8 THe Gee A BEAVER W 
HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE 
December 31, 1920. 
PORT CONGESTION: This subject. so much discussed both at home and abroad, 
still presents a solid front to those who would undertake to relieve the situation, 
That conditions are in any large measure improved cannot be claimed nor admitted. 
The General Wharves are piled high with freight and private wharves are taxed to 
their utmost capacity in an endeavor to despatch vessels arriving for the established 
factors in the shipping industry in Cuba. 
During the month of December perishable freight valued conservatively at $750,- 
000 has been dumped into the sea upon orders from the Departmert of Sanitation 
since condition of the merchandise was considered a menace to the health of the 
public of Havana. This means simply that the foodstuff dumped into the sea could 
not be taken from the wharves before it decomposed and would hardly indicate that 
conditions have improved. Among the commodities that were dumped were rice, flour, 
codfish, salmon, olives, olive oil, canned tomatoes, corn, beans, condensed milk and 
sardines. When it is remembered that all of this merchandise was edible, a reason 
for the present high cost of living in Cuba is furnished. The estimated value of 
merchandise in the Bay of Havana is $40,000,000, 
With the idea of relieving conditions in Havana, a decree was recently signed 
by President Menocal whereby all vessels entering the Bay of Havana are to take 
their turn for discharging their cargoes regardless of the wharf to which they are 
assigned. It will be remembered that all wharves, whether public or private, work 
under what is known as a concession from the Cuban Government and the position 
that has been taken is a perfectly legal one, although it will work a tremendous 
hardship upon the established factors in the American-Cuban maritime trade. The 
enactment of this decree would mean that all shipping interests engaged in Cuban 
trade would be on equal basis and those fly-by-night concerns that have not a cent 
invested in Cuban wharf or harbor facilities would enjoy the same privileges as the 
older established lines who have invested millions in Cuba in establishing themselves 
for the efficient handling of freight into the Island. This measure is to be combatted, 
and we believe justly, since it would extend privileges to shipping cencerns who are 
not, and never have been, interested in the development of the Island of Cuba, but 
who are now operating with the sole purpose of extracting handsome profits during 
these trying times and then, when competition has resumed, inteud to desert the 
trade and seek other lucrative fields. We say “extracting” handsome profits because 
instances have been repeatedly called to our attention wherein freight rates far in 
excess of the published tariffs used by the established lines into Cuba have been 
assessed and double landing charges in addition. Instances have been repeatedly 
brought to our attention wherein consignees of freight have been required to pay 
excessive demurrage charges on lighters for the handling of their freight to some 
wharf when the bill of lading held by consignee specifically stated that the handling 
charge covered ““Wharfage and handling OF lighterage.” 
Recently Colonel Despaine was appointed by President Menocal as special- repre- 
sentative of the Government, with instructions to study conditions in the Bay of 
Havana and relieve the congestion which has been prevalent for the past ten months. 
Colonel Despaine has held many positions of trust in Cuba and is recognized as an 
exceedingly capable and hardworking official and his advent upon his new duties 
will be observed with keen interest by all concerned. That he has a serious and 
knotty problem to solve is fully realized and he has been offered all assistance 
possible by the American shipping interests in Havana. 
Whereas in other industries wages paid labor have been reduced somewhat, it 
eannot be said that dock workers are in any way menaced, for the present at least, 
