The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-12-27
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.


The u. S. Tob. Leaf Association has
undertaken to gain an expression OF the
trade regarding what action is desired
of congress on tariff legislation. So far
as obtained there is unanimity of opin-
ion among the dealers in leaf tobacco
that it is best not to tamper with the
tariff at all, and quite general express
sion of an opposition to the reduction OF
duties on Cuban tobacco even. The
feeling is general to let we'll enough alone
and even though a strong effort will
doubtless be made by the Cuban tobac-
co interests to obtain a reduction OF
duties, it is not likely to gain the consent
Of either the leaf dealers or the growers
of tobacco. The free entry of Havana
tobacco into this country can only come
through annexation, and that is little
discussed at present. Tariff agitation
disturbs trade, and as the tobacco trade
is in healthy condition nothing can be
gained in forcing the issue at this con-
gress.
A correspondent writing from New
York says: Not since the announcement
of j. b. Dukes operations in Europe
has there been so much interest in the
tobacco trade as was excited by the con-
solidation of the Kerbs, Wertheim &
Schiller and the Hirschhorn, Mack, &
Co.'S business. at consolidates eleven
factories and combines an output of
cigars aggregating 225,000,000. 1t is not
so much combination as tkn possibil-
tiles which attract attention. 1t is one
thing to combine, but it is quite another
If back of that combination is possibil-
ity of still further combination. There
are those who think this is a shrewd
move on the part of the trust and that
sooner or later the eleven factories will
become part of that great aggregation of
enterprise. And this view is strengthen
ed somewhat by the statement which
came out some months ago that the ex-
perts were then examining the books of
Kerbs, Wertheim & Schiller for the pur-
pose of preparing for consolidation with
the trust. This was vigorously denied,
but some of the wise ones see a sembl-
ance of such an outcome even in this
move. Consultations will have the
effect of driving iobbers into manufac-
most prominent jobbers in the city were
s4ocled by the deal. 1t isn't possible to
I f s, i..,tsthew will all do, one at least
says that he is going to begin the manu-
facture of his own brands at once. He
+<> I0 10f& &c,
brands again. While it may not be ex-
actly true to say that all jobbers will do
that, it is generally safe to assume that
what one man will do under certain con-
ditions others will do if the same cir
cumstances are influential. A good many
think, therefore, that the outcome of so
much consolidation will be entirely diff
ferent from what has usually been ex-
pected.
Xxx
The consumption of little cigars is in
creasing by leaps and bounds and [
wouldn't be surprised to see the output
reach thousand million within the next
year and half. Manufacturers tell me
they are the easiest sold of anything
made in the factory. The little smoker,
as we'll as the package containing it,
must please the eye; but so far as the
tobacco used is concerned, [ imagine
that anything that burns will answer all
equirements.-N.Y Y. Leaf.
Much of the condition above alluded
to is the result of the sentiment against
the use of cigarettes which seems to be
growing. AS the manufacture of cigar
cites declines it is but natural that a
cheap smoke in other lines should gain
in popularity, and thus it is that the
little cigars above spoken of are fast
coming to the front.
*x*
A collector presented the question
whether creditor of tobacco grower
may, after the crop is gathered, accept
leaf tobacco in discharge of debt, and
afterwards sell this tobacco without in
curing liability to tax thereon, or to
special tax as dealer in leaf tobacco or
as manufacturer. 1t was advised by
the revenue department that there is no
statute preventing a creditor from &C
cepting leaf tobacco from farmer in
discharge of a debt, but that the privi-
lege that the farmer has of selling his
tobacco in it's natural condition without
restriction is personal privilege that
does not pass to creditor or to any
other person purchasing or receiving the
tobacco; further, that person receiv-
ing leaf tobacco in discharge of 2 debt !
could sell such tobacco at one sale to a
qualified leaf dealer or to manufactur- |
or of tobacco or cigars without paying |
special tax as dealer engaged in the |
business of buying or selling leaf tobac-
co, but that such creditor would not be |
privileged to sell such leaf tobacco to
any other person for his own use or for
resale to consumers. The law provides
that person who sells raw tobacco or leaf |
tobacco not of his own raising to any |
person other than qualified dealer in
leaf tobacco or to qualified manufac-
turer of tobacco or cigars will be re-
garded as a manufacturer of tobacco,
and that all such leaf tobacco so sold by |