The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-04-06
The Pin-Hooker Answered.

cthec product" This is the very
reason why it is being handled by a
different association from the sweet
potato. A different line of experts
is needed to handle the proposition.
Hon't think for moment, either, that
the farmers money will not be able
to procure just as competent help
as the money of the manufacturer.
We freely admit with you that most
warehousemen have always been
friends of the farmer. You should
have said, "He tries to get the farm
or living prices for his tobacco" But
can he do it? When the crop was
being absolutely given away in South
Carolina last July and August, could
the warcnousemen do anything to
help the farmer? We happen to
know of one lot of 10000 pounds Of
tobacco, which was bought by a
South Carolina Warehouseman on his
floor at that time for less than $500.
This lot of tobacco waS sold to another
party for $1,000, ard then re-sold
again for $4,000. How much did the
warehcuseman help the farmer? The
writer also happens to know of other
tobacco which was offered in South
Carolina by the farmer last season
and refused by the buyers at any
Lrice. This same tobacco was bought
later by a speculstor for less than
two cents per pound and sold on a
North Carolina market during Octo-
Ter for twelve to twenty cents per
pound. Did the South Carolina ware
houseran help the farmer in this
instance? Let US add here that these
are no isolated cases.
They say that the farmer wants
lis money as soon as his tobacco is
stld. This is true, but ne also wants
cost of reduction and little profit
in order to educate his children. You
say tobacco is now selling very well.
What was it doing when this move
ment was started and gained such
headway? The wisest farmers are
rot fooled by this little furry in
prices.
Ore of their remarkable statements
is: "When a farmer signs five
year contract, he is to certain ex-
tent signing away his privileges"
In other words to enter in to an agree
ment among themselves to handle
their tobacco by a different method,
is signing away their privileges.
Why this five-year clause anyway?
It is hard to think OF any business
which you could open up, run one
year and then close out and make
money under normal circumstances.
Could you do it with store, farm or
tobacco warehouse? The reason for
five year clause is:
1. The overhead expenses of or
ganization, ETC., on q one year con-
tract would be too heavy.
2. The association proposes to hire
some of the most successful tobac-
co men in the United States to help
handle and sell their tobacco. They
could not get them to give up their
rresent business for one year con-
tract, except at enormous figures.
8. Bankers and large business con-
Germs do not like to do business with
a temporary organization.
a. The one year pools have been
tried and proven unsuccessful, but
en- the other hand, every one of the
twenty odd five-year pools have sue
ceeded.
Another question is: "What manner
cf man is he who can place a value
on tobacco" Any manufacturing
concern figures his selling price by
adding to the cost Of the finished
product a reasonable profit. Why
should the farmer be denied this priv
ilege?
The United States government is
today making advances to other as
scciations in money loans. They
have promised the Tri-State associa-
tion the same favor if it becomes
Necessary. The bankers and best
business men in Virginia, North Caro-
lima anil South Carolina believe them,
why not you? If it becomes neces-
ssry for the association to re-dry and
Gerry their tobacco, they will do as
oil other big independent concerns do,
VIZ: add re-drying expenses, loss in
weight and interest on the money in
volved, to the price of the tobacco
As a practical business man, you must
realize that every pound of tobacco
eliminated from competition with the
association, adds that much strength
to the organization.