New-York tribune., 1902-12-15

crisis in the history of the Cuban tobacco industry
| s at hand The market of the Uniteo states VII :
tually fixes the price of Cuban tobacco the aiiouI
consumed in this country largely determines the
profit to the Cuban grower, yet the present Iarl l
| is almost protbitye. TO secure reducuon OF
this tariff is the most important problem that coh-
fronts the Cuban manufacturer and no effort
should be spared place the matter clearly before
the public of both countries.
So far as the tobacco industry is concerned, the
interests of both countries are Identical The
growth and manufacture of the product in the ISL
and may be stimulated and encouraged without in
any way injuring the producers in the United
States. If this be demonstrated, and our people
and Congress can be persuaded that reduction OF
tariff duties tobacco will save the industry in
Cuba without harming the industry at home there
is no apparent reason why the reduction should
not take place. The relations between Cuba and
our own country are such that the prosperity of
the protege will rebound to the credit and benefit
of the protector. Cuba is and always will be
consumer of manufactured articles. and as the
population of the country increases the demand for
foreign goods will naturally keep with it, and
there is no reason why the United States should
not supply this demand. But If the island is going
to be permitted to sink into condition of economic
ruin, exporters in the United States learn that
the dead consumer requires nothing but coffin
and sufficient ground for burial These the Cubans
have always had at home.
If it is question of revenue the United States
it can be easily demonstrated that the present
tariff on tobacco and cigars is detrimental to the
period up to the end of 1890 Cuban cigars entering
the United States assessed 81 50 a pound and
% per cent ad valorem. During this time the
customs receipts derived from this item averaged
SS54OOO year. From 1890 to 1896 the duties having
been raised to 81 so a pound and % per cent al
valorem the customs receipts amounted to only
$2i9600o year, which fairly demonstrates the fact
that during that time the United States lost each
year 900 in duties cigars. These figures
are taken fromTthe statistics of the Treasury De-
partment.
Unfortunate exaggerations of the press OF both
countries with reference to the possibility OF pro-
duction of tobacco in Cuba have led the growers of
that product in the United States into the er-
roneous belief that. should the tariff barriers
lowered, say, 80 per cent the Cuban product would
crowd American tobacco out OF the field. or at
least greatly injure 1t through competition.
This is simply a deluson. for while it is
that the soil OF Cuba, S well its climate. is
especially adapted to the growth of tobacco IL is
also true that the amount of available soil in
which first class tobacco be produced is ex-
tremely limited. More than all. the conditions
under which it must be grown not favorable
to either great cheap production
First class tobacco lands OF the VueIta Abajo
or Partido districts exceedingly high in price,
and large rentals demanded Irrigation and
constant care in most sections absolutely neces-
sary- Efficient labor Is scarce. and unframed
Gborers would ruin the product OF the best fields
Add to this the fact that in many localities
Peruvian guano or vegetable manures necessary
readily understood why the high grades of yueIta
Abajo tobacco cannot be produced at a cost Of less
than from $50 to $50 a hundredweght. Even the
cheaper tobacco. or what Is known the ''Vuelta
Arrba' Remedies OF the eastern end of the
island. cannot be produced for less than 30 TO IS
cents pound.
The following tables show the of production
in several districts Of the Vuelta Abajo:
SAN LUIS. PROVINCE OF PINAR DEL RIO.
The tobacco plantations in this district produce
5000 bales OF tobacco. the quality OF which is con-
sidered the best In the Nuelta Abajo account OF
its advantages for manufacture it's aroma and its
good burning qualities. In this district one cabal-
eria (s I-3 acres) OF land planted :. tobacco pro-
duces to the crop. IN normal years. go bales
bacco of 100 pounds each. at the following cost:
Rental one caballeris Of land. prepared for .,
COST Of $4,000 seedlings at 81 thousand 1s9o
saSaIs?ia but q sssse l.a:; 1900 dlf
0umf 0uf sed pante Ge up o e total
, OF 1920 pounds OF Peruvian guano its
Rental Of fifteen yoke OF $50. 45o
An s0g 09srsseP ~Gah }8t the YEAR at $50 4S
Three extra hands. Il cook night watchHan and
Cost Of rnaIntenHnce Of thirty men during nine
months $40 a month 200
months at $40 month each .::...c........ 4so
and wear and tear on agficuiturai implements 800
work is Done on the panstion Itself taxing ad
vantage Of the help o. the oyersesr: extra @ hands
the most economical system go bales. at IS a
Extras and unforeseen 500
RESULTING COSTS
plantation .s15 so2
Cost o a the plantation. $50 so
Carriage Puma CaTtaS-..-..--- 20
Steamship railroad freishts.. 20
Carriage to warehouse---.-
Cost Of a bale 1eo pounds
nvered in Havana $50 o6. or s2oe pound
SAN JUAN Y MARTINEZ