New-York tribune., 1904-09-25
TOBACCO MEN HEARD.
STAMP CONTROVERSY.
assistant Secretary Taylor to Render
Decision Soon.

OF the Treasury said he t.oped render decision
in the controversy without delay. The question OF
reducing the size Of the stamp and making it less
conspicuous in design has been agitsted in and out
OF Congress for number OF years the so-called
independent tobacco interests combining for the re-
moysl Of the stamp altogether or the placing or a
smaller and less conspicuous stamp on the bottom
OF the box. This position is opposed by the Amer
ican Tobacco Comany. which is the largest manu-
facturer and importer Of Havana cigars IN the
country. and other manufacturers.
Morris S. Wise Of New-York. representing the
Havana Cigar Manufacturers Association of the
United States opened the hearing, and said. in an
swer Mr. Taylor's inquiry. that the so-called
independent cigar manufacturers were satisfied
with the design and general character OF the stamp
proposed by Assistant Secretary Armstrong. That
IS. they be materially reduced in size. TO
be printed blue paper OF the same tint as the
internal revenue stamp in and placed on
the bottom of the box. Mr.. Wise protested against
being asked 10 open the case. the order for the
change had already been issued by Assistant Secre-
taTy Armstrong. and he thought II was the duty
OF those who opposed the change TO open the argu-
ment Assistant Secretary Taylor said he had sus-
pended the order issued by Mr.. Armstrong and the
case would be heard If no change had been or
dered. After half hours discussion of the aues-
ton Of which side should open the argument
Junius Parker. counsel for the American Tobacco
Company. of New-York was asked TO make the
argument for the protestants against any change
in the stamp.
FAVOR THE PRESENT STAMP.
Mr. Parker said in substance that in 1856 Congress
provided for customs stamp TO be affiNed TO I'M
ported cigars. The Treasury Department selected
q stamp oc almost the identical size and dimensions
Of the internal revenue stamp, and like that stamp
fl had be before the box was opened, and was
difficult 10 remove by steaming or other such
That stamp has been IN use ever since
that time, ami with practically objection to its
form or appearance In 1902 the Havana Tobacco
Company was organized and began marketing its
products r the United States 1t found situation
deplorab,s the point OF view OF the manufact-
urer the consumer the honest retailer and the gov
eminent Many well known brands were being imi-
tated so generally that The trademarks had come to
be almos: meaningless and valueless The manu-
facturers OF well known domestic brands were
here, and able 10 protect themselves. but the Ha-
vana manufacturers were not here. and dozens of
Pennsylvania manufacturers putting out
cigars hearing the names those manufact-
ured in Havana. The only protection the maker
and consumer had the conspicuous customs
stamp. But there another trouble, and that
was the rehlling of imported boxes bearing the
customs stamp with inferior cigars. Empty boxes
bearing the customs stamp a staple article OF
commerce in New-yorlk and other large cities. and
the only use for them was to refill them with do
mestfo cigars. Those able TO judge have said that
25.coaoO domestic cigars. believed by the consumers
TO be Of Cuban manufacture, were smoked in the
United States It is the policy OF this government,
Mr. Parker said, 10 encourage American manufact-
arerss is shown by the that under the pres
snt laws there is a difference favor Of domestic
cigars made OF Cuban tobacco Of about $40 a thou
sand against cigars OF Cuban make. It is a new
doctrine however he said that it is the policy OF
this government TO encourage fraud by the subst-
tuition OF domestic for imported cigars. To reduce
the size Of the stamp and place IT the bottom Of
the box, and further. to print II blue paper OF
the same shade the revenue stamp. would be a
serious wrong to the reputable manufacturer and
dealer the consumer and the government II
would also be clear violation Of the spirit Of the
law and an actual and strong encouragement TO
fraud and deception.
J. B. Cobb. v,ce-president Of the Havana Tobacco
Company. also discussed the question along the
same lines. He no reason for the change ex-
cept TO give unscrupulous dealers an unfair ad-
vantage over ignorant careless retail purchas-
Assistant Secretary Armstrong said he vouId
like 10 give the REASONS why he had ordered the
change in the stamp. ,5e explained that the rea-
sons for the original adoption OF the present stamp
no longer existed. The government he ssid had
distinctly recognized in recent legislation the TO-
bacco interests Of The United States and the
stamp IN present in effect a discrlmina-
lie also spoke Of the sale in NeWYor Of iaTge
nqmber OF empty boxes bearing the import stamp
the proposed change.
WHY A CHANGE is WANTED
Mr. Wise. on resuming his statement. said that
the present conspicuous stamp was an implied
certificate Of superior quality Of the cigars on
which II was placed and gross discrimination
against American manufacturers and wage earn
ers. and was not in any serse desirable or neces-
ssTy.
Simon Bait, president OF the Havana Cigar Man
ufacturers' Association. contended that the Ameri
can manufacturers had waged a warfare agains:
substitution vigorously had the importers
Rnd In some cases the American cigar rnanufact-
uTers have suffered a loss OF reputation bv the
substitution OF their ciglrs for imported ones
samuel Gompefs 2resi9ent OF The American
CigsrmakeTs' Interna tioral Union of America said
that the ciEa rmaEeTS Of the United
enuLeo 10 fair deal and ne did not think that II
the American workman made as good a cigar as
should be discrmina ted against BY the use of the
present import stamp. The United States no said
Goes not place ITS stamp cloth imported from
Europe OF on other classes of imported goods and
he did not think II fair 10 compel the American
workman not only 20 the imported cigars on
the question Of real merit but also TO compel him
actual or fancied excellence. II Mr. Arnstrons's
oToer is permitted permitted to go & inio effect Mr. GomPers
its merits, as the American-made cigar was com
Mr.. Pandas representing the Cigar Manufaet-
urers Association, Of Tampa, also protested against
order
Daniel Harris chairman of the advisory board Of
ontinTs to ravv ~ ffis % ;,s, s1Ihs ano %ouIa
removed. and that IL this stamp should be discon-
rnued or made more inconspicuous ten thousand
more cigarmalkers would be employed in New-York
than find work there now The present stamp he
said. IN direct conflict with the American doc
trine OF protection TO wOrkingmen.
W. !. crourse. represe ting the National cigar
Lear Assoeiauon. quoted figures which he said
showed an increase in the quantity and a de-
crease in the quality CT the cigars imported
a. bner preslaeRt ot the National Cigar Leaf
Cigar Dealers, maintained that the cigars manu-
spects equal 10 the Havana made cigsr "a s1d a. ne
the present stamp certified to a quality they fre
John Lanstreet of Richmond. president OF the
Independent Manufacturers Association, said that
the members OF his association. without execution
were IN fRyor az the proposed change.
Of FEf rook Z r-aff