The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-11-22

that there is little danger, growers
think, from bundle heating from now
on.
The larger manufacturers of tobacco
goods are experiencing great difficulty
in filling orders. Not only is the de-
mand unusually heavy for domestic con-
sumption, but government requirements
for overseas are increasing month by
month. The price to the consumer of
tobacco goods has shown bigger in
crease in the last three years than any
equal period since the industry was
placed on solid foundation in this
country. To meet the increased de-
mand a number of concerns are making
plans for increased capacity, and this
will mean an increase of labor, which
is very scarce. All the parts into which
the Tobacco Trust was divided five
years ago will show record sales for
the year. The American Tobacco Co.
alone is running at the rate Of from 80.
to 100 per cent increase over the 1917
monthly average. Despite record bus
mess for the tobacco manufacturers in
the war period, the companies cannot
be classified as other than peace prop
critics. Leaf costs are up more than
100 per cent since the start of the war,
while prices of labor, paper, tin, ETC.,
all used in the tobacco business, have
advanced in proportion. No one who
is in position to know what is going
on expects the restoration of anything
like pre-war prices for all tobacco pro-
ducts after the war is over.
Tobacco would be protected from the
mercies of those congressman and 9th
ers who feel that the "weed" should
be taxed all but out of existence if
Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota
had his way Speaking in Washington
recently, Senator Nelson said, as he
munched his cud of tobacco: II would
especially protect the poor mans to-
bacco. | have no objection to placing
a good tax on cigars and cigarettes,
but do not like to see taxes placed
upon the poor mans chewing tobacco
and smoking tobacco for his pipe. For
thousands of men this tobacco is as
much food as bread and meat. And it's
an absolute necessity for soldier.
know from my own personal experience
during the civil war"
~
The ruling of Judge Mayer, of the
Federal Conrt in New York, that the
defendants in the Sumatra antitrust"
suit are entitled to know precisely what
offenses they are charged with will en-
hance the brilliant reputation of that
jurist for calm and just Interpretation
of the statutes, at the same time bear
ing out his declaration last week that a.
criminal charge should not be made the
basis of trial of wits but commands
adjudication on it's merits. What the
men under indictment are charged with
is set forth in the presentments OF the
grand jury but those findings evidently
were insufficient for Judge Mayer and
he has sustained a motion for bill of
particulars. What violation of the
strictest moral code public opinion
charges the defendants with has not
been established in the veriest gossip
of the leaf market The 'conspira-
tors" operated in broad daylight, they
enlisted and received the aid of every
Governmental authority that could as
sist their pioneer trading enterprise
and every dollar involved in the impor-
tation and resale of q years supply of
tobacco of which the American cigar
industry stood poignantly in need was
openly accounted. The vote of i'm
plicit confidence in the defendants
which the Leaf Tobacco Board of Trade
of the City of New York accorded them
at a special meeting clearly absolved
them of any contravention of the ethi-
cal code. The trade, in justice, will
suspend judgment. until the case is re-
futed or upheld before the judiciary, as
Judge Mayors Interpretation of the
preliminary plea says it should be-
N. Y. Tobacco Journal.