The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1910-07-08
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

Years have passed since the planting
OF tobacco crop in Wisconsin has
been attended with greater difficulties
than the present season. In some of
the northern growing sections drouth
has continued throughout the entire
month of June, which coupled with an
unusually long heated term has made
transplanting almost an impossibility.
Not only are the tobacco beds burning
up but other farm crops are destined
to be failure unless relief comes soon.
The rains of last week helped out
southern Crawford county somewhat,
but were lighter in Vernon, while
northward they scarcely afforded much
help in getting out the crop. South of
the north line Of Dane county probably
three-quarters of the crop is in the
fields and is holding up as well as can
be expected under the trying conditions
of extreme heat and drouth. Unless
general rains come within very
few days now it seems probable that
quite large intended acreage will not
be planted to tobacco this year, espec-
tally in the northern counties.
Through the united efforts of COM
mittee appointed by the National Cigar
Leaf Tobacco association, a concession
of nearly 25 per cent has been secured
in leaf tobacco insurance rates on risks
held in that city. The rates on tobac-
co risks have always been considered
high in comparison with other lines,
mostly on account of what is termed
the moral hazard" which the writer
holds is an unnecessary precaution es-
pecially among the old established
firms Tobacco insurance has always
ruled abnormally high in this state, en-
tirely out of proportion to the risks
carried in other states, and for this
reason such insurance has proven
profitable lines for the companies. If
these companies are willing to grant a
% per cent reduction in the crowded
centers where large losses are likely to
occur, there is more reason why the
rates in the west should likewise come
Gown The tobacco men of Wisconsin
owe it to themselves that they start a
movement of investigation and educa-
ton along this line.
An important decision has just been
rendered by Judge William L. Bennett,
of the Hartford, Conn.,, bench, setting
aside the verdict of local jury in
leaf tobacco case as being contrary to
the evidence. The suit was that of Hill
G. Long, of South Windsor, against
Emanuel Hoffman & Son, leaf packers
and dealers, of 149 Water street, New
York City, for 81, 600, which he claimed
was due on a crop of tobacco sold by
Long to the defendants. The defense
was made that Long agreed with Eman-
uel Hoffman & Son that 81, 500 should
be held back to cover cost of sorting
and packing and to secure the buyers
against any tobacco which proved un-
suitable for the market. Under this
agreement, defendants paid the plaintiff
So, 685.60 and stood ready and willing
to pay him $89. .68, the balance actually
due out of the retained 81, 500. After
trial, the jury reported verdict for
81, 659. 81 in favor of Long, which has
now been set aside by Judge Bennett
on the motion Of counsel for Emanuel
Hoffman & Son.
***
The other day James A. Patten, the
king of corners" and of the cotton pool
trust, was indicted by the federal grand
jury with seven of his alleged conspir-
ators on charge of monopolizing the
raw cotton industry in this country, IN
violation of the Sherman antitrust act.
After the indictment the government
counsel gave out statement from
which we clip the following language:
|"This, meaning the cotton pool, APP
peared to be a typical instance of a
combination for the purpose of fore
stalling the market, securing the entire
visible supply of raw commodity dur
ing a period Of months and securing the
power co dictate the price to the con-
Su1IIcI. 1NOW 4lSC I'D JuoCt 0PPAy CiiO
statement of the government prosecut-
ing officer to the tobacco pooling trust
of Kentucky and we defy anybody to
prove that it does not cover exactly
also the Kentucky combination. For
has not the tobacco pooling trust been
organized frankly and avowedly for the
purpose of forestalling the hurley mar
|ket, of securing the entire visible sup
ply of raw commodity not only during
period of months, but of years, and
did not by these means the Kentucky
combination secure the power to dlc-
tate the price to the consumer? Did
they not raise arbitrarily the price OF
the raw commodity from 9 cents to 173
cents, through the unlawful conspiracy
Of forming the pooling trust? But un-
like Mr.. Patten, neither the president
nor directors of the Kentucky tobacco
pooling trust have yet been indicted.
The Taft administration has made an
attempt to catch a few of the tools OF
that trust. But the big guns remain
still unnolested with the pelf OF their
exactions safe in their pockets. Ism t
it about time for the 2ttOrney-general