The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-21
TOBACCO PRICES
ARE INVESTIGATED
Congressional Commission Gets
Information From Consuls,
Growers and Dealers.
BYRD EMPLOYED AS LAWYER
Has No Office and Will Not Go
TO Europe---He Discusses
Situation.
BYRD EMPLOYED AS LAWYER

No Federal Office has been accepted
by Richard Evelyn Byrd. Ho will not
be required to go TO Europe or any
where o1se especially. nor will his law
practice be interfered with because Of
his connection with the congressional
tobacco investigation. He makes this
clear in an interview in which he dis
cusses the question of the purchase of
dark tobacco by foreign governments,
n matter of the deepest interest i'll
Virginia.
AS an attorney. Mr.. Byrd was en-
ployed by the government to assist the
commission appointed to look into this
question for the protection of the to-
bacco grower. He has been at work on
the proposition since December I. 1912,
so that his connection with the affair
lis not news. He pursues his investi-
cations along with his other business.
Fenr Governmental Trust.
There has been feeling among Vir-
GINA tobacco growers. especially those
in the dark tobacco belt, that the gov
ernments which control the manufac-
turo in their own countries really con-
troll the worlds market and fix the
prices. making II impossible to secure
more than a certain low figure for the
product. The Farmers Cooperative
and Educational Union OF Virginia took
the matter and aided I'm the sentiment
which secured the appointment of a
commission by Congress
The object" says Mr. Byrd. "of the
tobacco investigation now being car
ried on by commission composed of
Senators and members of the House of
Representatives, is TO find out whether
there is any combination or understand
ing between the foreign governments
buying tobacco in the United States for
the purpose of depressing the price of
the tobacco purchased by them
Complaint has been made that cor
tain classes of tobacco. known Eener-
ally rs the dark tobaccos raised in
this country and suitable for Europeon
consumption, have decreased in value
10 such an extent as to suggest some
artificial cause.
Seeking Information.
The governments most largely inter-
esled IN the purchase OF American to-
baccos are France Italy and Austria
All or these governments monopoIize
TOBACCO trade. Japan and Spain also
make purchases here. The commission
is endeavoring 10 ascertain through
the unitel States consuls in foreign
countries. all the facts pertinen, IN
the inquiry. and has addressed com.
inunications through the State Depart
Mcnt 10 the consuIs in Russia. talv.
FRANCO. Austria, Spain. Japan and other
countries. The United States Depart
ihent Oh Agriculture is also contribut-
ing much information. and all of the
agricultural departments of the va
! ,ious states Interested in tobacco have
been circu1arized.
peelhnlnE with next week, the com
mission Will take the testimony OF to-
nacco growers. dealers and others in
Washington and elsewhere
Mr.. II. ID. I'lod is the author of the
act creating the commission. Senator
Marnn is chairman. Senator's I.ods g
ana Brandegee, former Representative
MCKINLEY and Representatives Stcdman
ana ROOD are members. i have been
employed by the government TO assist
III the investigation. | have no inten
ton or going to Europe. or anywhere
else except those points where the
commission will take evidence.
All necessary information can he
mad through the evidence of persons
summoned ny the commission and i'm
formation gathered through the various
Federal and State instrumentalities
The subject is vast one, and n great
mass of information must he sifted and
digeSted."