Washington sentinel., 1899-04-08
Legal Fight for wharves in Cuba.

Legal Fight for wharves in Cuba.
An interesting suit has been filed
in the Havana courts in reference
to the Almacenes de San Jose, the
wharves leased at present by the
United States Government for the
landing and storage ofquartermas-
ter supplies. A New York syndi-
cate desiring to obtain possession
of the valuable property is behind
the movers in the matter. and Col.
Frank J. Hecker, Chief Of Trans
portation, aAd Secretary Alger's S
business partner, is mentioned as
one of the most prominent oi the
capitalists concerned.
The Almacenes de Deposi'o de
la Habaua are situated southeast
of Havana and comprise three
large piers with an extensive series
OF sheds and warehouses, the best
in the West Indies. Steamers Of
the largest draft can be thrown
alongside, thus obviating expen-
sive lighterage and the thousand
and one charges which the Light
erage Trust pile up upon unfor-
tunate importers. The value Of
the property, even before the re-
cent appreciation Of harbor 'front.'
age. has been estimated at Sso,-
600, 900.
The action now brought is in the
names OF the shareholders OF
stock company formed in 1870, and
which until lew years ago owned
the wharves.
1t is to recover from the heirs OF
Conde de Cadumore possession of
the property, whi:h the plaintiffs
claim was illegally and iraudu
emily taken from them. They
also ask for an accounting ofrents
and interests since 1887, the date
of the alleged fraudulent acquisi-
ton by the defendant.
Conde Jose Eugenio More,
Count OF Cadumore, was ader OF
the Spanish party in Cuba. He
was a man Of great wealth and was
connected with nearly every hnan.
cial undertaking in the island.
When the wharf company, in 1883,
made bond issue OF SI,I5o. 900 at
8 per cent. he took up almost the
entire issue. He also held large
number Of shares. In 1885 1880
the company sustained some losses
and were unable to meet the ac-
crued interest on the bonds.
Count More proposed that to
save the company's credit the in
terest should be allocated as usual,
but be paid in the form of promis-
sorry notes, bearing no interest
themselves and without a date OF
payment. AS the largest bond
holder he would agree to this
scheme aud would promise not to
present these promissory notes
until the company was in posi-
ton to meet them.
The scheme was accepted and
the notes issued.
In July, 1887, six months after.
ward, the Count More brought
action against the company fol
payment on these notes, the
amount sued for being S156,ooo
On the goth OF the same month, a
a special meeting of the director!
calledto consider the action, tn,
chairman Of the board, Senior N
Gelats, the principal in the grea
Havana banking firm of that name
stated to his fellow-officeTs tina
the suit OF the Count was merely
a friendly one and only for tn
purpose OF recording his lega
rights, without intention Of goin,
to Judgment. He strongly advis =,
that no defence be raised.
The directors were divided il
their views, but the casting vote G
the chairman decided that no de
fence should be raised. The sui
came before the court, who adjudi
Gated in favor OF the Count and
the company having gone int
liquidation. ordered him to ente
into possession Of the property a
mortgage and to preserves a ccns
or charge held by the GoveTnmer
or $4,000 The following year
Count More leased the prOpert
TO his friend, Mr.. Gelats, who hel