The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-02-09
COMBINE TO MAINTAIN PRICES.
This Is the Advice of President Adams of the Inter-
State Tobacco Growers Association.

State Tobacco growers ASSOCIATION.
Editors Progressive Farmer:
As requested, l will give some of my views of
the tobacco question for your special edition.
l. This is an age of combinations. Senator
Hanna states, in recent interview, that organ
lied labor and organized capital have brought
about the success of our manufacturing indus
tries at home and abroad Organized labor de-
mands and gets higher wages; organized manu-
facturcrs and railroad companies add the increase
in wages price of goods and freight rates.
Hence all branches of industry that organ
lied that they get increased pay do not feel the
effects of high prices
But what about the farmer, and especially the
tobacco grower! He has to pay the price named
by the organizations named and not being Or
ganized himself, has to receive for his products
the price named by others.
Human is just about the same, whether
represented in railroad companies, manufacturers
a combination of tobacco buyers as found in
the American Tobacco Company; and this human
nature prompts every one to sell where he can
get the most and buy where it Is cheapest 1t
seems to me 1T is a waste of wind and time to
denOunce these organizations that aSe living up
and growing fat on the farmer without making
a united effort to protect ourselves. 1hls pro-
lection is the object of the Tobacco Growers As
sociation of Virginia and North Carolina We
cOncede to every combination individual the
right to profit his product labor, and
cldllL the same rlSnl, DuI ILS claim must Dc
backed up by organization our part it will
do good.
All sensible men will endorse this idea, but
many will say can't do it. and others will ask
how it is to be done. 1t can be done just as other
industries have organized The Burley tobacco
growers have organized The wheat men of the
West have done so. The truckers of Virginia in
the agricultural line, and nearly every branch III
the manufacturing line. organized. We must
adopt the plan, viz, determine to stick to-
gether and pick our best men to represent in
selling make price for tobacco that gives a
profit, and hold if necessary until demand forces
the price to that point.
The American Tobacco Company, well all
others engaged in manufacturing tobacco, are de-
pendent on leaf tobacco to run their business.
The farmers hold and own the raw material. Man
ufacturers have not reduced the price of their
manufactured goods Notwithstanding there has
been a reduction of the tax. Why should they
reduce the price of leaf! There is no reason
based on fair business principles but combination
enables them to sell and buy at their price.
We conccde to them the right to name the price
what belongs to them, but not on what be-
longs to
This is the idea that every tobacco grower
ought to get fixed in his mind and then he will
be willing to make determined effort which will
put him on equal footing with other men. This
grand principle of justice IS taking hold of the
tobacco growers in many sections, evidenced
by the number of clubs that being organized.
/ would be glad to correspond with all interested
and as far as / can, attend county meetings in
both States to aid in organizing.
Truly, S. c. ADAMS,
President Interstate Association.
Red Oak, Va, Feb. 6, 1904.