The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1910-09-14
BURLEY TOBACCO SOCIETY.
The Tobacco Growers Friend.

In relation to the tobacco pooling
movement this year.. Madison county
occupies an unique position before the
State and in the eyes of other states
where varying warfare of farmers
against combinations is being waged.
In former years, growers of this par
ticular section have not been allied
with the pool in force. Reasons for
this apathy have been multiple, but
because transitory, are unworthy a re-
view at this time.
There can be no question that a new
light has broken upon the planters and
coordinate interests. One after an
other, objections have been met and
excuses discredited, and this year finds
small army supporting cause which
yielded them a rich harvest even while
they antagonized it, or stood dumbly in
its way.
A number feel an obligation for the
consecrated, persevering, consistent.
courageous service which others have
given for common veal. Many see
only a sound business proposition, and
give it their support because it has
been proven to be to their material
gain. If the price of tobacco has been
doubled. Tin suits the manufacturers
admit it,, by effort in which Madison
has mad no share, tremendous POSSIBLE
tiles of achievement and progress with
wider union among farmers are made
certain.
Through the very same cooperation
which renders trusts potent and power
full, it has been established that the
farmers can fix and maintain the price
on their own property, and compel JUS
tice. From the rank of supplicants,
they have risen to the rank of
sovereign power. The annual revenue
to the State from their first-money
crop mas been multiplied by two, and
means for further equable multiplied
ton provided. Every line of business,
from the store supplying a tenants
need. to banks, and bigger institutions,
has enjoyed a direct, material benefit
and has responsibility in giving sup
port to the agency.
Education, church and general pro-
gress have been revitalized by this in
flux of millions and by its continuation,
Kentucky must advance speedily and
automatically.
The short crop of 1910 affords the
movement an unequalled opportunity
to build for the future. A giant lever
of control is literally thrust into the
hands of the farmer. Although the
quality is sure to be inferior. this crop
in the pool will command any reason
able price that may be put upon it. AS
a simple business proposition, the pool
offers more money for not one crop
merely, but for all future crops; ii
eliminates individual risk and RESPONSE
bility; it extends protection and secur-
ity and guarantees permanence to the
industry; it affords an opportunity for
every grower to become unit in a Co
operative movement which gives him
the combined strength and force of
every other grower; it insures his
property, protects his family and wild
ems his possibilities; it gives him
countenance among his fellows and
serenity of conscience.
From pure promptings of self-inter-
ests, Madison county must join with
the sturdy patriots who have founded
and made strong the pooling move
ment, and when her support has been
enlisted in any cause, she has always
done her full share
The scope of the central plan is such
a position of strength that the institu-
ton which handles its tobacco could
manufacture it. Short of That how.
ever, and already demonstrated in the
face of the most desperate opposition,
is the freedom and the independence
of the individual grower, and prosper
ity for the Burley state.
Those who sign their tobacco have
all to gain and nothing to lose. The
Burley Tobacco Society is now in IN
disputed command of the market and
will beyound doubt determine the price
of the 1910 crop. However, if the
strength of this pool should not be sat
isfactory, the growers have the option
of voting their own release. The fol-
lowing resolution passed by the Dis
trict Board and legally as binding as
the pooling contract itself, affords the
growers the sole right to determine
whether or not the contract they sign
shall become binding.
The District Board of the Burley To
bacco Society on July 18th. 1910,
adopted unanimously a resolution to
the following effect:
That prior to October LIST, 1910, the
present Board will submit to the pool
ers of the 1910 crop of Burley tobacco,
or request their successors to submit
on or before November LIST, 1910, all
information in its possession as to the
number of acres of Burley tobacco
planted in the district, the number of
acres pooled and the number of acres
not pooled in the said district, and will
give the poolers the right and place
upon them the responsibility of de-
termining whether the pool shall be
declared on or off by a vote at the
various precincts in each county at
such time and in SUCH manner as may
hereafter be suggested by the District
Board of the Burley Tobacco Society
or its committee. Each pooler at said
election will be permitted to vote upon
the question as to whether the pool
shall be declared on or off and will be
allowed to vote such a number of
votes as corresponds to the number of
acres of tobacco which he has pooled
with the Society, that is, for each acre
he has pooled with the Society he will
be allowed one vote, (but no vote for
fraction of an acre., and he will be
supplied with proper ballots for that
purpose. After the said vote is taken
at the various precincts at the time
and in the manner designated by the
Board or its committee the result in
each precinct will be reported imme-
diately to the County Board of the
county in which the precincts are 10
Gated and a record of the votes will
be kept on the minutes of the said
County Board and the results thereof
tabulated, counted, reported and cert-
fed to the headquarters Of the Society