The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-08-11
THE TRUST BLIGHT
THREATENS RUIN
Tobacco Trust is 6rasping the
Farmers Threats.
MUST UNITE AND FIGHT
Col. !. Bryan Grimes Points Out That the Way
to Safety Lies in Organization, Smaller
Acreage and Independent
Factories.

/ dropped in yesterday TO have a talk
with Col. J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary u
state, and the first president Of the TO-
bacco Growers Association. Col. Grimes
is a tobacco grower himself, and coace.n-
ed for all the tobacco growers who are
threatened with ruin BY the arbitrary re-
duction in the price by the Tobacco Trust.
Colonel Grimes, in reply to an inquiry,
said:
Reports from the various markets u
the State show that tobacco Is below tie
cost OF production. These prices Viii
prove ruinous to the farmer and s~pecuia-
tor. and blight the tobacco towns. THIS
was to be anticipated If an average crop
was raised in 1903 and we urged a reduc-
ton OF acreage.
The competition between the American
and Imperial Tobacco Companies last fall
caused tobacco to command good prices
and gave the farmers a highly prosperous
year and much encouragement.
The combination Of these concerns Qc
stroyed competition and towards the close
Of the season prices went down very lOW
causing loss and rum to the spectators
and independent buyers. Many of these
buyers still have tobacco on hand which,
IN the face of the low prices fixed by the
Trusts means bankruptcy to them and Will
free the Trusts from their competition III
the future.
From present indications, it seems tha5
the Trust viii more than recoup itself for
the good prices paid last fall and annihl-
late those who had the temerlty to aE
tagonize it. Is there any hope? think
so. The hope of the farmers and tobacco
men IN North Carolina is an immediate
organized fight for better prices. curtail-
ment Of acreage and the establishment Of
independent plants.
IF the tobacco towns, farmers indie
pendent manufacturers and people viii
make common cause against a common
enemy, there IS hope for Us. Small Gig
arctic, smoking and plug tobacco factor
les by cooperative capital should be built
in every tobacco town. 1t would not
take large capital to do this and the
antitrust sentiment in this State would
secure purchasers for the antitrust made
goods. This has been proven by the flat
tering success of the Wells-Whitehead
Company.
while tobacco is below the cost of pro
duction IS the time for the independent
concerns to buy their stock, and if bought
for less than it actually cost to raise il,
it certainly is safe investment and can be
manufactured profitable. Wherever small
factories are established they should watch
the market and lay IN their supply when
tn price Is low.
That the trusts are not all powerful,
if they are resisted is illustrated by the
failure of the Virginia Carolina Chemical
Company to control the cotton seed bus 81
ness, as small cooperative cotton seed oil
mills have been built and successfully
managed to take the place of those soll
out to the trust.
we Will make an effort to get a Est
of the independent factories and of the
names of the merchants associations OF
the various towns of the State, and see
If we can not secure cooperation, slim
ulate the output of these factories and
bring producer, merchant and consumer
nearer together. If this Is lone success
fully here it would be followed by the
other States of the Union and prove far
reaching in its success.
This is one of the immediate purposes
of the North Caroline Farmers Protective
Association. and of the runners Alliance.
The Secretary and Business agent Of
the Farmers Alliance, Mr.. T. b. Parker.
of Raleigh n. c., and the secretary OF
the Farmers Protective Association. Mr.
w. p. Bachelor, Of Raleigh, n. c., wich
to secure the addresses of all the indie
pendent tobacco factories IN North Car
olina. all the merchants associations ana
all other organizations who will enter into
this fight for better prices for tobacco.
What of the progress of the arme
Alliance and Farmers Protective Asso-
clatlon?' Colonel Grimes was asked.
He replied: The alliance is taking or
| nu- lifn ~ ,-I1 ~raG+ -, -. -
perience and viii avoid all political pit
falls. and is now grding itself for this
fight for the peoples rights with the same
determination that brought victory in
breaking the jute bagging trust. The
Farmers Protective Association has en-
countered some difficulties. but believe
within a year will become a vigorous ana
powerful organization.
The farmer has seemed unwilling 10
help himself. They seem to lack conf
dence IN each other and have been IN
Wiling to spend time or money for self
protection.
1T IS impossible for us to get accurate
statistics just now The farmers are in
the dark to a large extent, but it seems
that prices are lowered for no apparent
reason except the arbitrary will of the
trust and we propose to fight it. | think
the present prices Will force the farmers
IN desperation to combine for self preser~
Walton.
"A few public spirited men in North
Carolina by intelligent, persistent and de.
termlned effort can organize the farmers
and other interests that are being sufto-
Gated and destroyed by the trust and make
a successful fight for a right to a share of
the profits of their own productions. Are
we to continue to be submissive; continue
to take counsel of our fears and be IN
future an inert, imposed upon mass, o.
shall we try to help ourselves? We viii
make an effort to help ourselves