The evening times., 1900-01-23
AT THE WHITE HOUSs..
The President Receives n Delegation
From Porto Rico.

FROM Porto Rico
The President was attended in his walk
this morning by Senator Allison Of Iowa
They walked around the White Lot. re-
turning to the Mansion a few minutes be-
fore II o'clock. the hour for the Cabinet
meeting. The two were in earnest coaver-
satiOn during the walk. and were discuss
ing matters Of legislation in Congress,
particularly in the Senate.
On the return Of the President to the
White House four members of the Porto
Riean delegation, representing the Cham
Der Of Commerce in san Juan, we're wait
ing for him. They were received immed-
lately and stated briefly TO the President
their object in visiting Washington. and
their wishes regarding the future govern
ment OF Porto Rico. Their views we're en-
bodied in writing and left with the Presi-
dent for his rea1ing and consideration.
The delegation was presented by DR.. J
J. HERNIA. Of New York who was tie
spokesman Of the party and the delegates
were George Finlay. J. d. Luce. and Fer
nando Juncos. The entire delegation now
in Washington is composed Of twelve mem
bers. six from the Chamber o. Commerce
in San Juan, two representing the agri-
culturists OF the island. anG four VINO
might be denominated politicians.
While representing specific objects the
entire delegation is working harmJuiously
TO the one end Of advancing the material
and political interests Of their country.
The statement made TO the President
asks first FOR open markets IN the United
I States. This the delegates regard as the
I key 10 tie situation. and With free trade
I IN American ports they expect the re-
| Eabilitation Of industry IN the island 10
I follow rapidly.
The statement also mentions the fact
/ that wages have been materially raised
/ under the American occupation. and that
/ the cost OF producing sugar. tobacco, and
I fruit mas been increased.
| The delegation admits that this viii
/ work to the benefit Of the whole people,
/ but IL puts The planter in a tight place.
| which can be effectually relieved only by
| free trade with the United States
/ The delegation also asks the Government
| that arrangements be made IN some sui,a-
/ bic way for loans in Porto Rico for refund
/ ing public debts at lower rates OF inter
| est. and FOR planters and others 10 Ne
/ gotiate new mortgages for these, upon
( which Iu-nOus rates OF interest are
/ charged.
/ The questions Of open ports and money
| are the two problems TO be first solved IN
! Porto Rico, said Mr.. George Finlay-
/ In talking OF his adopted home. Mr.. Fin
| lay. who is an Englishman by birth. stated
I that Porto Rico produces much more of
I certain commodities than IL consumes
I Like the United States. q Is an exporting
1 country Its articles Of dress, much Of
/ its food and It's implements Of machinery
! must be bought outside.
Hence. as Mr. Finlay and the Chamber
! Of Commerce which he represents. look
/ at the question. the United States could
I well afford 10 open the ports to coffee. to-
/ baoco. and sugar. and become in turn the
/ source OF supply in the commodities need
4 ed there. 1t is only the practical working
/ out OF the principle OF reciprocity said
/ Mr. Finldy.
/ The statement OF the delegates 20 the
! President also takes the ground that the
merchants Of Porto Rico are its main de-
! pendence as matters now stand. They
occupy the place Of banks. they are the
/ agents Of trade. and without them agri-
culture and every material interest would
languish.
They have aided tn government at all
times. and have been powerful co-workere
| In everything pertaining to the prosperity
and welfare Of the island.
The members OF the delegation expressed
their qualification al the manner in which
they had been received in this county.
Every body said Mr., Finlay, "in-lud-
ing the President. Senators. and MeIISers
Of Congress seem not only ready. but anx-
| ious TO do the right thing.
| He declared that The Representatives Oi
! a poor and obscure people on one OF the
| islands Of the sea had been shown the
| greatest possible consideration.
The delegation will remain some time in
! Washington. so long. in fact. as its mem
bers can be OF use in furthering the objects
OF legislation for Porto Rico.