South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-29
HABANA GREAT
CITY FOR CLUBS
Everyone From Millionaire to
Hold Carrier Belongs in
Cuban Capital.

One OF the most striking features
Of the general social life OF the
Cuban capital Habana. is the de-
velopment OF its clubs. The city has
a population Of about $50. 200. and
according 70 recent statistics at
least 10000. or over one-third, Of
the entire number are mem bers of
some club Furthermore. there is
one club that has a membership Of
$4,000. IN other words. practically
every man in the city Of Habana is
"a member OF a club, be he million
ARE sugar baron or a bod carrier.
Inis rather unusual state Of affairs
rs largely due TO certain features
that are peculiar 20 a number OF
these organizations. usually known
as centres" There were originally
organized by Spanish residents of
the city for the purpose OF uniting
in social organizations those Of their
compatriots who came from the
same section OF Spain. Thus, the
Centre Gallego was organized pri-
marily for the benefit OF the Gallo
ians, the Centre Asturiano for ma
tives OF Asturias. etc
An interesting account OF these
centres" appears in the current
number OF the Bulletin OF the Pan
American Union. Washington. D. c.
from which the following facts rel
ative 10 these remarkable institu-
tlons are taken. The three leading
clubs Of this character are the Gal
legos," the "Asturiano" and the
Dependencies" or clerks club. all
same lines and having practically
the same features.
Their membership. in the order
named are $4,000; $1,000: and 25,-
200. They have all OF tho social
and recreative features of the
great social clubs Of other large
cities. are housed in palatial club
buildings which have very large re-
ception rooms. parlors, libraries.
reading rooms. ball rooms, dining
rooms, billiard halls, gymnasiums,
swimming pools. etc. In addition -
these social and recreative features.
however. they have certain mutual
benefit and aid departments that
make them unique and offer the
greatest incentive for men of lin
tied means 20 become members.
Maintain Night schools.
They maintain free night schools
for their members. including courses
in shorthand, bookkeeping and other
commercial subjects; they maintain
l,i1dergartens for the benefit OF the
members small children; grammar
and high schools for the older chill
dren. domestic science classes for
the wives and daughters: they en-
ploy their own staff OF physicians.
surgeons, OCculsts, and dentists.
who attend 20 the wants OF mem
hers free OF any charge-except for
material used in filling teeth or the
lenses prescribed to correct and aid
sisht-and they each maintain their
own hospitals. sanitariums and asy-
lums for the insane.
Especially notable are their gen
eraI hospitals, known as "Quintas,"
which have their own medical corps
and are as thoroughly and efficiently
equipped as are the most modern OF
such institutions in any OF the great
world cities. Each has its own
pharmaceutical department, carry
ing full lines OF medicines and drug
gist sundres for the "Quinta.' AS
an instance Of the work OF these
hospitals may be cited the quinta
belonging 10 the Centre Gallego."
which treats over $4,000 patients a
year. not counting those who merely
visit the doctors offices. or receive
treatment at home. When treated
al the "quinta" the room, meals, and
medicines prescribed are furnished
without extra charge. and in the
event OF the death OF the patient the
club provides for a suitable burial
in cases where the family of the
decreased is unable 20 bear the eX-
pense. The club dues are not over
$50 per month for regular mem
hers