Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-23

ization.
A mind reader might have revealed
widely divergent views coursinr
through the minds Of those present
mayhap extending over period OF
many months.
II has all along seemed evident TO
Association officials that those who
who had been busily engaged urging
growers to plant all tobacco they had
roof to cover could II occasion de.
manded find plausible reason for a
miscarriage Of representations as to
ready sales, at satisfactory prices. 10
be broadcasted among growers.
Probably all plans Of certain loose
floor men have matured Satisfactorily
to the present moment. The crop Is
rapidly going into the barns, and in
the nature OF things would be ready
for the loose floor market.
But II may have been conceived un-
wise to shock the grower by informing
him suddenly that the spell about
good prices was a myth" that there
was no greater reason for proclaimine
satisfactory prices for this season
than last or any other seas IN Such
men may have been awake at night
recently to evolve plans to avoid a
too rude awakening of the trustful
grower who might reproach them for
deception.
But at any rate general alarm was
sent out the effect of which was ION
to Washington" the export tobacco
market is in jeopardy. and unless re
suscitated, the country will go to the
bow-wows.
When Senator James inquired why
do not growers organize, the response
might have been because they were
told II would be unnecessary this sea,
son, that tobacco would sell readily at
satisfactory prices ANYWAY. -------
When Secretary Lansing said how
simple the situation If growers could
finance themselves, he little dreamed
growers could easily be financed then
or now, but were taught it was un.
necessary.
Who is now obscuring responsibility
for a situation utterly devoid of secu.
rity and for extremely reckless advice
..t.o.. o. ea,, x,1ntbc onoo
Various expressions as to the proba.
BILE course of England are INDUCED in.
Such for instance as that she is finaDc
ing both France and Italy in the great
war, and making plans to buy tobacco
for them at a handsome margin OF
profit.
Such expressions are the merest
conjectures, although the situation
adds greater improbability of salts
factory market.
But it is perfectly reasonable that
as England, France and Italy are allies
in great war; they will aid each 9th.
err to the limit of possibility in their
purchases, and whether for tobacco or
what not.
have deferred publishing anything
on ehis very important subject until
learned what was to be said of the pill.
grimage to Washington by others with
other interests than that of a grower.
/ have read optimistic accounts of
the probable success of such mission
with utter amazement, because If
there was a man among the number
present at such conference, including
cur Senator's and Representatives,
who felt assured beneficial results as
to prices had been accomplished, |
was not aware of it.
In the present analysis of the situa-
ton the grower has serious thinking
to do for himself
How would opening an outlet for fif-
teen or twenty-five per cent of our ex-
port tobacco with seventy-five to
eighty-five per cent entirely unprotect-
ed as to price offer encouragement?
There were no embargoes of any
nature in effect in 1903 or 1904, all av.
enues of export were wide open. and
the average price for tobacco was
about FOUR CENTS per pound.
Certain men or interests are getting
tremendous advertisement out of the
events of the past few weeks. 1t is
even suggested that one family syndi-
cate has three or four loose sale
houses from which to rake in coin.
There may be such thing as working
up such sufficiency of optimism that
growers will walk on air, literally
touching the earth in high places only.
II this temporary optimism will take
the place of paying farm and family