Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18
every WHERE WELL RECEIVED.
Director of Posts Elliott Tells of His
Trips in Porto Rico.

Postmaster General Emory Smith has re-
ceived the following report from Director
of Posts Elliott of Porto Rico:
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, April %, 1899.
Sir: am pleased to report the completion
of the tour of inspection of the post offices
of the Island of Porto Rico undertaken
February 20 and embracing three journeys,
the observations during the first two having
been reported to you by my letters of March
and ~.
On the last trip 1 visited the towns of
Ndranjito, lying west and south of San
Juan: Trujillo-Alto, Carolina, Loisa, Cano-
vanas, Rio Grande, Luquillo, FajardO, Gel
ba, Playa Naguabo, Punta dc Santiago,
along the north and east coast, and Vie
ques, on the island of the same name.
l found the conditions affecting the postal
service in the several towns about as stated
in my previous letters concerning other
places visited, and we received the same
cordial reception and generous treatment.
| am satisfied that the tour aside from the
Information of value gained for the admin
istration of my department on the island,
will be productive of good results on other
lines. Even the best informed and appar-
emily most intelligent citizens of many of
the interior towns. whore but few news
papers are received, and they are Spanish
in language and utterance, entertained
crude, erroneous ideas of the new govern
n.ent and its possible effect on their future
welfare But they hunge1ed for know ledge
and piled us with all sorts of questions,
which we were pleased to answer correctly
and in the simplest manner possible
If more Americans. imbued with good in
tent and cOnsiderate of ignorance forced
by centuries Of oppression, could be in
duced TO traverse the island, they would
greatly accelerate the task of organization.
Immediately after my return from the
last trip and before l had found time to
make the report. First Assistant Post
master General Heath arrived and we i'm
mediately SCI out upon an official tour of
Inspection which covered about twelve days
of time and resulted. l feel assured, in Civ
ing to General Heath clear ideas of the
conditions, needs and possibilities of the
postal service in Porto Rico, and to put
him in position to advise correctly on mat
ter appertaining thereto.
The fact that an official of Mr.. Heaths
rank saw tit TO come to the island, and that
he did not merely fit across it, but took
the time and trouble. and endured the dis
comforts incident to travel here, to visit
all cities and towns of Importance. become
acquainted with the people and display real
interest in public affairs, has created
fine impression. it has been the subject of
much complimentary remark and will un-
dOubtedly be beneficial to the postal serv-
ice on the island.
| am now devOting my time and energy
to the organization of the postal depart
ment Of Porto Rico on the plans arranged
by you, and hope to have every branch in
good working order within a reasonable
time, the local administration acceptable
TO the people of Porto Rico and the general
results worthy of your approval.
Very respectfully,
W. II. ELLIOTT Director of Posts.
The Honorable the Postmaster General,
washington II