The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-06-29

assurance that the full intended acreage
is out.
*x*
The writer of this column called at
ten6ion few. weeks since to the evening
up process that was going on IN lnsur-
ance rates on tobacco, risks. 1t is now
more than probable that the tobacco
trade may look for a general increase IN
rates of insurance on their property, as
the question is being agitated simulta-
neously in all parts of the country, and
tits more than likely some concerted ac-
ton of the insurance companies on a
higher rate will come in a short time.
AS an indication of what the insurance
people think of the present rates and
what should be done, we reproduce an
article on the question taken from the
local organ of insurance, The Insurance
Field, which is as follows:
Whatever may be done about fire in
surance rates generally, it is conceded on
all sides that there should be a sharp in
crease on tobacco. The steps necessary
t. produce it have been taken by a few
companies that are refusing altogether
at current rates and by some that have
ordered lines cut in half. One company
that wrote $4,000 lines has reduced
this TO $4,000 and is doubtless looking
for reinsurance on the lower figure. The
experience on tobacco for the past year
has been disastrous, and there is an idea
that TRUST control has produced an in
cenaiary hazard that is responsible for
some of the fires This is particularly
noticeable at centers where trust man
,agament has closed up warehouses and
factories. The recent fire at Danville,
Va, was suggestive on this account 1t
lis understood that the Continental To
bacca Company alone has received over
$1,000, 600 on fire losses. Rates on tobac-
co risks have steadily been hammered
down until they are wholly unproduc-
tive. This is curious fact when the in
hepent hazard rs considered. Loose and
dry tobacco is quite as dangerous as cot
tam, and even when safely y:stored tobacco
is susceptible to heavy damage from
waSer and smoke in case of fire on the
premises. Our information from local
agents at tobacco centers Ssthat they ex-
pect 'and would approve an increase in
rate, though, 'of course, their Immediate
dependence upon owners spr0hibits them
fregn taking the steps necessary to Sc
cuEe the Advance. In tine large cities,
however, no such excuse can obtain. 1t
is recognized THAT the rates in Louis
ville-the largest market in the world
low W. r,r-t.~
tion s0f the rate on eOne warehouse, which
wase8n ia par with preferred dwellings
The basis rate lis entirely inadequate at
present and no underwater .@r local
agent 0f ,eXperieee will deny that there
should be no tobacco rate less than per
cent. The louisville board should take
steps TO set the pace for reformation on
the conditions involved. 1T is AN ex-
cepted city: 1T lis the GREATEST tobacco
center, and 1T is best to take time by the
forelock and save possible disaster.
Xxx
News esames from New York that the
strike that has been ON IN the larger aci-
gar factories for several weeks is about
over. Kerhs, Mertheim & Schiller have
reopened their two branch factories IN
this city, the one at Avenue A and T0th
street, the other at No. .267 Bowery. LIN
their main factory at Second avenue and
;5ath street the firm now has 200 people
actively at work, and it is expected that
the branch factories Will Eli up rapidly.
That the strike about to end, and to end
in victory for the manufacturers, lis the
opinion of the cigar box and cigar label
statesmen who regularly make the rounds
of the factories. This strike will go
down in history as remarkable for the
way ia which the manufacturers have
acted. don't admit that there has
been any agreement of any kind among
the manufacturers. | am aware, of
course, that this charge has been made,
but there is mighty little. if there is any
thing, to substantiate it. [ shouldn't
call it an agreement. | should describe
it as an apprehension on the part of
common to all of them,
that their interest was in danger. The
New York city cigar manufacturers can
not unionize their shops. That is the
demand of the unions, and to yield to it |
would mean ruin to the manufacturing
industry here. 1t was the sense of their |
common danger that has kept the manu- |
facturers together. and that will keep