The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-13
TO AID CUBAN PLANTERS.
GEN. WOODS CABINET DISCUSSES RE.
DCCTION OF RAILROAD RATES.
War Tax on the Roads to BE Removed Gen.
Conner Issues q Statement Concerning
the Cuban Political PARTIES Meeting to
Discuss Capt. Pitchers Acts Prevented.
Special Gable Despatch to THE sun.

Special Gable Despatch to THE sun.
HAVANA. June u The American mass meet
ing called to protest against the acts of Capt,
Pitcher, the police magistrate. was stopped by
the police because the leaders had failed to Sc
cure from the Civil Governor a permit, which is
required for all such gatherings. Three hum
bred persons we're present when the police
arrived. The crowd dispersed quietly after
Chairman Hood declared that they would be
law abiding. and would get a permit to hold q
meeting later.
At the Cabinet meeting to-day plans were dis
eussed for the securing from the railways a re-
duction OF rates in favor OF the planters. who
are greatly hampered by the present schedules.
Gen. Wood has power to fix the schedules, but
he does not wish 10 do so for fear of unsettlinG
business conditions more than ever. He thinks
the railroads will eventually be benefited by a
reduction OF rates. The Cabinet agreed that it
was advisable 10 remove the war tax OF 10 per
cent. on passengers and 3 per cent. on freight.
provided the railroads agreed 10 reduce their
rates similarly. This would really be no loss to
the railroads as the State would bear the bur-
den, and the consequent prosperity Of the
planters would soon permit increased Ia ration
on rural properties.
1t was also decided at the meeting that Gen.
Wood should issue an order pardoning all press
offences against functionaries, civil and mill
tary. Under the Spanish law il Is an offence to
~criticise a public officer. This prevented a fair
discussion OF the acts Of officials and formed q
shield behind which incom petent officers
attempted to hide. Many prosecutions for
offences OF this sort are pending, among them
being Gen Ludlow's various suits against Senior
San Miguel OF La Luchd andSehor Callazo. now
OF the Ndcion. These men will be pardoned
with the rest when the order il issued. The
actions against editors for attacks on private
citizens will remain in full force. We're Gen.
Ludlow here to-day he would doubtless start
new suits against the Lucha. Cubdno and Nacion.
all OF which pay their respects to him. basing
their remarks upon the cabled report Of an arti-
Gle in a New York paper on his extravaganza
They all demand an investigation of his career
here.
Gen. Maxine Gomez has written a letter con-
corning the efforts Of both the National and
Republican parties to convince the people that
he favors their candidates for office He makes
II plain that he has no choice between the two
parties, but he ignores the existence Of the
Democratic Union. which he has hitherto
abused. he says that. having consecrated his
whole NE to the cause Of Independence. he has
profound sympathy with all groups Of Cubans
striving without reservation for indie
pendencs. He thinks II would have
been better II there had been only
one party. the National. but now the Rspubli-
can party has come with the sam aspirations
hc welcomes 1t. Concerning the candidates for
Alcaldes all over the island he urges the voters
to support revolutionists Of intelligence. In this
way the soldier element will be kept In the sad
die, and there is a very strong suspicion that
this element will be more likely to do Gen.
Gomez's bidding when the time comes for him
To show his ambitions.