The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-02-22
TOBACCO MEN DIFFER.

Local commission mercha nts who sell
the Maryland tobacco crop met recently
to discuss the rate of commission which
shall be charged for each hogshead sold
The rate has been $3.50, but the Mary.
land Tobacco Growers Association, it
is said, insists that 25 cents Of this charge
shall 60 to paying the expenses of an
official grading bureau, which it wants
to establish. The Commission Merchants
Union, it is understood, was unwilling to
grant this, and decided at the meeting to
maintain the commission charge at 81 SO
hogshead.
The Growers Association has deter
mined to appoint an official grader and
to insist that those selling the product OF
its members shall get the prices fixed up
on for the several grades after they are
officially established. To maintain this
bureau charge of 25 cents hogshead i,
to be made. 1t is urged that this shall be
deducted from the commission and not
placed as an additional burden on the
grower. The growers, it is understoon,
have selected three selling agencies here
to handle the crop Of its members in the
future. Those chosen are Turner &
Owens, the Maryland Commission
Agency and the State Grange Agency.
At the meeting representatives of each
of these were present. The men from
the agencies could not act definitely on
the reduced commission charge, as the
matter would have to 20 before the
directors for determination.
1t is understood, however. that Mr..
Turner, of Turner s. Owens, said that
it would be the policy of his firm to stand
by the producer, and that If they want.
ed the grading done it was their right to
insist upon it. His firm, therefore, it
was thought would consent to the rs
hogshead, and let the difference go to the
maintaining of this bureau.
1t is possible that if this policy is main
tanned by the frm it may lose its member
ship in the Commission Merchants
Union. The organization is arbitrary in
insiting that members shall live up to its
regulations, one of which is a commiss-
ion charge of $3.50 for hogshead of
tobacco. The outcome of the contest is
being closely watched by the buyers and
the growers of Maryland tobacco.
The selling firms selected are said to
handle now about 5000 hegsheads an
nually, or nearly one-fourth of the entire
Maryland crop. The growers are said to
have in effect promised fully 1000 addi-
tional hogsheads, making the total in
their control 10 900, or about one-h half of
the crop. 1t was suggested that perhaps
this could be increased to 10000 hogs
heads, as it is hoped before the next mar
keting period to increase the membership.
These will all obligate themselves to
stand by the rules and the dictum of the
organization. The members are largely
made up Of planters in Anne Arundel,
Prince Georges, Charles, Calvert and St.
Mary's counties.
With 10000 hogsheads to sell the re-
turn at rs cents for each will be 5000.
This, it is thought, will maintain grad
ing bureau on satisfactory basis and Sc
cure the service of al efficient grader,
whose qualifications will be recognized
by both the buyers and sellers.
This position is said to have been of
fered to Mr.. Maurise A. Smith, but was
declined. The growers have not since
made definite selection, though it has
in view several capable leaf-tobacco ex-
perts. baltimore Sun