10 THE CUBA R E r I E ir 



Imports from the United States have suffered a serious decrease during the past 

 months, amounting to about $10,000,000 in the month of October alone ^s compared 

 with the same month the preceding year. It is estimated that the revenue from imports 

 is about one-tliird less than it should be under normal conditions. In the matter of 

 exportations from Cuba to the United States, the same condition prevails, the decrease 

 for the first ten montlis of the year 1921 as against a similar period of 1920 amounting 

 to some $40,000,000. The drop in the price of sugar, however, would largely account 

 for a considerable portion of this falling off in the exportations, but the decrease in impor- 

 tations, upon which Cuba depends for a large source of her revenue, is a matter of serious 

 consequence. 



The Taxation Commission, consisting of Messrs. Paso, Araroza, Vei-way, Faura and 

 John S. Hood, an American tax expert recently appointed by President Zayas to study 

 and recommend a new tax law for Cul^a, has not yet submitted its report. The question 

 of taxation on land, incomes, excess profits and inheritances are among those being con- 

 sidered b}^ this Commission. 



Labor Situation: Following the decision of the Association of Comnaerce and 

 Industry of the Bay of Havana, composed of the majority of the steamship lines operating 

 into Cuba, to inaugurate an open shop policy, the Bay Federation, as the stevedores' 

 union is known, called a strike effective December 5th. At the present ■m-iting the 

 strike has proven unsuccessful, the work of loading and unloading the vessels being 

 handled by non-union men, of whom there are an abundance anxious to work. 



The ciuestion of wages is not an issue in the controversy between the association 

 and the union, the matter of whether or not the "delegate" system shall prevail being 

 the sole issue at stake. Heretofore the unions have insisted upon ha\'ing their "dele- 

 gates" assume control of all work and the abuses growing out of the autocratic and 

 inefficient methods of these "delegates" led to this action on the part of the association. 



There has been a great deal of talk on the part of the union to call out all other 

 workers throughout the city in a s^anpathetic strike, but so far all such efforts have met 

 with no response on the part of the other unions to whom the appeal has been made. 

 Considering the large number of men out of work at this time, \\-illing to accept most 

 any sort of employment, it is not believed that a s^anpathetic strike at this time would 

 prove successful and for that reason the various unions are anxious to avoid the calling of 

 this general strike. 



Conditions tlu-oughout the interior are still serious, many thousands of laborers 

 being unemployed or working for a mere subsistence. During the past few weeks of 

 inactivity in sugar harvesting actual want was experienced in all parts of the country. 

 Now that the mills are again grincUng, these men will again be put to work, although the 

 wages may be expected to be far below those paid last season. 



Several hundred Jamaicans and other British subjects imported for goverimient 

 work were returned to their respective countries, owing to inabihty of the Cuban govern- 

 ment to find work for them after their arrival here. 



Paper Mill Resumes Operation: Announcement has been made that the paper 

 mill at Puentes Grandes, operated by "La Papelera Cubana," wliich was erected at a 

 cost of OA'er $2,000,000, will start, working within the next few days with a full force of 

 three hundred employes. This may be taken as an incUcation of better conditions in Cuba. 



Casino to Open on Christjlvs Eve: It has been announced that the Casino at 

 the Playa de Marianao will open for the season on Christmas Eve. This institution, 

 which is said to rank second in size and magnificence to that of the famous Casino at 

 Monte Carlo, is one of the show places of Havana for tourists and shares equal popularity 

 with the horse races in the entertainment of Cuba's ^\inter visitors. 



Movie Stars Visit Havana: During the past few days, Havana has been honored 

 \\dth the presence of ]\Iiss Corinne Griffith and Miss Mae Murray. Miss Murray arrived 

 on the hydroplane Santa Maria 11 and personally dehvered her latest film success 

 ■"Peacock AUey" to Manager Pratchett of the Fausto Theatre, where she later appeared 



