Evening star., 1901-05-30

lle plan or many Of the capitalists. If they
could get the Havana municipality to abdi-
sate n i.s function and turn over to them the
coiIectlon or revenues they would have had
most inviting basis for loaning the
money. Ihat system today exists to
some extent. The Spanish Bank Of the
Island of Cuba collects certain revenues
uhor CONCESSIONS received during Spanish
sovereignty These We're vested rights
which the American authorities did not
seek TO disturb. But there "a thorough
understanding that no similar concessions
should be made in the future.
In the first days of the American control
II was proposed to turn over to the Spanish
BANK the collection of further revenues
ana ana preliminary contract was signed in
Washington. The American officials in
Cuba opposed it. and public sentiment he
came 80 strong that the contract was re-
soheu. mere Is no probability that the
pubic could be brought now to agree to
any plan of farming out the revenue for
private collection, and while the various
syndlcates and capitalists who are ready to
pave and sewer Havana and to advance
, lne 1unds for that purpose would prefer to
nave the municipal revenues in their own
nanns they are making their bids with the
1ull knowledge that this is impracticabe.
Reform I'm Taxation Needed.
Mr.. Cancio and the other members of the
commission frankly tell the taxpayers that
the loan can be carried if they are ready
10 accept certain reforms in taxation. One
or these is an Increase in the rate on alco-
holc, spirituous and fermented liquors
Lately the licenses Of the cafes, restau-
rants and hotels which have these hever
ages on sale have been increased in order
to help make up the deficiency in the cur
the traction connanias poppseu 10 TAX
than heretofore rrhesa " ilsher rate
nies, like similar cornorationS ~ coihpa-
lean cities, have n verv p"ns1 III th tne amer
monopolze the streets and pav nnth,rs o1
their franchises 1t is nrohahi. 'peii.he tht oll
will make a wrv face at n'nie tba LIE mat they
increase their contributjon ta p'1posllion th TO
pality. but thew can stand - 70 lhe mumcl-
handsome dividends - anu stlil pay
II is in the assessment Of ron, .s.o. Ill.,.
the injustice of the present srs+ eno".e tnat
alton appears Havana real SEN, s,eih OF TAX
in high returns. The poor are eround ,nar
cilessiy by the landlords In the tenament ,ne
lively than in tho SAM a., dp.s hlgher rela-
York city, and the acconn,nSa.. IN we"
poorer During the last tuii a1o nouatl4ns are
property owners have comn1sts stals havana
of the burdens placed upop 1he,, pialeIy
American authorities In enfnrcin im oy TN. the
tary regulations In Individual casss nrnh-
ably some of these Complaints ass ass prop- trne
But the property owners as % we're were Just.
been far from bearing their rie;,.ss uiass nave
of the taxation. Some Of th.n. entiul snare
to the proposed sewerage and are opposed
cause they fear they will have paVing, 20 M Pc
it. Others want the imnrovsmp ~ pay LOT
under the direction Of the Anerean mac. mace
come out of the island f,nde ude payment to
aseains as ans OF splendid boulevards and drives
want ali of ruha ~ na sanitation. I'M but they
the money taken from The T ins,1sn smis oy having
Nlne-tenths of the customs revenmas o oro