Evening star., 1941-07-24
Growers Told
OF TaxPeriIt 10
Tobacco Prices
5000 at Outing
Hear Gov. O'Conor
And Susscer
!, a Staff Correspondent Of The Star.

SEASIDE PARK, Chesapeake
Beach, Md, July 24.-War took a
back seat and tobacco was the by
word as 5000 persons flocked to
this bayside resort yesterday for the
annual outing of the Maryland To-
bacco Growers Association.
They heard Gov. O'Conor reiterate
a pledge made last year that all
the facilities of the State govern
ment will be used to promote the
best interests of Southern Maryland
leaf growers in the marketing of
their crop. In addition, the Gov
ernor declared these facilities again
will be available to the committee
appointed last year to study to-
bacco marketing in the State and
which will renew it's efforts this
year in cooperation with the Uni
versity of Maryland's extension
service.
Another speaker, Representative
LanSdale G. Sasscer, told the audi
ence that in view of the increased
demand for Southern Maryland to-
bacco and resulting higher prices
for it. any additional taxation on
cigarettes will be injurious to the
areas tobacco industry.
DIR. Symons Speaks.
Another speaker, DR.. T. B. Symons,
director of the University of Mary
lands extension service. warned to-
bacco growers against thinking that
increased prices they obtain from
their crop this year because of the
war are due to the loose-leaf mar
ket, which is now in its third year
of existence in Southern Maryland.
Gov. O'Conor reviewed the work
of the committee he appointed last
year to study tobacco marketing in
the State and expressed disappoint-
ment that no legislative action was
taken on the committees recon-
mendations.
He pointed out that tobacco is
raised on nearly $500 farms in
Southern Maryland, involving about
80 900 acres and producing an av-
erage crop of between 24,o00,000 and
100000 pounds annually. whose
value varies between s5,000.O00 and
s60oo,0oo. depending on the size and
price of the crop.
He declared that as result OF
the war American imports of Turk
ish tobacco have been cut off and
the demand for Southern Maryland
leaf has been increased because OF
its similarity to Turkish brands.
Urges Cut in Expenses.
The Governor also expressed hope
that the Nation would not be drawr
into the war but at the same time
warned that State and local gov.
ernment expenses should be reduced
in order that both agencies may
give the national defense program
complete cooperation.
Representative Sasscer said that
as European imports of American
tobacco had decreased. the demand
for Southern Maryland tobacco hao
proportionately risen, thus forcing
up prices obtained for the leaf.
He declared that additional take:
on tobacco would decrease its con.
sumption which would have an ad.
verse affect on prices at the mar.
kets.
In addition he said that since
there is no production in the
Southern Maryland tobacco industry
and growing demand for the leaf
there is no need for tobacco quota!
in the area. This is particularly
| important, Representative Sasscel
declared, since the economic well
fare of the Maryland tobacco indus.
try has a close relation to the vel
fare of the entire State.
O'Conor Awards Prizes.
Following the meeting, over which
George Sachse, association manager
presided, prizes we're awarded BY
Gov. O'Conor to tobacco grower.
who had turned in their sample,
earlier
! The grand prize for all countie!
represented went to Miss Rosins
Keller of Waldorf in Charles County
who also won first prize in tn,
Charles County competition.
Other winners and the countie.
they represented were Richard Ware
of Lothian, first prize, and Lawrenc,
w. King also of Lothian, secone
prize In the Anne Arundel COUNTY
competition: Lawrence Pardoe O.
Island Creek, first prize, and T
Stanley Sunderland, second, Calver
County; Miss Keller, first prize, ant
S. c. Linton of Riverside, second
Charles County; Ellis E. Trueman
Brandywine, first prize, and Clar.
ence E. Trueman, also of Brandy.
wine, second, Prince Georges Coun.
ty, and Clifton Downs, Avenue, frs
prize and Irving Harrison of Chap.
tico, second, of st. Marys County.