Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-11
When He Took Charge Island Was
Ruined and Devastated,
THE WORK OF SANITATION,
Totsl Revenues collected s57, 10000
expenditures s55 3 10, o00-- Tran,f'r-
snce,of Authority 10 the Cubans


has prepared statement showing what
the United States achieved during the
occupation of Cuba from the time the
military government was established,
July Is, 1898, until May 1902.
At the close OF hostilities In Cuba, II
Is stated. the country was in a state
of devastation and ruin, both in It's
political organization and its indus
trial condition. Without precedent TO
guide, and many Of them without pre-
,lous experience in state affairs, the
officers of the United States army at
once undertook to set up form Of
government which would provide sulll-
cient revenues for the immediate needs
and which might be developed into
staple and lasting system.
Sixteen custom houses were estab-
Ilshed one at the chief port, Havana,
and others at the principal SUPPORTS
OF the island, and tariffs were put in
force. The principal changes In the ta-
riff have been the gradual reduction Of
duties on exports from time to time,
until April /, 1901. when these duties
were entirely abolished.
Postofflces were opened throughout
the island and native postmasters were
appointed. More than 800 postoflices
were established.
There was established q department
OF finance, presided over by q general
treasurer, and six provincial treasuiers,
one for each province. Subsequently
these provinces were redlstributed and
formed into II so-called fiscal zones.
These officers conducted the assess
lnent and collection of conveyance, in
herltance. commercial and Industrial
lakes and administered internal affairs
municipal schools hospitals public
works, fostering industries, and stock
ing farms and plantations. Thousands
of brood cattle and horses were pur-
chased and resold to the natives on
easy terms, enabling them TO resume
work, which would not otherwise have
been possible.
The number OF school houses provided
nearly equal those In this country for
a corresponding area,
There was constructed a telegraph
line connecting with the principal cities
throughout the Island and maintained
by the United States signal corps
Public roads were opened throughout
the island, which together with the
construction and repair Of bridges, have
been OF incaleulable benefit to the in
habitants.
AS sanitary measure the streets Of
many Of the cities were paved and ex-
tensive systems of sewerage construct
ed
The harbors Of the island were great
ly improved, an admirable system Of
buoys and beacons were established,
government warehouses and docks were
repaired and constructed. and regula-
lions, conforming TO those In vogue In
mis- country, governing the harbors Of
the island were established.
The total reveues from all sources
collected during the occupation was
s57 200, 900, and the expenditures there
from 65,370,0O0 the remainder having
been turned over to the republic OF
Cuba at the time OF the withdrawal
Of United States authority, May 49,
1902.
A feature OF the expense account In
Cuba was occasioned by the condition
Of the various municipalities, all OF
which showed large deficits In their
annual budgets. In the fiscal year 1899
more than one million dollars was con-
tributed to defray these deficits. and
thereafter the schools, police and mu-
niclpal hospitals and charities were
maintained entirely at the expense OF
the insular government. This condi-
ton has been largely overcome, and
the majority OF the municipalities are
now self sustaining. The following
shows some of the expenditures made
from Cuban revenues;
Justice and public instruction 81, 1O5,S3S
Rural guard and administra.
ton, 's'. 49,. &C.. -. -. 80. b,2fbbi5
Agriculture, industry and COM
merce..... commencement. 1,129,545
Barracks and quarters ..... 2,542,Gi2
Public buildings, works. ports
ana narborS -. $500. ...,. $685., $50
Charities and hospitals ... -, 4,l2s,057
Sanitation -. 49,. -. 49,. 9.953,457
The buildings selected for barracks
and quarters for the army were used
only temporarily by the troops, and
when put In thorough repair and good
sanitary condition were turned over TO
the municipalities as hospitals. Many
OF the most completely appointed hos
pitfalls In the island have been fitted out
In this way.
That the administration of the de- |
partment OF sanitation was Judicous
and thorough in It's results is apparent |
IN the large decrease OF the death rate |
IN the Island since modern sanitation |
measures have prevailed The death |
rate prior 10 this time has been as high |
hs eighty and ninety In the thousand |
put decreased 20 less than twenty-three |
IN one thousand: and during the season |
Just opened when yellow fever was |
formerly az its height. Havana was en- |
tlfely free from this epidemic.
The marine quarantine conducted by |
the United states marine hospital SER
wee has been effective In preventing the |
lpread OF contagious diseases, and this |
lervice has greatly aided the other Of |
hcers In their efforts TO establish |
nealthful conditions. The gulf states
of the Union have also profited by these
measures. ~
All branches OF the government were |
organized and had been gradually put |
MO the hands OF native officers who
.ad been associated IN she respective
apartments with American adminls-
rators, whereby opportunity was given |
lor a full understanding OF our meth
pas OF government.
Inc former assistant auditor under |
me American administration became /
Ine auditor for the new republic. the |
assistant treasurer became, the treas
orer' the native administrators OF Jus
Ilee finance, public instruction and |
Iuolic works continue TO hold Office un-
ger inc Cuban government.
clear title to the buildings. roads. |
nnaIves and school houses passed TO
'he Cuban people.
injunction Judges Denounced.
New York. Aug. 1.-THE Central |