10 THE CUBA REVIEW 



prices because, in order to secure their stocks from the wholesalers, they were forced to pay the 

 latter prices considerably in excess of those established by the Cuban Government. On the 

 other hand, one reason perhaps for profiteering on the part of the retail grocers and other 

 merchants is that they have very little difficidty in selling their stocks at exorbitant prices 

 because the citizens, instead of making complaint to the proper officials to this effect, have paid 

 these prices. In fact a sp3cific instance may be cited where government inspectars when en- 

 deavoring to clcse certain booths in one of the public markets because the butchers were 

 charging double prices for meats, were mobbed by the customers because they felt the closing 

 up of these stalls would mean the shutting off of the sale of the meat to them even at the 

 exorbitant prices. Again a great many persons did not complain of these illegal prices charged 

 them by the retailers because they say to do so would mean that the retailers would refuse in 

 the future to sell to them. One way now under consideration of overcoming the difficulty 

 experienced in connection with the making of bread by the brokers in Havana, is that the privi- 

 lege of manufacturing bread shall be let by contract to only a few bakers who will guarantee 

 to sell it at 14c. per lb. instead of 16c. as at present, and furnish the flour to them alone instead 

 of allotting it indiscriminatingly as at present. 



Imports of coal by water continue to be heavy, but the ferry has brought very little coal 

 this past month. As a result of a meeting recently held between Mr. IVIorgan, representing the 

 War Trade Board of the United States in Cuba, and the coal importers, it is stated that in the 

 future all coal cargoes will come consigned to Mr. Morgan so that he may arrange for the most 

 rapid discharge of the coal, and this ■w'ill assist the prompt loading of the return cargo of sugar. 



May 1st was celebrated to a considerable extent throughout the Republic as the Cuban 

 Labor Day, and a bill has since been introduced in Congress to make same a national holiday, 

 which will undoubtedly be passed. 



Since our last letter an arrangement has been arrived at by the Cuban Government to 

 satisfy the claims of the holders of the bonds of the Ports Company of Cuba, which matter 

 has been hanging fire for several years past. This company was given the concesi^ion during 

 the former administration of General Gomez, to dredge the principal ports of Cuba, which 

 work was to be paid for by means of a port improvement tax. This concession was promptly 

 annulled upcn General Menocal's taking office, and as a result practically all this dredging work 

 was stopped. The collection of this port improvement tax has continued ever since, but none 

 of it was paid over to the Ports Co. of Cuba, which resulted in their suspending payment of 

 dividends upon their bonds. These bonds were largely held by English investors and nego- 

 tiations have been under way ever since to take care of them in some manner. Now, by presi- 

 dential decree dated April 2, it has been arranged for the holders of these bonds to exchange 

 them for Cuban treasury bonds. 



Mention has previously been made of a plant being erected at IMariel for the Cuban Port- 

 land Cement Co. They have now started operation to a limited extent, the first shipment of 

 some 800 barrels arriving in Havana a short time ago for use in construction work here. 



Considerable worry among the fruit and vegetable shippers was caused by the American 

 Government's recent decree prohibiting the importation after April 15 of many commodities, 

 and while pineapples and bana;nas were allowed to continue coming in, other fruits and vege- 

 tables grown here were shut out. In fact it looked at one time as though it would be im- 

 possible to also ship the two first-named, although it is stated pineapples may be carried on 

 deck in case there is no room for same in the holds. Also the other fruit and vegetables shippers 

 secured a ruling to allow them to make their shipments by the ferry whenever there was space 

 available, it being understood that they could not forward on any other steamers. 



The making of the sugar crop continues satisfactorily. In previous letters we have re- 

 ported that the total output would not be as large as had at first been calculated, although it 

 was calculated to run something over 3,000,000 tons. Later estimates are more favorable, 

 and it is now thought the total figures may pass 3,250,000 tons if conditions continue favorable. 



Exports of small lots of sugar to Mexico still continue, but all 'by sailing vessel, with the 

 excep>tion of one lot forwarded by a steamer belonging to the Empresa Naviera de Cuba, for 

 wbich purpose special permit was given by the representative here of the War Trade Board to 

 take on coal for this one trip. This steamer, after her return from Mexico, will be used to trans- 

 port sugar cargoes from Cuba to the United States. ■ 



