The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-15

are SO ample that we see no probability
al our being buyers on the British mar
kets.
Regarding all tobacco coming from
the Western States, we may take this
opportunity of stating that we shall be
prepared to buy as heretofore.
yours faithfully,
("The Imperial Tobacco Company Of
Great Britain and Ireland, Limited.)
(Signed) wv. H. GUM,
Secretary"
INDEPENDENT TRADE REMAINS
One source of consolation remains.
however. to the so-called middle men.
The Imperial hasn't absorbed all the
factories in England, and these indepen
dent fellows will still buy in the old way
The point turns upon how many OF them
there are. A gentleman well posted on
the situation declared yesterday after
noon that their number is very small
and that they represent but about one
tenth of the trade. If that be correct
the outlook is indeed gloomy. Others
however, are disposed to believe that
the Independent trade will be much
larger than is generally supposed, and
that it will in fact be sufficient to sup
port the greater number of the exports
and commission men. In either case, the
removal of the Imperial from the field is
a severe blow.
GREAT STIRRING UP.
While it comes hard to this particular
class of tobacconists, the presence of
the Imperial Tobacco Company in this
country viii reflect vast benefits to the
trade at large.
lhere Will be such another stirring up
in the tobacco trade this season as was
never seen before. The two great
trusts will meet on the same field with
the same purpose in view-purchasing
tobacco-and a clash is inevitable. Both
concerns declare merely that they are
going to buy tobacco and make no par
ticular reference to the rival on the
ground But the outcome of it all can
easily be seen. Prices will shoot up sky
high and American tobacco farmers will
reap rich harvest.
The Season has already opened in
South Carolina and the Imperial is there
on the field doing business. Every town,
every crossroad, where tobacco is sold
has its representatives and they are
there with blood in their eyes ready to
do or die. In North Carolina and in Vir-
ginia, also, the field is equally we'll COW
cred. The operations in Richmond will
be comparatively small, though the head
quarters of the concern are located here.
Richmond has declined as a market for
bright tobacco, and it is such that the
Imperial needs. Still an effort will be
made by local warehouses to stir up a
big bright trade here next season, and if
the attempt succeeds conditions may
change At the present time nothing
can be learned concerning the big re-
handling plant which will be erected here
by the Imperial, but it is practically
certain that it will be built, for lot of
tobacco will probably be shipped here,
though it cannot be bought on the local
market. There are such plants in other
cities and towns in all of the three
States and there will have to be one here.
The buyer of the Imperial on this mar
ket will be Mr.. Leslie Reed.
In England the Imperial is constantly
extending operations. A new firm, that
of Mardon, Son and Hall, limited, has
just been absorbed.
Messrs. Mcdonald and Reed, represen-
tatives of the Imperial here, are expect
ed to arrive in this country about August
1st.