1

FL-37
1935
Enrique Pendas (Spaniard)
Ybor City
Tampa, Florida
(Owner of cigar factory; chairman of manufacturers' association)
F. Valdes, writer, for the FERA Sociological Survey of Ybor City
LIFE HISTORY OF MR. ENRIQUE PENDAS
INTRODUCTION
F. Valdes.
_______________________
In order to obtain this interview with Mr. Pendas, I decided that it would be best to apply to Mr. Souto, Secretary of the Spanish Club, and obtain from him an introduction to Mr. Pendas, as Mr. Souto is a life-long friend of his. When I informed Mr. Souto of what I desired, he refused, giving me the following reasons:
"No, I cannot do that. I will gladly do any favor that you may ask of me, but not that. If I were to give you a letter of introduction, he would throw you out. Not that he has the highest regards for me, but he is a man of strange moods. What is the name of that animal that rolls itself up with a million thistles sticking out?" A porcupine, I answered. "Well, that is what he is. You cannot touch him."
"I am going to tell you exactly how he is going to receive you: The first thing he will ask is, 'who are you?' "I am Mr. So and So."
'Where are you from?'
"I am from the Sociological Study of Ybor City."
'Um---who runs this?'
"The Federal Government."
'Well, why did you come here? Why didn't they send the President of the United States or his Secretary?' 'I have no time to lose---that will be all for today,' "and my dear young man you come out feeling like two cents." He is not a man who will sit down, and open his heart like me,