PP 3h - 
CUBA REVIEW 
“ALL ABOUT CUBA” 
Copyright, 1921, by the Munson Steamship Line 
VotumeE XIX 
JULY, 1921 
NuMBER 8 
Cuban Government Matters 
Proposed Emergency Legislation 
President Zayas and members of Con- 
gress agreed at a conference on June 23d to 
sink political differences and rush through 
emergency measures to meet the financial 
crisis. A commission will be named to 
review proposed remedial acts and submit 
recommendations to Congress with assur- 
ances that they will be enacted imme- 
diately. 
Revision of taxes was declared to be 
necessary in view of the Government’s 
financial difficulties. 
Various port duties have been eliminated 
by a decree signed by President Zayas. 
They include, among others, extra charges 
for demurrage and inspection of bills of 
lading, and are revoked as part of the 
administration’s campaign to decrease 
the cost of primary necessities. 
The decree canceling the payment of 
cost of living bonuses to federal, pro- 
vincial and municipal employees was 
returned by the President for revision 
when it was found it did not include the 
national police, soldiers and sailors. Another 
decree is expected to be promulgated 
soon, revoking a ruling of the Menocal 
Administration prohibiting the importa- 
tion of rice. It seems practically certain 
that although the customs revenues have 
been the most fruitful source of income 
The fee for invoices of merchandise ex- 
ported to Cuba will be raised from 10 
cents per $100 to one-half of 1 per cent. of 
the invoiced value of the merchandise. 
Plans for Federal Reserve Bank in Cuba 
According to press reports plans for 
a banking institution similar to the Federal 
Reserve Bank of the United States are 
being prepared by President Zayas, and 
will be submitted soon to the Cuban Con- 
egress. Details of the organization are 
still unsettled, but the proposal is for an 
institution which would be a combination 
of Cuban and American banks, subject 
to governmental intervention and control. 
U. S. Legation in Cuba 
Honorable Boaz W. Long, Minister of 
the United States to Cuba, left Cuba on 
June 11th for a leave of absence. 
Mr. Philander Cable, First Secretary of 
the Legation, it is understood, will become 
Chargé d’Affaires and Mr. Cord Meyer 
will assume Mr. Cable’s duties. Mr. 
Meyer has been acting as Second Secretary. 
Customs Duties Collected at Habana 
In spite of the financial depression of 
the present year and the moratorium, 
<i in Cuba they will be decidedly less during 
5 the year 1921. A bill has already passed 
~— one house of the Congress of Cuba aug- 
-» menting salaries in the diplomatic and 
» consular service, and to cover the greater 
, outlay consular fees will be increased. 
duties amounting to $19,590,000 were 
collected by the Cuban custom-houses 
during the first four months of 1921 against 
$13,300,000 during the corresponding 
period of 1920. 
