The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1913-01-24
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


many evidences appearing of more
docking being practiced than most peo-
pie are aware of, because adjustments
are very generally made upon the
farms before delivery of the crop is
made. 1t is no longer secret that the
tobacco of the northern growing sec
tions where the higher prices prevailed
is proving a great disappointment to
the buyers. Only moderate portion
of the crop there comes up to expecta-
tions. while a great deal of it is of a
green and lifeless character that could
hardly be expected to meet contract
requirements, so that either some
sharp slashing is accepted as to the
price or rejection follows. 1t is an un-
fortunate condition for both grower
and packer, for while the former must
receive less for his crop than was an
ticipated, the buyer too finds that
where he expected to find his choice
leaf he is also doomed to disappoint-
ment. Tobacco that looked good to
him in the field when the contract was
made has gone SO wrong in the cure
that it cannot be accepted at the fig
ures agreed upon. Much of the crop
was late in reaching harvest and con-
siderable of it cut green as soon as
contracted for, so that the cured leaf
has an abundance of faults that are
now apparent when it is prepared for
market. These are contingencies that
can never be foretold when field buy
ing is practiced which only always
amounts to taking an option on the
crop.
But all this trouble and friction en-
gendered by docking would be easily
avoided if tobacco buyers could only
wait until crop was grown and ready
for market before starting a buying
campaign. AS a general proposition
the farmer is an unwilling party to a
field buying transaction. He would
much prefer to wait until he is sure he
;sg - something to sell rather than give
an option on growing crop, but the
tempting figures which are dangled be-
fore his eyes too often causes him to
violate his better judgment and again
take chance though he well knows he
is inviting trouble. But SO long as the
large operators insist upon rushing into
the green fields and contract for a crop
three or four months ahead of its de-
livery there is little hope that condi-
tions will change. Everyone admits il
to be a reckless and unbusinesslike
venture but still it goes on the same
year after year. Somehow it is one o1
the pecularities of the tobacco trade
for there is no other line of business
| conducted exactly like it where the
element of uncertainty is so great.
-"
IF a remedy is ever found to this
practice of indiscriminately taking ar
| option on a growing crop and buying II
| later when ready to deliver, the initia
tive must be taken by the farmer. The
! farmer has it within his power to put
| an end to field buying if he chooses. II
the growers in every community woulc
get together and sOlemnly resolve moi
to sell their tobacco until it was in the
| bundle, under penalty of forfeitures,
they could accomplish lasting gooc
and put the sale of their product on 9
! vastly more safe, sane and respectable
basis.
The spectacle of the tobacco taade
| having widely divergent views on the
tariff was on exhibition at hearing
given by the ways and means commit
| tee of congress on the 18th. The leaf
tobacco boards of trade of Philadelphia
and New York, represented respect
fully by John r. Young and John Dix,
advocated a reduction in the rate of
duty on imported wrapper tobacco from
81. .85 to S1.00 and assessment of duty
on tobacco at weight at time of with
Young asserted that while the So
called tobacco trust by unfair methods
had forced many manufacturers out of
business, larger number had been
compelled to drop out by the cost of
raw material, especially of the wrap
per, made by the $1.85 duty Both
men eOntended that the reduction would
result in increased importations- The
Cigar Manufacturers association of
Key West, through delegation headed
by Edward J. Stachelberg, similarly
advocated a reduction. Opposition to
reduction was voiced by j. Aldus Herr,
president of the Lancaster County, Pa,
Tobacco Growers association, VINO de-
clared any reduction would injure the
tobacco interests of Pennsylvania, Con-
necticut, Massachusetts and Wiscon-
sin. j. w. Alison of Avon, Conn,
pleaded the cause of the New England
Tobacco Growers association for the
retention of the tariff W.'M. Corey
of Quincy, Fla, favored the present
tariff on tobacco as luxury. When
Mr.. Corey was questioned if he asked
protection for the Florida growers he
said, mo; simply taxed for revenue. s
The committee might well dismiss the
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