The History of Cuba, vol. 5Johnson, Willis Fletcher
History
The History of Cuba, vol. 5
Johnson, Willis Fletcher
Cuba -- Economic conditions; Cuba -- History
The Department of Meteorology is responsible for all astronomical and
meteorological observations, and for the publication of data in regard
thereto. The Weather Bureau and all observatories come under its
jurisdiction, together with the publication of official time. It is
responsible for the collection of all data concerning weather and
climate that may affect crops, which data is published weekly, monthly
and annually.
Under the Division of Immigration, Colonization and Labor matters
pertaining to subjects connected with immigration, wages, hours and
working condition of laborers and their connection with capital or
employers, are handled and adjusted. During the year 1918, this Bureau
amicably settled eighteen labor disputes, thus avoiding threatened
strikes. Records of all accidents to labor are kept on file.
Every immigrant entering the Island of Cuba from any country must be
provided with $30 in cash before being released from Triscornia, the
receiving station on the Bay of Havana. From this station immigrants
without means are looked after by the Division of Immigration, and the
company or person, who, desiring his services, takes him out, is
required to give a bond that he will not become a public charge. This
Department also issues permits to sugar estates, corporations or
companies who wish to import labor on a large scale.
Under the direction of this Division, the Government has started a
colony for laborers at Pogolotti, a suburb of Havana, where 950 houses
have been built, each with a parlor, two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen and a
yard. They are rented to laborers only, at a monthly rental of $3.12. Of
this $2.71 is applied to the credit of the renter towards the purchase
of the house, the remainder going for expenses of administration and
water. The purchase price is fixed at $650, and when this has been paid
the laborer becomes the owner.
In addition to the above mentioned Divisions or Sections there are
several independent Bureaus or offices, reporting directly to the
Sub-Secretary and acting under his instructions. Among these is the
Bureau of Game and Bird Protection, organized to enforce the law
regulating the open and closed seasons for hunting deer, and the various
game birds, ducks, pigeons, quail, etc., that abound in Cuba. The work
of this Bureau is conducted along lines and methods similar to those
employed in the United States. The duties of the Director of this most
worthy Institution are onerous and unending and to his indefatigable
energy is due the saving of thousands of valuable birds and animals.
A Bureau known as the Bureau of Publications and Exchanges is charged
with the publication in Spanish of an Agricultural Review, intended for
the enlightenment of the agriculturists of the Island. In this monthly
are printed the reports of the many experiments and important work
carried on at the Government’s Experimental Station at Santiago de las
Vegas, and other matters pertaining to Agricultural industries.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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