The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-09
n FINANCES.
Reduction Of the Ialand's Revenue . Ne
Ceaaily Of Peace.

N"s
HAVANA, Oct. 8.-The resources Of Cuba are
derived mainly from the tariff on Imports
During the first period Of American interven-
ton, 1890 to 1907. the value OF the merchandlse
Imported was about 600. 400, 900 a year. lhis
supplied the major part OF q total revenue o.
approximately Oh. 900. 900 q year. We ooasteo
much OF the efficiency OF the Government
conducted with that sum. The Cuban Gov
eminent opened It's career on a similar OASIS
and It also boasted. with good reason Tor ths
Arst year or two, Of Its efficiency. Improved
Industrial conditions resulted In greater
exports, larger purchasing power. more
imports, increased revenues for the Govern
ment. These were supplemented by the I'M
position OF special taxes for various purposes
The net result was the creation Of a large sur
plus, which induced Extravaganza ana ex-
cited individual and party cupldity'
A revenue Of Oh, 900. ono was enough LOT =
safe, conservative and economical Govern
ment. A revenue exceeding SSO.0OO.oOO put
q premium on ~avaGa corruption Anu
graft. Instead OF seeking means TO relieve
the people of the burden OF an excessive
taxation, the spoismen merely looked TOT
new ways OF Opposing Of the surplus. IL
was charged that considerable sums stuck 20
offclal I'm gers a. the dollars flowed out OF the
treasury. II In not charged that Mr.. Palma
was involved In any dishonest transActions'
but there are many who say that he must have
been coRnisant Of them and lacked the cour-
age 70 den them and stop them.
Next TO the passa 90 OF organic laws. which
will brtnR her elections and her judiciary
system into harmony with the principles oil
her Constitution, 'Cubas greatest need In a
reimbursement Of her hscal system. 1t Is OF
vital importance that her admintstraoors ana
her legislators shall be reused to an apprecia-
ton of the fact that their duty 10 not the de-
vising Of schemes to get rid OF money, win q
rakeoff in transit, but the esta blishment OF
a nscal system which will furnish all the reve-
nue. needed for an eflcicnt and economical
Government, aud no more. ,
Cuba national debt. some Of 1t lawful and
some Of IL OF most doubtful legality. IL
nearly $50, 900. 900. The larger part OF this is
payable in forty years. The interest fund
and sin kim fund. oxiruattng tS.oOO.OcO
q year, obtained from special taxes, and a
general revenue OF not more than 100000 600
IL all that the people Of Cuba should be called
| upon to pay for years to come. This sum IN
cludes an appropriation Of nearly $4,000. 900
a year for the national school system and a
large appropriation for municipal sanitation.
Both Of these charges. under a proper fiscal
system, would be borne by the municipalities
themselves and not by the central Govern
ment. Were these items carried. az they
should be, by the municipalities, a gross ma
| tIonaI revenue Of not more than SIT. 900, 900 to
SIS, OOO. 900 a year would be abundant for all
the proper needs and uses Of the national
Government.
With such a system in operation two results
would follow: The tariT on imports might
be reduced, with advantage to consumers
and with the passinR Of a ARG cash surplus
the premium on oficial crOoksdness would
be removed.