The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-03
Porto Rico and Its Future.


commercial possibilities of our new
island of Porto Rico has been contrib
uted to the Chicago Record by its
Ponce correspondent, Mr.. Henry Bar
rett Chamberlin. First of all, he notes
that the islands splendid harbOrs re-
quire docks and wharves, piers and
slips, anchoring grounds and road
steads made hurricane-proof and
steam tugs to superCede poles and
oars. Moreover, of the 46 rivers that
drain this well-watered isle majority
can by simple engineering processes
be made naviSable at least for vessels
of small draft; and by interlocking
canals converted into perfect system
OF communication between interior and
seaboard. These improvements alone
open up possibilities of profit to mil
lions of American capital.
The abundance of waterways is like
ly to prevent large construction of
steam railways, but by means of the
trolley the island can quickly and
cheaply be revolutionized. Distances
between populous towns are short, the
natural highways in the main are good,
with few insuperable grades, and the
number of springs and small lakes
capable of exploitation as summer or
winter resorts assures, in Mr. Cham
berlins opinion, an immense business
for street railway enterprises in Porto
Rico. He adds: "While in the imme-
diate construction of transportation
facilities the greatest fortunes are to
be found, there is also large profit in
the proper management of telegraph
and telephone lines, Porto Rico being
quite well supplied with these means
of communication, which have not
been operated profitably owing to the
enormous government tax. Telephones
are common in San Juan, Ponce and
Mayaguez, and IN American company
already has representatives on the
ground'hguring on the extension of the
system until it shall reach all parts
of the island. Money is also to be
made in supplying gas and electric
lighting, while the ice machine may
be made to run at a profit day and
night. With an increasing industrial
and commercial life trade in coal for
steaming purposes will be immense.
Manufacturing, heretofore of small i'm
portanCe, is bound to assume great pro-
portions. The Standard Oil company,
which for some years has maintained
a small refinery across the bay of San
Juan, in which crude petroleum,
brought from the United States, is re-
fined, has men here investigating the
situation preparatory to extending it's
plant and piping its product through
out the island"
Hotel men, bicycle dealers (for Porto
Rico is to be a paradise for wheelmen)
and pedagogues are in demand already
In consequence of American occupation
OF the island, and MIR. Chamberlin con-
cludes most interesting letter with
the following inspiring picture of the
vivifyinG influence of that occupation
upon the islands material and spiritu-
al side: To-day the harbor of Ponce is
crowded with shipping half of the YES
sells being merchantmen with Goods to
sell. The atmosphere is intensely
Americ a German adventurer help-
ing the effect when he came yesterday
with a dozen bales of American flags.
He disposed of his cargo within a day,
and now every carriage, ox-cart or
small boat Hes the stars and stripes.
Long live the Americans" is still the
cry, and it is more enthusiastic than
when our soldiers first marched into
town. we are all children of Wash
ington,' say the common. people, and
every man walks more erect. conscious
that he is no longer a slave Of mon
archy, but as free as his brother across
the sea who has driven out the op-
pressor and extended the hand of fell
lowship."
Every American will certainly be
glad If these hopeful forecasts shall
not prove Elusive.