
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 14, 1994                   TAG: 9407220075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: JONESVILLE                                 LENGTH: Short

TRACTOR JAM TO PROTEST TOBACCO TAX

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation predicts a tractor jam Saturday on U.S. 58 in Lee County in protest of proposed increases in federal cigarette taxes.

Tobacco farmers in far Southwest Virginia plan a massive afternoon rally and tractor-cade, the organization reported in its News Leads publication.

More than 300 farmers have agreed to drive their tractors to Jonesville Middle School from all over the county, Lee County Farm Bureau President Ann Slemp said, and more are expected.

``They're picking on tobacco alone and, in Lee County, tobacco is our livelihood. That's all we've got,'' she said.

Cable News Network has committed itself to cover the event if more than 200 farmers show up, she said .

- Staff report

by CNB