New-York tribune., 1909-07-19
A lTANANA CONGRESS-
GOMEZ DRIVES CUB4NS.
4 Fesc Important Measures Forced
Through-Thc LOTTERY.


Havana. July 1S-Cuba's nrst Congress under the
restored republic has adjourned after an almost
continuous session of FIVE months. which was
chiefly remarkable for It's poverty Of achievement.
From the beginning Congress showed a marked
preference for oratory and interminahe debates on
Unimportant matters instead Of constructive work.
and II was only the end OF the session that the
few important bills which managed 20 get through
both houses ready to receive the Presidential
signature.
II Is remarkable that the first law 10 he passed
by Congress should have been declared uncOn-
stitutionaI when submitted 10 the Supreme Court
This purely political measure 20 take the
sppontve power away from the alcaldes Of
municipalities and II in the councils the latter
being overwhelmingly Liberal. while many Of the
slcaldes. including that Of Havana. are Conserva-
tives
Among the most important bills which received
President Gornez's signature those creating
the national lottery and legalizing the national
sport OF cockhghting The latter the principal
slogan Of the Liberals in the Presidential campaign,
and It was assumed that the bill backed by
strong popular demand. would go through with
rush on the opening Of Congress. but it was the
subject Of endless debates trivial points and
was banded around from committee 20 committee
until the closing days Of the session. AS passed.
the Law permits licenses 10 he issued 70 hold cock
fights in regular pits. but forbids the combats 10
take place in the larEer towns and cities.
The lottery hill went through only the last
moment. the long delay being Que 10 the usual
vrangling and also the settlement If the question
Of who should receive the much coveted post Of
director. The most conspicuous candidate was
morua Delgado the negro ex-Presdent Of the
Senate. He appointed by President Gomez,
but resigned discovering that Sehor Villeess
Secretary Of the Treasury, OF whose department
the lottery Is 70 be bureau. had distributed
among his friends some Of the best posts con-
nected with the Office II IS expected that the first
drawing will take place early IN September, The
.lra-2 2-T-.-
times. at the Treasury building The old Spanish
apparatus also VIII he used with the alteration that
instead OF the globes containing the numbered
balls being revoIved by hand they Will be turned
by a small electric motor. which IS supposed to
furnish en- additional guarantees of the absolute
fatrpess Of the operation A formerly. the num-
bered balls. = they fail from the globes will bs
handled by small boys from the Orphan Asylum.
LOTTERY TICKETS FOR AMERICA
The government expects to sell about 1scponoo
worth OF tickets annually. from which TO obtain a
profit cf & 5oeh Rrokcrs here report that tho.
have already received orders for tickets from
the United States. which they RiI attempt 10 MI in
defiance Of the efforts of the United States postal
authorities prevent the Introduction Of t;ckeis
into the country
Another important hill which became law in the
last moments Of the session that permitting the
installation OF long distance telephones throughout
the island.
On the night Of June 5n. az the close Of the fiscal
year, before which, the constitution says. the
budget be approved the Senate and House
suddenly adjourned. leaving everything IN the
air President Gomez and his wife were sitting
the balcony OF the Palace. overlooking the Sen
ate chamber. and the Senators came pouring
midnight the President hastened into his
Office and dictated decree putting in force the
budget OF the expired year. The is said
have been of doubtful constitutionality. but ap-
parentlY IL was the only thing to he done and the
President the approval Of politicians of both
fronted the emergency.
GOMEZ FORCED BUDGET REDUCTION
The mistake was rectiGed when both houses re-
convened and passed the budget. practically
as It from the President authorizing him to
effect reductions General Gomez again acted with
energy when he Immediately appointed com
mittee 10 review the budget, with power to effect
economies wherever practicable This committee
succeeded In looping off more than g 10000 by
abolishng many superfuous bureaus. established
in most Of the departments Of the government
without full warrant OF law. and by general re-
duction Of salaries II is notable that this WAS
done without any large number OF dismIsssIs
which could only have been effected at the cost OF
great discomfort
The budget. az amended. calls for an expendl-
ture Of about 100000. The government revenues
from ali sources for the'm month Of June amounted
10 S524.ooo increase OF about 10000 over the
receipts Of the corresponding month of last year
and II this ratio he maintained and Inc receipts
from the lottery up expectations there
should be no fear or deficit at the end OF the
year
President Gomezs action in resembling the con-
tract for purchased in Germany for the use
OF the army and Rural Guards on the eye of his
departure for HIS summer home at Cayo Cristo
caused great surprise. The contract had been given
70 jose Lopez Rodriguez. rich eccentric print
or in Obspo street. 10 whom the administration
said 10 be under deep obligations for funds ad-
vanced fos the support of the revolution August
1906 Rodriguez. "Pote." he is Familiarity
he regarded suitable arms, and recently returned
here with namples.
REASON FOR NEW ARMS CONTRACT
The official given for the resembling of
the contract is that these tried Camp
more probable. however. that the determination Of
Pine Guerra to select the weapons for the forces
under his command and the protests of American
arms manufacturers against their exclusion from
competition, had do with the Presidents
action. 1t is considered by military officers to be
desirable that the Cuban troops should he equipped
with the rife of the United States army. which IS
said 10 be the finest small arm In the world. and
II is now reported that the Cuban government will
eDdeavor 10 induce Washington to sell sufficient
number Of the latest model Sprngfelds if these
cannot b furnished by private manufacturers.
II has hcen gTavefy asserted. though little
dencc has been given 10 the runlor that the real
reason why the Cuban government tried TO get arms
in Germany was that in case OF war between Cuba
and the United States the former would
danger Of an interruption of her supplies of
nition
THE KAISER STARTS NoRTHWARD.
Kiel, July 1s-The Emperor left early this morn