Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-07-01
Palmed Off as Imported Ha-
vana Cigars.
A COmmOtiOn Among Dealers in
New York.
How the Fraud Can BE Exposed
and Prevented.
.ow York U. S. Tobacco Journal

I
Journal have fully awakened the man
ufacturers of Havana to a realization
of the dangers with which their int
rests are threatened by the sale of
Mexican cigars in this country. The
feeling entertained by the majority of
| importers is best shown By the re-
marks of prominent one among
them, made this week to a reporter
for the United States Tobacco Jour
nal:
"a SHAME AND A DISGRACE"
Our business is being badly hurt
by these Mexican cigars. | do not
assert the importers of such goods
sell them for anything else than what
they are-that Is, as a rule but they
are palmed of on consumers as Ha-
vana goods. For example, a smoker
goes into a store aud asks for an i'm
ported cigar. A box of Mexican
cigars bearing the import stamp is
placed before him TO select from. He
gets an imported cigar, it is true, but
not an imported Havana cigar, as he
thinks. The retailer does not actually
lie to him, but he virtually does so.
The effect is Just the same as if he
swore TO him that the cigar was i'm.
ported from Havana. | have wit
messed this thing many times. 1t is a
shame and a disgrace, and it ought to
be stopped. [ believe that the de-
creased sale of regular goods is due to
the Mexican cigars.
THE UNITED STATES TOBACCO JOUR-
NAL APPLAUDED AND THANKED.
The following letter, from the pro.
prietors Of celebrated La Carroll
ma factory, explains itself:
Editor United States Tobacco Jour
nal With the greatest interest we
have read in numbers 10 and 10 of
your excellent paper, corresponding to
tho 23rd and Both OfApril, the expose
and information of the way in which
our genuine brand of cigars is falsiIied
in Mexico and the spurious goods sold
as La Carolina" cigars in the United
States. The task you have imposed
on yourself is both honorable for you
and advantageous TO everybody. To
us it is extremely profitable, for such
trickery is directly hurtful to us. That
is why we express to you our applause
and thankfulness for your efforts. Be
fore you printed the said articles we
had only strong suspicious of the
frauds that are being committed unin-
terruptedly on our well known brand
now we are sure of the fact. You have
stated the names of some of the par
ties engaged in the business, and much
mystery is thereby unveiled. You
will very much oblige us by publishing
all further information that your in
telligent reporter may gather about
the matter. Believe US, dear sir,
Very truly yours.
DANCES Y. SUAREz,
Proprietors La Carolina" Cigar Fac
tory.
Havana, May IA.
BOGUS HENRY CLAYs.
There is a great deal of se;resy con-
nented with the sale Of the goods in
question, those who handle them, for
obvious reasons, keeping the fact as
quiet as possible. This week, howev-
er, the reporter unearthed some fresh
facts regarding them.
In restaurant in Water street, a
few doors from Wall street, Henry
Clay Reina Victoria, Extra Flint"
cigars are being sold at fifteen cents
each, which is at the rate of $50 per
thousand. That these goods are an
imitation of the genuine is shown by
the fact that the genuine cigars of the
above named brand and description
cost from $3.50 to $40 to import. They
retail at % cents apiece.
WHAT THE MEXICAN GOODS COST.
The style of Henry Clay" cigars
referred to can. we are informed, be
purchased 10 Mexico for so per 1000.
As they weigh only about - pounds
to the 1000 they cost in New York
duty paid less than so Even if
they are sold to retail at $50 per 1000,
a big profit, as need hardly be said,
can be made.
THE REPORTER MAKES A PURCHASE
Yesterday the writer visited the
restaurant referred to above. Going
to the cigar counter he asked for a
good imported cigar. Three boxes
were placed before him, one of which
contained the cigars in question
After selecting two, he asked the
price.
Fifteen cents straight, the clerk
replied.
They're extremely cheap. Are
imported?"
rot course they are. Don't you see
the import stamp"
Yes, see that. But how can YOU
sell them at that price? I've always
been obliged to pay much more for a
Henry Clay Reina Victoria. Are
they imported Havana cigars?"
"Of course they are. We don't
keep anything else in the way Of i'm
ported cigars"
Are you sure they are not Mexican
cigars?"
"'Well-of course they are not"
:, You needn't hesitate about it. It's
all square. want to get a quantity
OF those goods myself"
well, | can get them for you"
I'm dealer, so | want to get them
myself direct from headquarters"
"Oh, II that's the case, | will tell
you where we purchase them. We
get them from Howard Ives"
AS the reporter had procured all
the Information he wanted he thanked
his informant and departed.
AN INTERVIEW WITH HOWARD IVES.
AS Mr.. Ives is acquainted with ali
| the members Of the staff of the United