T H E C U B A R E V I E W 13 



idea can be obtained of the expansion wliicli Havana and its suburbs are under- 

 going. Tliis suburb is very beautifully laid out, with paved streets and sidewalks, 

 and lots are selling for from $10.00 to $15.00 per cubic meter. 



The property on the corner of Prado and Animas Streets was recently sold to a 

 syndicate formed by Sr. Regino Truffin and his associates, for the purpose of erecting 

 a new palatial moving picture theatre on the site. Havana now has a good number 

 of splendid moving picture houses, but it is stated authoritatively that this last project 

 will be the most commodious and by far the best ventilated theatre in the tropics. 

 The new theatre is expected to open about the first of the coming year. 



A new ten-story office building, on the corner of Oficiois and Obrapia Streets, is 

 being erected for Messrs. J. Calle <& Co., well-known merchants of this city. It is 

 expected that this edifice will not be completed till the end of the year 1921 and will 

 cost in neighborhood of $1,500,000. The lower floors will be used by the firm of 

 J. Calle & Co., and the lialance of the building will be equipped with modern offices. 



PORT CONGESTION: The i>ort congestion in Havana that has been so acute for 

 several months past has not improved during this month. There are now in the Bay 

 of Havana some 90 steamships and -t(i sailing vessels awaiting discharge or lieing dis- 

 charged slowly. ]Many schemes have l)een put forward for the betterment of con- 

 ditions, but to date the congestion remains. 



Secretary of Commerce and Labor Alexander, of the United States, has recently 

 appointed a committee of seventeen to visit Cuba and assist with suggestions the 

 efforts that are Ijeing put forth here for the elimination of this congested condition. 

 This Commission, composed of American members of steamsliip companies which 

 operate into Cuba, is expected to arrive in Havana during the coming week. Just 

 what relief will be rendered is, of course, problematical at this time. What is deemed 

 the most logical move in the way of assisting the situation at this time is to have 

 all sailing vessels arriving in Havana with lumber diverted to the port of Mariel for 

 discharge there, thus permitting the Tallapiedra wharf to be used for the reception of 

 general cargo. Formerly this wharf was used exclusively for the discharge of lumber 

 and ii'on and steel commodities. 



The situation here has grown so serious that the United States Shipping Board 

 lias forbidden Companies operating their ships to accept cargo for the port of Havana. 

 This means that many ships that called regularly at Havana from American ports 

 will be diverted elsewhere for the present, and it is hoped that this reduction in 

 freight receipts will give the wharves a breathing spell sufficient to get well cleared 

 of their present congested condition. As to whether or not this action will bring about 

 the desired results cannot be stated at this time. Naturally, the conditions maintain- 

 ing in Havana ha^-e been reflected all over the Island, and consignees from every 

 part of Cuba are making persistent inquiries as to the whereabouts of their merchan- 

 dise. Thousands of tons of merchandise destined to points in the interior are shipped 

 to Havana from the United States. Some of these points of destination are accessible 

 to the coastwise steamship line which operates a fleet of sixteen vessels between the 

 different Cuban ports. Still others in the interior have always deemed it best to have 

 their goods discharged in Havana and redespatched via the United Railways over- 

 land. The result has been that the United Railways, who have always carried an 

 enormous amount of local freight on their several lines, are in very much the same 

 condition that the wharves in Havana are, and they receive freight for the interior 

 only on certain days of the week. The receiving days of the United Railways are 

 truly a sight to behold. Long lines of horse, mule and motor-driven vehicles fill the 

 streets for blocks leading to the entrance of the "Muelle del Arsenal," where the 

 freight depots are located. The new Chief Engineer and General Manager of the 

 United Railways, General Jack, recently announced that the L'nited Railways had 

 placed large orders for rolling stock in the United States and that the Railroad would 

 be in splendid condition by this Fall to handle freight offered and to move the sugar 

 crop. 



