The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-01
SEES BRIGHT YEAR
FOR TOBACCO men
PRESIDENT TAYLOR IN ANNUAL
ADDRESS TO TOBACCO
BOARD OF TRADE
OFFICERS ELECTED
PROMISE Of BIG CROP THIS SEASON
GIVES HOPE FOR BIG WARE
HOUSE BUsTNEss--THE
YEAR REVIEWED
OFFICERS ELECTED

at il4t Etii Va AtfJ H5Idi y Seit toSphNii-
Der /, 1913, owing to the short crop
the coming season promises greatly in
creased sales and a prosperous year
for warehousemen and all connected
with the trade, Is the opinion ex-
pressed by President John NJ. Taylor
in his annual report to the Richmond
Tobacco Board. of Trade yesterday.
The following officers were chosen
for the ensuing year: President. John
NJ. Taylor; vice-president, w. l.
HAZEL; secretary and treasurer, Ed
ward Winfree. Directors-John NJ
Taylor, W. l.. HAZEL, S. w. Tompkins.
Morton, T. NJ. Darlington. r. T. Ar
rington. l. L. Stratus. Inspector. Ed
ward Winfree.
The Presidents Report.
President Taylor's report from a
comprehensive and interesting review
of loose leaf trade conditions in Rich
mond the past year. A digest OF it is
given herewith:
In briefly reviewing the business of
the Richmond tobacco trade for the
past twelve months there is much to
encourage us.
In the beginning of the year the
several large companies which had
formerly been EN- braced by the
American Tobacco company had
hardly had time to adjust themselves
to changed conditions and there was
feeling Of uncertainty. but the ad-
justment seems to have been worked
out and all Of our manufacturers seem
TO have had a profitable year, Our
leaf dealers have also had a good
year, prices on bright tobacco ruling
higher than for many years, stocks
in the hands of dealers are very small
and they are in good condition to
enter the market for the new crop.
Our loose sales amounting to H.
44l,043 pounds from September !,
1912, to September !, 1913 show some
falling off owing to the shortness OF
the crop. but with a larger and better
crop now in sight, every Indication
points TO Increased sales the coming
Year and II Is TO be hoped that the
manufacturers using the sweet sun
cured tobacco grown in the territory
tributary TO Richmond will see their
way 60 pay better prices remember
ing that the cost of prod &cing a crop
OF tobacco Is far more than formerly
and the farmer reasonably expects
more. The trade and the entire com
munity are TO be congratulated upon
the erection I'm the city during the
past year OF what liz perhaps the
largest and best equipped plant in
me world for the -rehandIing- of Leaf
tobacco. as we'll as several other fac.
tories and warehouses of enormous
capacity, giving employment, to MANY
people and largely increasing the
volume OF business done here.
Conditions Have Changed.
Because of changed conditions the
idea has been prevalent that Rich
mond has lost the position she once
held as tobacco market and manu-
featuring clty--in one sense this Is
true, there is perhaps not as much
tobacco bought by Richmond deal
ers from Richmond dealers and COM
mission mere, ANTS, bat il is undoubt-
eddy true t,aat more tobacco is re-
handled and manufactured here than
ever before in its history.
The transportation companies en-
tering Richmond report that for the
year Septem Der /. 1912 to Septembe
!, 1913, they brought into Richmond
and delivered TO manufacturers and
dealers a4,347.ooo pounds.
Allowing a deductions Of 100000.
which may have been included in our
loose sales. and we have total OF
$50. 7ss. 900 pounds either manufac-
tnred or rehandled in Richmond This
enormous volume of business will
probably surprise even some of our
own members.
While other citizens derive con-
siderable satisfaction in claiming to
be supreme in some branch of the
tobacco business. Richmond can pur-
sue the even tenor of her way con-
scious of the fact that she is by rea-
son of being the headquarters of the
leaf departments of many of the
largest corporations. as well as OF
foreign countries. one of the most
important tobacco ceniers of the
world.
Enjoying as Richmond does ample
banking facilities, with cheap storage
and low insurance rates and with an
inspection second to none. the bust
ness should go on increasing year by
year.
The thanks of the trade are due
Mr. w. T. Reed and Mr. f. S. Good
man. manager of the traffic bureau
Of the Richmond chamber Of COM
merce for making a successful pro-
test to the official classification COM
mittee of the railroads. which met
in New York last fall TO consider
raising the classification rating on
leaf tobacco on less than car loads
from Western to Eastern points. Had
this been adopted II would have
meant about doubling the freight rate
from many Western markets to Rich
mond on tobacco in less than car
load lots.
Meeting of Association.
The annual meeting of the Tobacco
Association of the United States was
held in Richmond in June with this
trade and tho city of Richmond as
hosts. 1t was perhaps the most large
ly attended meeting since the organ
ization of the association and proved
a most Ell joyable occasion to us and
we believe to our guests.
The State Fair association has this
year put the tobacco exhibit in charge
Of the Tobacco Trade of Richmond
and IL is hoped that every member
of the trade will do his utmost TO see
that a creditable showing Is made.
To a kind Providence we owe II
that our ranks have not been invaded
by the grim destroyer during the
past year--may this record be un-
broken during the coming year.
The report of our secretary and
treasurer shows the financial condi-
ton OF the trade to be good. ] de-
sire to thank each and every member
of the trade for the kindness and con-
sideration l have received during my
term of office.