The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-18

<tssuCIHEiOu DeChuSC tIty CAaith ~ ShNS@ poor boys fancy notions. These Ameri- cans declare that the Clerks cfuD in Havana Is bad because 1t causes the clerks to content themselves with their condition, instead of striking for higher wages. As there are thou- sands of poor boys in Spain to whom this Cuban poverty appears to be wealth, there Is serious doubt as to whether a strike would be successful or not. Such objections are received with scant patience by the men who have stduied these clubs. 2.
 The Asturiano Club probably has the finest hospital although three of the big club hospitals are excellent. These are built in sections, that is many small buildings. and the grounds about them are beautifully laid out and beautifully kept There is not the slightest suggestion of the ugly barrenness which 4,aracterizes so many hospitals in the States. The grounds are tropical gardens.
 The Clerks Club has the finest club house. The Gaiieso Club, however. is building million dollar palace which will be one of the finest club houses In the world. The Cailego Club owns the National Theatre which Is situated on the Prado opposite Central Park, and the new club house is being built on the adjoining lot. The Asturiano Club Is on the opposite side of Gen. tral Park. and the Clerks Club is 8 few blocks down the Prado toward the Malecon and the sea.
 The Clerks Club building occupies almost whole square. It cost, all things taken together. almost a mill lion dollars. It Is the most beautiful building in Havana today, both as to exterior and interior. Its grand stair ways of marble. its vauited ceilings and lavish mural decorations remind one of the Library of Congress in Washington. The building is new, it has been occupied less than two years. so that everything has the new look."
 In this club is the largest pool and billiard room in the world, having al- most twice as many tables as its near, est rival. which is in New York. In the domino room there, are two hund- red tables. In the drinking saloon there are seats for 1.500 at the cafe tables. There are fifty chess tables In another room. Everything is on the same grand scale as the list of members.
 The ballroom is one of the most magnificent on earth. In it 3,000 couples may dance at once time, and 1t is frequently crowded at the grand carnival balls. This great room is lighted by scores of immense chande- Hers of prism glass, and the electric current necessary to give it the full possible light effect, costs over $l 900 night. Never was there real castle In Spain possessed of such a wonderful and splendid hall as this, and yet 1t was built and paid for, and is the property of poor Spanish boys whose income today would be tnsuffi- cient to support life in the United States.
 In this great ballroom the belles of Havana come 10 dance. for their fathers are members and officers of the club. Here come the clerk and his sweetheart the cafe waiter and his sister. The rich and the poor, the high and the low-all mix in good club fellowship. It Is absolutely repre- sentative of all the conditions of social existence among the white peo- pie in Havana. The celor line is drawn here. though not not so marrow ly as in the states, for a small amount of negro blood does not necessarily disqualify a man. It Is literally a question of color, and unless the shade welcome to join the club and possess all its advantages for $1.50 Spanish silver each month.
 The Cubans have taken this CO., operative club idea with them to Key West and Tampa, where they consti- tute the majority of the cigar-making population. The Asturfano Club has It's branch in Tampa and 1t is pro- spering. The Spanishclub of Tampa, an institution following the Havana plan has one of the handsomest club houses, in all the southern states
 Cubans have learned much from the Americans in .the past, ten years, but that does not mean that they are not qualified to teach the Americans some things. This cooperative club work Is one of the thing Americans might study with profit. Certainly 1t is one of the most interesting features of the social life of Havana.
 Copyright, 1909, by Frederic J. Has.
 kin.)
 TOmOrrOw-The Republic of Cuha.
 VI... The Havana Cigar BusInens.