Evening star., 1909-03-07

assessed valuation OF property; but the
opposition to this plan was so strong as
to compel its abandonment. A compro-
mise was reached however, by which un-
improved city property was taxed: but in
the last few days OF the intervention the
governor yielded to pressure and practi-
cally nulllfed that feature of the tax law
In fact Gov. Magoon disregarded the
opinion of the advisory commission upon
several occasions on points of grave Inn
portance such as the telephone law ana
other ma tiers upon which the members
had spent many days of deliberation, IN
order to placate powerful elements whose
interests were affected. The influence OF
the Havana Electric Railway Company
was strongly felt all through the term or
occupation on account OF the intimate
personal friendship existing between its
manager. ex-Consul Gen. Stimhart ana
Gov. MagOon.
In the end little change was made IN
the tax system. Real estate now pays a
tax. as under the Spanish government
upon the income produced instcad OF
upon the assessed value. and the burden
of an abnormally costly Eovernmcnt
presses upon the poor precisely as IT did
during the days Of Weyler.
Commerce is heavily taxed in order to
meet unnecessary municipal charges; ana
the tariff, which levies large trioute
,,pon imported foodstuffs and clothing
makes living very dear in a country
where there should be an abundance ol
the neceSSarleS AZ low prices
The members Of the advisory commhs =
sion understood these conditions, bu'
were una BILE to apply the remedy. NO
branch of commercial business was rep
resented among its membership, no
banker had voice or vote In its oei'oe'd
tions. - 49,. a..
The courts were reorganized. but ,he
expense of the administration of Justice
was Increased. This latter fact. now
ever, is the result of making .,,, ce.ea,,
Uh
we're supported by fees to the d~etrl- ~
ment of a poor litigant. The commission &c,
was handicapped in its work IN tne JuuI-
ciary law by the cumbersome court pro-
cedure in form in Cuba and the ecceh-
tricitfes of the criminal code.
Probably the most unnecessary. not 10
saw superfuous work OF the ADVISORY
commission was the preparation OF an
organic law Of the armed forces which
Gov. Magoon instructed it to draft. The
necessity for a standing army In Cuba Is
as apparent as would be chaplaincy
for the zoo.
The organization of the Cuban army
might he regarded as a pleasantly were
it not for the fact that its support calls
for 100000 per annum, which must
be paid out of total income of ST, 600 900
per annum-a sum insufficient to meet
the present expenses OF the government.
The advisory commission. however like
the historic hero. seen its duty and ii
done it." 1t had feen called upon 10
draft an organic law 70 the armed forces
and it proceeded to - orm that duty.
Fortunately two % - members were
American army. ofic- OF exceptional
ability and experience. and the Cuban
members. very sensibly. allowed them
selves to be guided in this matter by
Col. Crowder and Maj. Winship. A modern
and effective plan of organization was
drawn up and the governor promulgated
it as a law Of the land. Following this
a system of articles of war and code
of procedure for courts-martial were
prepared and promulgated.
1t was in connection with this law that
the recent outbreak OF the rural guard
occurred in the courtyard Of President
GomeZs palace. Under the law. the presi-
dent may. in certain cases. transfer or
ganizatjons of the rural glttrd TO the