Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-01-28
COMMUNICATED. /
The Tobseco Qnestion.

COMMUNICATED
The Tobscce Qnesfion.
The large number Of interested to
bacco growers that attended the meet
ing held at Morganza, under the aus
pieces of the Chaptico Farmers Club
70 discuss the tobacco situation wa.
very gratifying to those interested
The information brought out from
those present and the letters from the
Leaf Tobacco Association, of Balti
more, proved conclusively that the
price received for tobacco is not suffi
cient TO justify the continuation of the
present acreage.
1t also developed that there was lit.
tie hope for relief while the handling
and selling of the crop was controlled
by any agency other than the farmers
themselves. This was evident when
the Leaf Tobacco Association claimed
that the law of supply and demand
regulated prices (which it should dol,
and at the same time advised the farm.
ers to increase their production, when
the farmers and they surely ought 70
know are convinced that the price re-
ceived does not cover the cost of pro.
duction. How can they look for re-
lief by increasing their supply and
increasing their own expense9
Especially convincing we're the re-
marks of MIR. Geo. T. Hutchins, form
er director of the Maryland Tobacco
Growers Association. He told of the
obstacles placed in the way of the as
ISOLATION when they sought light on
the subject of selling and marketing
the crop. He also pointed out, as did
DIR. l.. B. Johnson. that any attempt
70 remedy existing conditions would
be useless without the help and hearty
cooperation of at least majority oi
the farmers themselves. The lack oil
this was the downfall of the former
association. In fact the growers them.
selves must take the initiative. How
can they expect anyone else to attend
TO their business when they refuse tc
do so themselves9 This is the growers
business and IL they intend or desire
any improvement, it Is for them to de.
wise the ways and means. The buyers
have shown the way when they desire
Improvement and increased profits.
They organized to work together, as
what helps one helps the other. The
same Is true in all other lines of bust.
ness.
With this evidence OF the need oI
organized effort on the part OF the
growers of tobacco and the examples
of the benefits of organization, will
our farmers refuse to see the light,
win they be so blind TO their own In
terests as 10 allow themselves to drift
downward with the tide of poverty and
want-for where there is no poverty
there must surely be want. VIII they
sit idly by and see their own homes
and county denied just returns for
their labor and capital9 Will you
fathers of sons that should be thecom-
forters of your declining years and
the future owners of your home, see
them forced away to seek their fortunes
In less favored fields, when they are 50
much needed to develop the resources
OF our own countyb We are not ask.
ing for any special favors, we do no,
need them; all we ask Is fair play and
that you growers should demand.
Business experience proves that you
must organize and then begin TO work
for the object in view-not to select a
few officers and then settle down q
criticise, but do your part too. How
can you expect satisfactory seryic.
unless you first know what you wan
done9
Get together, go over your problems
remembering that in the counsel O
OF many there is wisdom. II you can
not devise ways and means to remed,
! conditions, no one else can or viii
Settle the question of cost OF produc
tion- II the present selling system 1.
. At fault you can correct u to the ex
tent that it will give TO you. the grow
er, every cent that Is due you. w,
need 1t 10 maintain our people ans
keep up the fertility of our soils. Un
Gil such . system Is adopted, reduc'
the area Of tobsccO-grow only tn,
food crops needed 10 supply the famll,
and live stock on the farm-save hom'
menures carefully, reduce fertilfxe
bills by intelligent use and economical
buying. You must have paid repre-
sentatives to look after your bushes
away from here, under your own So
pervision, rs is done in all other line
, of business.
Right here someone viii say you ar
, trying to create salaried ONCE 70
] someone. That is the usual cry. Yol
don't seem 70 realize that large mum
Der of the high salaried officials yol
are supporting to handle your tobacc'
: crop are In many cases working Il
opposition 20 your interests IL 1
useless to expect something for moth
ing. Let every district In the count,
organize and send delegates at leas
20 county meeting 10 perfect o work
. ing Organization 70 be controlled b,
growers for the bensfit Of The Who'll
county.
@. +. wATHEes, in.