The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-02-14

a like showing, nor in quality approach
New England grown tobacco. Is it not
possible to draw conclusion from
these facts why Wisconsin tobacco is not
moving in larger quantities? May it not
be true that our growers are demanding
higher prices than their neighbors who
have better tobacco?
***
"It is my highest duty to see to 1t that
no domestic industry is injured" These
are assuring words uttered by President
Roosevelt regarding his position upon
the Cuban tariff question. 1t means
that the tobacco and sugar interests of
Cuba should not be given preference at
expense of the domestic producers of
these products. II congress will stand
by the very sensible utterance of the
president then the tobacco industry of
the country need have no fear of the re-
suit. We believe it has been made very
plain to the Ways and Means committee
having the tariff legislation in hand,
that reduction of the present duties on
tobacco is dangerous experiment at
this time. Even the best friends of Cuba
will have to admit that it is little
cheeky in the youngest member of the
family Of republics to ask US to knock
off the tariff on the tobacco she sends US,
either in whole or in part when she will
not allow a single pound of United
States tobacco to enter her own domain
at any duty whatever. She is narrow
minded enough to exclude all foreign to-
baccos, and now comes to the front with
special or no rates at all for her own
product.
Wisconsin tobacco men will be inter
ested in the action of FL S. Frye, presi-
dent of the New England Tobacco Grow
ers' association, who says it is a selfish
crowd; and he has resigned. He says
he does not think that fair play to Cuba
will seriously injure the tobacco inter
ests of New England. All that he pos
sesses is invested in tobacco culture, and
he will suffer as much as any one. He
is willing to take his chances. Even if
the consequences are more serious than
he anticipates, his sense of national duty
to Cuba and regard for national honor
would make him favor concessions to the |
suffering island. One objection to pro-
lection is that it appeals to the selfish |
ness Of men-hardening mems hearts |
even-especially when Gas now the sys-
tenn has largely done it's work of up |
building and it becomes necessary to ex-
empt some industries from government |
favor. The various industries and local |
tiles dread the experiment of standing on !
an unaided bottom.-Madison Journal.
The trouble that Mr.. Frye met with |
was that he did not represent the opin-
ion of the New England tobacco grow
ers, who took broader view of the sit |
uation than the president of their asso-
citation. He had always been an earnest |
advocate of New England tobacco grow
ing interests, but because that section
did not produce filler leaf, Mr.. FRYE
was willing that the other cigar leaf |
states, which did come in competition
with Cuban tobacco, should suffer. The
tobacco growers of New England at the
annual meeting took issue with him on
his point and decided to be represented
1t Washington by man who stood to
protect the industry of the whole country
and this led to his resignation. Mr..
Frye represented a wrapper growing
locality and his narrow method of rea-
3oning led him to advocate lower rate
on Cuban filters to help the sale of Con-
1ecticut wrappers, leaving the farmers
If Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and
Wisconsin, that produced more or less
iller tobacco, to look after their own in
erests. This kind of gospel his confrere
If New England would not subscribe to.
t was the industry at large and not the
ocality the broad minded farmers be-
ieved in protecting.
~
Mr.. f. A. Shredder deceased, and not
he United States Department of Agri-
culture, was the first to experiment with
rowing tobacco under shade. The idea
uggested itself to him from the fact
hat tobacco in Cuba grown under the
hade of tree was found finer in tex s
ure than that grown in the sun. Flor s
ia was the first state to try the expert !
1ent, and afterwards Connecticut took {