Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-17

| BE REDUCED.
Correspondence, Associated Press)
San Juan, Porto Rico, April 6.-The
!! following general orders from the
headquarters of the department Of
| Porto Rico were issued to-day:
'sThe War Department having for
/ hidden the issue of rations to Porto
| Ricans, commanding officers of ports
| are authorized, to prevent suffering
among the people in their respective
| localities, to purchase necessary arti-
| cles of food at rate not to exceed ten
| centavos a day for each needy person,
and to send bill for same to this Of
| fee for payment from the moneys of
the island, as directed by the authori-
| ties at Washington. Great discretion
| must be used in carrying out these in
| structions, and aid should be extended
only to those who are unable to work
| or obtain work.
1.-THE recent visit of the department
commander to Cagues, Cayey, Aibonito,
Coamo, Caoma Springs, Santa Isabel,
Guayama and Arroyo showed
A SATISFACTORY CONDITION
| of affairs, and that the people are
| strongly in sympathy with American
methods and progress. At Caoma
| Springs a most patient and commend
| able work is progressing in procuring
| vaccine for the benefit of the people of
| this island. At some of the towns
complaint was made as to the cost of
bread, eight centavos a loaf. the same
as last summer, although the price OF
-four is much less now. The price
should not be over six centavos a
pound. In the city of San Juan the
price of bread is down to four centa-
vos. 1t is the duty of the alcaldes to
reduce as far as possible the cost of
necessaries of life and increase the tax
on other articles. The prison at Quay
anna was not clean. The prison at Ca
guas was clean, but was an old build
ing.
"The quarters of the insular police
and the appearance of the men at
SAINT Isabel Guyana and Caguas
WE'RE VERY GOOD,
and particularly so at the latter place.
While the meals were good and the
beds clean at the hotels visited, the
location and dirty condition of the
water closets, placed in or near the
kitchen, as Is probably the case also
in many private dwellings on the is
land, were most disreputable. Until
this unsanitary condition is remedied
great discredit will be brought upon
the island, as Americans view such
conditions with disgust and their rec
objection of otherwise agreeable sur
roundings will be marred by this I'M
natural and disgusting practice.
s.The habit of delegations coming to
San Juan at the expense of the people
or municipalities
MUST BE DISCONTINUED.
All applications should be addressed
to the proper secretary. If a reply Is
not received or any action taken with
in a reasonable time direct applica-
ton should be made to the governor
general, stating what is desired, the
fact of inaction and date of appeal.
Valuable time is taken up in talking
about matters that can be attended to
only in writing and by reference to
the proper secretary.
"The work of building roads and TAX
ing charge of schools and jails, so as
to reduce the taxes of the people, will
be taken up as rapidly as possible. In
the meantime all budgets win be re-
duced to the lowest possible limit,
honest economy practiced in all direc-
lions, and patience exercised during
this period Of transition.
Referring to the idle talk, the
THREATS OF VIOLENCE
in certain neighborhoods, the reported
assemblages of revolutionary purposes
and the numerous newspaper articles
appearing in the press of the United
States, showing a restless state Of az
fairs here, all these conditions intimid-
ating the work of capitalists desiring
to invest here, are now bearing their
fruit to the injury of the well being and
progress Of the island.
1T is not believed that any thought
of determined opposition TO law and
order exists in Porto Rico. but should
such be the truth. it would be crushed
at once and would prove to be the sui
eide OF the island.
by command of Major Henry"
(Signed) "W. p HALL.
"Adjujtant General"