The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-05-18
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= NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

bacco growing state, were manufac-
turer to drop into the local markets his
needs could be supplied somewhere
among the dealers. But if he were to
come today the chances are ten to one
he would not be able to find the stock
he was looking for Generally if the
country districts were combed some
holders of old leaf could be uncovered,
but who could direct manufacturer
to even few cases of cured leaf to-
day, for the state has been swept bare
of everything salable while the move
ment Of the 1916 crop was on. The
situation among the packers is but lit
tie better for while the stock of cured
leaf is exhausted with so many of
them, the goods held are mostly under
contract and not available to the gen
eral trade. The 1916 packings with but
few exceptions have already gone out
out of the hands of the original owners
so for the year to come 2 very small
fraction Of the crop will come within
reach of the small trade depending on
Wisconsin leaf for their binders. Such
condition is so exceptional as to cause
comment on all sides. The Wisconsin
1916 crop is practically cornered, and
that is all there is about it The few
concerns who control it will be absolute
dictators regarding price when it
reaches the manufacturer.
~
The government at the present time
is very much concerned regarding econ
omv in all commodities of life. The
present war crisis makes economy nee
essary, and in it's action it is perfectly
justified. Genuine cedar wood, which
box manufacturers claim is so scarce
now, and for which cigar nanufactur-
ers are paying exorbitant prices, is be-
ing absolutely wasted. Cigar boxes, Of
inferior grade, are now costing manu-
facturers about eleven cents each.
When the retailer has sold the last
cigar-smash goes the box. Eleven
cents, and good cedar wood wasted.
Why could not the retailer save the
boxes and resell same to the manufac
turers for few cents? In this way
both retailer and manufacturer could
Offset the war tax he is compelled to
pay, and good cedar wood could be
saved. TSis plan is successfully oper-
ated in other countries. Why not here?
-
In memorial submitted to the Ways
and Means committee of Congress on
the subject of increased war tax on
manufactured tobabco the Merchants
association says: The tobacco industry
has suffered greatly as a result of the
war. Although the cost of labor has
been substantially increased, the prices
for materials almost doubled and a
large percentage Of it's export trade
cut off, the prices of manufactured to-
baccO products to consumers are vir-
tually as low now as they were before
the war in Europe began. Our indus
try is now paying in the neighborhOod
of $100, 600, 900 year in internal rev.
enue taxes, besides duties on imported
goods, which exceeds the aggregate
earnings of the entire industry prob
ably by $50, 900, and we respect
fully submit that an increase of rev.
enue exceeding 40 per cent of the
present taxes will work an incalculable
injury to the industry. The respective
commissions of this association, repre-
senting all branches of the tobacco in
dustry, have given the tax problem
most serious thought and considera-
tion, and no one has entertained for a
moment the thought Of making any at
tempt to shirk the burdens that all
good and patriotic citizens should as
sumo in the present crisis. They had
but one thought in mind, that is to
contribute just and proper share of
the additional revenue now required by
the government and to pay all that the
tobacco industry can possibly stand,
but at the same time to work out an
adjustment of the additional tax rates
in manner that would be fair and
equitable to the various branches of
our industry without seriously cur tail
ing the consumption of our products,
which would necessarily mean loss of
revenue to the government, a serious
blow to our industry and quite hard
ship upon the consumer. AS result
of the deliberations of our respective
committees, we respectfully submit for
consideration the following: Increase
on cigars not exceeding Id. per /, ZOO,
25c; cigars between 3 h. and 10 h.,
SOC; cigars weighing over 10 Id. and re-
failing at sc, $1.00; cigars weighing
over 10 10. and retailing at over SC,
So. 90. Our differentiation as to the ten
pound rate was fixed with view to
tighten the burden upon stogies that
may be manufactured within the ten
pounds limit and upon the small cigars
that are usually retailed in packages of
10 for 15c and the weight of which will
not exceed ten pounds. The manufac
turers of higher priced goods being
willing unselfshly to pay higher rate
of taxation in order to make it easier
for manufacturers of stogies and small
packages.
-
The National Cigar Leaf Tobacco As
sociation will hold its annual conven-
tion this year in Hartford, the dates
May 28 and 20 being specified. This is
the last Monday and Tuesday in the
month, whereas the regular meeting
time of the association is the second
Monday and Tuesday of May. There
is suspicion in the trade that the
change was made because the Hartford
al fnC h1sx 4r,. xxx1 y