Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1919-11-28
By elk Ewingl

tobacco overshadows in Importance
all other objects connected with our
farming operations. The very at
mosphere is filled with acrimonious
criticism of profiteering with refer
ence to everything we buy.
For the next several months
all we have to sell is tobacco,
and as usual the subject pre-
sents itself squarely are we to
make price for our product which
accords with the investment, the la
Dor, the excessive cost of everything
we buy and with supply and demand
or will we allow buying interests to
dictate prices to us. 1t is notewor-
thy that withstanding the hog and
cattle markets have literally gone to
pieces, prices of these products Of
the farm have declined inconsidera-
bly so far as the consumer IS con-
cerned. Will not the same condl-
tions eventuate as to tobacco IN pos
session of the grower unless effort
is made to safeguard consistent
price in his interest? Every grow
er should be speedily informed by
those who read, mingle with the mar
ket or come in contact with fellow
growers the greatest menace TO
good prices is at the beginning OF
the buying season. If it be possible
to buy a few crops at low prices 1t
has the effect of precendent which
it is extremely difficult to over
come. Although some feel they are
obligated to sell early to meet H.
nancial necessities, this number sell
ing might prove dangerous factor
in the seasons sales, and therefore
urompt and direct effort should be
nut forth to show growers that TO
sell for one-third less than value is
an unwise method of meeting imam
cial necessities. have inquired OF
those in best position to know ana
am informed obstacles to an unre-
stricted market save one the cost OF
foreign exchange have been re-
moved Transportation which was
bugaboO for the past several sea-
SONS. but which did not prevent puy-
ing interets from buying and storing
until an opportune time to ship
profitably, is normal, there are for
ships to transport tobacco to Tor
eipn shores and there never has
been such scarcity of our tobacco
or such foreign and domestic de-
mand as there is this season. Buy
er5 are saying prices will be ap-
nroximately what they were last sea-
! SON Doubtless they would be glad
to think so. If ] were a buyer
w,uld endeavor to buy as low as
could. am one Of 100000 citizens
If the dark tobacc. district of Ken
lucky and Tennessee vitality inter-
ested in a consistent price and fur
thor in making the prices for our
own products in accord with the
law Of supply and demand. Why
Should grower accept last sea-
sons's prices when pair OF shoes
which formerly sold for SIS now sell
for $40, when the price of hats,
clothing, harness, wagons, imple~
ments and tools of every character
used upon the farm are enormously
advanced since last season. Is there
anything whatever the grower buys
which represents no advance since
last season? Prices which consum-
ers are paying for our tobacco IN
foreign countries are amazingly high,
probably thr>e times as high as
many suppose, although the aggre-
gate cost of a years supply Of to-
bacco for one man, pipe smoker,
or chewer is small. It would be a
mistake for our growers to fear they