837.513/58: Telegram

The Ambassador in Cuba ( Crowder ) to the Secretary of State

47. On April 28 newspapers reported that the Senate had passed the previous day a bill reorganizing the National Lottery on the basis of 2000 colecturias instead of the 961 now existing and authorizing the sale of tickets at whatever price they would command. I took immediate active steps to obtain copy of the bill without success and yesterday asked the aid of the President in obtaining a copy. To-day’s press announces that at a session held last night the house passed this bill at 2 a.m. by the extraordinary vote of 95 to 5. … Greatest secrecy characterized passage of the bill by both Houses. Hope to obtain copy tonight and if I find it inimical to the lottery reform will urgently request President to veto bill. Suggest that Department inform Cuban Government through Cuban Chargé d’Affaires at Washington that it expects the reform of the lottery to be maintained.

Crowder