The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1910-02-25
s.MAuDE,' AND THE TOBACCO BUYER.

II
Tobacco buyers are around inspecting
tobacco in the bundle, and of course it
is part of their business to "kick"
about the quality of every lot they ex-
anime. But there is one prominent
buyer who will hereafter be little
cautious about kicking.
His rap at a certain farm house door
Was answered by woman so small and
Young that he didn't think she could be
the mistress of the house. And when
he made known his business that of
Inspecting tobacco in the bundle, she
said, in broken English, that her hus--
band was not at home but she could
show him the tobacco, which she pro-
ceeded to do with the alertness OF a
white Leghorn hen.
She said nothing, apparently listen
ing ;ntentiy, and when he mentioned a
selittle pole rot'' and ''too many filters, -
thus gradually getting to the point OF
Kicking" on the price, she disappear
ed. He was not suspicious, so of course
didn't turn to see where she went, but
he found out in a twinkling, for he re
ceived very vigorous kick about half
way up on the back of his fur overcoat,
and before he could turn, in his sur
prise, the little white Leghorn was be-
fore him again, with her frank blue
eyes lifted apologetically TO his and
childishly remarked:
"My man told me to do that with you
if you kick by our tobacco, tam you'll
Thus she literally loved, honored and
obeyed her husband. The man had
heard of the famous kicking Maude,
and visions of sHee-haw Maude' filled
his mind, while he half expected that
another kick would hurl him off the
stage And now he always tries to
keep his back against a wall when he
is inspecting tobacco. Windsor Cor. in
State Journal.
A Washington dispatch brings the
information that Edwin P. Grosvenor,
one of the assistants of Wade II. Ellis,
who has been supervising the lnyestl-
cation into alleged night-rider outrages
on Independent tobacco growers, has
reported to the Department Of Justice
the action of the grand jury at Coving-
ton, in reporting twelve indictments IN
the w. T. Osborn case. The offense on
which these indictments are based is
characterized as one of the most literal
examples of restraint in trade that has
ever come to the attention of the De-
partment. 1t occurred at Dry Ridge, a
station on the Cincinnati Southern rail
way. Osborne, an independent tobacco
grower, had taken to the station a
Shipment destined. for a Cincinnati
warehouse, and leaving it with the
agent, received bill of lading. The
night riders learning of it, sought to
dissuade both the shipper and the agent
from sending the tobacco, but being
unsuccessful, compelled the owner to
give up his bill of lading. They then
went to the agent and got the tobacco.
Mr.. Ellis made this statement concern
ing the contemplated prosecution: II
developed at a recent hearing OF the
officers and representatives of the Bur
ley Tobacco society in Washington tina,
the chief grievances against the society
or any of its members We're these acts
of violent depreciation and forcible op-
position to the shipment of tobacco to
points outside the state by independent
growers who refused to join the society.
The officers of the society disavow any
responsibility for the acts of these
night riders, and the government de-
termined to select what seemed to be
clear case of the physical prevention OF
interstate shipments of tobacco and te
prosecute under the criminal sections
of the Sherman act, the individual
perpetrators. 1t is the hope that il
| this prosecution succeeds it will put ar
end to these acts of lawlessness anc
intimidation. The action taken by the
government is not against the Burley
society itself, but as an organization ir
restraint of trade"