800.8836/777

The Chargé in Cuba ( Briggs ) to the Secretary of State

No. 3904

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum dated April 25, 1942,40 prepared by the Commercial Attaché, regarding certain difficulties which had arisen in connection with the shipment to the United States of this year’s Cuban pineapple crop.

It will be noted that complaints had been made against the Florida East Coast Car Ferry Company on the ground that certain shippers were not being supplied with adequate shipping space, and that this matter appears to have been satisfactorily settled by the allocation of additional cars to the shippers in question.

It is encouraging to note that in spite of the scarcity of shipping facilities, Car Ferry officials estimate that barring unforeseen contingencies, [Page 351] their line, together with the Seatrain Lines, Incorporated, will be able to move roughly 830,000 crates of pineapples this season, which would be only slightly less than the 843,392 crates which they state were shipped via all lines during the 1941 season.

Respectfully yours,

Ellis O. Briggs
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