The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-01-24
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edserton, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.

The Ways and Means committee OF
congress have commenced to listen to
of those demanding reduc
tion of tariff duties upon sugar and to-
bacco imported from Cuba. A very rig
orous campaign has been mapped out
and a tremendous pressure will be ex,
erted by these interests. In the hearing
of the Cuban commissioners held on the
18th it was brought out in frank con-
fession that the tobacco industry of that
island was in a more favorable condition
than the sugar growers. Mr.. Place, who
represented the commissioners, upon
direct question of Mr.. Payne, said;
'sThere is no distress in the tobacco bus
mess in Cuba. The tobacco interest
would like to have a concession, and it
would be for the advantage of the Amer
lean consumer" Just what advantage
he proposed to offer the American con-
sumer is not stated, so it has developed
early that the Cuban tobacco growers
have not very strong case to present.
An important hearing was held Tues
day when the tobacco interests of the
United States we're largely represented,
the officers of the leaf manufacturers
and growers associations being present.
John r. Young, president of the Nation
al Leaf Tobacco association, made an
earnest plea against any tobacco conces-
sions to Cuba. He said there undoubt-
edly was public sentiment in favor of
granting relief to Cuba, but he contend
ed that we should be as just to the peo-
pie of our own country as to the people
Of foreign countries. The purpose of the
movement for reciprocity he said, was
to have the whole expense Of Cubas re-
lief fall on two American industries
tobacco and sugar. There was now a
tobacco acreage in Ohio of $4,000 acres
Wisconsin $4,000, Pennsylvania $4,000
New York $4,000, Connecticut 10000 and
Several Thousand acres in other states
all ofwhich production would be crippled
If the domestic tobacco industry comes
up before the committee with united
front and opposes any change in the
present tariff, we are inclined to believe
that congress will listen to their appeals
The growers of the cigar leaf producing
states are now pretty we'll alive to the
situation and will soon be able to make
demonstration that cannot help but be
effective.
***
1t is evident that the tobacco growers
of New England do not share the opin-
ion of President Frye of that association.
expressed at Washington.
On Tuesday, the New England .Tobac-
co Growers Association held meeting
Plans were carefully laid to have the or
ganization endorse resolutions favoring
tariff concessions to Cuba, but the to-
bacco growers took matters into their
own hands and passed strong resolu-
tions, urging the New England congress
men to oppose any reduction in the du-
ties now levied on Cuban tobacco, Oh
that from any other country. A com
mittee was named to go to Washington
and present the case to the Ways and
Means committee. The growers express
their desires as follows:
Whereas, the absorption of distant is
lands known as the Philippines, as Uuit-
ed States territory, present heretofore
unexpected danger to the leaf and cigar
interests of this country, because of their
WOll-huOWD DOWGI VI WILL
the said leaf and cigar interests, there
fore. resolved, that this association heart
lily indorses and approves of the measure
proposed in congress to reimpose the
Dingley tariff rates heretofore existing
on Philippine tobacco products imported
into the United States, and are opposed
to changes in the tobacco schedule OF
the said Dingley bill as applied to both
the Philippine islands and Cuba.
Also resolved, that the convention ex
tend it's hearty thanks to the honorable
secretary of agriculture, James Wilson
also to senators and representatives in
congress, to Prof Milton Whitney and to
Pres. Jenkins FOR their active interest ir
demonstrating the possibility of repro
ducing leaf in New England that may
become successful competitor to Su
matra wrapper and thus make this coun
try independent of the same.
Resolved, that this association utterly
oppose a reduction of any duty on to-
bacco.
The above resolutions were adopted
loudly and unanimously.
~
The argument which the Cubans ano
their friends in this country are advanc
ing, says the New Era, is that having de-
prived Cuba Of her former markets, we
are in duty bound to supply her with
new ones, is perhaps the most diaphanous
ever sent forth by men who lay claim tc
ordinary sense. If Spain was such q
good market for her why in the world
did they waste their lives and money tc
cut loose from her? If Spain was SC
good to them they should have stuck tc
her They talk as if their European
market for sugar-her principal crop
was destroyed by us. Nonsense. She
has sold no sugar there for many years
Europe has all the sugar she needs, and
buys none from Cuba. How much did
Spain buy from Cuba during the period
between 1898 and 1897, both years inclu-
sive? Why, beggarly 102,508 tons
How much did the United States take
from her during the same period? Why
1854, ,486 tons nearly three hundred
times as much. In fact, out of the 3.311,-
GA tons of sugar Cuba grew during the
five years mentioned above we took