The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-15
CROP IS IS PER CENT THIS YEAR
The Farmers Hope For Good Prices Is in Intelligent
Organization, Says Col. James Bryan

ter, l will say that the price
of tobacco is considerably higher than it
has been for several years, but
is even now much lower, it is. claim
ed by reliable authorities, than it was
before competition was stifed by the
ries into a combination, which combina-
ton has for "a decade held prices down
to such low level as to leave little or no
margin of profit for the grower.
The present increase in price does not
argue prosperity to the tobacco farmer
as the tobacco crop especially in North
Carolina is poor, being 60 per cent. of
crop, and il is questionable if the higher
prices prevailing will compensate for the
shortage.
In certain favored localities in a very
limited area in Eastern North Carolina
an average crop has been grown and the
farmers have found it very lucrative.
There is much speculation as to the
cause of the present increase of leaf to-
bacco, and it is attributed to several
causes. The demand for tobacco is con-
tinually increasing and the markets ex-
panding and for the past two years there
has been less than three fourths of crop
grown, and the shortage in these success
sive years has of course caused very
diminished supply. Independent con-
Germs have recently been more active
notably the Universal Tobacco Company;
and then there has been extraordinary ac-
tivity among European manufacturers,
whose territory is being invaded by the
American Tobacco Company.
With the increased demand for tobacco
and higher prices for manufactured tobac-
co, and with a short supply, no combina-
ton, or combinations, can be sufficiently
strong to absolutely control prices.
There is a growing sentiment abainst
trusts and tendency to patronize indie
pendent goods, as has been handsomely
illustrated recently in the magnificent
support given by the public to Carolina
Brights," manufactured by Wells, White
head & Company. AS business PROPOSE
tion neither the trusts nor independent
concerns will pay any more for raw ma
terial than their needs force them to,
but there is sufficient competition to force
living prices for the weed if the farmers
will in a measure control the situation by
producing no more tobacco than there
is an urgent demand for. 1t is to be
hoped that the tobacco area will not be
increased next year as a very large crop
will almost certainly cause prices to
be again depressed to little above the
cost of production. With an average crop
grown in 1902 it is almost certain, under
any conditions likely to confront us, that
profitable prices will prevail. The area
planted this year, with an average yield,
would have given us lower prices than
we are now getting.
The farmer should be in a condition to
know the area, condition and yield of
the tobacco crop, and the probable de-
1nand for it he then can control it's move
ment and prevent fall rushes and gluts,
which give a mistaken idea as to guam
tity, and be guided in selling without
hazarding anything to chance before, 1T
passes entirely from his control.
BY being informed as to the true condi-
tions he can act intelligently and con-
troll acreage and production and, inciden-
tally, prices. This can be done only by or
ganization, to the need OF which our pco-
pie do not seem sufficiently alive. The
interests of growers, dealers, warehouse
men and manufacturers are interviewer
and interdependent, and we want the
earnest intelligent cooperation OF all
interested directly or indirectly in the
tobacco business, and necessity will, some
day, force them to combine, the sooner
the better for all concerned.
There should be an equity in the shar-
ing of profits. If we could prevent the
tobacco business from being monopolized
the active competition that would imme-
diately spring up would keep prices at
satisfactory SCALE The harmonious work
4~lo Tod A,fa
tually dependent would secure benef-
cent results to both producers and manu-
facturers, making certain increased le-
ultimate profits to the producer with no
diminution or profits to the manufactur-
err. That man is an enemy to the farmer
who attempts to unjustly array him
against corporate capital, and we would
not be put in position to be antagonistic
to any legitimate corporation, as that is
now the recognized mode of commercial
progression, and has added billions to
the industrial wealth of this country
where timid individual capital would
never have ventured. We want organized
capital to come into our territory and
assist in developing our latent resources
and manufacturing our raw material.
Give capital absolute protection, but let
it understand that it comes to foster,
not to destroy When a corporation be-
comes oppressive to the people, especial
1y the agricultural people, collectively,
are able to control and restrain it. Co
operation Of capital is a vital force
necessary in handling all great enterpris-
es. Cooperation of the agricultural in
terests are vitality necessary, and intelli-7
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