to the first circular and authorised the secretary to have 5,000 copies of the revised circular printed for distribution by the town Ship commltteemen, and otherwise as the chairman and secmretary of gen? eral committee deem advisable. A letter from Acting Chairman NelU O'Donnell to R. W. Westberiy. of Sumter, a local leader of the negro raoe in this county, asking him to co? operate with the'Committee on Pub? lic ?afety for Sumter county in or? ganising the colored people, colored farmers particularly, to plant suffi? cient corn and food crops was read. A letter from R. W. Westberry to Mr. O'Donnell, In reply, promising his hearty cooperation and saying that he had called a meeting of colored farmers for next week was also read. These two letters were received as information and ordered made a part of the minutes of this meeting, and the chairman authorized to use these two letters for publication or in any way he thought best. April 3, 1917. R. W. Westberry, City. Dear Sir: There was a meeting held at the Chamber of Commerce this morning, of which I was chairman. The object of this meeting was to endeavor to prepare our peoplo for the conditions that may arise as a result of our war with Germany. The principal thing necessary to be doue In thts connection, is to impress upon our peoplo as forcibly as possible, es? pecially the farming element, the great need and necessity for planting not only home crops for their own use, but for others as well, and I was asked as chairman of that meeting, to communicate with you, as a represen? tative colored man of the county, and probably the leader among your people In this section, and to ask you to get your people to cooperate with the white people, by which I mean particularly the colored farmers a ad to use your Influence with them to plant all the food crops they possibly can, for I can not help but believe, that everybody will need everyth.ns in that way they can possibly raise and I think that those who will ht.ve a surplus, will be able to sell it at a greater profit than cotton, even should they obtain their maximum expecta? tion for the fleecy staple. This meeting; today called for an? other meeting to be held on Saturday next In the Chamber of Com me "v rooms at 11 o'clock and notices will he Rent to at least five of the lead > t farmers and business men of OVery township in the county, asking tin m to como In for the purpose of the oi ganization and formation of an oxo< n tlve and directory committee to take charge of tho situation and advise those who need advlos along the lines they think the most profitable to them. Personally I have written numon % letters to customers of my fl throughout this and ndjoinlng eo? e tles, Imploring them to increase tin r corn acreage and impressing upon them as forcibly as possible, the fact, that I candidly believe corn 1? going to he worth $2.00 per bushel before the next crop is harvested, but it is not only corn, wo want everybody to devote a good part of their attrition time and talent to all food crops, ev? ery farmer should have a vegetable garden, not only for the use of his family, but to sell, as there Is going to be an enormous demand for same. One of the objects of this meeting was to try and get every farmer if possible to plant at least 1-2 of an acre of early corn for the use of his family and livestock at a time when they might not be able to obtain it through the\ channels they usually depend upon, credit. Plsase be kind enough to acknowl? edge receipt of this letter, expreasing your disposition to cooperate and us? your Influence as far as possible with the colored people, over whom you have a great deal of influence, to use every means in their power to com? ply with the wishes and suggestions of their white friends and neighbors. Yours truly, Neill O'Donnell. Wcetbcrry's Patriotic and Practical Reply. Sumter, S. C, April 6, J.917. Mr. Nelll O'Donnell, Chairman Cham? ber of Commerce Committee of Public Safety. Dear Mr. O'Donnell: In reply to your letter of the 3rd instant, I will say that your letter is in keeping with what I have tried to teach for many years. 1 have never believed that cotton should take the leading place on ovr farms, for as long as cotton is king the food problem can never be settled or solved among us. Your letter has encouraged me to put forth more ef? fort to teach the colored/ farmers of Sumter county to plant more grain and other products, and raise more hogs and cattle for our own consump? tion. 1 shall call the farmers together early in next week for the purpose of discussing the new situation and to prepare our people to meet the condi? tions that are now confronting us, and for what may come in the future. I am quite sure that my people will be glad to cooperate with the white people for our own protection against a famine. I concur in your opinion, concerning the price of corn before the next crop is harvested. I shall speak strong along that line to im? press my people to plant en early patch of corn, and wherever it la pos? sible there should be a gardenpTor ev? ery home in the city and the^county, for it well pays for itself. I believe the good white people have been willing to cooperate with the col? ored people to better their conditions. I have done all I could to impress my people with this idea, and whenever it is possible, to cooperate, for real good, to do so most willingly. With my best wishes for a success of your meeting next Saturday, r. Yours sincerely, R. W. Westberry. Telegrams from Congressman A. F. Lever, and Senator B. D. Smith, from Washington to Secretary B. I. Reardon regarding government fur? nishing garden seed for free distri? bution amon& poor white and colored people were read. Senator Smith's telegram announced that he would have sent early liext week what seed he had been able to socure. Congressman Lever wired that his quota of garden seed was ex? hausted and the supply of United States department of agriculture also, and impossible to obtain this seas .n. Secretary Reardon said he h id hopes that Senator B. R. Tillman might be able to secure some seed, but had not heard as yet. R. W. Westberry, colored, having been invited to cooperate with the Central Committee of Public Safety was given the privilege of the floor. He said he would be giad to organize his race and do anything in his pow? er to cooperate with the white people in this crisis, and thanked the com? mittee for their interest in his race and the privilege of addressing the meeting. Westbery also said: "Sumter county is the best county in this Stato for prosperity, harmony and peace between the races. "To my mind this is due to the better understanding between the leaders of both races. Where there is a misunderstanding It breeds strife and trouble und there cannot be any material advancement. "The farmers of our commun;'y are remaining at home, because of the splendid treatment they receive from the merchants and neighboring white farmers. Colored farmers are always willing to cooperate with white farmers fo~ improvement of their conditions, "A good many of the negro farm* n do not know how to make corn, con? sequently there is a continual shortage in the food crop, another reason for shortage of food crops is, they pre not given enough encouragement from'the landlords from whom they renf or f I share-crop and from the merchants, where they gett heir supplies. "The president of the United States has ordered the citizens of our great country to prepare themselves for a conflict with Germany. There are three things most essential in our preparation; the soldier himself, the weapons of war and food for strength to tight with. "We realize that the farmers must furnish the third great weapon of war .before we are prepared. No na j tion is poor or can be made poor as long as there is plenty of food in their I country. In conclusion 1 will say. I shall urge the colred farmers of Sumter county to raise all the food crops necessary for their consumption, and help to feed the warring nations of the world. "My idea is very much like Mr. O'Donnell's; as to the quantity of food stuff that we should raise. We should raise not only enough for ourselves, but enough to sup )!y others." On motion cf Mr. O'Donnell, West berry was requested by the commit? tee to make a canvas of the colored people and colored farmers particul? arly, to try to organize the negroes In every township, to hold public meet? ings, and to otherwise impress his race with the importance of cooper? ating with the white people in this emergency confronting the nation. Dr. Parier suggested that township meetings of colored farmers and col? ored laborers be arranged for by Westberry, the white members of th tewnship committees cooperating wJth Westberry in arranging these meet? ings, and that the chairman or otb.-^r members of township committees at? tend these colored township meetings to address the colored farmers with Westberry. Mr. H. G. Osteen suggested that Westberry organize colored township, committees on public safety to work among their own race, just as the white farmers and business men are doing to obtain quickest and best ie srdts. Mr. I. C. Strauss suggested that Westberry get some of his lieutenants of the colored race to assist him in stirring up interest among the color? ed farmers and laborers to plant gar? dens. Westberry agreed, as per sugges? tion of Mr. O'Donnell, to begin his campaign by having the ministers of colored churches in Sumter to an? nounce that there will be a public meeting held by Westberry on Sun? day night to discuss cooperation as outlined above. Rev. William Haynsworth urged* that township committees appeal to employeers of colored labor to allow I and induce their employees to attend these conferences. "Plant Food Crops or go Hungry" was adopted as the slogan of the Sumter county Committee on Public Safety. Mr. O'Donnell suggested that those committeemen present ask their pas? tors throughout this county to direct attention on Easter Sunday to the importance of planting an ample crop of corn and other food crops for man and beast. Mr. A. C. Phelps for Harby and Company, Inc., and Mr. Neill O'Don? nell for O'Donnell & Company s id that their lirms will provide seed of any kind recommended by the com? mittee to any farmers, white or col? ored, who were unable to buy seed, provided that the parties receiving the seed will enter into an agreement to pay for seed when crops are harvest Any farmer in Sumter county who is in need of corn, peas, rice, bean, amber cane or other food crop seod for planting will be provided with same by applying to the Committee of Public'Safety through his township committee. Any farmer who has on hand i surplus of Early Dent corn seed, speckled peas, velvet bean seed in requested to communicate with Man? aging Secretary E. I. Reardon, Sum? ter, 8. C.i the committee having <U rected the purchase of seed for cs tributlon, and home grown seed are preferred. The Southern Cotton Oil Company, Sumter, S. C, will advance soy bean seed to farmers who are unable to pay cash, if those receiving seed will enter into agreement to reimburse this corporation when harvest ot seed is completed, it is thought that oili? er business establishments in Bumtor handling grain will do the same thil g on recommendation of applicant by township committees. Mr. C. I. Emanuel announced he had a limited quantity of Early Dent corn seed for sale. The following resolution offered y Mr. T. C. Strauss was unanimou y and enthusiastically adopted by a ris? ing vote as a tribute to our Presitb tit of the United States: "Whereas, we, the Committee of Public Safety of Sumter county, South Carolina, recognise the infinite pa tience, tact, and wisdom of the Pre '? ident In his handling of the d Iff en it relations had by the government of our Nation with the imperial govern? ment of Germany, and Whereas, we approve, with whole hearts, the conduct of affairs by our ed. Chief Executive, and Whereas a State of war now exists between the United States and Ger? many, not of our seeking, but forced upon us, We do now pledge our loyalty and support to the president, and we pledge every assistance which we are capable of rendering in trying time* now upon us, even to the extent of our resources and our lives if need be. Respectfully submitted, I. C. STRAUSS, C. J. JACKSON, E. W. DABBS, Committee on Resolutions. The secretary, by unanimous vote was instructed to telegraph thes2 resolutions to President Woodrow Wilson. Mr. H. G. Osteen suggested that in as much as Hon. John L. McLaurin will speak in Sumter on April 21st on the subject of the Sumter cotton market, and it being likely that there will be a large crowd of farmers and other business men here from Sumter 1 and other counties to hear him, that the Committee on Public Safety o? Sumter county use this meeting to have Mr. MeLaurin and other speak? ers emphasize the importance of farmers preparing for the emergency confronting the country by planting food crops. Mr. J. M. Kolb suggested that those present ask their ministers in different churches throughout this county to announce that there will be held com ? munity or township meetings in every township on Monday night, April 9th, the local committees to arrange the places of meeting today and be ready to Inform the ministers. Following the suggestion by Chair? man Phelps that it is the duty of Sumter county to take care of those dependent upon the patriotic young men and all others who volunteer to serve their country in. this crisis, the following resolution offered by Mr. I. C. Strauss was unanimously adopted by a rising vote, and applauded. "We pledge to those men of our county who may be called to the col? ors in our defense that we shall soe to it that their dependents suffer no want." The meeting went on record, bv suggestion of Chairman Phelps as be? ing willing and anxious to cooperate with the women of Sumter city and Sumter county in the Red Cross work being planned by these ladies. Dr. M. L. Parier said that the Sum? ter County Medical Association had met and offered their services to their country, and to assist the ladies in the Red Cross organizations. It was agreed that the Sumter Chamber of Commerce shall be the central bureau of organization and activity for the plans of the Sumter County Committee on Public Safety, and President Phelps announced that he and Managing Secretary Reardon, with the entire machinery, office force, and membership of this com? mercial organization is at the disposal of the committees and the farmers and other citizens of Sumter county, to do anything that the Chamber of Commerce can do or may be called upon to do for our county and oar country. It was decided that it would not be necessary, for the present at least, to call a general county mass meeting of the people In Sumter, but to work through townships, communities, schools, churches, and other ci\ ic bodies. Saturday, April 21st, at 11 o'clock a. m.,;at Sumter Chamber of Commrce was the date set for next meetia.g to hear reports of progress from tho township committees, unless called tc gether by the chairman sooner for any special reason. Mr. T. C. BtratUM delivered a very inspiring talk r^ garding the duty from a patriot'c standpoint of the township commit? tees and the importance of every man, woman, boy and girl cooperating fo self-preservation and the assisting e the armies of our country by helping to feed the soldiers and feeding the civil population at the same time. He also stressed the importance of frequent meetings, at least once a week, if net offener of the local or township committees who should pay close attention also to seeing that col? ored tenants, white tenants, and all small farmers are supplied with seed for planting food crops, and that the small farmers, white and colored, und the people of this city and smaller 'owns are interested in plantin,- g dens, and assistance rendered those who need help. The township committees selected the following chairman after tho meeting: Bhiloh township?J. K. McElveen. Mayesvllle township?B. W. Dahl i. Concord township--J. J. Britten. Privateer township -S A. U na in. Manchester township?Geo. T. Ued? ding. Mlddleton township?M. U Parle-. Stateburg township ? Richard Itlch ardson. Rafting Creek township?D. V. Keels. Sumter township?I. C. Strauss. Providence township?B. McLaugh? lin. President A. C. Phelpa of the Chamber of Commerce announced af? ter the meeting that he had ordered by Wire and secured promise of im? mediate delivery for Harby & Com? pany, Inc., and O'Donnell & Com? pany, one hundred bushels, each, of velvet beans, and twenty-five bushels, each, of amber cane seed. Meeting adjourned. The Plan Outlined. Sumter, S. C, Aprii 3, 1917. To The Planters: At a meeting called under the aus? pices of the Chamber of Commerce the undersigned were appointed a committee to take immediate steps to increase the food supply in Sumter 1 eounty. A To this end we suggest that for eacwB plow one-half acre of Early Dent corn * be planted at once in best land near lot, and that this corn be fertilized when planted and cultivated rapidly, to supply food for man and beast in July and August. We also suggest that every family plant a goodly quantity of six weeks* snap beans, which is the quickest vegetable that can be grown, and ow? ing to its protein contents largely takes the place of meat, which price is now prohibitive to any but the well to do, and what is more to the point there will not be a sufficient supply at any price. We further recommend that every family plant not less than one-half acre of sweet potatoes, and that all places suitable for rice be planted in that crop. This crop should be plant? ed in moist places, and fertilized and cultivated just like cotton. We also suggest that sorghum be planted nearby lots to feed storL on, and the remainder to be usefr for making syrup. We urgo the planting of velvet beans in the corn crop in April if possible, and not later than the 10th Of May. The meeting today arranged to have a supply of beans shipped here and as soon as beans arrive prop? er notice will be given where they may be obtained and the price. As there may be a great many farmers who will not be able to pur? chase these seed, we would urge up? on land owners and supply mer? chants the patriotic duty of seeing that no tenant or customer fail to be supplied with planting seed. E. W. DABBS, C. J. JACKSON, J. FRANK WILLIAMS. A. C. PHELPS, Committee. Adopted Saturday, April 7th, 1917: Your committee most earnestly de? sire to have impressed upon our far? mers that the food situation in the South is giving the national govern? ment more uneasiness than any other feature of the national defence. It is so recognized that the assistant sec? retary of agriculture is attending meetings in the South to impress upon our people that cotton is no longer king?that cotton would have to be 30 cents per pound to be on a parity with what it was when it was 12 cents. That on account of the needs of the national government and the car shortage there will be actual suffer? ing in the South before another har? vest, unless immediate steps be taken to grow more food crops. By the South we mean Sumter county. Therefore we advise that the rec? ommendations of the committee of last Tuesday be carried out wherever^ practicable, that tlx weeks peas, speckled peas and other quick grow? ing food crops be planted at once. And that under no circumstances should the cotton acreage be increased *>ut that additinoal field corn be planted; that corn be given special attention in culture and fertilizer, for we believe it will be a more profitable crop than cotton next fall at any price we can anticipate for cotton. Grow food or go hungry. M. E* PARLER, N. O'DONNELL, E. W. DAP BS. The Sumter Committee of Public Safety hereby endorse the above. Shiloh?W. W. Green, Isadore Tru luck, M. IfcClam, E. T. Minis, J. K. MeElvcen. Mayesvillo?U C. Tisdale, E. W. Dabbs. J. F. Bland, 11. A. Chandler, R. J. Hayes, Jr. Com ord?J. If. Brogdon, J. J. Brit ton. Howard Jones, G. W. Mahoney, Hazel Brunson. Privateer? J. If. Koto, Rev. Wm. Haynsworth, B. a. Harvln, Drane Tin dai. j. m. Jackson, Manchester?Miller Coulter, Geo. T. Geddings, \\\ J. Ardis. Middh ton R. B. Ayeoek, R. J. Pall, YV. H. Ramsey, .Ino J. Geddings, M. U Parier. Stateburg?Richard Richardson, C J. Jackson, J. F. Williams, J. L. Frterson, (ico. Mabry. Rafting Creek?J. U Irby, D. V. Keels, C. M. Bmanuel, Julian Saun ilers, K. E. Atkinson. Providern*?Dr. Push McLaughlin, J. C. Dunbar, Paid Bowman, Poreher Galllard, M. L. Moore. Sumter?J. II. Myers. Willie Shaw, N. O'Donnell, A. C. Phelpa, <s. A. Lemmon, .Ino. F. Jenkins, 1. C. Strauss, L. D. Jennings.