The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-24
AFFAIRS IN CUBA.
The Sewerage Problem I'm Havana
Divested of One Incubus.

Divested of One Incubus.
HAVANA, March 23.-The matter OF
the Dady contract for building sewers here
at last appears to be definitely settled
so far as the Governor Of Cuba has any
power to dispose Of it. General Wood made
public today his decision, which puts an
end to Mr.. Dady's prospects under his
present contract. His whole scheme, as
an engineering proposition, is deemed bad,
but as Secretary of Justice Estevez has
reported that he has an equity by reason
Of the money he expended in the formula
ton of his plans committee of three will
| decide what sum is to be paid Mr.. Dady
| by the city General Wood, the city of
Havana and Mr.. Dady will each appoint
a member of the committee.
With this old contract out of the way
! the city will be able to go ahead with new
/ plans more suited to present conditions.
| For several months three experts from
| the United States have been studying the
! sewer problem. which is admittedly a most
| difficult one. Their report will probably
| be submitted next month. General Wood
| expects to call in three of the best en-
| gineers obtainable to whom he will sub
| nit this report with a request that they
embody any suggestions they may have to
make. The contract will then be put up
at auction and be given to the lowest bid
der. Mr. Dady will, of course, have equal
rights with all who bid for the contract.
These proceedings will occupy so much time
that the municipality. having then elected
its own ayuntamiento, may refund the
old debt and raise 4 new loan to carry
out the project II is certain that the
streets will not be torn up until next fall,
owing to the danger of disease If for no
other reason.
An order will be issued shortly curtailing
the powers of the civil governors OF pro-
vinces who under the Spanish law are au-
thorized to interfere in purely local mat
ters in the municipalities. For instance,
no public meeting or theatrical perform
ance can be held in Havana without per-
nit from the Governor. Tie police are
also under the control of the civil governor.
Hereafter, each municipality will nave
larger freedom. The change is part Of the
general scheme to divorce each community
from the leading strings, rot only of the
insula: government, but OF the provincial
government as well. In the mean time
Acting Civil Governor VivancO Is assel ting
more authority in the municipal matter OF
closing stores than any of his predecessors.
He has Just issued an order declaring the
ordinance of the council forbiddlng the
opening of stores after o'clock at night.
Illegal There has been long fight en-
this question ever since the change was
made a year ago. closing the stores at s.
The clerks favored the order. but the mer-
chants opposed it. The latter appear 10
have won, at least temporarily.
Senators Platt, Teller, and Aldrich went
to Matanzas today. Later they will visit
Cienfuegos The papers are full OF alleged
interviews with them. The autonomist
leaders are said to have urged that the
United States should maintain the same
relations with Cuba as Spain DID during the
latter part of her regime. Naturally, the
Independence element is indignant. La
Discussion" particularly SO. There is.
however, no evidence that the Autonomists
said what is attributed to them. as both
parties to the interview refuse to discuss
what passed between them. A committee
of planters also tackled the Senators on
the old mortgage question They urged
various schemes for the relief of the sugar
estate owners, and insisted that time be
allowed debtors. They declared that the
present solution VIII be OF no benefit.
General Wood has ordered the establish
ment of a school of typewriting and
stenography, with capacity OF one hun
bred students. II will be connected with
the Havana institute.