Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 Excerpt:...for the year 1917, notwithstanding the abnormal conditions arising from the world war. showed not only a marked increase over the previous year, but also the continued and growing prosperity of the country. Faith in the stability of the Government and general confidence that the fruits of energy would be protected resulted in the improvement of conditions throughout the island. The opening up of several now sugar estates and the erection of mills and other necessary buildings largely increased the opportunity for employment, while (he demand for cement, structural steel, and other building material added greatly to the volume of imports. Price Movements of Sugar, Coffee, and Cacao. Although the production and movement of sugar fell oft" about 15 per cent during the season, commercial conditions in the south Qf sugar district are fair. Importers, anticipating decreased transportation and other difficulties, purchased extensively early in 1017 and. so came forward in 1918 with good stocks, which are daily increasing in value in sympathy with prices in the United Stute.j. Importers have consequently made large profits. The conditions in the tobacco district in the neighborhood of Santiago arc prosperous. The ruling prices for tobacco are high, and consequently there has been an increase in the acreage planted for 1918. Because of discrimination in reirar-d to freight space, cacao dropped to 5 cents a pound, while the price in New York was from 12 to 1U cents a pound. Cacao is exported annually to the value of approximately $5.000.000, but as the farmer is not getting the cost of production, general conditions in the large cacao district are not good. Advancement in Public Works. The construction of highways received much attention during the year. The def...