Evening star., 1902-08-28

merits OF Paine's Celery Compound. | can can
didly and honestly say 1t is the best medicine in
The world. Two years ago l suffering from
Indigestion and nervousness, and was so rundown
that could hardly walk without help. used
two bottles OF Paine's Celery Compound and GOT
better almost from the first dose and have had
no use for medicine since. 1 was completely
cured"
ing people are stored away in their homes
or, in case Of clerical employees allowed to
accumulate in the hands Of their employers.
There is no special savings bank law. The
Cuban workman is sometimes blamed for
gambling and buying lottery tickets but
these We're the only means OF Investment
placed in his reach. To a man looking at
the situation through his eyes it is not at
all strange that he staked his small capltal
in the only place where there was even the
promise of a return.
To Loan Money.
Havana has a Monte de Pledad. an old
institution similar to those Of the same
name in European and South American
countries, which was founded under tho
auspices Of the Spanish government and Is
still more or less under official supervision
and direction. The funds with which ths
institution was started were derived from
various lotteries. Its purpose IS to loan
money upon jewelry. plate and other articles
not likely to depreciate in value Eight per
ter limited the powers of the governors suf-
hclently to prevent some Of the benefits of
such an institution from being realized bur
not sufficiently to prevent the funds from
leaking away. 1t is now proposed 10 reor-
ganiZe the corporation and authorize fl by
a new charter to extend its operations so
as to receive small savings deposits Of -
cents and upward. to pay interest upou
them. and to establish branches in public
schools and factories. The scope OF its
loaning activity would be broadened to COW
er mortgage loans upon real property, as I'm
the United States. If wisely and honestly
conducted, such an institution as has heer
pianned would be great material help as
Wei as great educational benefit to the
poorer classes Of Havana.
Pawnshops and Benefit Societies.
There are numerous licensed pawnshons
In Havana and other cities. The legal in
terest rate is Is per cent per annum, but
II is reported that as high as 10 per cent n
month is sometimes charged
There are many mutual benefit societies
In Cuba. but none have attained age,
wealth and dignity Of workingmen's mu-
tual aid and fraternal societies in other
countries.
The most important organizations I'm
Cuba that have been formed for the pur-
pose of self-help and mutual assistance are
the two great Spanish provincial clubs
the Asturian and the Galician societies.
and the Association of Commercial EN-
p!oyes OF Havana. These bodies not only
fulfill most Of the objects OF mutual aid So
cieties. but they serve many important So
cial and educational purposes well.
While Spanish in conception and organlza-
tion. and predominantly Spanish I'm MEM
bership, the color line is the only line drawn
in admitting outsiders to their privileges.
In the Asturian and Galican societies,
which are distinctively national clubs. di-
rectors and officers must be natives of tha
provinces represented. The Association of
Commercial Employees also requires that
its directors and officers shall be Spanlards
The Importance Of these clubs will be bet
ter understood when II is stated that their
combined membership is nearly 300e9 in
Havana and vicinity. and is drawn from all
ranks and classes Of society.
Thousands of Members.
"The first Of the present year the GaIiclan
society had 1853 members. the AsturIan
society about 1900 and the Association Of
Commercial Employees nearly the same
number The general organization of the
three societies is about the same. There
are the usual officers and central board
of directors, who are elected by all the
members. The directors appoint special
boards to look after the different groups of
interest subserved by the club. These sub
ordinate bodies are known as sections. All
three of the clubs have at least three cor
responding sections. supervising respec-
lively. instruction. charity and the social
activities of the organza tion. The charity
section of the Galician society is named the
section Of health and protection to labor
The Association OF Commercial Employees
has two additional sections-one OF music
and one of moral and material interests
which has charge of the library and OF COM
merciai information and instruction.
Elegant Quarters.
These three clubs occupy commodlogs
quarters Of considerable elegance in the
central part of Havana and each Of them
also owns an extensive and well-conducted
hospital and sanitarium in the suburbs ot
that city. The Association of Commercial
Employees has just appropriated s250000
gold (s225 600 American) for a new building
near the Prado. The annual income OF the
Galiclan society is more than $4,000 IN
gold (S144.oo0 American), and it's net assets
$3.50. 900 I'm the same currency
tse25,oo0 American). While the exact as
sets and income OF the Asturian society have
not been published. they are supposed to be
larger than those OF either OF the other So
cieties. Both the Asturian and Gslician So
cieties are at present making extensive ad-
ditions TO their hospitals.
Privileges of Members.
THE dues of the three clubs are the same.
l.5O silver G1.05 Americsn) a month for
each member. These dues entitle members
to receive all the advantages offered by any
Of the sections of the society for themselves
come of the club special appropriations are
made to each OF the several sections, ac-
cording to estimates and budgets presented
by their respective officers. sufficient to
meet the expenses Of each during the cur
rent year
1T Is the special duty OF the directors Of
the social section 10 provide receptions
,alls theatrical entertainments and re-
unions OF various kinds for members Of the
.lub and their invited guests at such times
Is custom and convenience may dictate.
Beneficiary Department.
THE charity section-which is not
charity section in the usual sense OF the
word. but rather. as the Spanish name indi-
.ates beneficiary department of the club
has supervision of the hospital and SAINT
arium and Of cases where medicinal or
inancial assistance Is granted TO members
4 the society The Asturian Society. for
xampie, pays travelling expenses and gives
i5 silver s10.50 American) a month for SIX
months to members whose health requires
n immediate change of climate. rho
uneral expenses OF members who leave no
means for this purpose are paid by the