The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-11
CONDITIONS In CUBA.
INCREASING MARhhTS IhH-
DJCTFD FOR OUR PRODUCTS.

Report OF special Agent Pepper OF the De-
partment Of Commerce and LABOR
Nearly sI2O 900 900 Of American
Capital Now Invested In the isiana'
WASHINGTON May 10. Increased markets
I'm Cuba for United States products are pre-
dicted by Charles NJ. Pepper, special agent
Of the Department of Commerce and Labor
In a letter to Secretary Metcalf submitting
his report, which was to-day transmitted TO
Congress, Mr.. Pepper says that Cuban FOR
eign approximates 500, ooo, 600
annually. and that while the exports from
Cubs in the last few yea ~ have exceeded
the imports, this year is likely to show a
more evenly balanced condition, with the
United States selling the island $do.oooyOOo
worth of products.
No falling of in the import trade Is ex-
, % cted, not Notwithstanding tn. the buying
ability of the island will be lessened through
the decreased production of sugar and the
lower price obtained for 1t. The first three
months OF the present year show a deereaee
IN United States imports Of Cuban sugar OF
COZ OO tons as compared with the first quar-
ter of 1905, while the value Is only $40 ,ooo, 900,
as against $50, 900, 600 for the same period OF
lESC year, no SCIOup I" oeo~f
ton Is due to very severe floods
While succeeding months may make n
better relative showing than the first three
months, Mr.. Pepper is OF the opinion that
instead of paying Cuba So, DOC, 900 FOR sugar
as was done In 1906, the United States TINS
year will pay less than SIS 900, 900, which was
| the price of the crop in 1904. In spite Of the
drop both in production and In price, ne
does not regard the industry as IA icing a
| ara We crisis, though there will be depression
| later in the year. He says the sugar indus
try In Cuba IL now on q modern economic
basis and the profits are to be judged by a
series OF years rather than by a single
season.
There Is also a shorta &c In the tobacco crop,
due to floods, and this reduces the output,
which usually amounts to s?S, 900 900, by at
least IS, OoO, 900.
Despite the heavy decrease In sugar
and the appreciable one in tobacco, Mr.
Pepper says that there will be no distress,
because very large amounts OF capital are
being transferred from the United States
and Europe for investment in development
enterprises. Labor is scarce and wages
are high and the transferred capital assures
the continuance Of industrial activity.
Contracts for future delivery Of material
insure that the volume OF imports will be
maintained. The new capital ia going into
the construction of railroads and trolley
lines, municipal improvements and misoel-
laneous enterprises.
In an analysis Of the markets for Ameri-
can products Mr.. Pepper considers that
in some forms Of iron and steel manufac-
lures, and in electrical apparatus, railway
equipment and rolling stock, agriculture
i~mplements, sewing machines, typewritersI
weighing scales and bicycles, the United
States has substantially the whole trade
but he believes that in spite Of the reci-
prooity reductions on sugar machinery this
country is not getting its full share OF the
business. he also points out how the
manufacturers Of household hardware may
extend the sale Of their goods.
In foodstuffs he says that the United
States can continue to monopolize the
flour trade, and the efforts Of the shippers
to a greater consumption OF -four. Eng
land and Germany still hold The bulk Of the
rice trade. Though the imports from the
United States have grown from nothing to
advanced that a combine Of the jobbers OF
dealers has been formed to discredit the
American product.
In packing house products the United
States has made such substantial progress
that, except for q few specialties, 1t controls
the lard, bacon and ham shipments. The
importation Of jerked beef from South
America, however, is something that APP
parently cannot be overcome by this coun-
try.
Cuba has grown, but these lines, owing
by Spain. Mr.. Pepper believes that the
California clarets, which have met with
favor In Cuba, WIN And q wider market u
the same methods are followed that obtain
In handling the wines from Spain.
The report says that the Cuban imports
annually and while the United States manu-
facturers under the reciprocity conces-
sions have been able to build up a business
Of 81, 500 900 to 81, 100000, yet they would
make greater Roadway against the Man,
chester mills II more attention were paid