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WORKING ON ORIENTAL PARK Three Hundred Men Put to Work Preparing Havana Plant. Meeting Scheduled to Open on January 12 New Paddock and Barns Being Constructed. HAVANA, Cuba, Nov. 14. "Thars gold in the Marianao hills," to paraphrase an old Southern axiom. Which is as good a lead as we can think of to chronicle the glad tidings that the Cuban unemployment situation has been relieved considerably, thanks to the loosening of Albert Leveys purse strings. In other words, there are more than 300 skilled and unskilled men working zealously to whip the Casino Nacional and Oriental Park race track into something resembling the original structures, with plenty of Cuban atmosphere thrown in for good measure. Although Levey, who is president of the Havana-American Racing Association, has no official figures on the amount of the payroll and cost of reconstruction, it is estimated his bankroll will be dented to the tune of 00,000, perhaps 50,000. When men and women start trooping into, the Casino, which opens December 23, their eyes will feast on a varied color scheme, the last word in the art of painting. Brand new gaming paraphernalia has been purchased by Levey, displacing ancient materials. All day yesterday Levey was in the Casino changing this and that paint until he was satisfied with the proper colors. Turf enthusiasts, too, are in for a treat. The thousands who love to see the thoroughbreds compete will be shown every comfort when the first bugle is sounded on January 12. They will see the horses disport themselves in practically a new paddock, and if they care to go to the stable area their eyes will gaze upon 300 to 500 brand new stalls, modern in every respect streamlined as it were. The grandstand and clubhouse will also look as if they had just been built. This is the first time in six years that a thorough cleaning and painting job has been done on the track and Casino since they were erected back in 1915. Its a Herculean task, but Levey wants it done regardless of cost. The New York sportsman has a six-year lease on the track and Casino and he fig- ! ures it will be money well spent.
