The Connecticut labor press., 1919-04-12

I l rest and change of climate with plenty of fresh air and
 sunshine" the question arose, where to? The time was December, with all
 the cold and disagreeableness of 8
 northern climate. Someone suggested "Why mot go to the Isle of Pines? There you could 1 rest and have all the sunshine and l fresh air that you need.'' --s So when I learned that it is one of
 the most beautiful and interesting spots to be found in the world, and situated almost at our very door, less I than two hundred miles south of Key West and not as far distant from New York as the Mississippi, I decided to visit it. @ F.
 I found there were many routes to choose from, but selected the quick est, one, most commonly used, by way of Jacksonville, Fla, Miami, and the delightful scarab route to Key West. From there a sea trip of six hours brings one to Havana, Cuba, and an- other by rail or auto, B miles, to Ba- tabano. now the. most important sea- port on the south side of Cuba. The trains run to the dock, where one can take comfortable boat making the trip to the Isle of Pines in a few hours.
 On reaching Jucaro, port of entry, we have our choice of a number of automobiles for a ride over a govern ment turnpike road, called here & calzada,. to Santa Fe, a distance of five miles. We cannot help being sur prised at the fine road, almost equal ing any boulevard found in our north ern cities. Our obliging chauffeur tells us that there are about one hun dred miles of these calzada roads built and maintained by the govern ment. 4s sa
 All Comforts in Santa Fe.
 In the picturesque little town of Santa Fe, about five hundred feet above sea level, is a hotel meeting every requirement. of the most exact. ing traveller. There are other less ex- pensiye ! establishments. Here are small American churches of almost every denomination, a bank. schools, clubs for both men and women. chamber of commerce, a large Ma sonic temple and other institutions found in average American communi- ties. --..-f -F '
 f"+er resting and bathing in the <. Rita thermal springs-the privi- legr of guests of our hotel-one feels like new being. All the tiredness of the long trip vanishes. .,
 The wealthy Spanish military and government classes came here from Havana to spend the summer for gem erations, as the Isle of Pines is much cooler than Cuba. The baths are marvellous for curing rheumatism, nervous troubles and obesity. The water comes from iron and magnesia springs.
 The history of the isle is replete with romance. How many of us know, I wonder, that Christopher Columbus, in his second trip to the new world, was lost in the keys, or small islands, surrounding the Isle of Pines for number of days, finally landing on the isle, upon which, after inspection and replenishing his supply of water, he bestowed the name of La Evangelista &LIIS LcdCulhSf tAc hdI- bor of BatabanO, Cuba.
 PineappIes and Pines.
 1t Is questionable whether the Isle of Pines gets it's name from the won- derful pfneapples, weighing from seven to. fifteen pounds, growing so profusely there, or to the pine trees, the edor of which. when the wind is blowing in the right direction, can be noticed several miles from shore.
 In early days the Isle of Pines, like many other islands of the Caribbean was a rendezvous for pirates, and the 1 south part of the island is often re-