Evening star., 1899-01-03
An Administration Problem That
Needs Speedy Settlement,
One RESPONSIBLE HEAD NECESSARY
An Order That Has Excited Protest
From Santiago.
EARLY ACTION EXPECTED

The objection of the citizens of Santiago
10 the execution of the War Departrleut's
program requiring the customs collections
at that port and at all other Cuban norris
to be sent to Havana has brought the War
Department face to face with another OF
the many problems connected with the ad-
ministration of affairs in Cuba that require
speedy settlement. The order under which
this concentration of funds is being made
was issued about two weeks ago. Just be-
fore Colonel Bliss, the chief customs officer,
sailed for Havana
One Responsible Head.
1t is felt 10 be absolutely necessary. in
the interests Of good government. that
there should be but one responsible head
to the customs service in Cuba. 1t cannot
be contemplated that each of the ports
should be aIowed to dispose in its own
fashion OF the receipts from customs taxes
for IN that case the interior of the island
would be starved for the benefit of the
ports. although the inhabitants IN the in
terror really pay their share OF the taxes
upon the goous which they receive through
these ports. 1t was pointed out at the War
department today that If Santiago. al one
end OF the island, and HaN ana, near the
other, were allowed to keep their customs
receipts such provinces as Puerto Principe
and Pnar deI Rio would be without funds
to make any pubic improvements.
The Method to lie Adopted.
The method which the officials are dis
posed to adopt in dealing with this mat
ter is to allow each of the military COM
mandors of the seven departments into
which Cuba Is now divided to submit reQui-
sitions based upon estimates of cos; Of the
public works, such as sanitation harbor
Improvements and road and bridge bmld-
ing, as it Is deemed desirable to Undertake.
The cabinet which Gen. Brooke is about TO
call to his assistance in the admnistratiOn
of the island Will probably examine into
these necessities and propose an allotment
of the total customs collections and inter-
nal revenue taxation in proportion 10 the
needs of the communities and In accord
ance with principles of justice and good
government. In all Likelihood these allot-
Inents will not be final, but will require the
approval of the Secretary of War, just as
in the case of allotments for improve ements
in the various sections of the Mississippi
river in this country.
Transfer May He Nominal.
In the case of Santiago it is the belief Of
one of the highest officials Of the War De-
partment that the transfer of money from
that SUPPORT to Havana VIII be almost nom
inal, for the needs Of the province at large
will probably absorb the greater part of the
actual cash. However, if such should not
be the case it may be that ii will he sug-
gested to The commanders at the various
ports that where improvements are desired
and are needed their cost should be de-
frayed by an increase in the municipal tax
alton. The whole subject is now under con-
sideration, falling directly under the pur-
view of Assistant Sc, retary Mc.klejohn,
and some order on the subject may be eN-
pected an early date.