Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-03
The HdSkin Letter 81 e : 2s:sa
CAN WE HAVE NICKEL CIGARS?

and that the tariff situation is repson-
sible in large part for the higher costs.
Not only that, but the government is
getting less revenue from the high
tariff on imported tobaccos of high
grade than it would receive in income
if the tariff were lower. The lower
import duty would, they contend, result
in such an increase in importatiOns
that the bulk of the business would
more than offset the lower rate, as far
as the income to the government would
be concerned.
Instead of being a protective tariff,
as now proposed, the $3.50 duty on Su-
rmatra wrapper would act as a draw
back to the efforts of the American
tobacco planter, the makers of cigars
aver. On the theory that a cheap
cigar without the Sumatra wrapper
would not sell readily, the makers say
that raising prices would reduce the
volume. This, of course, would hit the
tobacco planters directly. =.
The tariff bill is not done with vet,
and the question of the Sumatra wrap
per is not of very much importance,
when the whole scope of the measure
is considered. But there is a lot of
agitation one way and another, and
more will be heard from it before the
tariff bill is sent to President Harding
for his signature. The manufacturers
are trying to convince, not only con-
gress, but the growers as well, that the
best interests of everyone would be
conserved if the tariff on imported Su-
matra were brought down several pegs.
For Home Grown Product
On the other hand, there are those
growers who insist that a cigar can be
made entirely of American grown to-
bacco which will not only be readily
Acceptable to the class of smokers who
like the old five cent class of cigars.
but that the demand will be good, and
therefore the American tobacco crop
can be marketed with a good return
to the raiser of domestic tobacco.
Some of the makers of the old time
five centers were on the verge of big
advertising campaigns based on get
ting out p cigar with the foreign wrap
per at the old price of a nickel apiece.
These plans have been held up pending
the final action of congress on the
question of duty on Sumatra. There
makers insist they cannot make the
cigar with the old wrapper to sell for
five cents # the proposed duty goes
through, and will not even make an
effort.
Some of the manufacturers are rath-
or annoyed that all of the American
growers do not see the situation from
their point of view. One cigar maker
here recently had this to say:
American farmers who raise to-
bacco will be the first to feel the pres
sure, if the plan to increase the duty
is adopted. Instead of applauding the
senator's who are trying to jam through
the tariff, the tobacco growers will be
likely to curse them a year hence.
With a $3.50 tariff as proposed. we will
have to raise the price of domestic
cigars or pay less to the grower for
his filler tobacco. If we raise prices
TO the consumer we will lose volume,
so will the grower"
There are two sides of the question.
It may be that the old five cent cigar
will never come back. If it is true that
the Sumatra wrapper is necessary to
supply aroma and flavor, the high tar
iff may block the return to normally
III this line. If just as good a cigar can
he put on the market made entirely of
American tobacco. the old time five
ent cigar will soon return TO solace
those who mourn its loss.