The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-21
TAX PAID BY
THE FARMER
Everybody Admitted This
Before Committee.
THE FERTILIZER BILL
1t VIII Be FavorabIy Reported With
Minor Changes,
THE HEARING LAST NIGHT
Representatives of Manufacturing
Concerns Argued against the Ton-
mage Feature but Failed To
Make any ConYcfts-Mem-
hcrs Board of Agriculture
Spoke in support OF Act.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture
and Mining spent two hours last nisht
hearing the views of gentlemen for or
against the Fertilizer bill.
There were present Messrs. ST. Clair
chairman, . Cold. Luptcn. FairfaN
LcCato. Tate. james and steele.
The hearing took place in the Senate
chamber and there were present. be-
sides the committee and The gentlemen
who desired TO speak, many interested
spectators.
Senator Keezel announced his purpose
70 Offer several amendments TO The act
among them provisions requiring the
Commissioner Of Agriculture to give
bond in the sum cf 10000, and providing
that the inspectors Of fertilizers be sc-
lcc-cd from the several grand divisions
OF the state.
Mr. :. T. Morgan. president Of The Nr-
ginia- Carolina Chemical Company. was
the first speaker. lIe said the concern
he represented was as much interested
in the Agricultural Department as any
one in Virginia. II was willing TO con-
tribute its full share toward keeping up
the department. lie objected To the ton
mage tax because IL would have TO be
paid by the farmers, who use fertihzers.
and his company wanted TO keep prices
down as law as possible His main
objection was that the tag system would
tuse no end OF trouble and worry ana
an increased expense 90 the company
He said 1t had several times happened
that car loads Of fertilizers shipped 10
States south Of Virginia had been held
up because tags could not be secured.
and farmers failed To- get the guanos at
the time they were wanted. The system
caused 10 end OF annoyance, and the
Virginia Carolina Company preferred
to pay it's part Of the expenses OF keep
ing up the Agricultural Department
Without being subjected 10 this extra
work. which often operated 90 the dis
advantage of the farmer.
FARMER PAYS TAX.
Mr. Morgan explained that when the
tonnage tax is imposed II is included in
the cost Of the product. When brands
are taxed it was different for 10 was
impossible 10 apporton this expense
among the tons Of fertilizers held.
tax of fifteen cents ton was specific
and was charged mp 10 the cost Of man
ufacturing and delivering the product
Mr. Herbert Bryan. of Alexandria,
manufacturers lof fertilizers. endorsed
practically All that Mr.. Morgan had said
and entered his earnest protest against
followed by Mr. H. H. Johnson. president
Of the Richmond Guano Company, who
in opposing the bill said he had been re-
quosted TO do so by two Of the largest
farmers i'm Augusta county.
Mr.. :. y. Crenshaw of the Virginia
Carolina Chemical COMPANY made "A
forceful and business like talk against
the bill He spoke along the same lines
N L. ha
company was willing to pay any reason
able sum to keep up the Department Of
Agriculture. but il did object seriously
to the system requiring every bag Of
fertilizer to be bagged.
Messrs. Henry Kerns and Joseph T.
Duke. prominent truckers of Norfolk
county objected to the bill. They said
the farmers I'm their section were almost
opposed 10 il. Mr.. ikerns
Is probably the largest purchaser of fer
tilizers in Virginia. lie spends almost
$4,000 per year for guanos.
FOR THE MEASURE.
Mr.. ]. NJ Barker. of Henry county, one
of the most extensive farmers In that sec
tion. and a member Of tho State Board
Of Agriculture. spoke in favor of the bin.
He said the farmers in his section wanted
Il passed He lives near the North Car
olina lire and stated that the fertilizers
sell at the same price in tha, State as in
Virginia. although there is a tax Of 20
cents on the ton lie argued that Nir-
sina has been and is now paying a tax
to keep up the splendid Agricultural De
partments in States South of the Old
Dominion.
Mr. j. H. G. Beverley. of Essex, another
member Of the Board. spoke in favor OF
the measure and Commissioner koiner
told Of the need OF funds 10 make his
department effective
After a brief executive session. the com |
mitiee adjourned until this morning when |
the bill will be amended i'm some nartic- |
ulars. The committee will report IL faV- |
Drably by practically unanimous vote.