The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-04
coNTRAsrED.
Economic and Business Conditions of ia
maca and Their Application to Cuba.

Economic and Business Conditions of Ja-
maiea and Their Application to Cuba.
! Washington, Jan. 3.-Robert P. Por-
ter, the special commissioner of the
treasury department, has made a re-
port to Secretary Gage on the economic
and business conditions in the island
of Jamaica and their application to
Cuba.
In comparing British administration
IN Jamaica with any possible operations
OF the United States government in
cuba, says Mr.. Porter, 1.-The fact Of
the great difference in the population
must be considered. In Jamaica not
over $1,000 of the 100000 population are
Whlte' IN cuba majority of the peo-
| pie are white. The census of 1887 show
| ed 1,l02.sS9 white and 52S, 1917 colored.
mat half century of British rule in
Jamaica has improved these peo-
nearly all OF whom were slaves when
the work was begun, is self-evident,
Cuba under such government as Eng
land has given Jamaica in all reasona-
Die probability would have numbered
al TINS time population of from four
TO hVe millions. greatly increased
commerce, diversified industries, mag
nlhcent main and Darochial roads. an
adequate railway system, and degree
or prosperity and civilization far in ex-
cess of that which the United States
officials found confronting them when
they took possession of the island.
To be sure, England has not made
Angio-Saxons of these people, but it
has made peaceful law-abiding. and in
the main, self respecting citizens of
shem. The number of holdings in the
island is 92,979, Of which 1924 are un-
der ten acres each. In the last ten
years the number of savings bank ac-
counts of the amount of $25 and under
mas nearly doubled, and during the ten
years, 18S1-1S91, there was an increase
| OF 80 per- cont in the number of persons
able to read and write.
The royal commis,aion appointed to
invest gate and rspolt UPON the agri-
/ cultural, commercial and Industrial
conditions Of the West Indies, came to
the conclusion that the depression in
Jamaica was the result of the island
depending almost entirely on single
industry, that of sugar, and recon-
mended system of peasant proprie-
tors, diversified Industries and better
means of domestic and foreign COM
munication"
Mr.. Porter says that following these
suggestions of the royal commission,
great progress has been made in all di-
rections.
Last year one company alone shipp-
ed from Jamaica five million punches
Of bananas to New York, and there
are now over 100000 freshly planted
orange trees on the island, which, in
few years, will add to the prosperity
Of the country"
With the American fruit market in
adequately supplied, and the English
market practically untouched, Mr.. Por-
ter thinks that there is hope in Cuba,
and especially in Santiago province,
for diversified industries created by
rapid transportation
I'm the financial administration of
Jamaica, one of the principal items of
expenditure is the maintenance Of
public roads. England has discovered
that good roads are not only important
factors in keeping order, but also the
basis Of industrial development and
prosperity. During the last IA years
England has expended for main and
parochial roads 1891, 205, an average OF
nearly 100000 year" Mr.. Porter says
that here may be found good illus
tration Of Sngland's policy In contrast
with that of Spain in Cuba, where no
money was spent on roads, all of which
are in a deDlorable condition"