The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-11-25
20 / Joyner in southern Tobacco Jourpoly


Viewing the present condition Of the
bright tobacco producer from the stand
point Of a warehouseman and tobacco
farmer as We'll | look upon the situation
probably differently from most OF the
growers. and worehousemen also.
1t seems. to begin with that the sma-
GRITTY Of the people are beginning 10 ac-
cept the tobacco industry OF the coun-
try as practically in the hands OF one
concern. in which l fully concur Tho
hand Writing is plain. But l DO not
like many Very well informed and usually
correct people, think that the principal
object in view in tho amalgamatlon Or
the American and English concerns Was
the reduction on the price of the uu-
manufactured article Iii fact on the
contrary | am sure in my opinion that
this feature OF the situation was not
considered at all except in 50 far as tins
one thing interfcrcd with their plans 10
absolutely and entirely control the in F
duStry. The main. underlying, all i'm
portant Object. therefore, in my mind.
was not the reduction OF the price OF
loose tobacco hut to SO fix their positions
with each other as to render themselves
absolutely masters OF the situation in
its detail and entirety. IN this | am
quite sure they have succeeded. The
question then for the tobacco growers 10
consider, if we acknowledge and accept
this view Of the situation is what can
we do to protect and advance our in
terest? To many men it may seem that
nothing can cffcctually be done
TO change or better conditions but
| | tell you a great deal can and viii be
| done, if begun in the proper manner and
l assert positively / do net believe ii
to be the purpose of the consolidated to-
hacco companies to materially lower the
/ price of tobacco as it comes from Tho
hands of the farmers because it is not TO
| their interest TO do it.
/ have not reached this conclusion from
/ mere hearSay or from a course of self
reasoning, in fact, l have been rather
! disposed to believe differently but sew
eral years of close observation, cX-
/ perience and personal contact forces me
to the beliel that the American Tobacco
Company prefers paying the farmer a
fair profit for his product, because it is
not the reduction of a few cents pound
on the farmers tobacco whence comes
the great profit OF this corporation, but
/ from the great volume of business they
do With the manufactured article That
the American Tobacco Company has for
i the past few years been in practical con
troll of prices no rcGonable thinking man
/ Will deny, and that they have governed
the price by supply and demand to
4 very great extent reference need only he
| made to the production of the crop and
the prices at which it has sold for the
past four years. -Four years ago tobacco
/ was probably lower than ever before in
it's history. ! only have access to the
figures showing the production in the
past, and they show that the crop four
years ago was about is 2-3 per cent.
| larger than the following year when
| prices Immediately moved up in about
the same proportion. The crop of 1900
was much smaller than the 80 crop and
prices moved UP little over the prev
ious year. The 1901 crop was some
| larger but in the meantime the demand
began to increase in foreign countries,
and the price Of tobacco lasC Year won't
far ahead Of any recent former years IN
1902 the farmers had again gone Wild
over the increased prices, the consump
ton had largely increased. and, 5co,
there began to be talk Of the Imperial
Company-which also stimulated ;hc
farmers to plant big crop. in the face
OF the certain knowledge Of tho scarcity
Of good labor and but for bad seasons
and sorry plants most tremendous crop
would have been made
So far this season prices have been all
the farmers expected and they have been
tco free TO express their general sat6fac-
ton, thus creating the impT.s ion that
they were getting 9 large profit, when
in fact in many instances they were oily
moderately paid for their labor. Two
causes have OF course contributed % .IiS
seasons good prices: First, stronger
competition and increased demand fer
the manufactured tobacco in this and for
eign countries, Under present conditions.
however, the farmer can only look TO
but one Of these causes for good prices
in -he future, and that one is tho old
| Law Of supply and demand. upon which
we have for the most part depended oteI
since the formation Of the American
Tobacco Company Now in tho face Of
past experience what can ~ expected Of
next years crop # farmers throw reason
to the winds and plant oven as much
as it Was their purpose to plant this
= year? They arc already beginning to get
little foretasta Of Wnat they mag ok
pect if another large crop is made, aDi
now is the most opportune time / Lave
ever seen to appeal t. their reason I'D
set them to thinking seriously about
their own condition The first thing III
my opinion that shonlc be, done is 10 at
! once thoroughly and Systematically or
canize all the farmers OF the principal
l bright tobacco producing States. EEery
township precinct should organize and
meet at least once month. the county
: | organization once a quarter. and the
State association once year, and oftcner
if necessary. Let there be live. active.
energetic committees appointed from