The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-01-31
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
THE TOBACCO MEN UNITE.
Wisconsin.

Three hundred tobacco dealers and
growers of the tobacco producing coun-
ties of Wisconsin convened in the assem-
bly, chamber at Madison Friday after
noon, put themselves on record as against
the raising of the tariff upon tobacco
from Cuba and formed the Tobacco
Growers and Dealers association of Wis
consin.
J. M. Estes of Stoughton was made
temporary chairman of the meeting and
afterwards president of the association.
E. M. Calkins acted as secretary. A res
olution was introduced and passed ask
ing congress to consider the demands of
Wisconsin farmers before legislating up
on the Cuban tariff question. The fol-
lowing resolution was telegraphed to
Washington and a copy forward
ed to each senator and representative IN
congress from Wisconsin and the chair
man of the Ways and Means committee
of the house of representatives.
A committee on resolutions, consisting
of F. w. Coon, P @. Wilder, K. n. Grun-
huvd, P N. johnson and 0. T. Swing,
was selected who reported the following
which the meeting unanimously adopted:
Whereas, A vigorous effort is being
made to secure from the congress of the
United States reduction of the tariff
duties on leaf tobacco and cigars i'm
ported from Cuba; and,
Whereas, Wisconsin tobacco growers
are producing annually about 100000
cases of leaf tobacco valued at 81 100000,
and manufacturing 15OOOO,OOO cigars,
and the proposed reduction of tariff du-
ties would seriously curtail and impair
these important industries, and,
Whereas, The present business condi-
tions are entirely satisfactory to all
branches Of the tobacco industry and
tariff agitation disturbes and unsettles
business relations; therefore, be it
Resolved By this mass convention of
tobacco growers, dealers and manufac-
turers assembled, that we most earnestly
protest against any reduction Of tariff
duties upon tobacco Or manufactured
cigars imorted from Cuba.
Resolved, That copy of these resolu-
tions be forwarded to each senator and
representative in congress from Wiscon-
sin and to the chairman of the Ways and
Means committee of the house Of rep
sresentativeS.
A resolution looking toward a perma-
nent organization of a state association
was introduced by Mr.. 2. G. Wilder and
adopted as follows:
In view of the large and increasing to-
bacco interests of the state of Wisconsin
and in view of the fact that no state as
sociation exists for the promotion of said
industry and for exchanging the views
between the growers, dealers and manu-
facturers of cigars in the state,
Resolved, That we, the growers and
dealers in tobacco and the manufacture
ers of cigars within the state of Wiscon-
sin do hereby organize a state associa-
tion of the growers, dealers and manu-
facturers of cigars within the state of
Wisconsin, the scope and purpose of
which shall be more fully and minutely
defined in the constitution and bylaws
hereafter adopted by the association.
The name of the association shall be
the Growers and Dealers association of
the state of Wisconsin. The object of
this association is to promote the tobac-
co interests of the state of Wisconsin
and to create better feeling and inspire
confidence between the growers and
dealers of tobacco and the manufacture
ers of cigars within the state and to CO.
operate with the growers and other deal
ers and manufacturers of other states
throughout the union.
The proposition to form a permanent
association was discussed by some of the
most prominent dealers and growers.
Assemblyman Roe of Stoughton, L. B.
Carle, A. L. Fisher, George Rumrill of
GAINESVILLE, r. W. Davis of Sun Prairie,
Frank Good of Blooming Grove. E. w.
Coon of Edgerton, editor of The Tobacco
and Messrs. Grundy of Rock
county, Subey of Utica, Hanson of
Burke, and Haugen of Rock.
After the formation of the association
had been perfected officers were elected.
They are President, j. M. Estes, Slough
ton: secretary, A. L. Fisher, GAINESVILLE:
treasurer, K. N. Grunhuvd, Plymouth.
President Estes was authorized to ap-
point vice e-president to represent every
tobacco producing county in the state
and two special committees were ap-
pointed, one to solicit members in the
the other to solicit member
the year. The membership fee was
placed at 81.
-
At hearing of the tobacco men be-
fore the Ways and Means committee of
congress last week this industry made
strong showing. So far as the argu-
ments have been made public, they are
not only strong, but seemingly unanswer-
able. Tobacco stands upon an entirely
different footing from sugar. Sugar |
planters in Cuba may not be too pros |
porous, but the prices the tobacco grow
ers there are getting for their product |
all along show that there is big money |
n the business. Our own manufactur- |
srs are also prosperous, and we want
hem to remain so. Any legislation that |
Affects the cigar manufacturers must |
also affect the tobacco raisers. On the |
contrary the representatives of the Gu
pans asking for reduction of duties did
lot make good case. 1t is hardly pos
'ible with the strong protests the do
nestle tobacco industry presents con-
,ress will have the courage to disturb
he present tariff relations. Simple sym
)athV for the unfortunate CI1hanS will