The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-04

OPINIONS ABOUT THE INTERNAL
REVENUE TAX


of Richmond Generally Agree That the
Measure SHOULD he Removed From IN.
statute Roofs.
The National law Imposing a tax on 10
bacco has been for wears The subject d
much general discussion, and political par
ties usual, insert a paragraph in their
platforms fa,oring or disappearing Of the
measure. There are three classes cspc.
ciaIly identified with the subject. The
farmer, who produces the weed; the dealer
who handles and sells It, and the consumer.
who chews or smokes IT,. In order to give
the views Of one class dealers follow
ing interviews were had with some of the
Richmond merchants:
Mr.. PARKINSON.
Mr.. John T. Parkinson, the T. {. Will
liams Tobacco Company, talked very freely
an regard TO the situation. lie said: "rhe
reduction a, FIRST will stimulate TO "A consid-
erahie extent the price Of leaf. on account
oi grea,er competition by buyers. for many
new factories viii at once spring up, not
oriy In the towns, but all about ia the
country. There will follow, a. a matter of
fac., an over production Of plug, and the
small factories with little capital will be
forced 90 sell at reduced figures, thus low
cring the price Of plug, which would bring
down the price OF leaf with it. remaining, in
my opinion, at a less figure than 10 Is now
worth" "Notef' says he, 1.-THE effect that
the different reductions have had on prices
of leaf. When the tax was twenty-eight
cents tobacco was very high, then the re-
duction to twenty cents saw # decline at
eighteen cents we found il lower, and at
eight cents we find it still lower. II is my
opinion that If the tax was taken of alto
gether there would be a considerable de-
cline in the price Of leaf consequently the
trade would be duller."
Mr.. Parkinson produced argument to
show That the consumer would not be bene-
hied Oy the reduction.
EN-. MOON.
Mr.. T.. VI. Moon, one of the most success
full leaf dealers in the city, quickly replied
1.-The repeal Of the internal revenue law on
tobacco in my opinion. would have a good
effect on the tobacco trade. The consumers
would use more tobacco, Cor the price would
lie less. and it is Just like everything else,
the cheaper the price the greater the de-
mand. You may take groceries. for in
stance. When coffee is at twelve cents per
pound, of course there is more used than
II il was twenty-five cents. More to-
bacco will be used and more bought, which
will cause an actiyeness in the trade. OF
course il will he bad on the mOnOp0listS,
but the grower will be greatly benefited
by it,"
w HANCOCK.
Mr.. W. +. Hancok, one of the largest
manufacturers in the city, and a thorough
Judge Of tobacco said: IL am in favor of
abOlshing the whole tax OF tobacco. II
Congress does this She trade will be bene-
oil no 20 xyitl Ia Ian4fifa1 a.
consumer can bay it at reduced price. |
manufactured tobacco before there was
any tax on it, and have been in the busi-
ness ever since the tax was placed on il,
and in my candid opinion, the trade would
DC benefited. The consumption Of tobacco
would be greater. and in consequence the
producer could sell at better price, for
the tax is what is Keeping the farmer
down. Tobacco is a home product, and
there is no reason why we should have 10
pay for handling and manufacturing II.
The mOnOpOlist would be the only one who
would DE damaged
JAMES u. HARDGROVE d co.
Mr. James H.'IIardgrove, of Iiardgroye ~
CO., tobacco manufacturers, said: ! am in
favor Of its repeal Of the tobacco tax. The
differences Of opinion on the subject is d-
Nided between the small manufacturers
and the mOnOpOlists. The latter don't want
and the small manufacturers wish II
of. for there would be greater
demand for his goods. The farmer is the
man." continued Mr.. HardgrOye, 'that
pays this tax anyway If this was lifted
he would be she greatest beneficiary. our
tobacco is raised right here within a com
parativeiy short distance and see no rea-
son why we should I've compelled to pay a
revenue tax on it. 1t should be removed,
and believe, If it is, the trade will be
greatly benefited thereby
CHARLES WATKINS.
MIR. Charles Watkins, one Of the most ac-
tive tobacco dealers in the city. and for
mer president OF the Richmond Tobacco
Association. said: ~ am heartily in favor
Of Congress repeating the internal revenue
tax. ] am confident that it will have a
good effect upon the tobacco trade. II the
tax il taken on the consumption of tobacco
will he greater for the price will be less
and the consumers can afford 10 use more
tobacco. This, of course, Will cause a
greater actyeness in the trade The farmer
who raises tobacco will receive the greatest
benefit for the raw material will brng bet
ter price. Ii is my candid opinion that the
repeal of the tobacco tax will be a great
thing for the trade
4. II. MAYO s BROTHER.
Mr.. Z. II. Mayo, of p. II. Mayo a Brother.
Observation-Disclosures said: 1--WE would he
very glad to see the matter of repeating the
internal revenue tax on tabaccO finally dis
posed of. The agitation of 1t does no good.
but unsettles the trade against the interest
of the planter. manufacturer, and the to-
bacc0 trade generally. II repeating the tax
will benefit the farmer aud consumer. we
would bc very glad to see it removed
ALLEN GINJER.
MIR. John Pope, of Allen a Ginter, cigar
cite manufacturers. said: at Is very hard
Ia form any idea yet what effect the repeal
of the tobacco tax would have upon the to-
baccO trade. 30 far as we are concerned,
think it would effect Us but little. If
IL will benefit the farmer and pianter~hOw-
ever, we hope the tax will Ge repealed
X. c. MORTON a co.
Mr.. X. =. Morton. of Il. c. Morton n Co..
one of the largest tobacco commission mer-
chants in the city, said IL am in favor of the
repeal Of the tax on tobacco, and fully be-
lieye il will have good effect upon the to-
baccO trade. The consumers can afford 10
Use mc7e tobacco and the growers will get
"A better price for the raw material
MIR. MLEoD.
Mr.. {. Mcleod, the secretary Of the Rich
mOnd Tobacco Association. said ''ln~my
opinion if the internal revenue law on to-
bacco was repealed it would have good
effect upon the trade here
Property Transfers.
Richmond CifV.-S. MEG. Fisher to lIar-