12 THECUBAREVIEW 



4<i0,0«i0 tons, and with the Louishma crop of (J<iO,<)<M> tons thore was a deficit of 1,150,300 

 tons of sugar in tlie United States this year. However, tlie United States exported 

 75,0<tO tons of refined sugars to Euroi)e and tlie shortage really amounted to that much 



more. 



Cul)a exii«>rteil of tlie crop of l'.>l'.t-l'.>2(> 2..".!»i.."lit> tons; has in exist»>nce at tliis time 

 GO.',:'.os; tons and added to this the local consumption of 4T,7oO tons; a total production 

 for I'JltMOJK would aggregate the grand total <d" :i,2-i:\,r>\0 tons for the Island. This is 

 about 25 per cent, less than estimated. 



The rains so far this year have encouragi-d tlir mills ami cane growers to believe 

 that more than 5,«KX).<MK> tons will he produced this year. The eastern end of the 

 Islanil reports the crop as jn-ogressing splendidly alter the drought that threatened 

 during the months of April. May and June. From newspapers and rumors gathered, 

 we are inclined to believe that the producers, generally, are basing tlieir calculations 

 on 12-cent sugar for the coming croi». Many lugenios have changed hands since the 

 grinding season closed and large amounts of new machinery have been brought from 

 the I'liited States for installation. New railroad equipment orders have reached a new 

 liigh level this year also, and everything points to a banner sugar crop for 1!»20-1021. 

 Signi'icance of the attitude of the holders of sugars at the present time is exiiressed 

 in the fact that the average itrice of sugar, in warehouses in Havana, for the month 

 of .July was 15.2178 cents per pound and no sales were made in August as 11.3018 

 cents was bid and refused. January, 1020. average price was 10.7;'08 cents in ware- 

 houses in Havana and jirices rose steadily until ^lay, when the average price was 

 20.2in8 cent'^ per pound, jirices declining steadily until the July low level was reached. 

 Duiiiig the month of July sugar operators in Havana met to consider the possibility of 

 offerings at this price and agreement to refuse offers lower than 15.2187 cents was 

 reached. This group of oiierators contr<ils about 1.250,000 tons of the Cuban crop and 

 they have firmly resolved to resist all efforts in the direction of a reduction in price 

 for the coming season. Twenty cents is the price these operators will endeavor to 

 exact for their holdings. 



AMERICAN COMMISSION; The Commission appointed by the Honorable J. W, 

 Alex.-.nder, Secretary of Commerce of the United States, to study harbor congestion 

 in H:;vana arrived here Saturday, July 28th, on the P. and (). ste:imer •'^liami." The 

 com:;iission on Monday. August 2nd, took a trip around the bay in a tugboat for tbe 

 puri>o.se of getting first-hand information on the conditions as actually existing and 

 later met all merchants :ind organizations of the City of Havana'and heard suggestions 

 as til probable rt-medlcs for the conditions maintaining? Tlie committee had no set 

 progrjiiii liut met londitions as they arose. The Cuban Government appointed an 

 additional connnittee for the purpose of joining with the American Commission and 

 assisting in any way possiiilc with the work of the American Commission. The 

 American Commission remained in Havana until Saturday, August 14th, and in its 

 recommendation with regard to the congested condition of the wharves, great stress 

 was laid upon the advis.-ibility of permitting privilege of the "Quedan" despatch to be 

 extiMuled to include nearly all classes of merchandi.se received through this port. 

 Changes in the (,'ustom House regulations were al.so suggested and it was advised that 

 the red tape, now so necessary, be dispensed with. The direct results of the activities 

 of the commission have not as yet been felt, lint it is IioimmI that the suggestions made 

 will be acted uixm by the Cuban Ciovernment. 



The only relief which has been afforded so far on the wharves — on the part of the 

 Cuban Government — is the fencing of the Alameda de Paula (a parkway extending 

 from the Luz Ferry slip to Havana Central wharf) and the projected storing there of 

 many hundreds of tons of merchandise. This space has been fenced on its four sides 

 but :is yet no provisions have been made for covering the enclosure and this will 

 prevent its being used for the reception of sacked material. Tarpaulins for this 

 purpos(\ it is believed, cannot be secured in Havana as the great number used on 



