The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-12

heavy.
Much interest Is already being
evinced by people from the United
states in the matter of investments in
Porto Rico, and on this subject there
is variety of opinion. Coffee planta-
tions are first considered, as they have
a reputation of having paid from Is to
20 per cent. profit annually upon their
cost. They are held at high prices,
however, from SIS TO 5000 per acre in
Porto Rican money, according to To-
cation, quality of coffee produced, age
OF trees, etc. The western part of the
island is considered the best for coffee
and produces the celebrated Cafe Car
acolilla,' which is all sent to Europe
at the export price of 32 cents per
pound In Porto Rican money. Sugar
plantations are considered next in i'm
portance, and are relatively higher in
price because of the more expensive
machinery required, while their attrac-
tiveness as investments Is reduced by
the fact that many plantations have
of late been abandoned as such and
turned into cattle ranges. Tobacco
has been very profitable of late be-
cause of the shortage in Cuban to-
bacco, for which it has been substitut-
popularity when the Cuban article re-
sumes its normal position in the mar
ket is uncertain. Tropical fruits have
had little attention, either among To-
| cal exporters or American investors,
but might prove more profitable than
the other interests more discussed as
they are ready for shipment at a time
of the year when the markets of the
United States have not begun receiv-
ing the Florida or California fruits.
"As to the increase which may be ex
pected in the production and consump-
tion of the island, it will depend some
| what upon the improvements made in
harbors, roads, transportation facili.
ties, etc, and the energy with which
the Americans may push the work Of
| its development. The land in the val
| leys is extremely rich and that of the
mountain sides even to the very tor
| is of good color and productive espec-
| tally for coffee and some of the fruits.
With the opening of roads to the in
| terror it is probable that considerable
land not now titled would be brought
| under cultivation, and the general con-
| sensus of opinion among intelligent res
| identS of the island is that the pro-
| ducts can be increased fifty per cent,
| or perhaps more. and the profit greatly
| increased by modern methods of culti
| walton and transportation, and the con-
suming power of the island increased
in about the same proportion. Even
| should this happen, however. the island
| could furnish but about 10 per cent
| of our annual consumption of tropical
| products, and consume but about two
| per cent. of our annual exports.
POSSIBILITIES.
! The business enterprises most likely
to be successful in Porto Rico are those
| related to the tropical productions
which flourish there. and cannot -four
| ish in the United States. while to our
own temperate climate and well estab
| lished industries should be left the task
| of supplying the general food product,
| and manufactures required by the peo-
| pie there, sending them the products
| of our grain fields and factories by
the vessels which return laden will
! their tropical growths. An acre OF
| land in Porto Rico can produce more
| of value in sugar or coffee or tobacco
or fruit than if planted in corn or pota
| toes or used as pasture. while there
| are single counties in the United States
| larger than all Porto Rico, which arc
only suitable for the production Of
these general food supplies. While
there is a general demand for manu-
| features in Porto Rico. they can be
more cheaply supplied by our grea'
| factories al home than to attempt Their
manufacture there, especially as n
coal has yet been developed in III,
| island and fuel is high and water powe
|
and breweries would probably do wei
there. and it is believed that the pro
| duction of grapes and the manufacture
| of wine would be successful, while tn,
cigar industry would be profitable witt
the plentiful native labor and higl
| grade tobacco especially If all tarf
restrictions upon trade between the is
| land and the United States shall b,
| removed. Among the most importan'
needs for the development of the is
| land are a thorough survey and read
! justment Of property lines and titles
construction of roads and harbor facil-
tiles and the establishment of sucl
hotel enterprises as will make prac
ticable a leisurely and careful stud,
of it's conditions, conditions whicl
have never been carefully studied or
| CtNeloptu ny lhe SpdHiSH SoNSlillHtH'
| which has controlled the island sine,
| 1909.
A WINTER RESORT.
"As resort for pleasure seekers or
those desiring a delightful winter eli
mate, Porto Rico will be very attrac-
tive SO soon as direct and fast steam
ship lines and American hotels supply
some OF the comforts to which the peo-
| pie of the United States have become
accustomed. The constant breeze from
| the sea by day and the land at night