Tobacco Condemned by its Friends

Tobacco Condemned by its Friends By Will H. Brown

The effect of tobacco upon its users or upon those compelled to breathe its fumes has never been more severely condemned than by the friends of the weed. The Tobacco Leaf, of New York, in its leading editorial of October 28, discussing the strike of the cigarmakers of Tampa, Florida, which had been on for over six months, says: "In no other branch of industry are strikes so protracted as in the cigar trade. Perhaps in no other division of industry can there be found such blind subjection to leadership and such absolute disregard of reason and justice. The practice of sabotage by both striking and non-striking — cigarmakers is significant of that trait of unmorality if not immorality characteristic of the cigarmaking class."

Then reference is made to photographic reproductions of two cigars one containing a hair-pin and the other a piece of hemp cord running through its entire length, with this comment: "When we handed these cigars to our engraver he remarked that only a few days before he had purchased three cigars on Broadway, that in one he found a piece a wood, in another a tack, and in the third a nail. These few cases are typical possibly of thousands which do not chance to be brought to the attention of this paper or the manufacturer of the goods. There is not the slightest inclination on the part of the cigarmakers collectively to refute the charge of sabotage. On the contrary, it is openly boasted of and threatened." If further evidence were needed to convince a doubter, we have it in an article by Dr. W. A. Bloedorn, who made such an earnest effort to defend tobacco that it was published in booklet form by the Tobacco Merchants' Association of the United States. Speaking of the smoker Dr. Bloedorn makes this plain unequivocal statement: "He appears less acutely aware of his own shortcomings and more tolerant of the shortcomings of others." This is simply another way of saying that the smoker tolerates in himself and in others, under the influence of tobacco, that which, in his natural reasoning frame of mind, he would not tolerate. Tobacco Leaf says, in the editorial already quoted: "The strikers smoke the choicest cigars at their employers' expense." j • •

The No-Tobacco Journal, commenting upon the admissions sabotage of Tobacco Leaf, says that in the statement concerning

308 IMPROVEMENT ERA among cigarmakers it is probable that the worst is not told, adding: "'There are no doubt some who are mean enough to rentier the product filthy, which would not be so easily detected. We venture the assertion that tobacco is the filthiest product on the general market that finds its way into the mouths of people. It cannot be washed or cleaned in any considerable way, and its color and nature admirably lend itself to the hiding of any filth it may contain." Not only are cigarmakers as a class condemned by Tobacco Leaf, one of the leading organs of the trade, but the dealers condemn the product itself, in their advertisements. In boosting their own brands they perhaps thoughtlessly tell the truth about others. Here are satements selected from just a few such advertisements: "Does not upset your stomach," "Will not injure the heart," "Does not affect the nerves," "It won't bite your tongue." "Leaves no unpleasant cigaretty aftertaste or unpleasant cigaretty odor." "Will not parch your throat." With the manufacturers of tobacco condemned by one of its own organs; with a physician who attempts a defense of the weed making the most damaging admission possible, and with the dealers in tobacco condemning it in their advertisements, we may well ask: "Where are the friends of tobacco?" Oakland, Cala.

"Red- Wing" Helped

A farmer viewed with dismay his ruined crop of alfalfa. For years this field had yielded abundant food for "Old Boss" who in turn supplied the farmer's little ones with good, rich milk. A neighbor who was driving by called out, "I see the weevil isin your alfalfa;" and drove on. Another neighbor called out: "The weevil is certainly after your crop in good shape;" and drove on. Still another called out, with a beautiful bell-like voice: "Look-at-the-we-e-vil." The farmer was almost exasperated, but upon looking around he saw that the last speaker was no other than an old "Red-wing" perched upon the barn. It may have been that "weevil on the brain" did its part, but the bird certainly seemed to be saying: "Look-at-the-we-e-vil. Look-at-the-we-e-vil." One thing that interested the farmer was the fact that "Redwing" friends began answering his call, and soon a great flock swooped down upon the weevil and "did their bit." E. D. Partridge. B. Y. t/, Provo