32 



T II 1-. (. U B A R !•: \- 



\V 



of 85 per cent. The sugar is given a value of 82.5 rather than 8J tor th<- reason that 

 82.5 represents more nearly the value of this sugar to the refiner. 



It may be said, in general ,that raw sugars are polarized simply to arrive at a rapid 

 convenient means for fixation of price. The polarization figure is a conventional ar- 

 bitrary standing of valuation ; polarization and absolute percentage of sucrose are two 

 entirely distinct quantities, the difference between which must always be borne care- 

 fully in mind. 



REDUCTION OF SUGAR DUTIES 



It is said that at the present session of 

 the United States Congress an attempt 

 will probably be made to abolish the 20 per 

 cent differential in favor of Cuban sugar, 

 provided by the present tariff law. and sub- 

 stitute an ad valorem rate of from 40 to 

 55 per cent for the present specific rates. 

 The average rate now paid on Cuban im- 

 portations is equivalent to about 53 per cent, 

 and it is urged that the ad valorem rate 

 suggested would quite cover the Cuban pro- 

 tection, while at the same time the effect 

 would be to lower the rate from other 

 countries, which is equivalent to 78 per cent. 



If the ad valorem plan prevails, the 

 polariscopic test required under the present 

 law will be eliminated. 



Concerning the lowering of sugar duties, 

 the Cuban Chamber of Commerce in a 

 petition to President Gomez says : 



"This measure may be or may not be 

 carried out. because a movement of that 

 nature would certainly entail the strongest 

 opposition from the manufacturers of this 

 staple in Hawaii and the Philippines, but 

 whatever resolution Congress may adopt 

 \n that matter vi'ill radically affect the com- 

 mercial relations between Cuba and the 

 United States, inasmuch as the reciprocity 

 treaty is based on that product. 



"For this reason we should be prepared 

 for this contingency. This can only be 

 done by initiating the necessary negotia- 

 tions towards a new treaty in case of a 

 total or a partial reduction of the present 

 duty fixed by the American tariff at pres- 

 ent. This is necessary because the 20 per 

 cent reduction enjoyed by Cuban sugars at 

 present is based on the duty now levied 

 on sugar, which is 1.(iS5 cents on the pound. 



and would this duty be exaggeratedly re- 

 duced, it would be of no benefit to Cuba 

 as it now enjoys under the reciprocity 

 treaty." 



The Chamber of Commerce does not 

 want a further benefit in favor of Cuban 

 sugar, which is 20 per cent at present. 

 President Gomez is told that in case of a 

 new treaty made before Congress convenes 

 that the present benefit be left as it is. 



GREAT REVENUE AT STAKE 



In regard to the public demand for the 

 removal of the tariff on sugar, because of 

 the recent advance in price, the Boston 

 Herald considers the question of the loss in 

 revenue resulting therefrom and says : 



"Uncle Sam gets $60,00(),0()0 a year from 

 sugar duties now; these would be nearly 

 wiped out by the annexation of Cuba, and 

 completely so by free sugar wholly apart 

 of any change in the political status of that 

 island. Where is the equivalent sixty mil- 

 lions to come from ? The government will 

 soon need additional sources of revenue 

 anyhow, and so large a sum as this is not 

 readily picked up, nor can it ordinarily be 

 derived from the luxuries of the few." 



Sr. Ramon Vigil, one of the best known 

 sugar men in the central section of the 

 island and manager of the Adela Sugar 

 Estate, died in Paris November 2d. 



The Cuban-American Sugar Company 

 has declared the regular quarterly dividend 

 of 1% per cent on the preferred stock, 

 payable January 2d. to stock of record on 

 December 15th. 



The Cuban and Pan-American Express Company 



The traveling public will find the service of this company of great 

 convenience, particularly in the transfer of baggage. 



Pursers on ships and messengers on trains will supply all information 

 dcjired. 



MAIN OFFICES: 



NEW YORK, 136 FRANKLIN ST. HAVANA, 150 HAVANA ST. 



