THE CUBA REVIE TV 27 



before our tariffs were raised in December — so that our new tariffs may be said to be respon- 

 sible only for the maintaining of our receipts at practically the same level as the previous year." 



"With the large fall of 20% in the tonnage of general merchandise carried and correspond- 

 ing decreases under all other headings except sugar products, our receipts would have shown 

 a very different aspect had the increased rates not been granted to us." 



"The general prosperity obtaining during the summer months of 1920, before the crisis, 

 led to a very marked increase in the number of passengers, amounting to between 25% and 

 30%. With the declaration of the Moratorium the numbers fell off considerably, but re- 

 mained in excess of the previous year, and even after the increase in the tariffs on the 12th 

 December, 1920, the numbers travelling were quite up to last year's level, until the end of the 

 grinding season." 



"On the Electric Lines, the numbers travelling have been consistently high, there being 

 little or no variation from month to month." 



"The high house rents obtaining in Havana generally, and the scarcity of houses, have 

 driven many people out to Marianao and other suburbs served by this line, which accounts 

 for the increase both in numbers and in earnings. There was no change of rates." 



"On public transport goods trains the average number of vehicles hauled was 14.63, 

 against 13.97 last year. The average total load carried per train was 210 tons, compared 

 with 195 in the previous year, and the percentage ot load to capacity fell from 55.88 to 54.98." 



"Group I. — Sugar Cane and Products. — This group supplied 77.5% of the total tonnage 

 moved and 47.55% of the freight earnings." 



"Although the crop began about a month later than usual, the rapidity of production 

 was greater than in former years, so most of the mills were able to grind nearly all their cane. 

 This was plentiful, owing to good rainfall, which accounts for the increased production. The 

 tonnage of sugar actually moved is not as high in proportion, as the amount remaining at 

 the mills on 30th June, 1921, was considerably higher than in the previous year, namely, 222,- 

 210 tons, compared with only 84,489, an increase of 137,721 tons." 



"According to statistics, the total production of sugar throughout the Island during the 

 crop is estimated to be 3,962,670 metric tons, and of this amount 1,660,484 metric tons, equi- 

 valent to 41.9% of the total, were carried over the Company Lines, compared with 43.5% 

 last year. This lower percentage is due to the larger amount left at the mills; had the total 

 production been moved during the year, the proportion of sugar carried to the total crop of 

 the Island would have been 47.5 %." 



"Of the estimated amount of cane, namely, 14,450,000 metric tons, required to produce 

 the sugar moved over our lines, we carried 9,711,002 tons, or 67.20% compared with 65.57% 

 last year." 



"The demand for molasses was fairly well maintained throughout the year, and there 

 was no difficulty in handling and shipping the amount offered. The tonnage, however, shows 

 a falling off of about 10%, as a considerable amount remained in stock at the mills." 



"Group II. — Agricultural forms 1.69% of the tonnage moved and 4.65% of the earnings." 



"Every item in this group shows a decrease, due to the financial crisis and general eco- 

 nomic depression resulting therefrom. In the early months of the year, the tonnage moved 

 was nearly normal, but this soon fell off, so that the totals for the year are well below those 

 of the previous twelve months." 



"The largest decrease is in tobacco, of which we moved 43,822 tons less than last year, 

 or nearly 50%. The season was very unfavorable for tobacco and the demand from Europe 

 for this product was much reduced, this leading to a large reduction in the area under culti- 

 vation. In many localities areas formerly dedicated to tobacco are now under sugar cane." 



"Chemical and common manure also show large decreases in tonnage moved. This 

 product is principally moved in the spring and summer months, but this year the spring 

 movements were practically nil, as little or no cultivation is being done in the cane fields." 



"Fodder shows a falling off of over 50%, due partly to the increasing use of patent cattle 

 foods, but chiefly to the fact that, owing to the financial crisis, owners have been unwilling 

 to pay for extra fodder for their cattle, which have been left to graze as best they might." 



"The areas under fruit and vegetables were also much reduced, with the result that the 

 tonnage of these commodities moved is considerably below normal." 



"Group III. — Forest Products forms 2.47% of the tonnage moved and 3.65% of the 

 earnings." 



"Split firewood, which is used chiefly in bakeries, shows the same tonnage as last year — 

 the other items all show a considerable decrease. Common firewood, which is used mostly 

 in sugar mills, again shows a large decrease, as it is rapidly being replaced by oil as a fuel. 

 The tonnage of native woods is also less than last year, as comparatively little clearing of wood- 

 lands for cane planting has been done." 



"Group IV. — Building Materials forms 3.38% of the tonnage moved and 2.76% of the 

 earnings." 



"The decrease amounted to over 100,000 tons, or 16.93%. The building activity in 

 Havana and other centers, which had been so marked during the greater part of 1920, came 

 to a sudden end with the declaration of the Moratorium, many houses being left in an mifin- 

 ished state. Recently, owing to the fall in the cost of materials and to cheaper labor, the 



