The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1922-01-25
iDOESNNOT Believe IN
COOPERATIVE MARKETING

COOPERATIVE MARKETING
Several of our subscribers have
asked us to publish some anti-co-
operative tobacco marketing news.
We have clipped two items from The
Southern Tobacco Journal which may
be Of considerable, interest. One is
by the editor of the above journal
and the other one by tobacco man
who is now located in Belgium.
The Southern Tobacco Journal Of
fers no apology for the position it is
taking in the matte: of the Co-opera-
tive Market, as applied to leaf tobac-
go: We believe that we are doing the
tobacco farmer favor in warning
him against proposed plan that we
honestly believe will if put into opera
tion of work to his disadvantage. Not
only this, but if the proposed plan
should be put into operation, the en-
Z tire business interest of the tobacco
centers of the country would be en-
barrassed. 1t is matter Of surprise
to us that bankers and other business
/, concerns do not realize the serious
i, ness of the pr ,osed proposition.
Since announcing our position in this
matter, and stating our objection to
the plan as affecting the tobacco in
terest, we have received many letters
Of endorsement of our position-and
talked the matter over, with US. We
find also that bankers and others who
are interested are anxious for all the
information they can get. In our is-
sue Of week before last, we endeavor-
ed to present facts in connection with
the proposition. Our editorials were
extensively copied and we were forced
to issue several hundred copies ex-
ira, which were promptly taken by
those seeking information. We have
rece. .Sly come into contact with hund-
reds of tobacco farmers who are anx-
ious to know what all this thing of the
tobacco Cooperative Marketing Plan
means. We believe that we are stat
I ing the truth when we say that not
more than 10 per cent of those with
whom we have come into contact are
in favor of the plan. In fact many
with whom we have talked, who have
signed the five year contract, are an
xious to be released from the obliga-
tion.
We want to say again, and we want
10 say it iwth all the emphasis at our
command, that, we are not influenced
in our position on account of any per-
.sonal interest. Those who know us
best know that we have nothing to
lose nor nothing to gain. Now let
us address a few remarks to our far
mer friends as we'll as others who
should be interested in their welfare.
You arc called upon, gentlemen, to
enter into an agreement with some
one (God knows whol. This agree
fN
years. In this agreement you agree
to pool your tobacco. That is you
place your tobacco in classes with
hundreds of others. This tobacco is
then prepared for market, re-dried,
etc. 1t is then stored and buyers in
vited to inspect, etc. Then you deliver
your tobacco to be classed. You are
told that you are to receive GO per
cent of the value of your tobacco, and
the remainder, or what, is left after
it is sold and delivered. OF course
yuo know that out of the tobacco that
is sold yo uare to pay your propor-
tional part Of the cost of grading, re-
drying, packing, insurance, taxes, etc.
They tell you that expert men. will at
tend to classification, valuation, etc.
Well now stop just one minute and
estimate what all this will cost. The
expert grader, the expert appraiser,
the expert re-dryer-thc expert this
and expert that. With complicated
system Of bookkeeping-and then a
great loss in weight. You know that
there will be bill of charges that
will staggcr you. Now think again:
What manner of man is he, who can
possibly place value on tobacco in
advance? Did you ever think of this
If not think of it seriously now. No
human being can tell what the prices
of tobacco will be from one season to
the other-and in the face Of this
fact, these promoters tell you that
you will receive 60 per cent Of the
value of your tobacco.
Now comes the proposition Of fin
ancing the proposition. Naturally
those who can furnish the money will
want to know how it is going to be
applied--and believe us--thcy are
surely going to know. Do you believe
for one minute that banks or the Gov
crnment will loan money to pay for
tobacco on valuation that would in
all probability be out of reason. And
then again--it is going to take mil
lions of dollars to pay other expenses.
We will leave it to you to tell us
where it is coming from. Another
thing gentlemen, and that is, if this
great scheme should be put into op-
eration--those who are stock holders
(and every man who stores tobacco
is stock hOlder) become spectators
or dealers in leaf tobacco. Suppose
the concern has several million pounds
on han dto be sold. There are only a
few buyers who cut big figure. The
tobacco that iS for sale is of course