davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-12-13
New York.
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 1918.

A waiting game is being played in
the cigar leaf tobacco market OF this
country The situation has not clari-
fled sufficiently for the men whose ac-
tion will give controlling impetus to
the course of trade, one way or the
other, to make up their minds what the
situation is going to be. They discern
many manifestations that they believe
will have a strengthening effect upon
market conditions, but they are also
aware that it is impossible for any man
to say definitely what is going to hap
pen, and for that reason they have de-
cided that the wisest course for them
to pursue is to wait until affairs have
so shaped themselves that they may
know in general way what to expect
AS result of this attitude, no effort
has been made to start the buying of
the 1913 tobacco, and at the present
writing it appears unlikely that buying
will be started until after the New
Year. Ii is believed in we'll posted cir
cles that by that time there ought to
be some evidence of what the future
has in store for the industrial and COM
mercial life of the country. It is rec
ognized. however, that very much de-
pends upon the attitude taken by the
Government and what the Government
does.
So far as purchases by the cigar man.
ufacturing industry are concerned, the
factories are we'll supplied with tobac
co-having enough on the average to
last six months at least. Therefore,
there is no reason why they should pre-
cipitate themselves upon the market at
this time, and they, too are in posi-
ton TO wait upon the development OF.
events, taking their chance that the
trend of prices is lower and profting
thereby if their supposition is correct.
Naturally they are in the market from
time to time for limited quantities of
tobacen Of which they have run short,
and this hand-to mouth business is the
backbone pf the actual operations that
are now taking place in Water street.
journal.
NEW YORK, Dec 6, 1918.
The deadlock which has existed be-
tween packers and growers with re-
gard to the 1918 crop of domestic to-
bacco continues unbroken. From in
formation gathered from a number of
Water Street sources, howeve, there
are already signs that the growers, in
some quarters, are becoming restive
and anxious under the strain of long
suspense and seem already willing to
discuss lower prices. Even now, how
ever, the farmers continue to cling to
the false hope that something may oc-
cur to change the situation and make
possible, the unheard of prices they
have been dreaming about. In spite of
this effort to wear confident front, in
the face of the continued apathy Of the
buvers, the packers see in this attitude
nothing more than half hearted effort
to cover disappointment over their mis-
taken Judgment. Leaf.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-12-13

tobacco this year is put at 7,647, GOO
pounds, which is 900, 600 pounds more
than was produced last year upon prac-
tically the same acreage. The cost of
producing this crop is estimated by Mr.
Beinhart at 100 per cent above last
year. The yield per acre is placed at
1900 pounds The crop, in its general
character, is placed by the expert in
vestigator on par with the 1914 crop,
which is regarded by manufacturers as
the most desirable ever produced since
the growing of wrappers under shade
was first started in the Connecticut
valley. Mr. BeinhaEt also states that
4.000 acres were primed this year.
Very important also is the calculation
made ny Mr. Belnhart as to the per-
centage of increase in Shadegrown
used by the cigar manufacturing indus
try in the past few years, based upon
th- facts shown by the census bureaus
report This shows that, naturally
enough, the consumption of Shade
grown fell off when cigar production
slumped this year, owing to labor short
age, but that even so, it maintained its
relative standing as wrapper. 1t is
inevitable, therefore, that when cigar
manufacturing conditions become nor
nal, Shade will receive its due proper
tiOn of attention The increase in the
use of Shade wrappers in the past five
years has been trade phenomenon.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-12-13

Tobacco dealers who have commenced
to figure out the cost of warehouse
packing this year are somewhat as
founded at the way expenses mount
up. To begin with the increased cost
of cases can be set down at just about
a cent a pound The question of labor
at this time is somewhat indefinite, but
will certainly be higher than ever be-
fore paid in warehouse handling; add
to this the cost of insurance and the
necessary loss of weight in shrinkage
while gong over the sorting tables and
the estimates made generally bring the
expense up to at least five cents
pound. Then there is the interest on
investment and taxes to be added
later. So any one can form an esti-
mate that more than five cents
pound must be added to the first cost
of the, tobacco before it is laid away in
the cases. Then the packer can take
his chances on any damage that might
occur III. the sweating later on. These
are some of the conditions that local
packers are up against and causing
some of them to hesitate about making
their usual investments at the prevail
ing price of raw leaf 1t requires the
nerve of proverbial speculator to step
right up with the procession.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-12-13

While among the cigar manufactur-
ers and leaf tobacco merchants, says
the New York Journal, there is to be
found almost every conceivable variety
of opinion, there is also feeling that
the cat may jump either way, and is
just as liable to jump one way as the
other. When a clear indication has
been given as to what the trend of
prices is going to be, then it will be
time enough for them to get busy. The
situation is simplified to some extent
by the fact that the packers probably
have less tobacco than they ever had
before at time like this. The manu-
facturers are heavily stocked with
merchandise, and the farmers have on
their hands almost their entire 1918
crop The packers and the leaf mer-
chants have comparatively little. They
are in position TO adjust themselves
to either phase of the situation. If
prices go lower and they stand to make
no money-or even to lose money.
upon cir sto"ks, they will accept that
fact calmly, and put themselves in a
position to profit upon the new crop. If
prices continue on level that will en-
able them to buy the new crop with
confidence, then they will proceed to
do So But until they have fairly
certain indication of what the country
has before it in the next twelve months
they are going to sit stock STILL
Evening star., 1918-02-03
White House Conferences.

Friday the President conferred with
q number of senators on the subject OF
the war. All were depocrats. All are
more or less under his influence All
are understood to he willing to support
his views respecting war legislation.
These men visited the White House
on invitation. Would il not have been
well If few republican senator's had
accompanied themi
A. Vet no partisanship on war mat
tiers has appeared in either Senate or
House. None is expected. None should
appear. Republicans and democrats
united III declaring war. and have voted
together in the matter of supplies. Ii
was only the other night that Mr. Borah.
republican leader. in speech in Bal
timore. asked for square deal for the
administration in the corduct OF hostii
ities. He deprecated criticism not cal
cuiated To be helpful
There is reason for neither surprise
nor complaint H. the fact that differ
enees of opinion are arising as to war
activities. II could not well he other
wise. So much is afoot. SO many are
engaged. and so much is at stake. there
II abundant room and warrant for the
controversies now engaging attention.
But from no source has any purpose
appeared showing a desire TO cmbarrass
the administration. On the contrary.
from all sources have issued assurances
of good will on the general proposition
Winning the war is the common desire
- expressed.
This situation should be acknowledged
and strengthened by the President in
all ways and on all occasions.
AS Congress has shown no partisan
ship. the President should respond in
k.ud. He should avoid even the ap-
pearance of partisanship. He should
hear all opinions, and especially those of
senators and representatives willing to
discuss the business with him in all
frankne.s. If he hears only opinions in
agreement with his own he misses much
he might put TO good account. For out
Of courageous opposition often pro-
ceed suggestions of value. even when
not adopted in the forms as made And
in the execution of his present task the
President has need of many suggestions
from many sources.
Evening star., 1918-02-03

the resources Of the navy and the power
of British resistance better than the
experts" Rather il 1t to be believed
| that these financial and commercial rep
resentatives were called in solely to
testify to The fact that the German peo-
| pie were near revolt and must be given
the show of progress to allay their rest
leesness.
An interesting point arises in this
connection. The proposal, it would seem,
was made at the close of 1915. It was
not adopted for more than year, until
the end of January. 1917. Why the de-
layl Evidently not even TIE advice of
the experts" suihced to swing the de-
cision of the government. But their
testimony as to the state of the popular
feeling must have had some effect. The
drive at Verdun began i'll February.
1916. few weeks after the U-boat plan
was broached. Was that designed as a
substitute for the ruthless warfare as
n means of quieting domestic unrest: :
That drive failed. In the spring of 1915
Germany had reached the maximum of
her land strength in the west, and the
French and British were about to
ladnch their own offensive at the
Somm, which was to beat hack the Ger
man forces. and. in the following win
ter. compel n general retreat in France
Evidently the effect of Verdun as Il
stimulant of the German popular sup
port OF the government lasted through
its failure and the reverses suffered at
the Somme.
Some day the full story of why the
ruthless submarine policy was adopted
will be told The present contribution
from Amsterdam aids. however, in per
uniting an understanding Of the chief
motive for course that was apparently
designed as means of keeping the
people quiet. Possibly the failure of
ruthlcssness to bring England to the
point of suit for peace has now been
made known to the people. Hence. per
haps, rhc strikes, which, although they
have thus far failed. are nevertheless
decidedly significant of waning German
confidence in the military government
at Berlin. Will the "big offensive" in
the west. which has been advertised so
plainly by preparations on large
=, of
discomfort!
Evening star., 1918-02-03

TO the barracks gate. but later known
above Pennsylvania avenue as John
Marshall Place-its only reason for ex-
istence under that name IL that it is the
composite of 18th and 5th streets, which
are nonresident from Indiana and
Louisiana avenues southwark. It is q
question whether there will be any gain
in changing the name now. II the nu-
neral system were followed this street
would have to be called either 4th or
5th, still leaving one missing. It is
geographically "Four-and-half" street.
ard it has an historic value. If there
is u desire to prevent complexity in
street names fold offers in one Of the
suburbs where the same names arc al
lied TO streets" and ''places." This is
Cleveland Park, in which much confu-
sion is possible In the mind Of those un-
familiar with the locality by this pc.
cu!iar system of nomenclature
Evening star., 1918-02-03
War Thrift Savings.

Today begins the "big drive" for wal
thrift savings. Every home in this
country should have one of the thrift
cards. with its little twenty FIVE cen,
stamps and a corresponding card OF
certificates. As result of this week OF
intensive publicity and persuasion this
should be the fact, with every Ameri
can home subscribing to the Treasury's
five-year loan on the installment plan.
From the point of view of the in
dividual this is a most desirable invest
ment- 1t is at the rate of 4 per cent
compounded quarterly. It natures in
five years. 1t rs redeemable at full
value at any time on ten days notice
the only government security thus con,
ditioned. 1t is payable in installments
at the purchasers CONFERENCE.-The
smallest installments conceivable. There
is no definite limit to the subscription
The person can stop buying war savings
certificates anywhere short of thou.
sand dollars, and what he has accumu-
lated by the end of the year will stand
as his loan for the remaining four
years.
These are reasons that appeal to the
pocketbook and the thrift of the cit
izen. But there is stronger reason for
buying these stamps-a reason of pat
riotism. Every twenty fiEe-eent stamp
purchased helps the government. 1t
helps US to win the war. Then, too, it
is personal investment in interest in
this great adventure. By means of this
small denomination loan practically
every man, woman and child in the
United States can help and will have a
stake in the enterprise.
The success of this war savings loan
is not to be measured merely by the
amount of money raised. but by the
number of individuals who contribute
to it. 1t is far better to have the two
billion dollars which it is expected will
be produced by this means secured
from fifty million people than from halt
that number. The children are already
doing their part through the public
schools. but if Washington is to supply
its quota Of s7500,0OO the adults will
have to come forward more generally
This week gives them their chance.
Evening star., 1918-02-03
Remedies for German Discomfort.

II is decidedly interesting that dis
closures regarding the reasons chiefly
aetuating Germany in starting ruthless
submarine warfare year ago should
come to light just as the German people
have manifested their disapproval or
their governments war program by
means of widespread strikes. For it
now appears, from series of docu-
menrs published at Amsterdam, that the
dominant motive in beginning the un-
restricted u-boat campaign was to aHay
popular discomfort with the lack of vic
tory and the fruitless sacrifices suffered
by the nation.
Having failed at the close of 1915 to
effect breach in the allied lines, the
German admiralty proposed ship-sink-
ing procedure that. it was estimated.
would bring England to the point of
seeking peace within six months. This
was rejected by Vice Chancellor Helf-
ferieh, who foresaw its failure TO reduce
England and its unfavorable effect on
neutrals. The proponents of the cam
paign renewed their effort, urging the
need Ct q scdative for German discon-
tent. To this end they called in nine
~experts" in public opinion. represent
ing financial. commercial and agricul-
tural interests. all Of whom, though diff
ferinR somewhat respecting the effect
upon the neutrals, agreed tina: England
would be forced to sue for peace within
six months at most They were also
unanimous III the belief that Germany's
internal situation demanded a cam
paign of sea destruction.
Had the proponents of ruthless sea
warfare been absolutely convinced. as
they professed. that England would be
brought TO sue for peace within six
months. they would have needed no
other motive for urging the move. For
sven though it might-as it did-brinp
the United States into the war. this
country could not be looked upon as q
formidable opponent, fully replacing
England on land or at sea, in tha,
period, if Germany knew anything
whatever about our state of prepared
ness. In view of present-day officia
German derision Of the American wa,
power, 1t is hardly to be conceived that
there was much apprehension of us a.
. possible immediate antagonist in
.1e15-16. With England suing for peace
within six months, the entente would
collapse. Germany would win the war
Now it may be wondered why the ad
miralty called in bankers and CONNER
eial and agricultural leaders ON tn,
point of whether England could stant
out for six months against unrestricted
warfare For the admiralty surely knew
Evening star., 1918-02-03
Concrete Ships.

Concrete. ships may seem like an
anomaly. and vet they are seriously pro,
posed as one of the means Of solving
the sea transportation problem. A yes.
sci of composite stone, however. is, in
fact, no more startling a proposition
than was that of ship made Of steel,
years ago. Really the only question as
to the practicability of concrete ships is
whether they are capable of resisting
the torsional strains caused by the sea ;
whether, in short, they are sufficiently
flexible. That was one of the points
raised against the steel ship when it
was originally adrocated-that even if
it would float it would break in two. But
the steel ship not only foated, but held
together. and today it is the universal
type, SO much SO that wooden vessels are
regarded as only makeshift. md Il
doubtful one at that. Concrete ships are
not altogether novelty or all expert
ment. They have been used in actual
service successfully. A small vesse! of
this type has for some time been
plying between England and Norway.
Concrete barges have been in use in
this country and France and ON the
Panama canal. Barges. it is true. arc
not subject to sea strains. but the ad-
vocates of the concrete ship are con,
fident that they will stand the stress OF
weather. Their advantages are quick
ness of construction, comparative cheap
ness Of maintenance. univarsaIity Of ma
terials and longevity. Now the Senate
on commerce has recommend
ed that the shipping board seriously con-
slider the advisability of adopting pro-
gram Of concrete ship construction,
which, it is urged, will, if promptly
adopted, result in 100000 tons this
year. Ii concrete ships can be laid
down on ways not needed for steel ship
constructions it will be doubtless the
policy Of wisdom to undertake this ex-
pertinent even on q large scale. In the
present emergency anything that prom.
ises results is worth trying.
Evening star., 1918-02-03
POLITICS AT HOME
New Jersey.

The next senatorial contest in New
Jersey should he very interesting one
It is the Presidents state. He lost il
in November, 1916. but since then the
country has entered the war, and some
of his friends think he has gained in
political prestige as the result.
! 1t is assumed that the democrat nomi
mated to fill out the unexpired term OF
Mr.. Hughes will be acceptable to the
President and have his support in the
race.
| This assumption rules out both forme,
Senator Smith and FORMER Senator Mar
tine. Neither man, according TO popular
understanding. now enjoys Mr.. Wilson's
favor. Formerly. both did. Mr.. Smith
was prominent in the movement that
made MIR. Wilson Governor Of New Jer,
sey. and MIR. Wilson when governor prae-
tically made Mr. MARITIME senator.
But in the whirliaig of politics Mr.
Smith became cstranged from Mr.. Viii
sou, and MIR. Wilson from MIR. MARITIME
Both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. MARITIME are
now in private life.
Much speculation is playing around
Secretary Tuinulty. He is very near to
the President, being both personal
friend and political adviser. His can
didaey would bring the whole power of
the President into the campaign. He
would stand for all Of the Presidents s
policies. His election would be accepted
as an Endorsement of the President, and
reversal of the verdict by tho state in
the presidential contest Of 1916.
The republicans will try their hand,
of course. They are now in control of
the state. They are legislating at Treh-
ton, and republican governor is watch
ing the proceedings. They have q sena.
tor iu Congress. and majority of the
states House delegation. They have
not been better intrenchcd in man,1
years
Present prospects are for humming
tussle. In the Presidents behalf, in his
own bailiwick, the democrats must do
their best. Defeat would not only be
mortifying, but euotable throughout the
country by the opposition. Judgment
against him at such time and in re-
lation to such an Office by the home
constituency would be no light blow, and
especially as respected the boom for a
third term.
By the same token, the republicans
will do their best They will want to
deliver that blow; to effect two results
with 1.-THE election of a senator, and
the putting. if possible, of crimp in
the movement tc make Mr.. Wilson his
own successor in the presidency in 1921.
Evening star., 1918-02-03
HEARD AND SEEN.

/, that the men really had been robbers.
lThey had taken the whole telephone
equipment away to vacant lot. and
there emptied it of its change"
k*
There is an old colored woman. an
employe of the city post ofice. who
man." When you have been on the job
for forty years. and get sick and have
to go to the hospital. and the boss OF
the whole works comes to see you, it
makes you feel pretty good.
But Chance has a story which is mot
| "matchless" by any means, as the finis
thereof will show. He enters II in the
hard-luck story contest, and says 1t was
| inspired by that tale of the govern
ment clerk who broke his glasses.
knocked the skillet of hot bacon into
his face and then had to watch a mouse
run OFF with the bacon.
This happened long time ago.
Chance says. SO there is no use bring
| ing in the name of the senator and his
| secretary. The senator has long since
| laid down his toga-
1t seems that the senator WAS in i'll
health and had been advised by his
physician to take a good rest
Just go away and stay several
months. until you get WELL" advised the
doctor
That's good advice, you'd better do
it," seconded the private secretary. who
had visions of a holiday for himself
while the senator was away.
But the senator was one of those hon-
est fellows. who swore he wouldn't take
advantage of his job like that And.
what is more. he didn't
Knowing that he really should take
the vacation advised by his doctor, and
being unwilling to do 1t at the expense
Of Uncle Sam. what did that senator
This threw the private secretary out
of job.
He possessed a lone hundred dollars,
however. and was casting around how
to turn it over to the best advantage,
when along came a friend.
Say said the friend. I'm in on a
sure thing. Sugar is going up. You
come with me and we'll make a haul"
vate secretary. SO he accompanied the
friend to bucket shop, and there
plunged his 500.
AS he lit his pipe. drawing his last
had lost his hundred dollars. He might
just as well have set the money afire
with one of those matches. II didn't
take that long to lose ii. Sugar didn't
go up.
A sadder but wiser man, he left
the shop.
Say mister. your coats afre- shout
ed a small boy to him.
NOW. wnen q man mas lOSt mis- last
cent he isn't in any particularly good
humor.
Get OUT he growled to the small.
boy
Farther down the street he grew un-
comfortably hot. Looking down. he dis
covered that his coat was afire, sure
enough.
Jobless. moneyless, coatIess. match
less
And that was long ago remember. be-
fore anybody had heard of "wheatless,
meatless,'. etc.
CHARLES E. TRACEwELL.
Evening star., 1918-02-03
Half" Streets and Houses.

A subcommittee of the Board of Trade
is now at work considering the subs,i-
tuition of another name for az, street
and tine elimination of half numbers on
all houses in Washington. The half
numbering system has grown somewhat
in certain sections in recent years, ow-
ing to the construction of narrow front
houses and those of the "two-f family
type. This enumeration has been neces.
sary 70 prevent the REMEMBERING of all
the houses in the square. which is to be
avoided as far as possible. After a Ger.
tain length of time house or business
store number has a peculiar value and
should not be changed if there is any
way of avoidance. Yet when all the
half numbers for which there is room
have been added it might be we'll to re-
enumerate the houses upon a perma.
nent basis. As for ~ street-originally
extending from the District courthouse