THE CUBA REVIEW And Bulletin. 



17 



IN A CUBAN CIGAR FACTORY. 



The Cigarmaker a Most Independent Workman— Curious Workroom Customs, 



"La ileridlana" Fact ory in Havana. 



The picture shows a oortion of "La Meri- 

 diana" brand factory in Havana. It is in 

 this factory where the cigars for some of 

 the crowned heads of Europe are made. 

 The room is of high ceiling, ventilated and 

 free circulation of air. Every cigarmaker 

 is provided with plenty of room to work 

 and sits in a leather covered chair or tab- 

 ouret. A special room is set aside for hats 

 and coats, although the cigarmaker prefers 

 to keep on his hat while working. They 

 are known to the company for record pur- 

 poses by a number, although the shop fore- 

 men sometimes keep a list of their names. 



To the right of the picture and in the 

 rear can be seen a man sitting in a stand. 

 This man is the reader who was engaged 

 in reading when the picture was taken. The 

 reading feature is maintained by the private 

 funds of the cigarmakers. The 

 cost to each man ranging from 

 ten to fifteen cents per week 

 which covers the cost of the 

 books, novels and newspapers 

 as well as a salary of three dol- 

 lars which is paid the president 

 of the reading committee to 

 cover for the time he is sup- 

 posed to lose from his work 

 while engaged in counting votes 

 or making the weekly collec- 

 tion. These readers earn from 

 $40 to $60 per week, reading for 

 a period of three to four hours 

 a day. As a rule each factory 

 has two readers and news- 

 papers are taken up in the 

 morning and books or novels 

 in the afternoon. 



The selection of the book or 

 novel to be read is an inter- 

 esting feature of the reading 

 question. It takes the charac- 

 ter of a political election, each 



man voting for the book which 

 in his opinion is the best and 

 for his favorite author. One of 

 the cigarmakers who acts as 

 president of the reading com- 

 mittee counts the votes cast in 

 favor oi any book and an- 

 nounces which one has obtained 

 the majority of votes. This 

 book is then bought and placed 

 in its turn to be read. 



The cigarmaker is one of the 

 most independent of workmen. 

 He is not hindered by set hours 

 Dut is at liberty to enter or 

 leave the factory whenever he 

 pleases and remain away from 

 work for a reasonable time and 

 still can obtain his old place 

 back again. He works on the 

 basis of piece work and his 

 wages are in accordance with the size or 

 kind of cigar he is able to manufacture. He 

 is not restricted from talking or smoking 

 while at work but the reading keeps them 

 quiet and industrious. 



Those unable to read or write are yet 

 kept informed on public questions and are 

 able to intelligently discuss problems of 

 National and municipal interest. They 

 seem to be well posted on scientific dis- 

 coveries and other matters. 



There are many features of the reading 

 question which will surprise the new- 

 comer. For instance it is very common that 

 the newspapers have editorials or articles 

 which arouse the patriotic feelings of the 

 men. Then the reading is stopped, voices 

 are heard commenting on the subject treat- 

 ed and their knife or "chaveta" is struck 



Salesroom of the Henry Clay and Bock & Co.. Ltd.. in Ha- 

 vana. It is located on Prado No. US in the well known "Acera 

 del Louvre." It has a reading and writing room for the ac- 

 commodation of persons visiting Havana and is one of the 

 most elaboratelv fitted up stores to be found anywhere. 



