The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-22
OUR INDUSTRIES, No. 6.
The mnnufnc,nrc OF cigars.

W IL in DUO hlEO, mo, y.
The Manufacture OF cigars.
In our industrial articles, for the past few
weeks, we have dealt with the mora solid
and substantial enterprises which, in past
years, have been started in this vicinity and
have been crowned with success. But, it
has been truly said that "variety is the spice
Of lile," and so this week we propose to treat
our readers to gimpe at an industry that
has, with one exception, been tho worst
abused and the best patronized Of any that
tence-the converting of tobacco into cigars.
There are those in every community who
see in the
Sublime tobocco which from enst TO west,
Cheers the tar's labor or the Turkman's rest,
Only a continual evil, and no doubt believe
that every puff of tobacco smoke that rises
from the lipsof the contcnted smoker tickles,
in the most agreeable manner, the olGactories
of his Satanic Majesty. We do not purpose
to combat this theory. because we have no
positive knowledge Of his Satanic Majcsty's
views on this or any othoF subject, and are
not over anxious 10 form his acquaintance
for the purpose Of interviewing him. But,
sufiioe it to say, that a recent American
writer has dared to proclaim that "History
shows all Of our best Presidents were cigar
smokersj therefore IL you would be success
full in entering the White House, provide
yourself with box of the General Grant
cigar" 1t is a we'll known fact that what
ever part smoking might have played in
putting General Grant in the Presidential
Chair, it certainly took great deal Of pull
ing to smoke him out of it. Again, Lord
Byron wrote of the tweed :"
Divine in hookas, glorious in pipe,
When tipp'd with amber, mellow, rich and
ripe,
Like other charmers, wooing the caress
More dazzling when daring in full dress5
Yet thy true lovers more admire by far
Thy naked beauties-Give me a cigar
The tastes and incluatons, then, Of the
multitude in every thickly settled commu-
nifty has created the demand for the cigar
maker, and the number engaged in this in
dustry in the United States is thousands.
About three years ago, two enterprising
young gentlemen from Allentown, conceived
of a plan to start a cigar mandatory In
this borough. They were both practical
cigar makers, and therefore run litte risk
in the establishment of the enterprise; for,
procuring good stand on Bank street,
nearly opposite the Exchange Hotel, they
opened neat retail tobacconist's store. If
they had not succeeded in extending their
trade outside, they could not fail to make q
living by patient industry and economy.
But from the start their enterprise was a
success. They adopted that safest Of all
notices in business-"Honesty is the best
policy" The goods they made contained
exactly the kind of stock represented, and
that the best that could he had for the
money. Whenever they succeeded in get
ting customer they kept him. Their ci-
gars recommended themselves. They be-
gan a system of jrdicious advertisingj their
business gradually extended they soon
found it necessary to engage additional help,
until at the present time they have six em-
ployees at work daily, who are capable of
turning out about 10000 cigars per week.
What would seem a singular fact, Koch
Bros. have sent out no drummers or agents
to solicit patronage, yet their wholesale
trade extends into New York and New Jer-
sey. What they most need at the present
time is more room in the manufacturing
departmental problem which they are study
ing to solve.
( The brands, under which cigars are sold
like bonnets, pin-backs aud shoes, have a
fashionable run, as it were, and then the
cigar maker finds it necessary to change the
shape of his cigar q lite. pat a different
pattern on the boxes, and they are sent to
the retailer as something new" OF course
smokers understand this, but enjoy the
novelty, just the same as the young lady
does her last spring bonnet being trimmed
over into the fall style. The brands which
Koch Bros. are now running are "our Bull
Dozers," "Royal Seal" and "our own" In
each of these brands different combination
of stock is used, giving eGEh distinct
flavor.