Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-10-15

PHILLIPS L. G0LDsB0RoUGH,
Of Dorchester County.
False Packing Of Tobacco !.

The tobacco dealers, and especially
the shippers Of the staple, were up in
arms against the manner in which leaf
tobacco is packed in hogsheads before
it is shipped to this city, aud the care
less manner in which good portion Of it
is passed through the state tobacco
warehouses and pronounced all right.
This kind Of a thing has been carried
on to such an extent that the tobacco men
have sought redress in the formation Of
a board ofarbritra'ion, which has recent
ly made several demand on the state
for good tobacco. The lsrgesl arbritra-
ton Of this kind in the history of the
Maryland tobacco business was conclud-
ed yesterday when the fra of Heny
Lauts 4 Co., No 227 East German st.
recovered 1914, As in addition to S2l9.
II the value Of 800 pounds of tobacco
which bad TO be thrown out. This firm
recently bought lis hogsheads of tobac-
co which had been packed in Charles
county A hogshead Of tobacco weighs
on an average Of $50 pounds and the
firm Of Heny Lauts & Co., bought it at
the rate of from l to 90 cents a pound.
The entire lot was placed as all right"
by one Of the local stote tobacco ware
houses, but the firm discovered that 101
hogsheads were so filled with leaves and
trash that hey had to be repacked.
H.he firm Immediately lad the facts
before the local hoard of arbitration,
and the careless condition Of affairs was
so palpable that the board decided to
compensate the firm. The aggregate
amount was S79419 which the state
was compelled to pay.
The local buyers are not the only peo-
pie who suger by this condition of things.
Constant complaints come from Germa-
ny aud fAsa5Ss, where nearly al Of the
Maryland crop finds its way and these
packers and the warehouse inspectors
but also upon the dealers aud the steam
ship lines that carry the tobacco across
the ocean. Mr.. Henry Lauts said res
ierday that it is very unfortunate that
there does not exist state law against
careless and fraudulent packing. Such a
law he claims, would be protection to
the honest farmers.
Mr.. William A. BOYD, president of
the Tobacco Board, stated yesterday that
this evil has existed for long time but
the situation has slightly improved since
the tobacco men have banded together
for she purpose Of putting a stop to this
practice. 1t is lhe general oplhion Of
the local tobacco men that the unsatis-
factory packing of tobacco in hogsheads
is n some cases due to carelessness,
while III others it is done with the intent
to defraud. They also claim that the in
spectious at the warehouses are not as
thorough aud complete as they might be
and with little more attention to bust
ness on the part of these warehouse IN
spectors the evil can be RENE lied Tbs
complaints coming from abroad are al
ways alarming to the dealers The for
eign buyers have no redress, and there
is always a dread on the part of the
home dealers tnat the foreign buyers
will withdraw their patronage on this
account. The steamship people stand
in mush the same position.
The above article is taken from the
Baltimore American Of Saturday last
The statement made as regards the false
'sting of the particular lot of tobacco
substantially true aud the statement
also that 1t was packed in this county is
likewise true, but the latter charge car
ries with it an implied inputation of I'M
fairness on the part Of our farmers as
class in the packing Of their tobacco,
which is unjust and unfair, and to this
charge we enter vigorous protest The
sin Of one man should not be visited up
on community. That such thing
should have beee perpeirated is shame
full and that it should have occurred 10
our county is much to be regretted.
And it suggests action on the part Of
the farmers. Out of self respect they
should net remain silent and allow their
fair names to rest under a cloud. but
should take such action as they may deem
"scessary for the preservation Of their
nonor and is.taoritu Thav sbonld mot
allow their business % be destroyed by
such practices, but should resort to some
'srsic remedy. Legislation has oeen
and granted, but full measure Of
$780,. been obtained The sub
lees Haairss much thought and consid-
Grafton, but We believe a remedy can be
deyilsd. We are not prepared to sug-
gest at this time any de6nate PROPOSE