THE CUBA REVIEW 



25 



PINE LUMBER FOR EASTERN CUBA 



LONG LEAF YELLOW PINE. WHITE PINE, SPRUCE AND SOME CYPRUS IN 

 DEMAND— PRICES AND DUTIES 



Pine lumber is used extensively in and around Santiago for all kinds of construction and 

 is imported exclusively from the United States in large quantities. The principal kinds of 

 pine lumber imported are long-leaf yellow pine, white pine, spruce, and a small amount of 

 c^-press. 



The price paid for pine lumber depends upon the grade of lumber and the niarket prevailing 

 in the United States at time of shipment. The average price, however, for Cuban "merchant- 

 able" may be said to be S>25 per thousand feet, cost, freight and insurance. Cuban merchant- 

 able is a shade poorer grade than that customarilj^ denominated merchantable in the United 

 States for export to Central and South America. 



Common pine wood, not dressed, is admitted free of duty; planed or dove-tailed for boxes 

 or flooring, imported from the United States, is dutiable at the rate of $0.16 per 100 kilos, 

 equal to about .$0,725 per 1,000 pounds. Besides the duties prescribed by the customs tariff, 

 there is levied, under the provisions of the port improvement law, an additional charge on 

 merchandise which is the product of the soil or industry of the United States of $0.70 per 

 metric ton. 



Local prices for lumber for dehvery to dealers pays $1.50 per thousand for wharfage, and 

 where the vessel anchors in the bay there is an additional charge of .$0.75 per thousand for 

 Kghterage. Lumber imported at Santiago de Cuba, intended for deliverj' at interior points 

 on the line of the Cuba Railroad, pays $2 per carload, which includes wharfage at theyocks 

 of the railroad company. 



The cost of freight and insurance at the present time on lumber imported in saihng vessels 

 at north-coast ports is $6 per thousand, and at south-coast ports $7 per thousand; imported 

 in steamships, north-coast ports $8, and south-coast ports $9 per thousand. There is no 

 fixed rate, however, as it varies according to the demands of shipping. Within the last few 

 months sail freights on north-coast deliveries have been as high as $8, and on south-coast 

 $9; and steamer freights, north-coast $10, and south-coast $11. It is customary for shippers 

 to quote prices to dealers or consumers cost, freight and insm-ance. Duty and all other charges 

 are for the account of the importer. 



The retail price of pine lumber in this market depends upon the gi'ade and quantity. It 

 may be stated to average from $30 to $40 per thousand. American currenc}' is the basis of 

 all commercial transactions in the district, embracing the Provinces of Camaguey and Oriente. 

 — U. S. Consul Ross E. Holaday, Santiago, Cuba, April 21. 



Further information on the lumber exports of Cuba will be found on page 41 where the 

 shipments from the Gulf coast are given. 



Pier of the Spanish-American Iron Co. at Daiquiri, where the ore is shipped to the United States. This is also the 

 place where the American forces disembarked in the Cuban^War against Spain in 1898. 



