The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-25
new FACTOR
IN TOBACCO
Bic Company Has Been or
ganized in Australia.
A RICHMOND MAN is IN 1T
Mr.. Alexander Cameron Makes Com
bination With British Capitalist.
Fight British-Ameri-
can.
A RICHMOND MAN is IN 1T

Information Just received here by par
Ties interested announces the appear
ance In the tobacco world Of new rae
tor In the shape of strong combination
Of independent factories, formed Tor the
ultimate purpose OF contesung the SUI
premacy of the trade In Australia, one
Of the most Important of the outlets
for Virginia and other American TOBACCO
While 1t presents no such array Oh
wealth as that possessed by the power
full British and American interests Win
which 1t will compete. the new complha-
ton. in view of it's established position
in the territory it seeks to cover, enjoys
an undoubted advantage, which VIII re-
ouire that 1t be taken into considerations
Moreover, it's financial basis is no mean
one, the capital stock OF the concern
being over seven million dollars. Inc
vice president OF tho organization and
one Of its chief stockholders Is Mr.. Alex
ander Cameron. of Richmond.
HOW IT CAME ABOUT.
The new concern appears under the
name of the British-American Tobacco
Company. It's advent in the tobacco
world was forced by recent evoutions
in the trade.
When the Imperial Tobacco Company
Of Great Britain and the American 10
bacco Company laid down arms and
agreed to keep out OF the territory or
each other. they Joined hands to go forth
and capture the trade Of the rest of the
world. The British-American Tobacco
Company, with Mr.. j. 3. Duke. president
of the American Tobacco Company. at
its head, was the child Of the union. and
this British-American Company Is now
organizing for work.
One OF the first points upon which 1t
will move is Australia which, nearly as
constantly adding to It's immigrant pop
uation, is one of the great and growing
fields for the export of American tobacco.
MANY independent factories Of Richmond
already do a great business there par
tucu!arly Cameron and Cameron and the
T. c.. Williams Company. The Austria
Ian government. with view to building
upon an Industrial system OF Its own, has
placed heavy tax upon tobacco manu-
featured outside, but gives special privi-
eges to tobacco manufactured at home.
Hence 1t Is to the advantage of Ameri-
can manufacturers to have branch
houses In Australia instead of shipping
the manufactured product from this
point Cameron and Cameron have
such branches; the T. c. Williams Com
pany has not. and hence has been at
more or less of a disadvantage sHa7 q
THE NEW COMBINATION.
Recently the T. c. Williams Company
has passed into the hands of the British
American, largely, 1t Is said. because 1t
Is at this disadvantage. But with this
tacit announcement by the British-Amer-
lean that It intends to invade the Aus
tralian field comes, as result of 1t, the
new combination. Cameron and Came
ron, with It's factories In Australia, have
joined hands with other independent fac
tories to protect themselves and to block
the passage Of the Brltish-American.
Mr.. Alexander Cameron, head of the
Richmond concern, went to Australia,
and Is either now there or Just on his
way back. The news of the result of his
trip has just been received here, and
It Is OF no little interest.
At the factory Of Mr.. Cameron yes
terday 1t was stated that there has been
formed the British-Australian Tobacco
Company. 1t Is made up Of independent
factories In Australia. It's president Is
Mr.. U. Dixson, possibly the largest
manufacturer there. and Its vice-presi-
dent Is Mr., Cameron. possibly the next
largest Mr.. Dixson is an Englishman.
The capital stock of the company Is
sl,56oooo sterling. or S7,250,OOO in Amer
lean money The combination Is strong
and capable of effective action.
GREAT INTEREST HERE.
The news was received here with the
greatest interest. OF course. the to-
bacco which Australia uses comes from
this section. and anything that bears
upon the situation In SO vast a field as
Australia is of vital interest and impor-
tancp to them. It is generally felt here
that. owing to it's established position
in Australia, the new combination is
at least able to take care Of itself.