4

-3-

of $7.51 a month.

"Some of the finest cigar factories have left Tampa, others have been
purchased by the Trust and taken to New Jersey where they make the cigars
from $10.00 to $12.00 less per thousand. The hand made cigars are also
made much cheaper than in Tampa. The men who work in these cigar factories
in New Jersey are chiefly Porto Ricans, who are reputed as very fine
cigarmakers.

"The factory of Schwab-Davis & Co. has also threatened to leave Tampa
if the present strike they are having is not called off.

"I have seen statements made by Mr. Davis stating that he was trying
to introduce better methods for the comfort of the cigarmakers, and they
would also be able to earn more than what they are making at present.
This is a gross misstatement on his part as what he has tried to do is
to take away more money from what little the cigar-makers are now earning.

"Mr. Davis has an agreement signed with the "Comite Nivelador"
(Balance Committee) and with all the other cigar-manufacturers, to pay
a stipulated price on each brand of cigar — a price adhered to by most
of the manufacturers.

"The method that he wanted to introduce consisted in having the one
who has been rolling cigars, to make his own bunches without placing them
on the moulds. Therefore, the cigars would come out looser, and not as
tight as cigars made from moulds. This would have eliminated the bunch-
makers. There are from one, two or three rollers for each bunch-maker,
according to the skill and speed of the bunch-maker.

"This system would have meant a reduction of as much as $6.50 per

1445