New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-15
IMPORTED HAVANA CIGARS.
THEIR GOOD REPUTATION THREATENED.

THEIR GOOD REPUTATION IHREAlENED'
ADULTFRATIoN OF IMPORTED CIGARs-CUBAN MAN
UFACTURERs IN AMERICA-GOvERNMENT DIS
ELIMINATION AGAINST HOME INDUSTRY.
"0nly imported cigars sold here" is no
tice seen in many rselass hotel and some of
the best groceries and cgar-stores. The commercial
value Of the cigar manufactured in Havana main
tanned by the absolute certainty of its purity The best
tobacco for cigars is grown in Cuba especially In the
Yuelta Abao district. and law of the Spanish Cortes
has forbidden the importation OF leaf tobacco into Cuba
under severe penalties Cubans have also been the most
skifu manufacturers Of cigars, making article from
the brand Of tobacco superior TO that which would
be produced by a German French ciRar-maker. AS
cigars manufactured in this country could be- aud fire.
quenty were adulterated by admixture OF Connect
cut leaf Americans naturally TO prefer imported
cigar the purity OF which was guaranteed by the simple
fact that it made in Havana No such security IL is
claimed is now aforded
About two years ago the delegates from Porto Rico TO
the Spanish Cores obtained royal decree setting aside
the law forbidding the importation OF tobacco into
Cuba in favor of Porto Rico. Since then the entire crop
Of that island has found market in Havana, ard also
large quantities have been shipped from this country,
from Germany, Mexico and santo Domingo 10 Porto
Rico and thence repacked shipped Havana where
1t is worked up into cigars OF the brands which had
previously obtained a reputation The price OF this
foreign tobacco from TO II cents pound that Of
Cuban tobacco from 80 or 40 cents for filters" 20 ~
and upward for wrappers IL u stated by the DtdrtO
de Ia Marina, a havana 1OuruHlt tuht thtfe nave
been several months in which the importation from
sister island has amounted 10 1000 bales" Tbs
amounts TO 3l6,5OO pounds enough 10 make 1928 900
cigars, # made wholly from The bastard tobacco. or
double the number II an equal quantity OF native To-
case II this business were carried ON to the
same extent for year, more than 3I0,-
Havana, adulterated with very inferior grades OF
tobacco. Havana cigar-makers admit thai not
ally to the United and sold the pure article
The effects Of this being felt by the trade at Havana,
ing ground among European consumers that In order
buy cigars Of Vuea AbaO tobacco they mus, have
states. La also published at Havana expresses
the that all the pure yueta Abao leaf will be
ported and made up the United States 20 avoid tho
heavy duties now extorted there upon our inferior
Inquiries were made on Saturday among Cuban cigar
manufacturers IN regard 70 the extent To which this adult
teraon was carried on at Havana aud the effect u
having their business. Both members OF the firm OF
Jose Baron CO., one OF the Oldest houses IN the city,
are now about sixty firms this city employing chiefly
Cuban wOrkmen, ana manufacturing pure Havana
cigars. This house has been established since 1882
but the industry generally is new one. number Of
Cuban have also established manufactures
al Kew West among them quite recently Juan b. Romero
the maker OF the Espaola brand and Martinez Bhor
who brought 10 this country SlOOOOOO capital and from
800 10 GOO workmcn. Mr. Baron said that for long
time had been trying 10 contend against the prejudice
favor of imported cigars. lie had imported best
tobacco and had made bis cigars IN the same way he
made them formerly Ia Havana. but they could not sell
domestic" cigars except at greatly reduced prices
while Havana manufacturers boast that they could put
anything the American market, simply because the
boxes bore the Government guarantee that they had
been imported. My cigars retail, he said, at the
highest prices imported, but my customers tell me
they cannot sell them by the box, because
people say "Oh, they are only domestic" He com
blamed that the Government injured the business ia
favor Of the foreign rivals by placing discriminating
stamp imported cigars, and preventing fair cOmpe-
ttOn on the merit alone Wasthe case before
the
Mr. irnett. Mr.. Baron's partner, SAID THIS stamp
not ecessary tie business IL has specific value
and serves no good purpose to either the Government
whose goods are thus certified by the GOvernment''
Barnett said that in other countries imported cigars
bear discriminating stamp, and all stood their own
merit formerly the here this was the only
country which Disseminated against important home
industry, which paid il large revenue. which, II
properly encouraged, would prevent the shipment OF
% AZ ~ NJ gold abroad.