The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1920-07-30

NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


Ihe estimated acreage OF tobacco for
the u. S. this season is 81 per cent as
compared with the acreage of 1919.
Massachusetts has increased her acre
age this year, Connecticut is nearly up
to last year in point of acres, but
weather conditions have reduced her
probable output at harvest time by 20
to 80 per cent. Pennsylvania has less
than last year, Wisconsin about the
same as last year, with slight in
crease. The cigarette tobacco produc-
ing states have increased their acreage.
These estimates are based on the pres
ent outlook. Weather conditions from
now on will determine the actual
amount of tobacco to be harvested.
But the acreage shows one thing, and
that is that the tobacco growers are
pretty we'll satisfied that thereis money
in raising tobacco.
The period of January 1, 1920, to
May l, 1920, shows large increase in
the production of tobacco products
Cigarettes in the five months increased
more than 81 billions, compared with
the same period of 1919. At the same
rate of increase the cigarette produc-
tion of the country will surpass so bill
lions this year. Cigars increased by
744 millions. The indicated production
of cigars for the year is around 10 bill
lions. The largest annual production
of cigars thus far has been eight bill
lions.
1888
A matter of considerable interest to
the tobacco industry is the possibility,
even the probability, as matters stand
now, of American capitalists securing
a monopoly of the tobacco trade in
France, and perhaps, in Austria. The
sum mentioned as a consideration to
France for the monopoly there is $400,-
600, 900. The men who are mentioned
as the leaders to finance this huge bus
mess are Thomas F. Ryan, James B.
Duke, George j. Whelan and their as
sociates. ''Within Is days we will
know whether it is feasible to acquire
the French tobacco Reggie" is the
ssasement credited, to George j. Whe-
Ian, according to an article in the u. S.
Tobacco Journal of July II, and it con-
tinues by saying: Beyond the fact that
negotiations for the French purchase
are pending, as was reported in last
weeks issue, Mr.. Wheian said posi-
lively that no thing definite had trans
pired up to this time. From persons
close to the principal figures in the
transaction it has been learned by this
newspaper that the whole matter hinges
upon the French government view of
the financial situation in Europe today
and that if the seemingly interminable
details involved in an international
transaction of some $4OO, 600, 900 can be
arranged advantageously and satisfac-
torily to all concerned, the deal may be
closed. The departure of Mr.. Whelan
for Europe sharply emphasizes the
statement of this newspaper last week,
effect that, eff the Reggie purchase can
be made ..... he will make it; if it can
not, he will let the matter DROP"
***
Cooperative societies in Russia, the
growth of which seems to be one of the
most interesting results of the revolu-
tionary movement in that country, are
the subject of an interesting bulletin
just published by the Department of
Commerce. The report says that in
1916 cooperative consumers societies
in Russia founded tobacco. match and
other factories. The All Russia Cen
trail Union of Consumers Societies has
First Department of Miscellaneous
Goods, according to the report, which
deals with articles of everyday use,
like tobacco, tea, matches and confec-
tionery. The Industrial Department
of the same Union includes among it's
industrial enterprises a tobacco factory
in the Tamboy Government with cap
ital of 3,500,000 rubles, and match
factory in the Moscow Government
with 500, 600 rubles capital The real
property holdings of the same organ
ization included a tobacco factory val
ued at 81, 800 rubles. Cooperative So
cieties IN Siberia and the Urals oper-
ated candy factories and other manu-
featuring establishments.
***
We quote from the Leaf: The In
ternal Revenue figures for May, ap-
pearing in this weeks issue of The To-
bacco Leaf, give striking evidence of
the metamorphosis that has taken
place. In that month there were pro-
duced 147,912,043 cigars retailing at
five cents and under. Of cigars retail
ing at over five cents and under nine
cents there were produced 222, 030, ,038.
Of cigars retailing at from pine to if-
teen cents, inclusive, the production
was 296, 430, ,341. In other words, among
the three best selling grades the nickel
cigar has third place, the six-to-eight-
cent cigar second place and the nine
to fifteen-cent cigar first place in guam
tity of production. In a few brief