Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-13
Protest of the Porto Ricans.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
In Justice to the commissioners who are
now in Washington laboring In the inter-
ests of a large portion Of the inhabitants or
Porto Rico for certain reforms in the ad-
ministration of the island kindly publish
the following with reference to an article
you published Tuesday, taken from the
Porto Riean paper. Fl Pals.
In the first place. allow me to point out
that Ell Pals is the official organ of the re-
publican party, of which the legislature is
exclusively composed. 1t handles the bulk
Of the government printing, and necessarily
would hardly dare tofcriticise the govern
ment. r. -rs,.
If the work of the legislature has been as
satisfactory as FL Pats claims how is 1t
that such general discomfort prevails in
the island? How Is 1t that cigar and c1ga-
rette factories and distilleries have closed
down because they cannot afford to pay the
taxes imposed? How is it that only the
other day 1,500 persons engaged in serl-
GUS riot in San Juan in opposition to a de-
partment of the government? How Is 1T
that people in many districts of the island
are starving because they cannot find en-
ployment formerly given them by estate
owners? Why are hundreds of Porto
Ricans emigrating today to the far-off Ha-
waiian Islands for a small salary when
only two or three7years ago they declined
to emigrate to the Isthmus Of Pana ma
when they were offered wages at the rate
of So and So per day? What state in the
Union would permit confiscation of prop
erty for delinquent taxes within such a
short time as six months2 If you or Ell
Pals can satisfactorily answer these ques-
tions the Porto Rican commission Will re-
turn home ana henceforth hold it's peace.
The people of Porto Rico desire nothing
but fair investigation of their grievances
on the part of the authorities in Washing
ton-an investigation Independent Of the Of
ficials in Porto Rico. To this end the Porto
Rico commission offered to pay the ex-
- lola fr.o,, 10 ~,
House of Representatives to go to Porto
Rico and see for themselves the condition
Of affairs. Unfortunately, this invitation
was not accepted. The commission Is still
willing to extend this invitation to any re-
sponsible parties, continent Of the results.
Why will not the authorities in Washing
ton make an independent investigation, in
stead of implicitly accepting the reports Of
the administration in Porto Rico and be-
lieving reports from party and paper
believed by the majority of Porto Ricans to
have been, If not purchased, at least CO.
erceui
The com mission now in Washington does
not represent any particular party or class
of citizens. At the meeting which appoint
ed the commission members Of both parties
| were present and each Joined in the pro-
test against the Hollander bill. There is
no disposition to avoid just taxation on the
part Of the property owners. But there is
an objection to an unjust law, one of the
sections of which provides that within six
months after taxes are due and unpaid
property may be sold without privilege Of
| redemption after that period.
By the mail Tuesday advices were re-
ceived TO the effect that Treasurer Hol-
| lander Is taking from the United States
thirty-two gentlemen who are to be ap-
! pointed as assessors. These gentlemen can
know nothing. of the value Of lands in an
| island where the value depends on loca-
ton, means Of communication altitude, ma
| ture Of the soil and other conditions pecu-
| lier to tropical countries. Why could these
| positions not have been given to Porto
| Ricans? w. FREEMAN HALSTEAD.
Secretary Porto Rican Commission.