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The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

Lexington Herald, April &c. 1900
Major j. Embry Allen bitterly ar
raigned the methods of the American
Tobacco Company and urged the grow
ers to cooperate for self-protection and
self-preservation. In an eloquent de-
nunciation he declared the amassing
of great fortunes through trust meth
DDS was a menace ~ the government.
Major Aliens speech in part follows:
Friends and Countrymer:-I am
proud to say as | look upon this gath
ering, that here in Old Kentucky, in
the White Burnley district of this old
Commonwealth, is a race of men who
do not know how to surrender, and
they attest, by their presence here to-
day, thirty thousand strong. thai they
are prepared and determined to fight
to the finish, for their families ami
their homes against that greedy octo-
pus, the American Tobacco Company,
that never gives but always takes.
Cause of These Conditions.
Now then, what is the cause of these
conditions? My answer is that the
primary cause of such conditions Is
the Unsuitable. unholy and unlimited
greed and avarice of men like Rookie.
Teller of the oil trust, Carnegie of the
steel trust. Armour of the meat trust,
Duke of the tobacco trust. Hartman.
the Goulds and Nanderbilts of the
railroad trusts, and hundreds of Other
men of the same stripe but of smaller
calber, who are popularity known as
great captains of finance Such men
as these, by a combination of capital
and by controlling, in large measure,
the legislation of the country, abso-
lutely control the markets of the coun-
try and here is the secret of the whole
thing in a nutshell. They tell the farm
er what thew viii give him for his pro-
duce in the raw state. and then they
turn around and tell him what he
must pay for the manufactured ar
ticle.
The Remedy.
Now. lastly, what is the remedy?
Why simply to take a hand in this
business and name a few prices your
selves. That is all. To use a rough
expression, get into it with both teet
and let the American Tobacco Trust
know there are other ducks in the
puddle. And here is where the motto
and object of your society comes in.
ITO control marketing and secure bet
ter prices" And how are you to do
this? Simply by doing what you are
doing today: by organizing yourselves
into a society for mutual protection
and each man pledging himself to
stand by his comrade in the fight
against his common enemy Then you
are prepared to fight the enemy with
his own ammunition or, as more com
monty expressed, to fight the devil
with his own fire
You can't make the fight alone,
brother, the farmers of one county
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
PRESIDENT LEBUS' CARD.

Elsewhere in these columns will be
found a card from President LeBus
which takes from some of his critics
one of their weapons.
The truth is that President LeBus
is one fine largest tobacco growers in
the State and that all his interests are
with the covers. What is good for
him is good for hem.
He was for many years most sue
ccSstti spSCuiatui-uo man in the
market was so uniformly successful.
But feeling that the grower was not
getting half the worth of his tobacco
under the system of selling that pre-
vailed for years. Mr.. LeBus determin-
ed to quit specializing and to join in
movement that would insure to all
growers better prices for their tobacco
depending for profits on good price
for the tobacco he grew rather than
upon buying the farmers tobacco
cheap and selling it for an advance.
Before the movement for organiza-
ton began, Mr.. LeBus, realizing the
hardShips of tobacco growers and the
poor compensation they received, in
Cured the displeasure of the trust by
paying more for tobacco than the trust
was paying, thus forcing trust buyers
to raise their price
Kentucky loses every year too many
of her strong men who should be kept
here to build up our own State. Let
us not fail to get the benefit of those
among us who by their courage and
energy can be useful i'm leading pro-
gressive movements. We need all the
energy and enterprise that we can
get. Let us pool our differences, for
get all grievances, real or fancied, and
make a firm stand for another victory.
The conditions will never again be
so favorable for a pool as now. We
have the machinery ready and we
know what the trust has on hand.
Not tn pool now would discourage
future efforts and would enable the
trust TO accumulate surplus and
again put us to guessing.
We have the whip hand now. Let
us hold it.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

the purchase of the raw material the
farmer has to sell and against the
parasitic middlemen, he is declared a
menace to the state.
The manufacturer has protected him
self on the buying side by combination
and the Government has protected him
on the selling side by protective tar
if and yet this Kentucky farmer is
solemnly advised to pay a protective
tariff on every article that he buys in
order to make the manufacturer rich
and then warned against combining to
secure a profitable price on his only
money crop-about the only crop tnat
Kentucky produces in excess OF the
amount she consumes-lest some one
be inconvenience.
1t is time that statesmen took into
account the rights OF the ultimate pro
ducers OF wealth.
Reasons for Conservative Attitude
But I am not without a feeling of
sympathy with Mr.. Clay. if | under
stand his attitude. Mr. Cay belongs
by birth to the conservative classes
and he has reached the conservative
time of life. Quiet and repose are
more congenial TO him than the strife
of "the worlds broad field of battle
The Old Order Changeth.
The American farmer, and particu-
larly the Kentucky farmer, enjoyed a
century of wonderfully attractive life;
as free on his own farm as ever Lord
was in his castle. The independence
of farm life has been its chief attrac-
ton. but surely the 'old order
changeth." The autonomy Of farm life
is going along with many other cher
ished conditions. We are no longer
a new country and the industrial revo'
luton in the last decades has disturbed
many conditions that we are loath TO
see disturbed. But If we cannot hold
all that we cherished in the past let
us lay to with a will TO make the best
of the future.
If the American farmer would hold
his own, he must find recourse ia
measures for which those who went
before him had no need. II he insists
upon the methods of his forbears and
hugs to himself the extreme individual
ism that has hitherto characterized
him, he has no choice but to lose in
power and prestige.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
Tobacco Trust Is Scored
BY Maj. !. Enabry Allen

can't make it alone, but you don't have
10 fight alone.
Afraid of Their Masters.
7 hear some men say: won
pledge my tobacco to the society be-
cause | am afraid it will fall through
and then the trust viii make 1t hard
me-" My God! My brother Wna<D
the trust doing to you now? 1t IS ~
ready doing its worst and you needn
fear il will do any more because OF
your joining the society.
You may rest assured my country
men that the trust does rot buy your
tobacco for any love or because IL
wants TO do you any favor. The only
reason they pay as much as they 40
for your tobacco is merely 10 give
Won a little inducement to keep on
raising it for them, and when my
go to figure on what they VIII sNe
you for your crop. they do not CONSUL
er what it Is worth or what tney eau
afford to give you and still make
good profit themselves. They SIMPLY
decide what they think is absolutelN
necessary to induce Won 10 continue 10
raise other crops for their use ana
profit.
Don't be afraid to fight the trusb
Simply stick to your organization ahf
you will win.
seIf.HeIp the Best Help.
Rut there il one thing about THIS
that is better even tran
good legislation, because this Is a.
movement i'm which every farmer can
strike a direct blow for himself ana
tbis Is the feature Of u that appeals
most strongly to me. You dont nave
10 elect Congressman or Legislator ana
then wait for him TO 10 something. Al
YOU have to do to strike a dlrect piCw
AT this hated enemy. this monatrols
oppresser. is simply to pledge your ciup
of tobacco and your fidelity and 1ai'h-
fulness TO your society.
You'll Win Becau-e Right.
In conclusion | want TO say that you
are going to win this struggle Tor the
one great reason that you are III the
right. That is sufficient reason. Inc
struggle for independence in 11I6 was
no greater nor fought with greater con-
sentences than this one. The tribute
maid by the colonies to Great Britain
was no greater than that whlch you
nav the American Tobacco Company
TO tally without compensation or re-
turn. =, -
And so it is with you today. You {
are waking to a realization OF your
own rights and sour own great strength
with which to secure them, and in the
strength, the right and justice OF your
cause you will ultimately win great
triumph.
"Sving inward We gates OF the future
Swing outward We doors Of the past. t3a
The giant is waking from slumber,
And rendng his letters at last
From the dust where his proud tyrants
found him,
From the chains where plutocracy bound
him,
He will rise with the sunlight around MIN
And rule in the realm he has made.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
TESTIMONY FROM
FRANKLIN COUNTY
lPersonal Experlencesl }

have been tobacco grower for
twenty-siX years. From and including
the year 1896 10 and including 1905. |
raised 5000 pounds of tobacco each
year Therefore, during this period OF
ten years, raised 10000 pounds of to-
bacco for when | received an average
Of cents per pound. Sixty thousand
pounds of tobacco at cents per pound
brought me $4,000
] pooled my 1906 and 1907 crops,
which. as the books at the Office of the
County Board of Control in Frankfort
will show. amounted to 12,49 pounds.
This tobacco sold through the pool
averaged me S1460 per hundred
pounds clear of all expenses.
Hal | received that average, $1460
per hundred. for the 10000 pounds |
grew during the ten years prior TO
1906, it would have amounted to
$3.50.
The difference between $3.50, what
/ would have received at pool prices,
and $4,000. what actually did receive
for my 10000 pounds. is $1,000
Experience Of Franklin County.
Franklin county mad in the 1906 and
1907 pools 3,790.760 pounds. The gross
proceeds for the Franklin pooled to-
bacco were $685., 5000, an average of
$3.50 per hundred.
The average cost Of handling tobacco
in Franklin county was Sl40 per hun
dred pounds. therefore, the net price
received for pooled tobacco in Frank
lin county was S14.20 per hundred.
Three million seven hundred and
ninety thousand seven hundred and
sixty pounds of tobacco, figured at
S14.2O per hundred brings $53S.2S792.
The same amount of tobacco figured at
an average of $3.50 per hundred makes
$284.307: a difference TO the grower OF
S253.S90.92. which shows that in the
amount of pooled tobacco alone for
period of ten years the growers OF
Franklin county lost $2,539 5000 by
not getting $14.20 per hundred for their
tobacco. as they could have gotten by
pooling
(SignedD W. l.. THOMPSON,
Frankfort, Ky.
SputcmbpT IL 1909
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
A CARD.
To the Gallatin County Tobacco
Growers.

| desire to call your attention TO the
election of County Board of Control
and director of the Burley Tobacco So
ciey; notice of which is published
in this weeks issue of the Independent
and | urge on all pooled tobacco grow.
ers the great Importance of taking an
active interest in this election, as il
certainly concerns your interests. a
great deal more than any other cleo.
ton at which you vote.
Now get busy and be careful to
choose the most loyal men you have
who do not carry water on both should.
ers, who do not hesitate to put their
names to paper when necessary to pro.
mote the work and who will take inter
est enough in the work to meet regular
ly with the board.
viii state, for your information, that
the position ] have held as chairman
Of the Board of Directors of the Bur.
ley Tobacco Society. and general man
sger of the Gallatin County Ware
house Company, have taken my entire
time and have worked me very hard
during the time | have had charge of
same; the loyalty with which my board
and the people generally have support
ed me have made this work a genuine
pleasure.
On the whole. the results nave been
highly satisfactory to me. and | be-
lieve. from the many expressions
have heard. that they have been salts
factory to the people in general, yet
no doubt, there are a few kickers, as
it would be impossible, even under the
mos trosy conditions, not TO have them.
When the affairs of the two crops
are entirely wound up, we will issue
a statement showing all receipts, and
from what sourse. and all expenditures
and for what purpose, and If there is
any balance in the treasury it will be
distributed to those to whom it be-
longs.
In concluding this article will state
that our county has pooled about Is
per cent up to this date and | desire
to impress upon those who have not
yet pooled, the great importance OF
meeting but one buyer with but one
seller if we expect to continue to
prosper. Respectfully,
V. r. CRAIG.
September s, 1909.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
LETTER FROM SENATOR w. o
BRADLEY TO MR c. ARENcE
LeBUS.

Louisville, Ky, Sept II, 1909.
Hon. Clarence LeBus, Cynthiana, KY
My Dear LeBus:-I regret to say
that my health is in precarious con
ditiol and that / am now under the
care of physician. Hence, | doubt
very much whether | can make any
more speeches in the interest OF the
tobacco people.
My heart f. with you in this tobacco
Ggh,, and it would seem to me pass.
ink strange if the farmers should be
hoodwinked and refuse to enter the
pool. / an sure the pooling of their
tobacco is their only hope of success,
and il they should fail in this now
that hereafter those who have refused
to enter the pool would find il quite
difficult. if not impossible. TO induce
those who have borne the brunt of the
fight to have anything more TO wo with
IT,
One thing is certain-the Tobacco
Trust had captured the State of Ken.
lucky and was debating prices until
the pool was established, and since
the pool was established the price OF
tobacco has been advanced. The mere
fact that some people outside of the
pool sold their tobacco for as much as
those who were. in the pool signifies
nothing except that they have taken
advantage of the labor of their friends
and have been encouraged by the
Trust and the so-caiied independent
buyers for the purpose of dissatisfying
them and others with the pool.
Sincerely hoping that you may he
successful, | am.
Yours tru~,
w q PIP Adj Ely
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

AT a rally of the tobacco growers Of
Franklin county, Sept. g. Governor
Beckham spoke in advocacy of the
1909 pool. Governor Beckham was
given an enthusiastic reception as 3D.
was his FIST opportunity TO speak with
the tc5acco growers, except editOrially.
since the great pool fight began agains
the trust, although the law legaliziug
the pooling OF tobacco was supported
and signed by him while he was Gov
crnor.
Governor Beckham congratulated
the tobacco growers Of Franklin coun-
ty on their splendid victory I'm their
fight against the tobacco trust
Sounds Note OF Caution.
The former Governor assured The
tobacco growers that they wo," con
graduated by the people of Hl the
state because of their victory. but
cautioned them to bee careful that all
though the victory was won the battle
was not over and that although they
had done more 10 curb the power of
the great tobacco trust than even the
President OF the United States. and
the Federal officers. that the tobacco
trust had not stopped its feht
Evidently speaking from information
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM
Hon. j. CAMPBELL CANTRILL,
PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF EQUITY IN KEN. +
TUCkY, TO J. e. KING, THE
COUNTY SECRETARY
IN HARDIN.
Georgetown, KY, Sept. s, 1909,
T. j. r. King. Stithtnn Kv

Georgetown, KY, Sept. s, 1909,
Mr.. j. f. King, Stithton, Ky.
Dear Sir and Brother
There is but one pledge being signed
in the Burley District and that is the
pledge OF the Burley Tobacco Society
and our Equity people are helping them
make the fight since our agreement re.
ferred to above
In two counties different pledge Is
being circulated as an Equity pledge
but 1t is not backed by the State Union
nor the Society of Equity and a few OF
our brethren are making a mistake.
| cheerfully commend the pledge OF
the Burnley Society to every tobacco
grower as it now stands, our full State
Board and myself trust that each men,-
Der of the Equity Society will noel his
tobacco with the Burley Society. ap-
preciate very much your statement
that have many friends in Hardin and
snail at all times try TO prove worthy
OF their confidence.
Very truly.
J. CAMPBELL CANTRTLL.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

Some men give as their excuse for
staying out of the pool that it COSTS
too much to maintain a selling Or
ganization.
A selling organization is just as nee
essary to uniform good prices for to-
bacco as sowing the seed is to raising
the plant and the running expenses
of the selling organization are just as
necessary and legitimate as the eX-
penses of cultivating, housing and
stripping
The expenses of the selling organiza-
ton should be included in the selling
price and still fair profit left
But let us study the question. What
would be the results Of dispensing with
a selling organization and so of all eX-
pense attached to it? How much
would we make or save?
Selling Methods Compared
If the farmer has no selling organiza-
ton. he must sell to trust buyers at
the barn, to spectators. who must
have a profit, through the loose leaf
warehouse. or through the louisville
and Cincinnati markets.
Trust Buyers at Barn.
Suppose he sells at the barn to trust
buyers. Then the trust has to main
tain a system of buyers, Mr.. Smith in
Louisville, Mr.. Toewater in Lexington.
and an army of men i'm the field. The
trust employs only capable men. These
men must all be paid from $500 to
$4,000 per year. The trust will not
take their salaries and other buying
expenses out of its profits but will
take it off the price of the farmers
tobacco. Then the trust has no COM
petition and the farmer has no lever
age. He must take what the trust
offers.
To Spectators.
Suppose the farmer sells to specu-
lators. The spectators must buy at
such prices as will leave some margin
for them to make a profit. Since the
trust Is the ultimate demand, the specu-
lator cannot go higher in price than
the trust-his chance is in holding his
purchase until the trust needs it.
City Markets.
Suppose the farmer sells in Louis
vile or Cincinnati. Then he must pay
for pricing, freight and drayage, in
surance, storage. commissions, fees,
and stand the loss in weights.
Here too the trust is the purchaser
and sets the price so the farmer has
his list of expenses but no voice in
making the price cover expenses.
Sale Through Loose Leaf House.
Suppose he sells through the loose
leaf warehouses. The stockholders in
these warehouses must get interest on
their investment, pay insurance and
employees. so these houses must have
ample fees and commissions. So here
90 the farmer has expenses to meet
Then the manufacturers must keep
buyers at all these warehouses. These
buyers must be paid. The manufac-
turer has the power in his own hand
so he takes the expenses OF buying off
the price paid the farmer.
Farmer Pays in Every Instance.
In every instance the farmer pays
the expenses. When he sells to the
trust at the barn, to the Spectator,
through the Cincinnati and Louisville
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

The records OF the banks OF TINS
CITY and county show thar the hnan-
cial situation of tobacco growers Is
stronger than ever before: many men
who were formerly compelled To D.
sort 10 overdraft, now, as a resuii o'
the sales made by the Burley looacC"
Society, have good balances in oauN'
and generally the obligations OF tobacco
growers have been fully met ana ol,
charged. This fact is not only in evil
dence by the records of the banks. oNl
by the satisfaction of mortgages as
recorded i'm the county clerks once.
More than one man has been enabled
TO purchase q good farm by reason
Of having pooled his tobacco with the
Burlev Tobacco Society, and of having
been LOYAL to his pledge.
(Signedl JOHN A. LARUE.
Paris. Ky, Sept IS. 1909.
j E. CLAY Of Bourbon county says
he never before received such prices
for tobacco.
Andrew Redett Gays: III it had not
been for the pool | should have been
a long time paving TOT my IdTu anu 1
have signed my tobacco to the 1903
pool
North Niddletown Deposit Bank:
The poo, has been OF great benefit
10 our depositors. Men paid old debts
that have hecn on hand for ten or fif-
tcon years.
Firs. National Bank Of Paris De
uositors now have money who mad heen
borrowers before the poo.
Since eight-teuths of the 10 per cent
reserve has been distributed. in the
following instances the per cent will
he added to the proceeds in estimating
Tho Dricp pcr pound.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
Ex-Governor Beckhan1 on the Pool

a came to his hands while i'm Office.
,yt rnor Beckham said that the great
lss of the country maintained and
D. at the State and Federal Capitals
sh priced lobbyists 10 induce legis-
urs to pass laws favorable to them
U against the peoples interest. He
.d that these lobbyists worked Sc
.t.r and under cover. The trust.
on all its money. could not employ
nan of ability who had the effrontery
.ume before an audience like the
lacco growers assembled today and
.empt to defend the trust I'm its
tuDds.
Guard Against Treachery.
luI ernor Beckham cautioned the
overs to be careful Of the men in
,.4 they placed their confidence.
Doe traitor in their ranks, was the
Pro hat they should watch for. and
.a though working in the interest
Oh. pool should be scrutinized close.
ro ascertain if they we're honest in
",r purpose.
The smile and the seductive man
p OFF the lobbyist should be regarded
ne growers as that of the evil
lr was the warning Of the former
vernon as he closed
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22

Bedford Loan q Deposit Bank.
Having been asked the condition OF
business i'm Trimble county from a
bankers standpoint before and after
the pool and sale Of the 1906 and 1907
crops OF tobacco. | am glad TO say that
the amount of money ON deposit has
shown a marked advance since the
pool was first made and rho sale of
fected
The advance. in deposits has shown
at various times an increase of fro:
$4,000 to $4,000 ! attribute much
of this increase TO the high price Of
tobacco occasioned by the success Of
the Burley Tobacco Society.
(SignedI ID A. PEAK
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
Testimony From Trin,ble County

cashier Bedford Loan & DEPOSIT Bank.
Bedford, Ky. Sept. Is, 1909.
The farmers Bank of Milton
I'm regard to the financial condition
OF our county will say that our citizens
have more ready cash and that there
is more money in circulation and that
the ability of our citizens to meet their
obi atoms is better than for several
wears, and that our deposits are more
than at his time Of year heretofore
Al 'gether our community is in
3d.. = financial condition, which we
attribute greatly to the prices of to-
bacco in the last year or so.
(Sgned) d. r. VOTERS. Cashier
Milton, Ky. Sept. Is. 1909.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1909-09-22
Testimony From Scioto County. O.

The average price paid tor tobacco
in Scioto county from 1898 to 1907 has
been less than cents per pound;
sold in 1894 tor and > cents per
pound
! sold i'm 1898 for %, cents per
pound
sold in S99 for cents per pound.
] sold in 1900 for cents per pound.
] sold in 1901 for , cents per pound.
sold i'm 1902 for 80 cents per
pound.
sold in 1905 for and " cents per
pound.
/ sold in 1905 for and 4 cents per
pound.
tSignedj A. c. FREELAND