New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Cuba New American Playground;
Land of No Quiet and No Speed Laws
Havana Is Full of Americans
Who Once Stopped at St. Au-
gustine, Palm Beach or Miami
By Solita Solano

By Solita Solano
~ NE of those psychology tests
Of word associations prob
~ ably would prove that the
average American upon be-
mo ciyen the word Havana" would
Assh back "Booze" as his reaction.
Such is the reputation that the
Cuban capital has acquired in the
last few months. An oasis for the
thirsty, Havana has become the
winter playground for some Amer
;cans who formerly stopped short
at St. Augustine, Palm Beach or
Miami, and for others who never
nsed to 90 anywhere at all. Havana
NAV be, as claimed. the second
largest port in the western hemi-
sphere, but it became famous for
quite a different reason after Con-
gress passed that national amend
ment.
Havana, you may believe, Is pre-
pared against any emergency or in
aux of parched American throats.
A drink can be ordered with almost
any sort of purchase price except
a shoe shine. All kinds Of strong,
wet goods are stored away, and even
in the humblest corner grocery the
shelves are banked solidly with
bottles from floor to ceiling. And
the victualers Of country towns have
not neglected to read the papers and
TO line their walls with bottles of
whisky, gin, vermouth and wine.
But in spite of the plentifulness
Of drinks of all kinds, I saw only
one American under the influence
Of liquor.
No Speed Laws
As soon as the newly landed tour
st recovers from the excitement of
being able to order a drink at any
corner he sets out to explore the
clty's picturesque streets, many so
narrow that vehicles are unable to
pass each other. He finds an un-
ending and ever moving line of
American Fords IN every street Of
the town. In fact, the ubiquitous
Ford is the most striking feature
Of Havana. More than 5000 of
them)are constantly operating with
in radius of one mile. Because
OF their number and the narrow
ness Of the thoroughfares, elaborate
and severe traffic rules are enforced.
And yet Havana has no speed law!
The chauffeurs are, I'm sure, the
most skilful in the world, for, al
though they rush at a terrifying
rate through the streets and turn
corners on two wheels, there are
amazingly few accidents.
Despite the duty on gasoline, the
'arl'f rates are so cheap that both
americans and natives walk but
seldom. In the first zone one may
10 dr'ven anywhere for 20 cents, in
Tie second zone for 80 cents and out
sue 1or 45 cents. For more than
Two persons an extra charge Of 10
'e''ts Is made, and by the hour either
sford or touring car can be hired
'0' sl.40. At these rates even the
Wress black may-and does-drive
'O0us with the air of languid pa
'rlcian even if he or she is only TAX
'as home somebody's wash!
Inc Chauffeur's Prey
VI course, every American, unless
A'speaks Spanish, is considered fair
game for the taxi drivers.
now much an hour2" / heard a
party Of four inquire of a chauffeur
VINO had drawn up to the curb out
Side the pasaje Hotel.
GEEK dollar" responded the driv-
- 'oiemnly. The four Americans
= nDied in and drove off to see
lsVana's famous cemetery, little
= ns that had they asked to see
@sa Of legal rates that each
asausur Is obliged to carry they
"ouid have s.,,nl A., =,