The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-08
THE CIGAR LEAF MEN
ruCY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR
THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
PRESENT TARIFF SUITS THEM.
WANT NO RECIPROCITY WITH
CUBA OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

u.hev object to Manufacturers
handling Leaf Tobacco without
Paving Tax, and Want the Present
system Of Dock Weights Changed.
WEI Keep IA representative at
Washington to Look Out for Their
interests, and Propose to Get All
Leading Dealers Into the Associ-
alton.
New York. May THE third annual
convention of 4he National Cigar Leaf
afternoon. John R. Young of Philadelphia
nresided. The secretary, Walter G.. Will
son of Philadelphia, read the report of
the Committee on Resolutions. One res
olution presented declared that the asso,
citation was credibly informed that manu-.
facturers in various sections of the coun-
ty and notably in Cincinnati, were doing
leaf tobacco business without having
paid the special tax required of dealers
in leaf tobacco and that they avoided
this tax by taking refuge under the sec
ton of the law which permits manufac-
tuners to sell TO other manufacturers such
leaf tobacco as may be unsuitable for
their own use. The following resolution
was passed to meet this situation:
Resolved, That the National Cigar Leaf
Tobacco Association protests against the
continuance of this evil and the requests
the internal revenue authorities to inves-
tgate into the matter and to apply the
proper remedy, so that all manufacturers
of leaf tobacco and leaf tobacco dealers
shall be on an unprejudiced and equit-
able footing in regard to their obligations
TO the government"
They Object to Dock Weight"
The next resolution taken up dealt with
the method of calculating the weight of
imported tobacco in assessing the duties.
At present the dock weight" is taken,
and This is usually muon greater than
the weight taken after the tobacco has
been in the warehouse for some time.
There is some difference of opinion among
the members of the association
as to just what it would
be best to agitate for. but they
want some change made. One member
said yesterday that the English method
ought to be adopted whereby a sample is
taken DIT lIG 1OGh anu thoroughly urea
out by artificial means. From the weight
lost in this operation with the sample,
the net weight of the entire invoice is
calculated. A resolution was passed, re-
ferring the matter to the Legislative Com
mttee with instructions to work for
change in the administrative section of
the tariff law, so as to have the net
weight taken in assessing the duty if it
shall be deemed impracticable to secure
the repeal altogether of the requirement.
that the dock weight shall be taken.
Another resolution passed directs the
legislative committee to keep a represent
tatve as heretofore at Washington. Still
another resolution was passed, however,
directing that no effort be made at pres
ent TO secure the amendment of the to-
bacco schedule in the tariff except so as
TO secure a uniform rate as to leaf to-
bacco.
Want No Reciprocity With Cuba.
The real Importance of this last men
toned resolution does not appear, it is
said to the lay mind merely in its text.
1t does not contain the slightest refer
ence to Cuba and yet its real purpose it
was said to-day was to commit the as
ISOLATION to oppose any legislation look
ing towards reciprocity arrangements
with Cuba, by which Cuban tobacco
could come into the United States free
OF duty or with a lower rate. This was
not mentioned in the debate, which was
very brief. but members who were asked
about the matter admitted that the res
olution was inimical to reciprocity ar
Fragments which would cover tobacco
coming from Cuba or any other country"
as one member expressed it.
Another resolution passed requested the
Department of Agriculture to continue its
Investigations regarding the growing of
tobacco and to extend them to all states
Where ID is a product. Another expressed
desire for cooperation with the Cigar
manufacturers Association, in all matters
Of mutual concern.
They Want More Members.
still another provided for the appoint
meht of a special committee on member
snip with Instructions to use energetic ef-
forts to get all important dealers in he
country to join the association so that
me wants of the trade might be
agltated for with more assurance
Of success. A resolution was also
submitted providing that when
salesman leaves one employer who is
member of the association he should not
De employed by another so long as he
msnt be indebted to his previous em-
Poyer. This resolution was defeated by
large vote.
henry Meyer of Cincinnati, extended an