New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-21
TRADE WITH PORTO RICO
A VALUABLE PAMPHLET ISSUED BY THE
PHILADELPHIA COMMERCIAL
MUSEUM.
PECULIARITIES OF BUSINESS CUSTOMS THAT
SHOULD BE OBSERVED BY AMERICAN EX-
PoRTERs-A GREAT FIELD OPEN

are fully described The information which the
pamphlet contains secured by special repre-
sentative OF the Museum who recently returned
from a tour Of the island. and through CORE
spondence with native merchants and importers
OF the best standing. The pamphlet has been sent
TO the subscribers Of the institution and 10 COM
mercial organizations which connected with
the Museum in the capacity OF members OF IT'S Ad-
visory Board
The pamphlet states In the beginning:
The mos, potent way to extend trade with the
island is by coming In contact with the Porto Rican
as vel as the Spanish merchant II may be no
cenr 's n rade oi pb 1o' nvious 10 the war was
almost controlled by them: and now that America
viii control the larger part OF the trade IN me
this country II he wishes to expand or promote
his business in the island. to he very particular in
the way OF conducting his business at the begin
ming for the business people OF Porto Rico have
not been accustomed to rush. the majority Of them
having been spoiled by the European merchants
them all sorts of conyeniences
he made IN Spanish, for although there Is already
great demand for the English language o ana
way or other some English education. the business
business in a general American for some time
To come.
The pamphlet continues:
whqa, saying that the Porto so, R'cSn and
iatse nudn2er OF A,nerican,~Sr ,mer"en
proof Of This being shown before and during me
been shown at eyery 9pp9rrH,nsy ana sr Dot
established previous 10 the war II was because the
merchants Of the island found no
from American capitalists and when hnanGiaIly
pean capitalists who stood ready 70 facilitate any
Convenience or accommodating asked Of them hem
This is the way foreign capital, especially Ger
man has found so much profitable investment.
nS Goods for arendy 'T Ene
neers and representatives OF CAPITAL are 10 ne eh
ing the ground. with a view 70 building railroads
and electric lines. and drummers for rnachinS,ry
and soap and candle houses are canvassng the
have already been established for lumber firms;
glass manufactures and breweres In the nrlnclpaI
cities Opportunities for the investment OF capital
in manufacturing or farming exist on every side
The cities OF San juan Ponce Arecbo Guayama
and Fajardo demand the immediate establishment
OF steam laundries. Up-to-date tanneries IN the
department OF Mayaguez. where the most cattle
raised will also prove A good paying invest
ment.
The pamphlet says that candles are used only by
half OF the Inhabitants the poorer classes. es-
pecialy in the country districts being too poor 20
spend five cents for candle when eight cents Will
| buy for them quart Of cocoanut oil, wnlch
will afford sufficient light for one whole week The
candles used the island at present are imported
from Spain and Belgium SO candle factory would
have large demand for its product.
Ice-making plants needed. The price or Ice
AZ present is from so $50 per ton. and from TO
70 cents a pound retail. No planning machinery
OF any kind Is In operation In the island. except in
one city and until the recent establishment OF
circular saw Ponce this could be also said OF
that class OF machinery. At the present time only
a faw native brick factories exist. and the means
Tor turning out bricks is OF the worst kind Spen-
did brick clay is TO be found In every part or the
| island. -, t-5..-
the namphlet saws that their quality is fine. but
| that little has been done toward developing that
! industry The woods include mahogany. cedar
! ebony and others suitable for fine interior ana
| cabinet work
Most Of the minerals have been found IN Porto
| Rico There IS as fine iron is produced In Cuba
| Gold has been found in some quantities. also cop
ner zinc rock crystals and coal There are plas-
ter auarries and milestone pits in Ponce and Juan
/ Dia7 grindstone in another section OF the Island
! ard arhlc and granite in some other
! Discussing the customs which prevail for con-
/ ductini business the Museums latest pupHca'ioH
says
The imports Of American manufactured goods OF
ali kinds will undoubtedly increase ere long. The
/ custom Of receiving goods on consignment by the
| merchants there Is the general rule and has been
! largely encouraged by European houses Credit
runs at three months time occaslona,iy pf Ell 800 rN
tended four. six or even nine months IN some
instances they buy for cash and take advantage
] do a retail business as well All firms designated
Ines ON oonsirnment The word orsisnmen"
known In Porto Rican trade. means the selling Of
. commission
| sion-houses are entirely wholesale. supplying the
trade in the large cities. well as In the interior
most entirely from the merchants in San Juan.
Ponce Mavaguez. Arecibo Aguadlla Guayama
/ towns ard markets ny the importer but the local
dealer makes his own arrangementS for ira trans rs
regularly established companies for transportation
" II should be borne in mind by the American bust
ness world that there are no specialties-in other
NJ goods exclusively
trade therefore. not distinct. wholesale hard-
T2 ones Of the pq6cpa CITES carry
c OF Is oant line full as is carried BY
any house in the island. The dealer VIII embark
handling IT if he profit no matter how inconsistent
or a variance it may seem to his principal me
tain a market in the island for their goods should
take this into consideration when sending out cir,
wholesale houses regardless Of the fact that some
may to handle line or lines ~ goods dlf-
Two pages are devoted to the agricultural inter
ests Of tho island. II would not be an exaggera-
ton the report says, TO say that the soil all over
the island is wonderfully rich. Fertilizers quite
unknown because they are unnecessary. the SOIL
seemingly having recuperatve power within
! itself Pineapples and oranges grow almost wild
the oranges being more delicious and tender than
even those from Florida. Sugar-cane is grown on
the mains and level ground along the coast. and
the other portions OF he island devoted 20 cof-
fee and tobacco raising These three comprise
,ba nrincipal industries OF the island portion
! Of which Is settled and much under cultivation
Modern care and skill not practised In the line
/ OF agriculture and almost unknown. With
little care the quality OF the natural products would
| undoubtedly be better, but everything Is left TOO
| much nature
Farm laborers receive from l2ia to 81 cents a day
| and work from o'clock in the morning until 8
| o'clock AT night Rarely than Is cents day
| IS paid 10 laborers. and many only work for a
living being supplied with the poorest food OF the
| country and only occasionally receiving little
| money Coffee pickers receive about Ii cents a
| dav and laborers In the cities 81 cents day.
The prices OF land in the plantations are much
| lie deem and bitter spirit OF