The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-18


and when President Menocal learned that
General Gomez would be candidate for
the Presidency in the election of last sum-
mer he cast about for the best man to
defeat him. He approached Dr. Zayas, who
yielded to his persuasions and became the
Menocal candidate. General Gomez felt
he had been betrayed by Zayas, and bitter
personal hatred enlivened the campaign
When the election was over both candi-
dates claimed the election.
Civil war threatened and 1t was into this
situation that General Crowder was pre-
cipitated. The General was well equipped
for the task. He had aided in writing
many OF the Cuban laws and the election
laws under which this particular election
was held had been written solely by him.
He knew the situation, knew the back
ground of Cuban history and knew his
Cubans.
General Crowder dealt with the situa-
tion with firm hand. He told the Cubans
frankly that intervention would neces-
sarily result II revolution occurred. He
insisted the election be made clean, or as
clean as possible. Decisions handed down
by the Supreme Court seated Dr. Zayas
while General Gomez carried his protests
to Washington, only to find Washington
adamant
1t was as broken and disappointed man
that General Gomez sought the haven of all
defeated Latin-American revolutionists in
New York city.
With the political situation cleared of its
wreckage, General Crowder faced the real
task before him. During the war period
Cuba had lived in livid dream OF war
time prosperity. Sugar was king and the
Cubans had it. The price scared to un-
heard of prices. Even last year it was %
cents retail, as compared with cents now
and IL and 16 cents wholesale, as compared
with 81 cents now. Tobacco prices also
went up and Cuba went mad in this riot
of newly acquired riches.
Every one spent money, but no one
thought Of saving it. Havana was the
gayest city in the world during the times
when men were struggling in Flanders and
the great world contest touched Cuba only
to enrich it. The Government Administra-
tion followed the general habit of extrava-
gance.
Unprepared for Liquidation,
Many Banks Go Under
When the liquidation period arrived
Cuba was unprepared. Out Of nineteen
banks fourteen went into the hands of the
receiver under the provisions of the Tor
riente law. This law provides for liqui-
dating commission, composed of three
members, one of whom is nominated by
the United States The deficit of $46.
100000 which President Zayas inherited
was only part of the Generalization of the
Governments finances. Extravagant pub.
lie works had been authorized and the
necessity of getting money to pay obliga
lions had been overlooked
Havana harbor was crowded with ves-
sels which were unable to load or unload
and the congestion became more hopeless
with each succeeding day
General Crowder tackled the harbor stu
alton first. Upon his advice Colonel Manuel
Despaigne, notable Cuban engineer, was
placed In charge of the harbor work He
organized a system of moving freight from
the docks and warehouses and made it
work with the precision of G. H. @. at Chau-
mont. He had ships loading and unload
ing, and In little while had the harbor
cleared
The financial relief resulting from un-
locking the harbor was immediate
General Crowder then applied the scape
to the Government finances Expenditures
of s134,O00,000 annually, in the face OF
depleted revenues and deficit of $46,-
100000, spelled certain ruin.
The word went out to cut, and General
Dawes has not been more ruthless in Wash
ington than General Crowder was in
Havana.
Saved $4,000, 900 a Year
BY Cutting Out Bonus Plan
The American General discovered that
by so-called bonus to Government en-
ployees the treasury had been tapped for
millions. General Crowder applied his
knife to this item and made an annual saw
ing of s34,000,000. This destroyed much
of the Executive election machinery, but
General Crowder decided 1t was unneces-
sary and the Cubans agreed with him.
Then the pruning knife was applied to
Government contracts for public improve
ments. Many of these, 1t was discovered,
had been let to favortes of the Menocal
Administration. They had hoped to con-
tinue to profit under the new Administra.
ton, which Menocal had supported They
found they had no influence with this
keen-eyed little man in khaki. Thus an
other huge saving was made. II some one