ROADS.-There are approximately 1,500 miles of motor roads in Haiti, connecting all the important cities. The roads from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel, Jeremie, and Cayes are frequently impassable for short periods after heavy rains during the rainy season. Other roads are passable during most of the year.

The highway from Port-au-Prince to Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, is used throughout the year. Providing the driver is able to obtain four or five passengers, the fare between these two cities is approximately $15 apiece; otherwise, if an individual automobile is hired, the cost may be about $50. The trip takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. The trip to Ciudad Trujillo can also be made by the northern route, via Cap Haitien, but takes much more time.

COMMUNICATION

Telephone and Telegraph.-The principal towns of Haiti are connected by the telephone and telegraph system. International telegraph connections are also available here.

Cables. There are cable connections with all parts of the world. A large American radio company is established in Haiti, and a radio station is also operated by the Haitian Government. Commercial messages are accepted over the Government station. Postal Regulations and Rates. The regular postal rate on letters from the United States to Haiti is 3 cents an ounce or fraction; the air-mail rate is 10 cents for each half ounce or fraction. From Haiti to the United States the rate on firstclass letters is 2 cents an ounce, while the air-mail rate is 12 cents an ounce.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A passport is not necessary to enter Haiti; however, it is advisable that every commercial traveler provide himself with such a document, as it is a means of identification and facilitates entry.

ARRIVAL

Salesmen's Samples.-Travelers' samples must be declared as intended for reexportation and must be reported separately from personal effects, which are duty free. Samples of no commercial value are admitted duty free if verified as such by the appraising officer. Samples which have commercial value are dutiable at the usual rates, but duty paid will be refunded if the samples are reexported within 6 months. The application for refund, however, must be made within 30 days after payment of duty.

Samples may be entered through one port and reexported from another. The traveler should obtain from the port of entry a

document which will certify that duty has been paid. If this certificate is carefully preserved and presented at the port of exportation, there is no difficulty, provided that no samples have been sold and that the contents of the trunks agree with the memorandum of importation.

Advertising Matter.-The Haitian import tariff provides for prints, chromes, lithographs, photographs, engravings, etchings, drawings, pictures, atlases and maps not specified, charts (including geographical globes and spheres), and illustrated calendars and commercial advertisements, either in albums or separate. When in one color or printing, the duty is $0.30 per net kilogram, or 30 percent ad valorem. When in two or more colors or printing, the duty is $0.35 per net kilogram, or 20 percent ad valorem. There also is a surtax of 20 percent of the duties.

Taxes on Salesmen.-Commercial travelers are subject to a license tax of $50 and a patente tax of $40 per annum, payable quarterly. Of this amount, $22.50 is collected on arrival, and no further payment is necessary unless the stay of the traveler exceeds 3 months.

Directories and Guidebooks.-There are no directories or guidebooks available in the country except the telephone directories of the principal cities.

HINTS TO TRAVELERS

Best Visiting Time.-Merchants purchase their stocks or place orders during the so-called "dead season," May to August, in order that they may be stocked up before the coffee season, which starts in October. The most agreeable period on the island, however, is from October to May, as the weather is cooler at that time. There are two rainy seasons, one from March to May and the other from September to December. During these periods it is somewhat difficult to travel overland, but roads are maintained and such travel is possible.

Clothing. In Haiti only the lightest tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, as the average mean temperature is 81° F. There is little seasonal variation in temperature.

Men's suits of drill or linen can be purchased locally at prices ranging from $6 to $10. Seersucker and other lightweight suits are also worn; if purchased locally, the cost is about $18 to $23. Evening wear for men generally consists of an all-white dinner jacket and black trousers and a pleated shirt with turned-over collar.

Women wear the usual light clothing of silk or cotton fabrics and lightweight evening gowns. A light wrap may be used occasionally. Women's shoes, stockings, and hats should be purchased in the United States. There are no shops selling ready-made women's clothing in Port-au-Prince; but there are

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several dressmakers who make simple house dresses at reasonable prices.

Persons visiting Haiti and traveling in the mountains should be equipped with slightly heavier clothing, for use on trips into the interior. Sun helmets are seldom worn in the city but may be obtained for $2 in a local store. Panama or straw hats White shoes are generally worn by are usually worn by men. men; they can be purchased locally at prices ranging from $5 to $12.

There are no modern dry-cleaning establishments in Haiti; therefore, washable clothing is preferable.

Sanitation. From 1915 to 1934 the United States Marines were in charge of the sanitary conditions in Haiti. Upon their withdrawal, sanitation was turned over to the Haitian Public Health Service, and although a commendatory effort has been made to maintain the high sanitary standards established by the Marines, there has been a slight falling off in the efficiency of this service, primarily from lack of funds. Although the water supply in Port-au-Prince is chlorinated, most Americans boil the water before drinking it, for the piping system is somewhat antiquated, and the water may become contaminated while en route to the home from the reservoir. Most houses in Port-auPrince are equipped with septic tanks and an adequate wastedisposal system.

The Haitian Sanitary Inspection Service makes frequent inspections throughout the country, reports the existence of any epidemics, and endeavors to control them. Malaria and various minor skin diseases are common in Haiti. The use of mosquito Such nets may be purchased in nets at night is advisable. Most of the hotels provide nets. Port-au-Prince for $5 each. Persons visiting Haiti should be inoculated against typhoid and smallpox.

Hospital Facilities.-There is one hospital in Port-au-Prince, under supervision of French nuns, in which there is a special section reserved for Americans needing hospitalization. There are no American doctors in Port-au-Prince.

Hotels. There are four first-class hotels where comfortable accommodations can be obtained for from $3 to $12 a day, including meals. There are small hotels where food and lodging can be obtained for $1 to $3 a day. They are not, however, generally used by commercial travelers.

Holidays.-Legal holidays in Haiti are January 1; May 1; Corpus Christi; Ascension Day; All Saints' Day; and Christmas Day. Many other days during the year are declared holidays by presidential decree. Business is more or less at a standstill during holidays.

Legal Time.-The legal time is eastern standard time.

Weights and Measures. The metric system is the official system of weights and measures in the Republic of Haiti.

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CURRENCY AND BANKING

Currency. The unit of currency is the gourde, which is equivalent to 20 cents United States currency, the gourde being by law exchangeable on demand and without charge at the fixed rate of 5 gourdes to 1 American dollar. The gourde is divided into 100 centimes. United States currency circulates freely.

Banking. There are only two banks in Haiti-the Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti, which has a monopoly of the note issue, and the Royal Bank of Canada. The Banque Nationale has its principal office in Port-au-Prince and branches in all important towns. The Royal Bank of Canada has a New York office at 68 William Street and an office in Port-au-Prince. Obtaining Delivery of Goods. The bill of lading should be made out "to order, notify (giving name of purchaser). Such bills of lading should be endorsed in blank and forwarded to a local bank. Shipments should never be consigned to a bank, because the laws of Haiti prohibit the importation of merchandise without an import license. The release of merchandise shipped by freight cannot be obtained without the production of (a) negotiable copy of bill of lading bearing the visa of a Haitian consular officer; (b) consular invoice; (c) commercial invoice. Exchange. For the purpose of saving the cost of exchange, drafts should read as follows: "Payable to Bank, at the selling rate for New York Exchange." This makes it possible for the bank to collect from the drawees at the selling rate, plus stamps, the remitting charges and collection fee being borne by the remitters.

Drafts. It is imperative that drafts and shipping documents be mailed on the steamer carrying the merchandise, unless they have been previously forwarded by more rapid means. The drawee of a draft is not compelled to pay exchange charges; for that reason such charges are frequently included in the amount of the draft.

Credit Conditions. It is well to make a careful investigation before granting credit; where there is any doubt, cash should be insisted upon. A number of medium-sized houses, most of the smaller ones, and occasionally large firms work on borrowed capital or credit. Care is also necessary in making arrangements with local sales representatives.

COMMERCIAL CENTERS

In the following paragraphs are listed and discussed the cities and towns in Haiti which are thought to be of most interest to American commercial travelers. Port-au-Prince, however, is the outstanding center and none of the others mentioned approach it in commercial importance.

CAYES.-Capital of Department of the South; population, 15,000. On southeastern coast of Tiburon Peninsula; steamers

lie about one-half mile from the shore. Distances: 1,487 nautical miles from New York; 125 miles by road from Port-au-Prince. Products: Coffee, bananas, sugarcane, dyewoods, hides, and cotton. Industries: Distilleries.

How Reached.-By automobile from Port-au-Prince in about 4 hours.

Banks.-Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti (branch). Hotels.-Continental; Imperial.

Note.-Cayes, the most important port on the south coast of Haiti, acts as a source of supply for the villages scattered along the coast for miles in both directions.

CAP HAITIEN.-Capital of Department of the North; population, 15,000. Steamers anchor about one-half mile from town; small boats transport passengers to shore. Distances: 34 nautical miles from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic; 40 nautical miles from Port-de-Paix, Haiti; 170 miles from Port-au-Prince. Climate, pleasant and healthful; temperature averages 86° F.; cool ocean breezes. Principal products: Coffee, bananas, cacao, honey, logwood, grapefruit, pineapples, and sisal.

How Reached.-By automobile, from Port-au-Prince (about 8 hours), also from Monte Cristi and Port-de-Paix. Grace Steamship Line and Royal Netherlands Steamship Co. steamers call once a week. Cap Haitien is connected with all sections of Haiti by motor roads. Motor roads also connect it with the cities of the Dominican Republic.

Banks.-Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti.

Hotels.-Cosmopolitan; Atlantide; Pension André. Rates, $3 to $4 a day, American plan.

Note.-Cap Haitien is the chief city of the northern part of the Republic and is second in importance only to Port-au-Prince. It has a good harbor and considerable trade is done. Cap Haitien supplies a large agricultural territory. American consular agent in residence.

GONAIVES.-Capital of Department of Artibonite; population, 10,000. Located 110 miles from Port-au-Prince, on west coast of Haiti. Vessels anchor about one-fourth mile from shore; well protected in bad weather. Climate, hot. Principal products: Coffee, bananas, cotton, logwood, wax, hides and skins, and castor beans.

How Reached.-From Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince by automobile or steamer.

Bank.-Banque Nationale de la Republique d'Haiti.
Hotel. St. Michel.

Note.--Gonaives is connected by automobile roads with all sections of Haiti. Under normal conditions the territory tributary to Gonaives absorbs considerable quantities of merchandise. There is some direct importing and a good deal of exporting. American consular agent in residence.

JACMEL. On southern coast of Haiti; population, 10,000. Distances: 55 miles from Port-au-Prince; 1,489 nautical miles