214 CHRISTIE. 



April 11, 1910, to November, 1911, inclusive. At the present 

 writing (December, 1911), figures for December, 1911, have not 

 yet been entered. 



The books of the municipal treasurer show that from July, 



1906, to the end of that year no stone products were sold. In 



1907, 325 pesos ^ worth was sold. For 1908, there is only one 

 entry, that for January 3, which shows that on that date the tax 

 was collected on sales amounting to 105 pesos. In 1910, the 

 tax was paid on sales aggregating 1,280.90 pesos. In the first 

 eleven months of 1911 the sales amounted to 416.40 pesos. 

 Work has been somewhat vigorously carried on during the 

 present month (December, 1911), and the books may show at 

 the end of the year sales amounting to two or three hundred 

 pesos during this month. 



Incomplete as they are, the preceding figures suffice to show 

 that the San Esteban stone industry is at present of slight 

 commercial importance. It is claimed by the workers that be- 

 fore the insurrection it was in a greater state of prosperity owing 

 to a much better demand for San Esteban paving stones. 

 Whether that statement be true or not, it is certain that the 

 present amount of business is a small fraction of that which 

 the supply of stone at San Esteban renders possible. 



Before proceeding to a description of the various stone arti- 

 cles made at San Esteban, it may be useful to say a few words 

 concerning the men who do the work. 



THE STONECUTTERS. 



As far as I know, there are but four men at San Esteban who 

 make filters. These men are primarily fishermen, and make 

 filters only as a by-occupation. Their total output for a year 

 is not more than one or two dozen. The filters are made one 

 or two at a time, in the yard or house of one of the men, where 

 they lie until someone buys them. Sometimes they are made 

 to order. 



On the other hand, the men who work the quarries are 

 numerous. But most of the stonecutters do only a few pesos 

 worth of stone v/ork in a year. They do not think it worth 

 while for each man to take out a license from the Bureau of 

 Forestry, and another one, for which the charge is 2 pesos, 

 from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Therefore, by common 

 consent, only one of their number takes out the licenses, and all 



* One peso Philippine currency is equal to 50 cents United States 

 currency. 



