The Wilmington morning star., 1947-11-06
LEAF INTERESTS
Continued from Page One)


cordance with 1946 conditions
which were good. Gage said, but
unfortunately, the British cut al
locations and upped tariffs short
ly after the announcement of the
1947 quota. Thus the tobacco
growers entered the marketing
year knowing that a reduction in
British purchases could be ex-
pected. Now, he added, British
imports have been completely
stopped. ..... ,...-- I'D.
"The picture domestically is
brighter" Gage said. "Cigarette
consumption is still rising, and
we think it will continue to rise
for some time Increased use of
tobacco here at home will offset
some of the discouraging foreign
aspects"
1--WE must come up with So
luton that will permit a reduc-
ton of the surplus on hand" he
added. "If we don't the people
who legislate the government
program will react unfavorably.
The program will be in jeopardy
unless we arrive at some solu-
ton that will appeal to the people
in Congress as wise and business
like"
The total supply Of flue-cur-
ed tobacco as of last July l, was
1887, 100000 pounds, consisting of
stocks of 1887 100000 pounds and
an estimated production of L.
310,0O0,0OO pounds, Assistant Di-
rector J. E. Thigpen of the to-
bacco branch told the audience.
During the past two years,
Thigpen said, domestic consump-
ton has averaged about 663, 3,OOO,-
900 pounds. 1t is estimated that
domestic consumption during the
current year will be about 670,-
100000 pounds.
Exports for the first three
months (July-September) OF the
current marketing year totaled
about 100000 pounds, COM
pared with 100,000,000 pounds
exported during the same months
of 1916, and exports for the year
will total around 370,000,0OO
pounds, about the same as the
1O-year average, Thigpen said.
Tom Allen of Greensboro, rep
resenting the State Grange, read
a resolution from the Grange
which voiced absolute opposi-
ton to an acreage reduction
above Is per cent.
Speaking for the Bright Belt
Warehouse Association, Fr e d
Royster, said that, in view of the
British withdrawal and the un-
certain foreign market, a reduc-
ton in acreage of 80 per cent
should be made.
]. M. Sharp, president of the
Rockingham County Farm Bu-
reau, said, "we must cut and cut
to the bone now in order to save
the farmers in the future" " 1t
was Mr.. Sharp's opinion that a
80 per cent reduction would not
be too much.
Director l. o. Schaub of the
N. C. State College Extension
Service said "a 80 per cent cut
would mean that farmers would
be growing about the same acre
age as they were in 1943 and
about 10000 acres more than IN
1912. You cannot hope to con-
tinue increasing the acreage each
year and expect to get good
price for your tobacco"
J. B. Hutson, president OF 10
bacco Associates, Inc, stated that
25 per cent reduction IN acre
age should prove sufficient.
"Stocks of tobacco in foreign
countries at the end of the war
were low and exports have now
increased these stocks almost to
prewar level" Hutson said.
T. ]. Pearsall of Rocky Mount
said he felt that 20 per. cent
reduction would be sufficient, but
if it proved not to be, then an
other reduction could be made
later. 1t would jeapardize too
many growers to make such a
drastic cut as 80 per cent, Mr..