The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-27

We are glad 10 hear again from our es-
teemed correspondent "Tobacconist' on
the subject of Richmond's tobacco inter-
ests. 1t is a subject that ought to be dis
cussed frankly and freely and yet
thoughtfully with a view TO Richmond's
best interests. Newspaper talk can do
very little Of itself, but It sometimes slim
ulates men to action.
Comparisons have been made between
Richmond and Danville and other tobacco
markets and these comparisons are by no
means 10 Richmond's credit so far rs the
saic of loose tobacco goes. Richmond,
We are told, is the largest hogshead
market ana the largest manufacturing
center in Virginia.
But why is it that Richmonds sales Of
loose tobacco are so much smaller than
those Of several other markets in this
state? There is some reason for it and
the thing TO do is to find where the diff
Guilty lies and. If possible, to remove it.
Does the Richmond market lack snap?
Does It lack buyers7 Does it lack facili-
ties for handling loose tobacco? We do
not know. We do not profess to be q to-
bacco expert. but we recognize facts
when we see them and we make our own
deductions
Richmond IS undoubtedly a tobacco
market. This fact is shown in the large
number Of packages Of tobacco we are
handling in this city. Richmond has
large factories for the manufacture Of to-
bacco and necessarily consumes a great
deal of the raw material But for all
that Richmond does not receive the great
bulk Of It's leaf tobacco from first hands
and that is the point under discussion.
Tor some reason the farmers ship their
tobacco to other markets where II is sold
az public auction on the warehouse floor
and then gathered up and put in "order'
and packed and shipped to Richmond
where 1t goes TO the factory.
The handling of this leaf tobacco before
it gets TO Richmond IS a great industry in
itself. The farmer brings IL to market in
his wagon and takes It to the warehouse
where 1t is sold at public auction in the
open. The tobacco is then taken to the
prizeries. put through various processes
10 get II in 'order." as the shop term
goes. and then packed for shipment TO the
factory. I1'he farmer who brings It TO
market viii almost invariably spend a
large portion OF his receipts in purchasing
supplies from the town merchants. The
warehouse gives employment TO a large
number OF clerks and laborers and the
prizeries give employment to many more.
This is 10 say nothing Of the men who
Guy tobacco and who are usually men of
means and desirable citizens.
Danville sold last year al public auction
4C,OOO.OOO pounds of tobacco, and when it
is remembered that this was sold in little
piles Of a few hundred pounds each, and
that each separate pile had TO be handled
in tho warehouse and afterwards manipu-
lated in the prizery. IL is easy 10 see what
n great industry this is in Danyille 1t is
lar greater than the manufacturing
business and the great bulk of Danvilles
tobacco business consists in handling leaf
tobacco from first hands.
We have depressed but we hope not IN
vain. Let US come back 10 the first ques-
ton. Why cannot Richmond be as great
a market for the sale Of loose tobacco as
Danville? That is the question.