The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-03-14

ter to Americans; Movies" Are
Well Patronized
HAVANA, Cuba.-When the eigh-
Iteenth amendment became effective it
proved the beginning OF an exodus to
Havana, which has turned this staid
romantic, old Spanish city into an
oasis for the thirsty, playground for
the rich, and fertile field for all the
the larger cities in the United States.
OF course, there is another side to
Havana; the stately homes and SPLEEN
and gallant men. But the average
American tourist does not care to see
that side. He wants to see the wick
edness-and he usually finds it Hava-
mas night life he finds the false, I'M
real Havana, built up largely by
Americans who are waxing wealthy
from their fellow countrymen.
Gambling Dens Galore.
Public gambling houses like the ca
sino are taboo in Havana proper, but
all kinds of gambling dens may be
found on the outskirts of the city The
casino is ten miles out from Havana
AT the roulette tables limit of ST 900
is placed on each turn, while the same
limit is placed on dice games.
Tourists, in charge of a guide, in
wade the casino frequently. Some of
them hold up their hands in horror at
the wickedness OF the place; others
remain to watch the games and then,
drawn by the goddess of chance, they,
too, begin placing small bets. Some
times they win, but more often they
lose. Seldom is it that man who has
made a killing" stops until he has
turned around and lost it all again.
sloppy Joe's" Place.
One Of the landmarks of Havana is
the cafe conducted by Jose Abealy OF
ero, "Sloppy Joe" for here every Eu-
ropean of any account, and every
American, whether or not he IS OF any
account, always goes. Joe used to be
.1aborer on the railroad. Now he IS one
of Havana's richest men, but he con-
tinues to go unkenpt, not even having
his hair cut No one can remember
when Joe wore collar.
School teachers and horse traders,
clergymen and gamblers, pugilists and
bankers. actresses and shop girls, So
cial register women and the painted
ZONES from the cabarets all crowd Joe.s
place On the contrary, Jack O'Learys
place is largely the rendezvous Tor the
boxers, promoters, and American
sporting men generally.
Cater to Americans.
AT the Plaza, Cuban girls dance the
latest American steps with the music
furnished by a jazz band from en-
cinnati. The girls cater to the Ameri-
can patrons of the place, but the
guides sometimes hint to romantic
Americans that it is not wise to carry
a Irritation too far, for most of the
Iolive-skinned Cuban dancing girls
have male friends who hover near by.
Perhaps one form OF wlckedness IN
Havana which appeals to American
tourists next to gambling is the ribald
movies" program, which claims men
as spectators Tor the most part al
though many women attend. These
ARE pictures more. suggestive OF the
vilest dens of Paris, or the licentious
DAVIS of early Roman rule, rather than
the Western Hemisphere, A. d., 1877
These particular pictures are shown
but twice a week, owing, the doormen
assert. to the huge graft which must
be paid to the police for protection.
The usual charge is 40 cents, although
Isl is charged if some special attraction
is shown. These prices, however, are
to regular patrons of the place.
The admission scale varies, and
sometimes as high as SIS and $40 each
is charged the American men and wo-
women seeking all the thrills of seeing
a really wicked" picture. The sordid-
ness OF Havana's night life, however,
is not Haunted openly. If the tourist
seeks it he can find it, but it never is
Openly apparent except to the initiated.