The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1922-12-01

NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

packers proposed that the leaf men OF
Wisconsin discuss the formation of an
association of Wisconsin tobacco men.
The men present were so intent upon
the business of arriving at pleasant
understanding with the Pool and dis
posing of the now nearly forgotten con-
tract to lease or sell warehouses to the
new cooperative organization that the
suggestion made by the young man be-
came lost in the shuttle.
That the leaf men, manufacturers
and dealers in Wisconsin tobacco have
not seen the need of an organization is
rather remarkable. Many have talked
of the desirability of such an organiza-
ton, but no move has been made in re-
cent years to bring the men of the in
dustry together to talk over matters of
interest to all of them. In nearly all
of the other tobacco-growing states
there are such organizations, and there
are national organizations of tobacco
merchants and of leaf men, as there
are organizations of the different crafts
within the tobacco industry. Wiscon-
sin leaf men, cigar manufacturers and
tobacco merchants sit each in their
places of business. They know one an
other, try to keep track of one anoth-
er's movements, sales and other opera
tions, but they have not found it worth
while to meet in conventions to talk
over t1eir problems, learn one from
the other, cheer one another, nor are
they together for the purpose of giving
Wisconsin an official representation in
the national tobacco organizations.
Here is not question of co-opera-
tive association or the formation of a
body with legal status in handling and
merchandising tobacco. The thing that
some of the Wisconsin tobacco men
baye in mind is to meet together from
time to time to exchange views and to
further movements for the good of the
Wisconsin industry. The tobacco men
of Chicago have recently come together
ina such an organization.
Some are little timid about making
the first move, especially at this time.
Theyfeel that for the leaf men and
manufacturers to start such an organ
ization at this time would be construed
as move counter to the newly organ
lied cooperative Pool. There should
be nothing to fear on that score. The
Pool and the leaf men in the state have
fo1 0%nN
of one another. Both sides realize that
the success of the entire industry will
depend upon the ability of working to-
gether. The growers have their inter-
ests to further, and the efficiency with
which they can handle their end of the
business will mitigate to- the good of
the industry. By the same sign the
leaf men must find it to the advantage
of the industry to increase their eff
ficiency in doing their share of the bus
ness. There is room for both, and the
efficiency and the service to the indus
try by the leaf men could undoubtedly
be enhanced by closer knitting to-
gether of the individuals engaged in
the same business into some sort of an
organization. If for no other purpose,
the meeting together of the men in the
court, clearing house of experiences
and opinions that would prove exceed
ingly valaable to most Of them.
**x
st. Cloud. Minn., Nov. 20, 1922.
Editor Reporter: Enclosed please find
check for 81 80 as subscription to The
Reporter. We certainly enjoy and ap-
oia%o inf fnrI1
The Reporter in regard to tobacco cul-
ture and tobacco marketing. | grew
up near Madison, Wis, and I am we'll
acquainted with the tobacco game and
also know great many men in the to-
bacco business.
We had about 500 acres of tobacco
grown in Minnesota the past season.
About $50 acres were grown in the
southeastern part of the state near
Peterson, and about Is acres near
Rochester. The rest of it was grown
rs miles north of Minneapolis near St.
Cloud. Clear Lake raises about Is
acres, ST. Cloud about 80 acres, Rich
mond about 100 acres, Kimball about 25
acres and Cold Spring 25 acres.
This section has been growing tobac-
co for the past IL years and some ex-
of late years, and great many crops
have sold as high as 35c pound, which,
shows that size and quality are not
lacking in this section. This year, how
ever, was little too dry in some sec-
tions, and some was hit by hail and was
sold as stemming at &c. The binder
end of it sold from 10 to 15c with filters
out.
Minnesota has very good soil for to-
bacco growing and fine crops of tobacco
have been produced in this section. A
great advantage here is that there are
only a few acres of tobacco grown to
each farm, which enables the growers
to manure their fields heavily every
year, and also makes it easier for them
to take good care of their crops and
handle them to better advantage than
where too many acres are grown. |
think the time is coming when Mime
sofa binders will be just as much in de-
mand as Wisconsin binder is today.
Yours very truly,
Chas H. Lien,