The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-18
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
JUDGE JOHN III. BAKER RETURNS
FROM TRIP TO SOUTH AND CUBA.
Cubans Earnest I'm Appeal for Reduc-
tions OF Tariff on Their Exports
Visitors at the Hotels.

Judge John II. Baker, formerly OF the
United States District Court, returned yes
terday with Mrs. Baker, from two
months trip through the Southern States
and the Island OF Cuba. The trip was the
first extended vacation the judge has taken
in several years, and he said last evening
at the Denison that he had enjoyed it thor
oughIy. He is in excellent health and does
not look like a man who reached the age
for retirement from the federal bench.
Judge and Mrs. Baker were travelling
practically all the time they were gone,
taking their journey by easy stages and
visiting many Of the historic battlefields
and most of the principal cities and resorts
in Tennessee, Alabama and Florida, as
well as those of Cuba.
I'VE spent about three weeks and half
in Cuba said the judge. land we saw
practically all of the island. Business in
all lines is rather quiet there now, as it
seems that the people waiting for
reduction in the tariff on their exports to
this country. Considerable American cap
ital is being invested in the island, but its
industrial and agricultural development is
/ not being pushed aggressively. From my
observations I am inclined to believe that
the desired reduction in the tariff is essen
tial to the prosperity of the island. This is
especially true of the sugar industry.
made the acquaintance OF TIVE brothers
who are largely interested in the produc-
ton of sugar. owning about 100000 acres OF
lano. large part OF which Is given over
10 the raising of sugar cane An Idea OF
cargo OF 1880 bags Of sugar, weighing
from 800 to 400 pounds each. which they
shipped on the steamer on which we re-
turned to the United States.
WANT TARIFF REDUCED.
These men told me that there was no
future for the sugar industry unless a ma
terial reduction is made in the tariff on
sugar. They have to compete with the
beet sugar producing countries of Europe,
and these countries pay a bounty on all
sugar exported by their producers, which
gives the latter a great advantage in COM
peting with the Cuban producers in our
markets.
THE climate and soil of Cuba are remark
able. The climate is delightful and
never saw country with richer and more
productive soil. The people are for the
most part easy-going, rather lazy and shift
less. yet they are good natured, quiet and
peaceable. Take the large centers of pop
ulattOn OF the island-Havana with a pOpu-
lation considerably larger than that of Indi-
annapolis, and Matanzas, with over 1900
people-and i believe that the percentage
OF crimes Is lower than il is in this city.
i was struck by the apparent absence OF
any race or color prejudices among the
people. / saw I'm one place a gang OF forty
or fifty men, whites. blacks, native Cubans
and half-breeds. working under a negro
boss, and at another L saw similar gang
working under a Chinese boss. That is a
condition that We cannot well imagine in
this country"
At the time of Judge Bakers retirement
from the federal bench there was some
little speculation as 20 his plans for the
future, but when he was asked about the
matter last evening the judge smiled and
replied: Il have no plans for the future
that extend beyond tomorrow" 1t is gen.
orally expected that Judge Baker will re-
main In this city and engage in the practice
of his profession.
Judge Baker was interested yesterday in
learning OF the clash between the United
States District Court and the New Albany
Circuit Court over the Zier receivership
case and the subsequent trials of the New
Albany and Louisville men for contempt
OF court by Judge Anderson, his successor
He said that he had received newspaper
clippings during his absence that had in
formed him of the case, and yesterday
afternoon he had talk with Judge Ander-
son regarding IL. Il rather think that they
were trying to impose on Judge Anderson
because he was a new judge" he said. -
don't believe that they would have tried
anything of that kind with me-" he added
with a reminiscent smile.