The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-02-27

his stock in cash, and both will share
exactly alike in the profits, whether they
arise from the sale or from the manu-
facture of the tobacco
his Is my plan, given as simply as
possible, aud of course subject TO change
by the big board referred to in the out
t. N1eose duty il will be to mutually
agree i:lson and fix al details.
In view Of the fact that Virginia and
North Carolina bright tobacco is chewet
and smoked the world over and there
an be no substitute for it, coupled with
the further fact that this tobacco can
oly be grown in Virginia, North and
Seuh Carolina and little in Eastern
Tennessee, | respectfully submit that the
plan as outlined above is feasible, prac-
teal and easy Of execution if the farm
ers will only speedily and effectively or
gaillZe and stand together to man in
the interest of the organization. In my
humble Judgment living prices VII never
be restored on leaf tobacco. nor the fight
Won against the trust save and except
through the absolute control of the raw
material. The boycott cannot be made
effective for the simple reason that the
consumer does not care who manufac-
lures the plug or the smoking. All he
wants Is the largest plug and the heavi-
est bag OF smoking tobacco that he can
get fer ten ceEts. Unfortunately, at this
period the American Tobacco Company.
owning almost all the large plants in the
country, is in a position, so to speak.
to cut furnish the independent factories
in this respect.
Arguing from the point Of the greatest
good TO the greatest number, if the
American Tobacco Company would re-
duce the price to the consumer in pro
portion TO the reduced price it>pays the
farmer for the leaf, it might be said that
the company was a henefactor. But
such is not the case Statistics show
that manufact ,lred tobacco is 10 per cent
higher now than it was ten years age
When the trust was formed, and yet tht
fa -mer gets only one third as much fol
7i,t leaf as he got ten years ago. This
5lltSws that both the producer and thu
consumer are suffering while the trus
is getting richer at both ends Of the line
Aoian, the trust owning almost all tht
lig plants in the country. has gotten So
far ahead Of the game that it Is i1npOS
sibIe to fight it successfully with indie
pendent factories Just as soon as an in
dependent factory gets q brand of tObac
co well established IN any section. The
trust will invade that territory with /;
brand just as good which It Will give
away if necessary until the Independent
! brand is citller run out or forced to sci
its plant to its master.
! Certainly the farmers cannot MAKE
their condition worse by going into III,
company. The present condition is ba(
enough but the trust having recently
added TO its already gigantic power
through the purchase Of the Light 4
Meyers plant at st. LOUIS. Blackwel's
Durham Tobacco Go. and Muri Brothers
OF J~pan, God alone knows what is ye'
to be unless a halt is called.
II is IN the power OF the farmers K
organize and protect themselves. The,
can, if they will. have q voice III fixing
the prices of their products. ana compel !
returns Of prosperity ny themselves con
trolling the raw material. The oppor
tunity is at hand will they accept it:
]. +. JORDAN.