The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-11-01
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.


tobacco dealers of the state at Janesville
on Thursday last, with its good fellow
ship and practical unanimity of opinion
in the discussions that prevailed ought
to mark the beginning of more frequent
meetings of this kind. The social feat
ures of gatherings like this deserve to
be cultivated. A discussion of questions
in which all are alike interested brings
about better understanding and can
not but rebound to the permanent bene-
fit of the tobacco industry of the state.
The amenities of the occasion help to
eradicate much of the friction in the
business that sometimes does occur
among strangers, which acquaintance
and explanations might soften or dispel.
The tobacco trade of Wisconsin has al
ready reached magnitude where from
four to five millions of dollars are dis
bursed each year, a sum that demands
that the best business methods prevail.
The men engaged in investing this
money are as much interested in the flu
ture reputation of our tobacco crop as
the growers who produce the crops. If
they are able to offer suggestions or in
structions in the methods of growing or
handling the product that leads toward
the result, it can hardly be claimed that
it is an assumption of perogative when
their interests are so nearly identical.
***
1t will be observed from the proceed
ings of the tobacco dealers meeting, pub
lished in another column, that through
resolution unanimously adopted the
dealers pledged themselves to use their
best endeavor to induce the growers to
hereafter separate their filler grades and
tie them in hands when their crops are
being stripped. This action they lay
down as a policy to be pursued, and in
support of it arguments are brought out
in the proceedings which we commend
the growers to carefully consider. Up to
a few years ago it had generally been
customary practice to take the filters out
of the crop when stripped. But through
a lax method OF buying the late year
contracts were made to include the to-
bacgo delivered in single grade. So
what they complain es ncw is really q
condition which the buyers themselves
are responsible for. This fact was
brought out plainly in the discussion
that followed the resolution in confess
sion of several dealers that they were to
blame for the change in the practice of
other years. Now, however, they have
taken a stand in favor of returning to
the old time method of keeping the fill
er grades separate, and united action
on the part of the dealers of the state
will bring about this result.
*x*
It would probably be to the advantage
of both the grower and dealer in tobacco
to have defined more definitely what
damaged tobacco. The ex-
perience of the last delivery season when
so much trouble and litigation developed
is sufficient reason for this action. 1t is
safe to say that no rules laid down by
united action of the dealers can deprive
any one of his rights which court of !
law will protect, but at the same time if |
it can be mutually agreed what shall
constitute damaged tobacco there would |
be less trouble and litigation in the fu-
ture. When this understanding is ac-
then uniform contract for |
all dealers to use would simplify matters |
greatly. With this end in view the |
meeting endorsed the employment of a |
uniform contract in buying hereafter. |
1t should be insisted, however, that this
contract be as free from verbage as pos
sible, SO plain that all can understand, |
and fair in its provisions to all parties. |
After the growers had become acquaint-
ed with what they are expected to sign |
there would be less difficulty in securing
their signatures to the contract than is
now experienced. if all buyers used the
same form of instrument.
~
The writer of this column is decidedly
n favor of the effort to form state to-
oacco dealers association, set on foot by
,he GAINESVILLE meeting. There are many
questions likely to come up concerning
;arif changes with the new insular pos
sessions and Cuba which might mater
ally affect the tobacco interest of this
great growing state. With an organiza-
ion effected an expression Of opinion
Gould be easily obtained and an inhu-
,nce brought to bear upon our repre-
entatives in congress without delay.
Then the social feature is another reason
Why such an organization ought to have
permanent existence. The movement
hould meet with the endorsement and
support of every one connected with the
rade.