The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-19
MP, J. 3. RUICHIN6s' PLAN.
R8plains His Scheme Of Organizing to Meet
the Tobacco Trust Organization.

To the Editor: Having served the farm
ers of Virginia, North Carolina and South
Carolina for twenty years, l feel
that l can speak to them, and | want to
say right now that in my judgment any
organization sthat does not look to the
control of the raw material will be a
failure The farmers organization, the
banks, leaf deSers and warehousemen
can join together on a fair basis and con
troll the situation.
A schedule of prices can be arranged
simply as an advance to the farmer to
continue business until the crop is soli,
then each shares in the profits, according
to the tobacco and the grade he turns into
the organization. The indemnity, fund and
the crop can be put into the hands of the
leaf dealers and bankers, which would be
good collateral when put into keeping
condition. Tobacco has always borne this
process of handling and expense before it
gets to the manufacturer.
Instead of so many leaf factories stand
ing idle and their capital almost useless
in speculation, they could all be put to
work.
BY doing away with auction sales and
the manner of handling warehouse ex-
penses would be greatly lessened, and of
course, proportionate reduction to the
farmer, which would not entail any loss
to warehouses.
On the point of adjusting prices, to
make it clear, if man had a wrapper
crop and he turned in so many wrappers,
he would receive his proportionate- part
of the advance on those wrappers wien
Sold
Another delivering filters, cutters and
smokers would receive in like manner so
tthat all would be treated fair.
The committees would have a farmers
majority, so they would be under control
of their own brethren and men of their
selection.
Many of my tobacco brethren, both
farmers and dealers, advocate the boycott
system. / say it can not be carried out
and will ultimately entail bad results. What
could Virginia, North Carolina and South
Carolina do about boycottlng the Amerl-
can Tobacco Company, if they were to do
that in the three States.
How can three States accomplish any
thing in this direction against concern
which, according to high authority, Is
valued at $457 ,093, 400?
How can they hope to do anything with
concern that rides every sea, every
ocean and puts its goods into the mouth
of every nation en- earth Every tongue
that lisps calls for their goods.
The law does not challenge that right to
organize and exist. Then let the farmers
take the same course and form trust on
the same material, the shortest, most
practical and direct road to protection;
free from anything that could be cen
sured or frowned down on by the tobacco
world Every industry today is organized
and why not the farmer? 1t is his priv
ilege and no reasonable set OF men should
abject or censure men for looking out for
their interest.
Organization could control the acreage
in proportion to the demands OF trade
and farmer and manufacturer would
be in such close touch that they would
dwell together in peace and harmon5
both deriving benefits from organization
1 need not discuss the relative position;
of paralyzed farming industry to al