Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-08
Peculiar Conditions and Serious
Problems Confront the Producer.
Baptist
CONVENTION
sir. Jan,e. II. Jordan, of Greensboro,
Bitterly Denounces tho American
fobscco COMPANY Father Abbot,
Failed TO Attend H1ootins OF Cor
por"tion Commission : Personal
DinicuI.y Between Politicians.
imcuisy Bctwocn Politicians.

haielSh, N. y, Dec. tine Nortn
Carolina Tobacco Growers Convention,
which met here yesterday afternoon,
VAS called to order by Commissioner Of
Agriculture Patterson, who said the
condition of affairs was peculiar and
the problems confronting the tobacco
industry were very serious. The crop of
1896 sold for about 20 per cent. less
than that six years before. The price
OF tobacco was lower. while the produc-
ton was smaller. apd there was no de-
crease in demand, so the price did not
follow the usual laws of supply and de-
mand.
Joel Il. Philips, of Nash, was elected
chairman. a suggestion by him that
there be an adjournment until March
was opposed.
james T. Jordan. who has been in the
tobacco business at Greensboro sixteen
years, bitterly denounced the American
Tobacco Company, alleging that year
BY year it forced prices down. He sug-
geSlcd as Il remedy the holding OF coun-
:, " conventions to elect delegates to q
general convention of tobacco growers
f:pm North Carolina, Virginia, East
tennessee. and South Carolina: also,
that at each market there be two leaf
buyers and the farmers have two rep
resentatives. 1t would take, he said,
$1,000, 900 10 handle the crop, but the
money could he had easily, IL the far
mers would enter into an ironclad con-
tract to sell 10 the warehouses est;lb-
lished under their management. A rc.
cess was taken until Tonight and
committee, with John S. Cunningham,
of Person, as chairman, was appointed
II prepare and submit Il plan for thc
sale of leaf tobacco.
Al to-night's session it. was decided
that January LIST each tobacco growing
county elect five delegates to attend a
State Convention here January nth,
this convention 10 devise the plan to
raise prices. 1t was freely said that
organization alone was necessary. and
that IL desired, farmers could build
factories and manufacture tobacco. 1T
was set forth I'm the resolutions adopt
cd that the price OF leaf tobacco had
been so forced down by the trust as TO
bear no profit TO the growers. There
WAS some hint at n secret organi2a ton,
but this was ridiculed, and it was de-
ciarcd that the only way to fight the
American Tobacco Company was face
to face. 1t was further declared not 10
he the purpose TO array labor against
capital, hut rise as one man against
THAT company.
FAILED no SHOW UP.
Father Abbott failed to keep his
contract" with the state yesterday
tia. is To say, he did not help to trans
act tie business OF the Corporation
Commission. Chairman Mcneil and
Nj. Rogers, however. were present and
disposed OF Il number Of small cases,
mostly complaints of delays in moving
freight and petitions for better depot
accommodations. Father Abbott was
expected by the morning train asi 1t
va. the first meeting since he was la
len ou5 Or dry dock, but the spicll and
span new Office knew him not. Chair
man Mcneil was called away yestcr-
day afternoon by telegram announc-
ing the serious Illness OF his sister.
PERSONAL DIFFICUI7fff.
Collector Il. c. Duncan and ex-Con-
EHcssman Thomas Settle came TO blows
last evening in the lobby of the Var
bor0.
The two gentlemen were engaged in
conversation i'll the presence of Major
il. l.. Grant and Mr.. G.. T.. Flow. The
discussion was somewhat heated. Col
icctor Duncan was the aggrcssor, strik-
ms at Mr.. Settle. The latter pulled off
his coat and started after Mr. Dun
can. Both gentlemen were kept apart
by Major Grant and Mr.. Flow. No dam
age was done.
There were number of people in
the lobby who witnessed tho encoun-
Ter, but none of them wero able 10
state the cause of it.
FIRES AT FAYETTEVILLE
AZ noon yesterday fire destroyed II.
y. Rankin's planning and wood works,
leased by John Hickson & Co. The
large buildings. two and three stories,
together with q planer worth $1,000,
were consumed, as well as n large
amount of stock belonging to the les
secs. The property was partially in
sured. The drying house was saved.
This afternoon fire broke out under
the caves of the handsome residence of
Captain y. Il. Williams, in Gillespie
street, and ragged fiercely, attracting a
large crowd. The fire department did
splendid work and confined the fire to
the roof and upper story. The furniture
anu building were badly damaged by
fire and water. The loss is s6,0G0 with
partial insurance.
STATE BAPTIST CONVENTION.
The Baptist State Convention met
yesterday ct Ashevile. DR.. r. II. Marsh
was elected president and the conven-
ton then adjourned for further Young
Peoples Conference. The speeches
made to them by Dr. Hutham and DR..
Calvin S. Blackwell were eXceIient.
II was decided to organize aiEerma.
neht Young Peoples Convention. or
this j. w. Bailey, of Raleigh, editor of
the Baptist Recorder, was elected pres.
ident.
d.. r.. Y. Vann preached the regu
lar convention sermon last night. Prin-
cipa officers of the State Convention
are the same as those OF last year.
Many delegates arrived to-day.