Evening star., 1901-11-05
Considering Everything Prospects
Are Reasonably Bright.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER ELLIOTT
Public Lands Question a Vexa-
tious Problem.
HEALTH OF THE ISLAND

report to the Secretary of the Interior OF
the United States, made public today.
There needs to be searching investiga-
ton of titles throughout the island, and
then careful surveys of ell public lands
Upon the presumption that the titles to all
lands not held by legal claim of private
ownership had passed by the treaty Of
Paris to the United States, no provision
has been made by the insular government
to determine the location and extent OF
such lands, and this department has been
handicapped both by lack of authority and
the means to prosecute the work with any
sort of vigor.'
Mr.. Elliott raises the point as to whether
the so-caIIed public lands of Porto Rico
were ceded to the United States by the
treaty of Paris as 'crown lands or were
they and do they remain the property or
Porto Rico as 'state lands.
Good Roads Needed.
The matter of roads and bridges, particu-
Iarly from the interior to the SeacoaSt, he
says, continues of prime Importance. The
more closely one studies the conditions in
Porto Rico. the character and possibilities
of the soil, the need of outlets to markets,
to the end that land owners may be en-
couraged to provide the work necessary to
the existence of the laborers and their
families, the more firmly must he become
convinced that the construction OF roads.
aside from the benefit of immediate en-
ployment for labor. is the chief factor In
the solution of the problem of certain and
enduring prosperity for the island.
Concerning the matter of public build
ings." Mr.. Elliott continues, Il would state
that In December last a board appointed
by the Secretary of War and the Secretary
of the Navy assembled at San Juan under
instructions to examine and report re-
specting the part of public lands owned by
H. v,,;t tA1 fa4a tr Dnrto q
for the use of the military and naval estab-
lishments. Through the request of the
governor was permitted to appear before
the board. / filed a list Of twenty-four
properties which 1t Is claimed were con-
structed with funds from the insular teas
ury and In equity belong to the people Of
Porto Rico. I designated the first eleven
properties listed as being suitable for pres
ent actual needs of the insular government.
1 forbear to discuss the report of the board.
but would record my judgment that the
recommendations made. If approved by
Congress, will work great injustice to the
people OF Porto Rico"
Health of Porto Rico.
Concerning the public health of Porto
Rico Mr.. Elliott says:
"The laws and orders intended to define
the powers and govern the operations of
the superior board of health are so conflict
ing and of such insufficient scope that the
UOdTu iS StllOuSlS Ill tHS pei =
formance of it's duties to the public. To
the difficulties thus encountered are to be
added bad conditions of sanitation, ignor-
ance by the people of the simplest rules OF
health strong prejudice against change,
particularly IL 1t involves present outlay,
and lack of intelligent medical assistance
throughout the island. The board has
labored faithfully and energetically. The
health conditions are comparatively good:
threatened epidemicS have been promptly
investigated and the spread of disease
quickly checked All efforts possible TO ex-
ercise have been exerted to improve SANTA
ton and interest the people in the value of
cleanliness. The sources and purity OF the
water supply, particularly for the cities
and larger towns, are being inquired into,
and the laws, rules and regulations con-
corning food stuffs are being rfgidly en-
forced. Although hampered financially and
by uncertainty concerning it's powers, the
improved health conditions of the island
freedom from epidemic diseases for @
longer period than ever before known, and
evidences of changes for the better in mat
ters Of sanitation and cleanliness, show en-
couraging results and leave ground for
hope of better things as the people grow
into an appreciation of the benefits en-
joyed'
DR.. Ricardo NJ. Hernandez. the president
of the board is praised for his efforts He
has given his time voluntarily, and by the
exercise of good judgment and professional
skill has proved power for the good of
the people.
Farmers Cntaught.
"The subject of agriculture Is of prime
Importance to the people of Porto Rico"
Mr.. Elliott says. THE wealth of the
island lies In the soil. Given good
roads, the enrichment, comfort, happi-
ness indeed. the very existence Of the
masses depend upon the proper planting
care and cultivation of the soil. This fact
was certainly as apparent to the authori-
ties throughout the centuries of Spanish
rule as 1t is now; yet the records faH to
show any real attempts to enlighten, in
struct or encourage the agriculturists.
Hence we find them poor farmers. with
out knowledge of the adaptability of pro-
ducts to SOIL selection of seed, correct
methods of cultivation or proper imple-
ments. Sugar cane, coffee and tobacco have
received most attention, but the production
Of these has been by ancient methods.
Fruits and vegetables. upon which l be-
lieve the wealth and prosperity of the Is
land will rest In the near future, have
grown wild or been cultivated but poorly
for home consumption only.
II sincerely hope that the anticipation of
an appropriation by Congress for the es-
tablishment of one or more experiment. sta
tions on the island, and which constituted
an alleged bar to appropriating insular
funds, may be speedily realized and the
teaching of agriculturists the arts of pre-
pairing soil, selecting right kinds of seeds
and plants, proper planting. correct culti-
walton and profitable harvesting and mar
keting will be begun. With a population
bordering on 100000 people, we can not
hope to drive poverty and want from Porto
Rico by any other means.
Prospects Reasonably Bright.
In conclusion Mr.. Elliott says:
'An in all, notwithstanding the deplor-
| able condition Of the laboring classes at the
| time of the cession OF Porto Rico to the
| United States. concerning which condition
| 1t was my fortune to be enabled to gain
accurate information during a complete
| tour of the island made in March and April
| 1899; the awful destruction of life and
property and consequent misery and woe
| of the people wrought by the hurricane Of
August s. 1899: the injury to trade and
commerce caused by the necessary change
| in the circulating medium. and in spite of
pernicious opposition to and malicious mis-
| representation of the methods and policies
| adopted and pursued, there are. In all mat
| ters relating to the department of the In
terror, evidences of substantial progress
| made, and the prospects for the future are
reasonably bright.
True. there remains much to be done;
| indeed, it seems, as the field is viewed that
| only a beginning has been effected; yet
with the exercise of patience, industry, wise