The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-01
First Business Session Held
in ChamberlIn.
ANNUAL ADDRESS MADE
Paper Read by T. M. Darlington. Pres
ident of the Association Was Both
interesting and Important.
Tug Trip Abandoned.


NEWPORT NEWS. VA. July Sl.-The
Tobacco Association of tho United States
held the first business session of Its third
annual convention to-day at the Cham
berlin Hotel, Old Point. President T. M.
Darlington delivered the annual address.
The tug trip this afternoon as guests OF
The Southern Railway was abandoned by
the tobacco men.
The address by Mr.. Darlington was an
Interesting and important one. 1t was IN
part as follows:
Like tho preceding year, we have had
changes OF considerable magnitude. In
fact, SO sudden In some instances that II
has been hard for even the versatile To-
bacco man to adjust himself to the
changed conditions, but trust that those
OF us who are not safely ensconsed IN
sure berths have become immunes from
the results of anything that can possibly
tako Mace in the tobacco world. Owing
to the fact that insurance laws only
govern certain territory, 1t has been I'M
possible for your committee to take Inc
matter up so as to reach the business -
oil our members. The committee IN Fich,
mond has had several conferences, ana
/
have succeeded In getting the matter OF
70 ties more directly under the supervision Oh
local agents, and think this Is the pest
means TO gain relief when rates are not
fair.
UNUSUAL WEIGHT.
The high character OF the members OF
the tobacco trade and their Wlllihshehs
TO comply with reasonable oe1nahus,
should 20 far towards giving them good
rating. In tho matter OF statistics your
president finds It impossible to get any
thing nearer correct figures than was es-
tjmated in last years report. except IN
the bright tobacco OF Virginia. North car
olina and South Carolina. which was IN
creased some seyenty-fiye million POUNDS.
This Increase was due to the phenomenal
weight of the leaf. weight so unusual
that II would not be a safe precedent 70
20 on. / beg to offer table whicn has
been prepared with the assistance OF the
secretary. Our general business is yearly
growing, and statistics show steady IN
crease in the output OF !nahuiactuleo ~
bacco Our manufacturers show an N
crease Of about hfty per cent. within
hfteen years, and this ratio OF Increase is
being sustained and while our production
has kept abreast with the consumption.
yet in the fact that the laborcr Is oel'ls
EDUCATED out OF the field OF a producer
into the realm Of a consumer, together
a,.th the high prices now ruling on all
farm products, lies the cure for any over
production, and while the future is not
as good as 1t might be in some branches
of our trade, yet the laws OF supply and
demand, with the fine business done by
all our factories. large and small. will
soon do away with these surplus stocks.
would call the members attentlo1 20
the opportunity that the Worlds Fair :'t
ST. Louis will offer for advertising their
business. With the assistance rendered
nv the different States and the govern
ulent 1t needs but a little trouble to
make a good exhibit a very little ex-
There will be presented to the cons!d ;
Grafton of this body the subject OF bet
ter system of parcel postages. which It
is learned is used In other countries to
much greater advantage than IN the
United States. BY this proposed change
the cost Of sending samples OF leaf and
manufactured tobacco will be greatly
cheapened. and much Is In measure
got out of the hands OF the express CONF
panies, which absolutely dictate rates OF
freight.
And now, in giving my Office back into
your hands, wish to thank yon all for
the honor OF twice electing me as presi-
dent Of this association, and assure You
that while life lasts Will always cherish
the memory and those two years III which
received SO much kindness and such
loyal support from men that II Is in
honor II. any one TO name as his friends,
Appended is the table given by the
President;
oot,