Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-21
Investigations Of the Insular Com
mission.
MAJOR WATKINS DESCRIBES ITS WORK
Practically Every Principally was
Visited.
ASSOCIATES STILL THERE

commission which has been investigating
the condition of the civil government and
concessions in the Island Of Porto Rico has
returned to Washington. The other two
members of the commission and its staff
of clerks and employees were detained by
press of closing business, but are expected
in the city by next Monday. Major Wat
kins made the trip back to the United
States on the army transport Mcpherson,
formerly the Obdam-a ship of some
toriety during the Santiago campaign, and
the return of troops from that island. The
Mcpherson has returned to Porto Rico, and
on its next trip will bring the remaining
members of the insular commission.
Immediately upon the return of the full
commission its members will begin the
work of preparing their report for submis
sion to the President and Secretary of War.
The report will be concise and will deal
with affairs in Porto Rico just as they were
found by the commission. The work of
obtaining information to be embodied in
this report required period of four weeks,
the commission having been at work in the
island for that length of time. Landing in
San Juan, the capital, the commission made
a tour of the entire island, travelling by
railroad, army ambulance carriage and ON
loot. when no other means of tranSporta-
ton could be obtained.
The COmmission's Tour.
The members of the commission visited
practically every city and township and
principally of the island. They found that
there are seventy-two principalities. Prior
to their visit to these places Gen. Guy V.
Henry, governor of the island addressed
communication to the alcalde of each prin-
cipality requesting him in his official ca
pacity to prepare report of the statistical
features of the section of country under his
control. The alcade Skpd q aSnacja lly
report concerning the laws and ordinances
governing the people and to state the num-
Der of officers employed, together with the
salary paid each A further request was
made for recommendations for reductions
both in the number of persons employed and
the salary paid. 1t is understood that no
aIcalde favored reduction of force or
salaries. On the other hand many of these
officials entered upon long arguments in the
endeavor to prove the force insufficient and
urderpaid. The recommendations through
out were for increases all along the line.
Commission Cordially Received
Everywhere.
In speaking of the visit of the commission
Maj. Watkins said today to a reporter for
The Star that in every particular-in the
gathering of information and in the pleas
ure of the trip through the island-expecta-
tons were surpassed. The commission was
cordially received at each place it visited.
1t was assisted in its work with willingness
on the part of the officials, all readily per-
ceiving the Importance of the report which
will soon be made The commission found
San Juan Splendidly constructed city of
stone, cement, marble, tile and brick build
ings. The city, Maj. Watkins declares, is
clean Washington after tour Of the
STRENGTHENING machines.
With regard to the climate Mai. Watkins
said it was nothing short of delicious, the
weather for the whole year resembling that
enjoyed by residents of Washington during
the past few days. The thermometer at no
time during the stay of the commission reg
istered above so degrees-never us warm as
last Thursday in this city. Despite the fact
that the West India rainy season is said to
be on, there We're but few showers in
Porto Rico. The health of the commission
ers while in the new possession was of
highest excellence.
The Railway System.
Speaking more particularly of the work
of the commission Major Watkins said the
railroad from San Juan to Rio Pedros was
found al a practical standstill. The freight
receipts averaged about So a day, Porto
Rican money, while the passenger traffic
was of a proportonate degree OF small
ness The French railroad running in the
opposite direction, built by French capt.
talists under charter from the Spanish gov
eminent and guaranteed per cent per
annum on its bonds, was found in a very
inferior and almost dilapldated condition.
Originally projected to encircle the island,
the railroad extends but IL short distance
from San Juan, when there is "a break, the
course being taken up miles away at Aqua
dilla, and running thence to Mayaguez
Between these points the wagon road,
Major Watkins asserts, is about the worst
he has ever encountered.
The famous military roadway, running
from two ports on the south coast of the
island to San Juan on the north, is said to
be the finest in the world. The roadbed
equals that of the Central Park drives in
New York. The military road cost for its
construction $1,000 for each mile There is
a total mileage of ! 10. The scenery along
this trans-island highway is described by
the commissioner nothing short of su-
perb The habitations of the people are
everywhere seen.
The Best HarbOr.
Major Watkins announced that the coast
and geodetic survey of this country and
Gen. Roy Stone, attached to the Depart
ment of Agriculture in the department of
road construction, have discovered what is
avowedly the best harbor to be found upon
the coast of any country in either hemis-
phere Thoroughly landlocked, yet easily
accessible from the outside, there is a nat
ural depth of twenty six feet. The bottom
is the Cleanest to be found anywhere being
entirely of sand and gravel The harbor is
on the southern coast at a place now known
as Port de Jobos, but its name will be
changed to Port America
Several persons of prominence have or
ganized private company and will invest
extensive capital in the locality. The chief
constructions primarily will be a fine hotel
and railroad of some length running into
the interior. 1t is expected that this newly
found harbor will soon become the port OF
the island, and will be the stopping place
of all steamers engaged in the West Indian
trade and traffic No matter how turbu-
lent the waters may be outside, at Port
America, there is not a ripple This is
given as evidence Of how Thoroughly
landlocked is the little bay. Port America,
1t is also expected, will be the favorite
stopping place for tourists and all persons
visiting Porto Rico.
Tunneling the Mountains.
Contracts have been given for the tunnel
ing of the mountain range traversing the
island and separating the northern and
southern sections. Through these tunnels
IL is proposed to carry the waters of the
River de la Plaza, the course of which will
be diverted to that end. Once through the
mountains the water will be carried by
canals through the arid regions, principally
in the province Of Guayama Contracts for
the water supply have been obtained from