Bunches Amount Average Bunches Amount Average Bunches Amount Average Bunches Amount Average Bunches Amount Average Date Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared N. G. Tsagaris, who being by me first duly sworn, and on his oath says that he is now actively engaged in and for more than 40 years last past has been engaged in the buying, selling, and distribution of sponges and now owns and operates a packing house in the city of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Affiant further states that at the time of the making of this affidavit he is in the city of Chicago and State of Illinois on a business trip for the purpose of selling and disposing of sponges produced by the industry at Tarpon Springs, Fla.; that he has been unable to sell or dispose of any of the sponges produced in America due to the fact that the market is now flooded and overstocked with sponges produced in the Mediterranean area and that the Mediterranean sponges are offered for sale and sold for approximately one-third of the price of American sponges, this being due to the fact that the cost of production of the Mediterranean sponges is less and the quality of same is inferior to those produced in America. Affiant further states that in order to protect the American industry, as shown by his efforts to sell and dispose of American sponges, it will be necessary that the Congress or other proper Government officials or body take such action that is necessary to fix an adequate tariff on Mediterranean sponges in order that they will not compete unfairly with those produced in the American sponge industry, and that such action should be taken immediately and without delay if the investment of interests of American citizens is to be protected. NICHOLAS G. TSAGARIS. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of March A. D. 1947. [NOTARIAL SEAL] My commission expires February 13, 1949. DELIA M. NELSON, EXHIBIT E TARPON SPRINGS, FLA., March 4, 1947. To Whom It May Concern: The undersigned sponge dealers of the city of Tarpon Springs, Fla., respectfully, request that the Congress of the United States, the Tariff Commission, and other Federal agencies or bureaus take such action that is necessary to see that an adequate tariff is fixed on sponges imported from foreign countries in order that unfair competition with the American product will be eliminated; this action to be taken at the earliest possible date in order that the investments and livelihood of hundreds of American citizens will be protected. Respectfully submitted, Rock Island Sponge Co., George N. Arfaras, C. G. Andriotis, George EXHIBIT F RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO TARIFF TO PROTECT SPONGE INDUSTRY Whereas since the cessation of hostilities in World War II a vast amount of sponges have been imported into the United States from the Mediterranean area and the sponge market has been flooded with such sponges, and because of the price of same the producers of sponges at Tarpon Springs have been unable to and are having difficulty in disposing of their product through the regular channels of trade at a profit whereby the industry will be able to survive; and Whereas the placing of such imported sponges on the market furnishes unfair competition to American industry due to the fact that the tariff on the imported goods is not sufficiently high for protection to the American interests, and in case some relief is not secured the existence of the sponge industry in Tarpon Springs is seriously threatened: now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County, Fla.: SECTION 1. That the Congress of the United States, the Tariff Commission, and other Federal agencies or bureaus are hereby respectfully requested to take such action as they deem necessary to see that an adequate tariff is fixed on sponges so imported from foreign countries in order that unfair competition with the American product will be eliminated, and that such action be taken at the earliest possible date in order that the investments and livelihood of hundreds of American citizens will be protected. Commissioner D. Orville Harris offered the foregoing resolution and moved its adoption, which was seconded upon motion of Commissioner W. H. Belcher, and upon roll call the vote was: Ayes: Beckett, Belcher, Harris, and Potter; nays: none; absent and not voting: Chestnut. STATE OF FLORIDA, County of Pinellas: I, Ray E. Green, clerk of the circuit court and ex officio clerk to the board of county commissioners in and for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution relative to tariff to protect sponge industry, as the same was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the board on March 4, 1947, and as the same appears of record in my office. In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and official seal this 5th day of March, A. D. 1947. RAY E. GREEN, Clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio clerk to the EXHIBIT G Deputy clerk. RESOLUTION NO. 679 Whereas since the cessation of hostilities in World War II a vast amount of sponges have been imported into the United States from the Mediterranean area and the sponge market has been flooded with such sponges, and because of the price of same the producers of sponges at Tarpon Springs have been unable to and are having difficulty in disposing of their product through the regular channels of trade at a profit whereby the industry will be able to survive; and Whereas the placing of such imported sponges on the market furnishes unfair competition to American industry due to the fact that the tariff on the imported goods is not sufficiently high for protection to the American interests, and in case some relief is not secured the existence of the sponge industry in Tarpon Springs is seriously threatened: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the city of Tarpon Springs, Fla.: SECTION I: That the Congress of the United States, the Tariff Commission, and other Federal agencies or bureaus are hereby respectfully requested to take such action as they deem necessary to see that an adequate tariff is fixed on sponges so imported from foreign countries in order that unfair competition with the American product will be eliminated, and that such action be taken at the earliest possible date in order that the investments, and livelihood of hundreds of American citizens will be protected. Passed and adopted in regular session on this the 4th day of March, A. D. 1947. FRED H. HOWARD, Mayor-Commissioner. MICHAEL S. BOUCHLAS, Commissioner. GEORGE CLADAKIS, Commissioner. IVAN A. BRADY, Commissioner. Attest: W. D. FLETCHER, City Clerk and Collector. I, W. D. Fletcher, city clerk of Tarpon Springs, a municipal corporation, keeper of the records and books of said city, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of resolution No. 679, as the same appears of record and on file in my office. Witness my hand and the corporate seal of the city of Tarpon Springs, this the 5th day of March, A. D. 1947. W. D. FLETCHER, City Clerk and Collector. EXHIBIT H RESOLUTION Whereas since the cessation of hostilities in World War II a vast amount of sponges have been imported into the United States from the Mediterranean area and the sponge market has been flooded with such sponges, and because of the price of same the producers of sponges at Tarpon Springs have been unable to and are having difficulty in disposing of their product through the regular channels of trade at a profit whereby the industry will be able to survive; and Whereas the placing of such imported sponges on the market furnishes unfair competition to American industry due to the fact that the tariff on the imported goods is not sufficiently high for protection to the American interests, and in case some relief is not secured the existence of the sponge industry at Tarpon Springs is seriously threatened: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Board of Directors of the Greek community of St. Nicholas: SECTION I. That the Congress of the United States, the Tariff Commission, and other Federal agencies or bureaus are hereby respectfully requested to take such action as they deem necessary to see that an adequate tariff is fixed on sponges so imported from foreign countries in order that unfair competition with the American product will be eliminated, and that such action be taken at the earliest possible date in order that the investments and livelihood of hundreds of American citizens will be protected. Passed and adopted this the 5th day of March, A. D. 1947. EXHIBIT I MIKE SAMARKOS, President. Whereas since the cessation of hostilities in World War II a vast amount of sponges have been imported into the United States from the Mediterranean area and the sponge market has been flooded with such sponges, and because of the price of same the producers of sponges at Tarpon Springs have been unable to and are having difficulty in disposing of their product through the regular channels of trade at a profit whereby the industry will be able to survive; and Whereas the placing of such imported sponges on the market furnishes unfair competition to American industry due to the fact that the tariff on the imported |