The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-25
UNITED in A
GREAT |: FIGHT
Richmond Exporters and Eng
fish Commission Merchants
Wagii1g Warof Protection.
NOT TO PAY BRITAIN's DEBTS
Tobacco Men Reluctant to Make
Up Mir. Cl1alnberlaitl's
Delights.

. IL 4 4.
Tobacco men on both sides Of tho At
lnnRc are at this moment engaged III
a shoulder to shoulder struggle against
the movement or MIR. Austin Chamberlain,
chancellor, OF the excheuuer. who would
help restore tho equilibrium of the Brit
5ish treasury by twisting an additional
duty out OF the stripped lenf that enters
tho realm.
THAT the fight Is quiet Is no indication
that 1t Is not desperate. London and
Liverpool, equally excited over tho
charge, are In constant communication
with Richmond and other places, where
vast interests ARD at stake a persistent
effort has succeeded thus far III holding
UP the proposition and preventing is
second reading In Parliament. Tho
finance committees are at work upon
1t, and the English merchants aided and
allotted by exporters here. are conducting
ing tho fight before them, crucial
point was expected yesterday. A cable
message from London to Richmond, how
ever. said SIMPLY this:
Duty again postponed.
This is neither victory nor defeat. The
fight continues and one of the leading
they thought 1t possible to win. s3 Is
MADE FORMAL PROTEST.,
1T has been some time since the budget
announcement of "a differentlal rate was
made. Mr.. Chamberlain needed several
millions in dollars to cover UP deficits,
and prepared to get sorc OF this from the
tobacco trade. lie proposed a. tax of six
cents on strips, which proposition imme-
diately went into effect. though until
the second reading, It is said, 1t isi1lot 81
law Of the realm. The strips come from
this side. and several Richmond dealers
ARE heavily. involved. The new tax made
this variety Of the weed at once unsaa-
able. The market Is paralysed Large
stocks owned by Richmond and Western
exporters are d dead weight. Heavy
losses stare them In the face. Then be-
gan the fight-either to export the propo-
sition itself or to exempt those stocks
already in England
The Liverpool Chamber Of Commerce
laid before the committees the utterancea
Of some of the Richmond dealers or the
subject. London joined hands. and across
the stream the two-Alnerican exporters
and English commission men--are making
their fight together. 1t was suggested
that formal protest to the Honorable
Chancellor of the Exchequer himself
might do some good. The Tobacco As
ISOLATION Of the United States Will meet
shortly at Old Point and will take the
matter up. MEANWHILE at the solicitation
of the other side Mr.. 7. II. Darlington,
Of this city, president OF the body, has
forwarded to the Liverpool people the
following paper, to be laid before the
proner authorities:
'As president Of the Tobacco Association OF
the United States | respectfully desire to set
duty on strips will place the exporter Of
strips to Great Britain. 1t Is well estab-
lshed fact that the manufacturers Of Great
and the merchants have particularly advised
their shippers to have 1t stonimed rather than
send It In leaf form for the past several
years and the dealers have acted upon this
advice. Tho manner Of stemming tobacco for
England puts 1t In shape that It cannot
be used to good advantage anywhere G sc,
as 1t is stenlmed to tit the particular needs
OF the British manufacturers. Heretofore, any
change OF duty has applied indtscrnirately TO
leaf and strips, and we have always looked to
1t has always been with the utmost
confidence and absolute good faith that bust
ness has been prosecuted with Great Britain;
While l recognize that this extra tax Is paid
tainly be called on to bear the greater part
Of 1t, and It certainly appears to us, though |
rather IL hardship that the tobacco
sent forward In good faith and under the cir
r!ously damaged In value. cannot help feel
Ing that when these facts are brought to the
attention Of the Hon CIT ncellor OF the Ix-
checquer, the. we'll known spirit OF the fair
mindedness of the English nation Will come
some way will be found BY which. at lcaE1 the
strips that had already gone forward vii! |
lot be subject +, advance Of duty"