Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-13
TOBACCO AND RATES or
FREIGHT AS UNDERSTOOD
President Darlington, of Mig Tobacco
Association, Talks Out In the
Meeting.

President T. M. Caring ton, the high
officer Of the Tobacco Association. has
written a vigorous letter to r. NJ. Col
committee OF all the railways. Mr..
Cafrington's letter speaks for Itself 1t
reads as follows:
1t has just come to my attention that
your committee is proposing to put into
operation an increase In the classifi-
cation ratings on leaf tobacco In less
than carload lots from four to third
class and carload rating OF fourth
class with a minimum carload allow
ance of $4,000 pounds. Also an increase
In the ratings on plug tobacco in car
loads and less than carloads under
which. using a number OF typical points
for the purpose of calculating the eff
fects OF such increases IL put In opera
ton. the rates to Richmond. for in
stance, on leaf tobacco in less than
carloads would be Increased from AK
to 81 per cent. and the rates on plug
tobacco In less than carloads, varying
amounts, ranging from to ILL per
cent, and In carloads from II to 81
per cent
The suggested minimum carload of
$4,000 pounds on bright and Burley to-
bacco, which two crops amount to over
500,000,000 pounds of tobacco, would
mean tnat every car nave 10 De
or the maximum size In use and fully
loaded with tobacco at the maximum
weight, and even X a diHerentinl was
established on the rates between car
loads and less than carloads. this would
work great hardship, on the party
dealing In these two classes of tobac-
co, as only under the proper condi-
lions will they ever get n minimum
$4,000 pounds in weight. but 1t would
disturb the present trade conditions
very much, as 1t is not always con-
venient or suitable to only ship the
maximum carload requirements, and
this proposed increase must have been
made without giving due consideration
to the technical part OF the tobacco
business touching the bright and Bur-
ley tobacco and the custom OF the trade
In shipping same.
This differential between carload and
less than carload lots will, to very
great degree. upset the habits OF the
trade and work an Injury to the small
dealer, manufacturer and farmer. all of
whom are, at this time OF disturbed
conditions OF the tobacco trade, not In
a position to stand any more burdens
The suggestion involved in your
docket that the rates of the manufac-
turers should be advanced, as already
stated. would disturb their business to
n considerable extent. This advance
would have to be borne solely by the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., VINO are now, no doubt,
striving to do all they can giving en-
ployment to the utmost limit to the
wage-earners, and certainly nothing
should be done at this time to Inter-
fere with this intention on the part OF
the manufacturers.
On account of the European war In
volving the countries taking our to-
baccos to the largest degree. the situa-
tion Is rendered exceedingly complex
and uncertain, and It Is believed by the
trade generally that lower prices must
exist on this years crop. and for this
reason any advance in freight rates
would be felt by every one connected
with the tobacco trade as inopportune
and unfortunate
Please consider these general ques-
lions in broad manner, and I trust
sincerely that your committee can come
to the conclusion that an advance In
the ratings on Tobacco should not take
nj