Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1915-11-18
HOpkinSyIlle Board of Trade
Takes Action Relative To
Tobacco Embargo.
MARKET Is SURELY BLOCKED
Unless The "0rder In Council
Is Modified By
England.

At a regular meeting of the Hop.
kinsville Tobacco Board of Trade,
held Nov 8. 1915, the following res
olution was passed, calling upon
President Wilson, Secretary Lam
sing, and the Senators and Congress
men, of the Export Tobacco District,
to take such steps as may be neces-
sary to bring about a modification of
the Order In Council" so that to-
bacco, a .contraband agricultural
product, may be shipped to neutral
countries in Europe without restric-
tions for re.exportation, in order that
that tobacco may reach its final des.
tination into Germany and Austria
Whereas, The type of tobacco
grown in Western Kentucky and
Western Tennessee, known as the
Dark Export Tobacco" has home
dema1d for only about 25 per cent.
Of said crop, and whereas the re.
mainder of the crop is dependent en-
tirely..upon the various European
countries for a market, and whereas
the countries of Germany and Aus
tria buy and consume annually 80
per cent. Of all the tobacco grown in
w estern Kentucky and Tennessee.
And, Whereas, The tobacco bought
by Germany and Aus ria are the
best types and qualities produced in
the Dark Tobacco District, COM
manding the highest price, it is alb.
solutely essential to the welfare of
the tobacco growers of the several
States that they be permitted to con-
tinue interrupted in their tobacco
transactions with said countries, as
the failure to supply them not only
leaves, surplus on the market, but
the quality of tobacco so purchased
by Germany and Austria being of
the highest grade. largely fixes the
price on all the remaining crop.
And Whereas, the tobacco grow.
ers have suffered very materially
since the outbreak of the European
war by reason of the interference on
the part of the Allies in the ship.
ment to Germany and Austria of to
bacco, which is non.contraband ag.
i ricultural product. and cannot be
classed or made into food or raj.
ment, or munitions of war; and still
further handicapped by reason of
the restrictions put upon tobacco
shipped to neutral countries only
upon condition that the said tobacco
is not for re-exportation, and to be
consumed wholly within said neu-
tral countries.
Now Therefore, Be it Resolved
that we, the members of the Hop
/ kinsville Tobacco Board of Trade,
being citizens of the United States OF
America. feel that we are being un.
justly treated. and that farmers and
tobacco growers are made to suffer
unjustly, and do hereby pray our
Government for protection, and
earnestly petition President Wilson,
Secretary Lansing, and the Congress:
of the United States to take sJch
steps as may be necessary to give u:
immediate relief, or the suffering OF
our people will be intensified during
the coming winter and spring, a:
tobacco is cur principal product, and
very largely our money crop, upon
which this community is dependent.
We respectfully submit the above
petition in our name, ,and in the name
of all farmers and tobacco growers
of this entire country. confidently
believing our Government will pro.
trct US.
HOPKlNSVILLE TOBACCO
BOARD OF TRADE.
BY X. E. Cooper. President.