THE CUBA REVIE W 



pended for the purpose of meeting urgent necessities of the Government and in paying 

 wages to government employees. 



As a means of increasing the revenue a tax of one per cent, on gross receipts of all 

 business has been recommended to the Senate by the President. This measure, if 

 adopted, it is estimated, will increase the revenue from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 a 

 year. This form of taxation is considered to be one of the fairest means of raising 

 revenue that has been devised, inasmuch as it places the burden more equally upon the 

 population as a whole than any other taxation scheme which has so far been suggested. 



Local opposition to the proposed loan of fifty million dollars from the United 

 States develops from time to time, but it is not believed there is sufficient sentiment 

 against it on the part of the legislature to prevent the present plans of the administra- 

 tion from obtaining the consent necessary to complete negotiations already under way. 

 Strong protests from economic societies against placing of additional tax burdens on the 

 people have been made to the President, and have met with the promise that every- 

 thing possible will be done in order that present taxes will not be made heavier or new 

 ones imposed unless it is found that it is absolutely necessary to do so. 



Political Situation: The Administration of President Zayas thus far has been 

 very successful and satisfactory to the majority of the people. Inheriting a multitude 

 of debts from the former administration, together with the severe decrease in revenues 

 occurring almost immediately after taking office, the President has been quite successful 

 in inaugurating several economies in the various branches of the government and is 

 still continuing to do so wherever the opportunity presents itself. This has met with 

 opposition, at times strong, but the President has usually been able to muster sufficient 

 strength for his policies in the Senate to overcome his opponents. 



Under the guidance of so able an administrator as President Zayas, there is no 

 doubt but that the country will soon again witness relief from the intolerable conditions 

 through which it has passed during the last year and a half. 



Nineteen Vessels Arrive in Havana in One Day: Monday, February 13th, 

 was one of the busiest days seen in the Harbor of Havana for several months; nineteen 

 steamships of various types arrived during the day. As the majority of these ships 

 were cargo steamers, this is another indication of the return of better times in Cuba. 



Ex-President Menocal Returns : Greeted at the entrance to the harbor by hundreds 

 of small boats of all descriptions. Ex-President Menocal was given a rousing reception 

 upon his return to Cuba after an extensive trip abroad. Fireworks were displayed along 

 all sections of the waterfront and thousands of admirers escorted him from the pier to 

 his home. 



Commercial Cable Company to Open New Office: As soon as the building is 

 completed, the Commercial Cable Company will move from its present location at Mer- 

 caderes and Obrapia Streets to more commodious quarters in the center of the business 

 district, on the corner of President Zayas (formerly O'Reilly) and Cuba Streets. This 

 building has recently been rebuilt and overhauled, and the office space occupied will be 

 much larger than that heretofore occupied, owing to increased business which the com- 

 pany has been doing. 



Sousa's Band Scores Hit in Havana: Sousa's Band, which played to capacity 

 houses at the National Theatre during the visit to Havana of that noted musical organ- 

 ization, promises to be the forerunner of other American attractions for the coming 

 season. Several promoters representing various theatrical enterprises have been in 

 Havana during the past season looking over the ground, and the warm reception tendered 

 Sousa's Band would indicate that Broadway attractions would make a big hit in Havana. 



Gambling to Cease March 28th: According to rumors, there is to be no more 

 gambling in Cuba after March 28th. This, however, will not affect the racing season, 

 which closes just a few days prior to the time when this law is supposed to take effect. 

 No doubt by next season some modification or amendment will be made so that we 

 shall see the race track, the Casino, the Jai-Alai and other gambling games running just 

 the same as they always have during the tourist season. 



Hotel Men Visit Havana: During the present tourist season several notable hotel 



