18 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



attention of Mr. Jones. Nevertheless, about 40 extensive reports were prepared during 

 the year, some for the special representative of President Harding in Cuba, General 

 Enoch H. Crowder, others for the bureau, and one report each for the Tariff Commis- 

 sion and the Navy Department. In addition, more than 30 less extensive reports have 

 been sent to the bureau on various economic and trade subjects. Trade-promotion 

 work in answer to specific requests by American firms has shown a wide variety. 



Mr. Jones worked in close cooperation with other Government representatives, 

 and their aid made possible the results attained. Relations with local commercial 

 organizations and with Americans having business interests in Cuba have been uniformly 

 cordial, and the achievements of the acting commercial attache have evoked numerous 

 letters of appreciation for the "capable and remarkable service rendered." 



Cuban Roads 



The roads constructed in the Island of 

 Cuba total a length of 2,375 kilometers, 

 not including the 75 kilometers of roads in 

 the Isle of Pines. According to the report 

 of the United States acting commercial 

 attache in Havana, the Government will, 

 when its resources permit, commence the 

 construction of granite block pavement to 

 support the heavy traffic. 



Cuban Automotive Market 



The economic conditions in Cuba are 

 steadily becoming very favorable to in- 

 creased business, and American automotive 

 exporters should find the market returning 

 to normal within a short period. Exports 

 to Cuba from the United States for the 

 past few months numbered over 200 pas- 

 senger cars, and it is expected that the 

 number will increase. Stocks of automo- 

 biles and trucks on hand during October, 

 1922, as reported by 25 dealers and rep- 

 resenting 64 makes of American and 

 European cars, totaled 98 passenger cars 

 with a wheel base not more than 114 

 inches; 469 passenger cars with wheel base 

 over 114 inches; and 801 trucks. Present 

 activity is largely in light cars. The truck 

 market is still overstocked, as their use 

 is retarded by the lack of improved roads. 



Importations of passenger cars and 

 trucks from July 1, 1920, to July 1, 1922, 

 totaled 5,117, of which 4,722 came from 

 the United States, 167 from France, 162 

 from Germany, 29 from Spain, and 37 from 

 other countries. The importations for this 

 two-year period were less than during the 

 one year ending June 30, 1920, when 5,560 

 cars were imported at a value of $7,280,- 

 277, the United States furnishing 5.501, 

 Germany 39, France 17, and Italy 3. Dur- 



ing the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, 

 Cuban imports accounted for 2,824 cars 

 and trucks, at a value of $3,937,233, of 

 which 2,823 came from the United States 

 and 1 from Italy. It is obvious that the mon- 

 opoly which the United States held in the 

 Cuban automotive market in 1919 has been 

 diminished, as nine other countries fur- 

 nished cars to Cuba in the period 1920-1922. 



Truck Market Limited. 



The absence of good roads has limited 

 the truck market to a great extent, and 

 future prospects are dependent upon im- 

 provements in this regard. For instance, 

 a sugar mill located near the harbor found, 

 by conservative estimates, that the use 

 of trucks would offer an economic advan- 

 tage in transporting its sugar to the port, 

 but the condition of roads did not permit 

 the use of motor vehicles. 



On the other hand, the extensive truck 

 gardens located within 100 miles of Ha- 

 bana are able to utilize trucks in the trans- 

 portation of fresh vegetables to the city 

 market by reason of the better condition 

 of roads. 



Numerous Taxicabs Offer Market for 

 Accessories. 

 The 6,171 light cars with ordinary tour- 

 ing bodies, which are used for taxicabs in 

 Habana, furnish a good market for nov- 

 elty accessories. These taxicabs are oper- 

 ated by individual owners in the absence of 

 large companies, and the zone system is 

 used in place of taximeters. The seat cov- 

 erings in demand are manufactured locally 

 from imitation leather and are always in 

 bright colors and with fancy finish. The 

 American plain seat covers, therefore, have 

 not found a market. Skid chains are pro- 

 hibited by the city ordinances of Habana. — 

 Clerk Williavi B. Murray, Habana. 



