The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-02-09
ORGANIZATION OF TOBACCO GROWERS.
Views of President John Graham, of the North Caro-
lima Farmers State Alliance.

lima Farmers State Alliance.
Editors Progressive Farmer:
Nearly all classes of men have organized for
the protection of their special interests except
the farmer. Many of these organizations make
the bulk of their profits out of the producing
classes. They entitled to a fair profit; but
it is characteristic of human greed to disregard
right and justice, hence the necessity on the part
of farmers to organize for their protec
ton.
The farmers were united for short time
til politicians divided them and what the
beneficial results? The establishment of the
Railroad Commissions; the reduction of the rate
of interest from eight to six per cent; the found
ing of the Agricultural and Mechanical College
and of the State Normal and Industrial College
for Women larger appropriations for public
schools and public institutions. Can any
truthfully deny that these benefits to the State
in great degree due to the Farmers ALI
ance!
Have we nothing to fear from Mas
tcrs Of Transportation! Has not the great Sea-
board System of railroads been swallowed by the
syndicate that owns the Southern and dOmi-
mates the Coast Line? Have not our railways,
built in great part by the State and its citizens,
passed into the hands of aliens, who operate them
for the through traffic regardless of the interests
and convenience of he people who built them!
Must we tamely submit to the oppression of the
American Tobacco Company? Twenty years ago
forty more independent factories bid against
each other for leaf tobacco the markets of
North Carolina and Virginia. To-day giant
monopoly, with one buyer a market, takes at
its own valuation the property of the farmers of
North Carolina 1t is true that the farce of d
sale Is gone through and the farmer pays ware
house charges, auction fees, etc, but the price is
fixed by the American Tobacco Company Com
petition the part of tobacco factories outside
of the trust is prevented by the trusts selling
baccO below cost, If necessary, in the vicinage of
the independent factory.
\ solid organization of the farmers of North
Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina can sue
ccssfully combat the trust. Such influence could
be excred that Federal officials would indict the
American Tobacco Company under the Sherman
Act. Organized and united, the farmers them
selves could employ the abest lawyers to test the
right of monopoly to appropriate to its
use the property of others at undervaluat ton.
Organized, and acting with the sagacity of other
corporations, the farmers can control the produc
ton of tobacco and obtain a fair price for their
labor. Nor are the benefits of organization and
cooperation confined to any class of farmers.
Our cotton farmers should build oil mills and
utilize the meal and hulls in feeding stocks and
thus make large cent of their fertilizers at
home, instead of buying such quantities of COM
mercal fertilizers, chemically adulterated to such
an extent that, while anal Lying we'll as they did
twenty years ago, requiring double the quantity
to produce the results
Our public school terms should be extended in
every district by voluntary subscription or local
taxation.
JOHN GRAHAM.
Warrsnton. N. c. Feb. s, 1904.