Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26
GOVERNING PORTO RICO
Recent Regulations Issued by Major General
Henry.
Aid for the Distressed-Bnd Sanitary
ConditionS-Time Wasted by
Visiting Delegations.

Assistant Secretary of War Meiklejohn
has received the following general orders
recently issued by Mai. Gen. Guy V. Henry,
governor general of Porto Rico
l. In accordance with orders from the
War Department. native products of Porto
Rico purchased by the commissary depart
ment for the use of the United States army
are to be exempt from the consumption
tax.
2 The War Department having forbidden
the issue of rations to Porto Ricans, COM
mandng officers of posts are authorized to
prevent suffering among the people in their
respective localities, by purchasing neces-
sary articles of food at a rate not to ex-
coed ten cents a day. Spanish money, for
each needy person, and to send the bill for
the same to the office of the governor gen.
eral for payment from the moneys of the
island. Gen. Henry especially directs in
this connection that great discretion must
be used in carrying out his instructions,
and that aid must only be extended to
those who are unable to work or to obtain
the same.
3. Gen. Henry remarks that his recent
visit TO Caguas, Cayey. Aibonito, Coamo.
Coamo 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 Coamo Springs, he says a
most patient and commendable work is
progressing In procuring vaccine for the
benefit of the people of the Island. At
some of the towns complaint was made
to the cost of bread, which was then sell
ing at eight cents loaf, the same last
summer, although the price of flour is
much less now. Gen. Henry says the price
should not be over six cents a pound. In
the city of San Juan the price of bread is
down to four cents. 1t Is the duty of the
alcaldes says Gen. Henry, to reduce.
far as possible, the cost of the necessaries
nf md To inRr he tn nth lr
articles.
Bad Sanitary Conditions.
Gen. Henry says he found the prison at
Guayama very uncleanly. while on the
other hand, the prison at Caguas was
clean. although it was in an old building.
The quarters of the insuar police and ap
pearance of the men at San Isabel. Quay
ANA and Caguas were also found to be
very good, and particularly so 1T the last
named place
While the meals were good and the h ds
c.ean at the hotels visited. the location and
dirty condition of the water closets, placed
in Or near the kitchens. is probably the
casa in many private dwellings on the
island, were most dsreputable Until this
sanitary condition Is remedisd Gen. Henry
informs the inhabitants of the island that
great diScredit will be cast upon the in
habitants. as Americans view such condi-
tons with disgust, and their recollection
of otherwise agreeable surroundings will
be marrad by this unnatural and disgusting
prac tiCe.
Time Wasted by Delegations.
4. The habit Of delegations coming to
San Juan at the expense of the people or
municipalities. Gen. Henry warns the in
habitants. must be discontinued. All appli-
cations hereafter are ordered 20 be ad-
dressed TO the proper secretary. If a reply
is not received nor any action taken within
a reasonable time, he directs that applica-
ton should be made to thu governor gen
er&L stating what is desired. the fact OF
inacJi0n and date of APPEAL Valuable
time. he says. is taken up in talking about
matters that can only be attended to in
wiring and by reference to the proper sec
Rotary
TIE work of building roads, taking charge
CT the schools anu jails, so as to r.duce the
taxes Of the people will, ne says, be taken
up as rapidly as possible. In the III eantime
all budgets Will be reduced 10 the lowest
possible limit, honest economy practiced in
all directions and patience exercised during
the period of transition between a military
and a civil administration CT affairs.