Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-19
USING FOREIGN ORE.
Pennsylvania Firms Making Iron
From Cuban Material,
BROUGHT IN BRITISH VESSELS.
Consul Reimer Points Out the Need of
American Enterprise,
MAKING SUCH A THING IMPOSSIBLE
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON, September 1S. - When
Judge Chapman, of Michigan. fortnight
ago, offered resolution requesting the Sec
retary of the Navy to inform the House of
Representatives whether the Bethlehem
Iron Company, which has large Gov
ernment contracts for furnishing armor plate
and gun steel was using foreign ore shipped
in British vessels for the manufacture of
this steel, it was generally thought to be
a mere bluff, and 1t was referred to a COM
mittee and was supposed to be buried beyond
| resurrection, Now that it has been favor
ably reported, the information given by
Otto E. Reimer, United States Consul at
Santiago de Cuba, in report dated last No
vember, on which the resolution is based,
becomes of interest. The facts of Consul
Reimer's report bearing on the subject are
as follows:
The, General Government of Cuba granted
the charter and concession granted TO the
Juragua Iron Company, through the Ultra
marine Minister of Spain at Madrid. This con-
cession allowed the Juragua Iron Company,
Limited. of Philadelphia, to construct mar
row gauge railroad from their mines to Santiago
de Cuba for the sole use of their mines and
mineral this railroad to pay neither taxes nor
charges for the term of 80 years.
THE FREE ENTRY OF MATERIAL
for constructing and maintaing the railroad
rolling stock and everything needed for the use
of the road to transport mineral is included in
this grant. This grant has caused many mine
owners to demand from the Spanish Govern
ment like privileges, and, convinced of the
willingness of such Government to further
the mining industry. other grants for mining
railroads and the establishing of entry and
clearance ports in the vicinity OF other mines
hdn an CE Ean f0ro and ndnI ,z1r
ing the preliminary work. which is always the
most difficult for companies and capitalists de-
string to work mines easv in the extreme, and
entirely free from the long and dscouraglng
delays in obtaining concessions which charac-
teriZes such work here.
The Juragua Company owns $50 hectares of
mines. which they bought for $4,000 Spanish
gold), with the agreement of paying royalty
of cents per ton of 2,240 pounds exported.
They at present own a rolling stock of 900 ore
cars. 80 small side dump cars, 16 fat cars
passenger cars, 8 large and small locomotives,
and are working five mines in 80 workings at
present, employing some ], 200 on the railroad.
They are of immense advantage to this province
and have, it might be said. rejuvenated this
part of the province, and have given an i'm
mense impetus to trade and navigation.
The ore. all shipped in steamers under the
British flag. IS conveyed by rail to the COM
the steamers. The stockholders of this COM
pany are largely composed of strong capitalists
in Pennsylvania, and the ore Is shipped for use
VI VIC L Suusylfduld COMPANY, Oh SLeel-
ton, Pa. and the Bethlehem Iron Company, of
Bethlehem, Pa.
BIG MONEY EXPENDED.
1t is estimated that $500. 900 were spent in
this enterprise which enterprise for its able
management. strong financial position and
willingness to comply with the laws of the
country is credit to American enterprise.
The Consul says in conclusion:
After perusing this report, the question is
naturally asked. How is it that with mines
cheaply reached than our own on Lake Su-
perior, no more American capital is invested
here? In closing it is we'll to refer to question
of great moment and Importance. The popu.
lation of this province in the number of its
working people, inadequate even now 10 supply
the increasing demand for laborers in sugar
estates and mines, is unused, and often un-
willing, to perform hard labor such as |
mining Considering this question a most
vital one. the writer had some time since |
a conversation with Captain General Sala-
manca, when that gentleman was here. That |
is fully alive to this critical situation
and has already taken steps to encourage emf |
grafton from Spain, with excellent results Be- |
as laburers in the mines, and are so employed |
with the Spanish Governments consent. The |
great labor question, of great moment to sugar |
planters. need ctfer no obstacles to the work |
ing of mines by American capitalists.
The writer hopes that this hurried review Of |
iron mines in the Province of Santiago de Cuba |
will serve to draw the attention of the Ameri- |
can public to this wonderful country.
LIGHTNER.