The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-01-14
TOBACCO VAR IS
NOTHING NEW
1t Has Been Fought Out Before in the
Tobacco Raising Region of
Kentucky.

Tobacco Raising Region of
Kentucky.
Lexington, Ky, Jan. IA by the Asso-
ciated Press l.-Althcugh the movement
of 1921 for the forcing of tobacco prices
to a higher level in central Kentucky
probably is more general than ever be-
fore, according to tobacco men, trou-
Bile over tobacco prices is nothing new.
Efforts to "cut out the crop because of
low prices, have taken place periodical
! ly for the last Is years resulting in
1908 in what amounted TO virtually a
war between growers who did not plant
and those who did.
In 1908 tobacco beds were burned,
farmers whipped and in some instances
killed and general reign of terror was
inaugurated State troops were unable
to cope with the situation and the trou
bic died down only when Governor
Augustus +. Wilson issued a proclama
tion saying that the killing OF might
rider" would be followed by an imme
date pardon for the slayer There were
no sales of tobacco that year in any of
the principal markets OF the tobacco
belt either in the cigarette tobacco sec.
ton of central Kentucky or the black
belt or dark hurley region Of western
Kentucky
During the two years prior to the
night rider trouble prices for tobacco
had been at low level. In 1906, 4.542,-
947 pounds were sold on the Lexington
breaks at an average of 81 40 per 100
pounds while ls,347 sos pounds were
sold in 1907 for an average Of Sl0.93.
Prices rose TO a new high level of
$l4.ll hundred for 42,04l ST. pounds |
in 1909 but slumped again in 1910 This
caused the calling OF convention in
Lexington. which was attended, accord 1
ing to local historians, by grower, from |
Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana and at !
which it was unanimously voted TO /
"cut on" the crop in l0ll There j. no !
indication, however, that the agreement I
was generally followed out, for records I
of the Lexington Tobacco Warehouse
mems association show that in the lat
ter year 4s49s sos pounds Of tobacco
were marketed here at an average price I
Of SlO33 per 100 pounds as compared
with an average of S7.66 per hundred
for 1901 ,s77 pounds ~ 1910.
The price of tobacco reached an ay
erage Of Sl2.04 per hundred for 4s,l7I-
225 pounds on the local market in 1912
and Sl205 per hundred for 40.l76O75 in
1913 but dropped again to SS27 in 1914
when 56,4l9.2l5 pounds. a record for
this market up to that time were sold
over the breaks here Tho next year
only 35,39s,650 pounds were offered at
auction here and brought an average Of ]
sl053 per hundred
With 1915 the upward trend II to.
oacco prices started. In 1916, 1916
935 pounds were sold here for an aver
lge Of Sls,27 a hundred and in 1911.
he average price paid for 4l,2l9,9l0
pounds jumped $40 per hundred to
$500. Another $40 increase occurred
n 1918 when the local warehousemen
luctioned 1926 $50 pounds for an av
rage Of $3.50 per hundred.
The largest amount of tobacco that
yer went over the floors Of the Lexing
on warehouses was marketed in 1919
or the highest price on record. 63,649,
,65 pounds being sold for an average Of
'46.l7 per 100 pounds.
Indications Of a drop in price We're
oreseen BY tobacco men early in 1920
nd last July a meeting Of growers
vas held in Lexington 10 vote on the
proposition to abandon the 1927 crop.
{ was stated that labor costs were so
Ugh that in order TO make the crop paw
/ would be necessary 70 do something
D. s.sI
gl9. II was decided az the July meet
ne, however, that a "cut out would
OF be necessary and the Burley Tobac
o Growers association was formed in
n endeavor to work out tbs problems
I the growers through cooperative
lethods John w. Newman Of Yer 4
allies was elected head Of the organi- 1
alton.
When the government estimate Of /,
he tobacco crop Of Kentucky was made (
ublic Dec !. growers declared that
was too high. a. the leaf would not
eigh more than two-thirds Of the
sual amount This caused postpone
ent 81 the opening Of the markets
lroughout the white hurley. or cigar
te tobacco belt. while the growers a.
iFlallnW auu eHaAf ana le4eidl aEIE-
lltural department officials took cen
Is Of the white hurley crop. This re-
,rt was given ont Dec. 30 and showed
production Of 236.500OOO pounds Of
Il cigarette leaf. Officials IT the col
~ II agriculture. University IT Ken n
Iclly. and field agents u the nited II
ates department II agriculture. who 1,
ia been making = study 81 the cost Of e.
-oducing and marketing Kentucky to- u
Icco. gave out an estimate n 500 per T.
re a. the cost Of producing and mar 4
ting the 1920 crop The estimated
cduction per acre was fixed az SIS d.
.unds, making the estimated cost s36 d.
r hundred III
The Lexington market opened Jan 3 al
"A q her markets IN succeeding DAYS. p.
3 larger ones On Jan. 4 When grow &