The herald., 1898-12-04
Business Conditions

HAVANA, Dec. 3.-The pier at Mariana
Beach is now fully completed and Colone
Hecker in his reports shows It to have ter
feet of water at low tide-sutflclent tor al
lighterage that may be attempted. Genera
Green, who was reported to have rejected
the pier and whose alleged remarks were
given by correspondents here, says he wa
misouoted. He approves the work and ex
poets it to answer all purposes for which i
was designed.
Colonel Hecker. who leaves for home to
morrow and is not to return to Havana be
fore January 10th, yesterday signed con
tract for the construction of pier before
Casa Blanca in Havana Harbor and for {
railroad track from the pier to Guanabacof
The contract was awarded to the American
Indies Company of New York, which is as
sociated in this venture with the railroad
contracting firm of Drake, Stratton Co.
The railroad track is to be six miles il
length and at Guanabacoa will connect witt
the Matanzas line of railroad and by thi:
means form direct connection with all the
railroads leading out of Havana.
Colonel Hecker today completed a series
of conferences with railroad managers as
to rates of transportation for troops and
stores. \ reasonable satisfactory agreement
was reached.
Havana now looks more like an American
city than ever before in its existence. Amer
leans come by railway or boat, undeterred
by fever or by lack of quarters, which is
being felt severely, officers being quartereC
in all the hotels and in many residences. The
unloading OF transports keeps an almost con
slant procession OF horses, mules, ambulan
ces, army wagons and stores passing through
the streets.
Americans, even in uniform, no longer at
tract more than passing notice American
business men are making themselves felt
though, as usual, the saloon man is the first
to offer his goods.
Saloons are opening in all parts of the
city, while gamblers are ready to open games
as soon as protection is afforded them. Thi:
is something not likely to be given, as army
ot1lcers are opposed to permitting gambling
OF any sort
Not only has General Green brought order
out OF chaos and given good start to the
work of preparation for the American troop,
but by his unvarying good nature has made
dlscord impossible. Speaking to me thi.
morning, he said: "The people of Havana
are watching the Americans with a most
critical eye. They are quick to see any mis-
takes we may make. | am particular,
pleased that no Jealousy exists among oul
men for nothing would weaken us Sc
thoroughly or quickly as internal dissen
ton"
1t has been decided that it would be foil,
to clean the entire city even Temporarily
with the $4,000 which has been placed tC
General Green's credit, SO Major Davis. who
as told in recent dispatches to the Herald
has been making an investigation of the
city, has decided that attention should first
be directed to the unpaved streets. oper
sewers and drains and the slaughter house
district
When the work was organized under tn,
eye of Captain Geary, who has been made
Inspector for the time being by Genera
Green: the first lesson will bs given il
municipal cleanliness.
One reason why more extensive operations
cannot be carried on at present is the fac
that a contract for cleaning the paved por
ton of the city has been given by the Span
ish government and to take over this, a
present would entail many complications. \,
attempts will be made to deal svstematicnIl
with the cleaning of the city until we obtail
absolute control of matters.