The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-09
Views Of Tobacco manufacturers.

To the Western Associated Press.
New YORK, Dec. s-The cigar manufacturing
firm of Straiton & Storm announced to their 900
employees on Saturday night, that their factory
would discontinue work until there was some
certainty about the new treaty with Spain in
regard to the West Indian trade. In An inter.
view, Mr.. Straiton said: ''rhe firm now keeps its
stock of tobacco in Havana. for if we had large
stock here, and if the treaty should be ratified,
we should be out the amount the duty is reduced.
At the first moment the text of the treaty is
officially made public and acted upon by Con
gress, we shall open our factories. The effect of
abolishng the duty on tobacco would be, l
think, to make the United States the great
center of the tobacco trade of the world. Manu-
facturers will welcome the abolition of the tax,
| as it would cause great increase in business.
Tobacco growers, for obvious reasons, oppose it,
look for bitter fight against it in Congress"
Cigar-malers from all the principal factories
of this city held meeting yesterday TO consider
the pending treaty, of which short account
was sent Mr. Gompers presided If this
treaty" said he. "s ratified by both the coun
tries it will cause a reduction OF so per cent. in
| the duty on manufactured tobacco from Cuba
and Porto Rico moments thought will show
that this reduction would be death blow to the
tobacco trade of this country. Tobacco grows
nasurally and well III this country, yet it cannot
compete with the fine grades of tobacco from the
Spanish possessions. 1t is useless to argue that
free-imported tobacco may be mixed with our
American growth in the manufacture of fine
grade cigars. Smokers of Havana cigars will
not be imposed upon by any such deception. In
other words, smokers of Havana cigars viii not
smoke an amalgamated production only half as
good rs the genuine Havana VIII Ell they can get
the genuine at the same price the amalga-
mated, and this condition of the trade, claim,
will be brought about if this treaty is ratified
Other delegates here report that other large
! uiacturers are preparing to follow the example
of Straiton G Storm. Their employees cannot
complain of such action employers say in JUS
| tifcation and We know it to he true, thar they
cannot complain with Havana cigars imported
almost free of duty. A reduction of 2J per cent
! in the duty on Havana cigars might enable them
| to manufacture, from Havana leaf. cigars or
cigarettes that would allow them to compete
successfully with imported cigars, but 80 per
| cent is rubbing 1t in too deep, and hence their
action in closing their shops, Twenty-three
hundred OF already laid off,
and and by. the end il,ia Of another n., week week
more will be eating the bread, or rather
the crust of idleness. Importers are secretly at
work while We are lying idle The treaty IS
probably already in the hands of the Senate
| by It's conuitiohs the proposed reduction Will
take effect from the lst Of January next We
have but little time to work in. Let US be Up
and doing at once
| The executive committee, which had been in
session during the early part of the afternoon,
| reported in favor Of issuing a circular explaining
the effect of the operation of the treaty upon the
tobacco interests of the country and calling upon
the country at large to its voice in protest
| The committee also recommended the appoint
| ment of a committee to visit manufacturers and
| obtain their cooperation in the movement. The
| recommendations were unanimously adopted
4 motion to call mass meeting in the III
| terest of the movement was voted down, and III
| stead it deemed best to appoint a committee
! to 60 to Washington. This committee will he
! appointed next Sunday
! The executive committee reported that a meet
ing Of cigar manufacturers was called for soInG
| day this week