The artist’s interpretation of the piece:
Converging streetcars meet, disgorging cigar makers as they report
to work. Most factories started at 8 a.m. The foreman and usually the owners
stood at the door, watch in hand, giving latecomers a stern look. As in all
endeavors where the workers were predominantly Latin, some workers were habitually
late.
On the street, sidewalk merchants waited to sell their wares. The ever-present
deviled crab man sells his hot coquettes good for breakfast or lunch. Shoes
are shined, and newspapers sold. The day begins.
The feature of the painting that stands out is the collection of Streetcars
which formed the main method of transportation in Tampa.
For a nickel, a worker could travel all over Tampa. He could live in Ybor
City and still travel to West Tampa. Most workers tried to live within walking
distance from the factory, thereby saving a dollar a week from his meager
pay check of $12.00. This saving represented a great deal of groceries in
the day when milk was 10¢ a quart. Very few cigar workers owned cars.
When they had saved up enough to buy a car, it usually was a Model A two-door
car. A new one cost $450.00. I never saw a cigar worker drive a new Model
A Ford since they could only afford a used Model A which could be bought
for $50 to $100. Owners, on the other hand, drove 12 cylinder Cadillac’s,
Lincoln’s, or Packard’s. |
