The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-11

they have done so without collective
bargaining as a union but as individ
ual employees of the particular shops,
represented by their own shop COM
mittees, though admittedly still union
men.
The manufacturers met them more
than half way There has been an adj
justment in wages but no ironclad con-
tracts, nor does the union control any
body or anything, even approaching
the status Of pre-strike days. A num-
Der of New York and Boston plants
have been moved to other cities, and
large number Of cigar making ma
chimes have been either installed or
ordered, and thus will production fin
ally be cheapened, so men who should
know inform US. Not all Of the mel
are vet back at work in New York,
nor has the strike in Chicago been
settled as a whole, though some fac
tories are producing and the wheels
are all turning in Milwaukee,, We IN
derstand, the result OF a compromise
some time ago.
AS to the makers OF Havana cigars.
both in Cuba and at Tampa and Key
West, Florida, they too have had
strike troubles a-plenty. Not one
walkout but several have curtalled
clear Havana production and enhanced
costs and prices. This explains the
shortage Of Havana goods and the
numerous price advances. Clear
Havana plants are now speeding up
and there is a show for more liberal
supplies and for limited supply OF
Christmas packings in small boxes.
Leaf Market and Crops
The settlement of the eastern strike
has had a somewhat bracing effect
on cigar leaf and has increased the
demand. There is a world Of leaf in
store that should have been smoked
long since had the output of cigars
been up to expectations, for there is
still a little 1916 leaf obtairablc and
considerable 1917 leaf held by the
large factory interests, also lot on
the open market. Of course, held by
men who age their tobaccos and keep
a season or two ahead Of the grower
AS to the 1913 crop that should
now move more swiftly and surely
not at lower prices, it would seem
The 1919 crop has not begun to move
except in a limited way. Connecticut
Valley growers are rather upplsh as
to price and, in the majority OF
cases, seem to have practically come
to a deadlock with buyers. Lancaster
and York county men also think well
Of Pennsylvania 1919 leaf and arc
holding form. 1t is also a fact that
growers companies and combinations
still hold a world Of 1918 Pennsylvanla
leaf, which has been packed, stored
and borrowed on.
Government Estimates
The latest government estimate or
the total tobacco production for 1915
places the output at 1,27S,0o0,OO(
pounds, OF which kentucky is accred
! tied with 425,G4S,0OO pounds. Ohio
produced 70 per cent Of an average
crop, or S4,24O,O0O pounds against q
final estimate of 113, 2SS,00 pounds or
| December /, 1918, the total estimated
this year being about 56,OO0,0o(
against nearly 69,000,000 pounds 6
gain OF about 5000 900 compared witt
| 1913, in spite of the fight for a re
duction of acreage last spring. Wis
consin, with 64,O7O,0O0 pounds i:
! just about one million pounds below
1918 production.
| 1t would seem, then, that with ad
vancing costs on cigars, and the con
sequent partial curtailing Of demand
! that there is no tobacco famine II
sight, nor is there an extra heavy
| load of leaf on the market to carry
over until the next crop shall have
been ripened and become avai,a BILE
| The chances are for firm prices, We
cigars will now be speeded up, stock:
being so low in first hands and 81
ght in the hands of the retailers o
n1oti yn