Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-06
Gov. Allen Declares That Conditions
Are Much Better.
ADVOCATES TEE HOLLANDER AC'
The President Persuades Him tc
Retain His Office.
REVENUES OF THE ISLAND

| quarters at the Portland. lie reached
| Hampton Roads yesterday on the May
! flower, the United States vessel that has
! been designated for his use in Porto Ricar
| waters, and took the Norfolk and Wash
| irgton lines boat last night for the capi-
| tai.
Governor Allen expects to remain in the
| United States until the first week in May
| Governor Allen called upon the President
| today and also visited the Attorney Gen.
| eral and the Secretary of State. He
| brought with him from Porto Rico copies
| of the official acts of the first Legislative
| assembly of the island possession, which
will be submitted to the authorities here
VIII Not Resign.
| Governor Allen had an hours conference
with President Mckinley. After the con-
| ference Governor Allen made the announce
| ment that he would not resign, but would
return to his duties about the first week in
May, after settling up some private af-
| fairs in Boston. 1t is pretty well under
stood that Governor Allen came to Wash
lnSton in the hope that the President would
relieve him of his duties in Porto Rico and
asked the President to do so, but the Pres
| ident prevailed upon him to continue at
| the head Of the administration of the af-
fairs of the island. Governor Allen enjoys
| the confidence of the President to high
degree. and he felt that it was his duty to
accede to the wishes of the chief executive.
1t was not decided at the conference how
long ne would remain in the island.
Conditions Much Improved.
affairs are running smoothly In Porto
| Rico said Governor Allen to Star re-
porter today. THE condition of the island
is much improved, ;tn3 in my opinion is
better than it ever was before. A civil
hos al1 oaj in, a11
branches and is operating smoothly. The
island has not cost the people of the
United States a cent, and viii soon be
raising its own revenue by internal taxa
tiCn.
1.-The revenues of the island since the
passage of the Foraker act by the United
States Congress have been produced by the
customs duties levied Ivy that act. Next
March the law will expire and the money
Will come from modes Of taxation to be
prescribed by the local legislature BY that
time the island will oe ready to accept
the abolishment of the customs duties and
free trade between the United States and
Porto Rico will probably follow
The HoiIander Act:
'The act of the local legislature known
as the Hollander bill provides a system of
land and personal taxes that will raise suf-
ficient revenue. That act 1 believe to be
a saiutary measure. although I note that
commission has been in Washington re-
Gently protesting against the legislation.
THE members of that commission were
foreigners, one a Spantard one. South
American and one an Englishman, repre-
senting mainly Spanish merchants doing
business in Porto Rico. They endeavored
to enlist the aid of the merchants of New
York trading in Porto Rico. The latter re-
ferred the Hoilander bill to their attorney,
Mr.. Dill, who reported that the bill was all
right
Gov. Aliens attention was called to the
charge Of the commission that land, upon
which unpaid taxes accrued could not be
redeemed unless the taxes were paid with
in six months.
THAT is true" said the governor But
it must be borne in mind that the old Span
ish law, which would continue in force il
not repealed by the tax provision Of the
Hollander bill, provided for the immediate
confiscation Of property for non-payment
of taxes, with no chance for redemption
us six months grace sufficient in view
of the reported poverty-stricken condition
Of the island?" he was asked.
Increased Sugar Crops.
"That term poverty-stricken is a mis-
nomer as applied to Porto Rico replied
the governor. 1.-The sugar crop this year
will reach 100000 tons, as against normal
production of 10000. The tariff relations
with the United States give the Porto
Rican planter an advantage over other
sugar growers of $35 ton in gold. That
dicate poverty. l have been looking all
over the island for this starvation that is
talked about. and 1 have not found it yet
When the tariff comes off, there will be an
additional 10 per cent of that So, 500, 600 60
ing into the sugar planters pocket.
However, to return to the taxes; if six
months grace is not enough. and am not
prepared to say that a year might not be
better, the legislature can meet and change
the law. But it is a good law in the main
and will work to the advantage of the
Porto RicanS."
Governor Allen explained that the total
valuation Of property in Porto Rico would
be close to $1OO,0O9,Q10 and that under the
law but one-half of 1 per cent could be
levied for municipal purposes and the same
for insuiar purposes. This will raise about
$,OOO,O0O. The other million necessary to
make up the total budget will be raised
by excise taxes on rum, cigars, cigarettes,
etc.
After his visit to the White House. Gov
ernor Allen went over to the Navy Depart
ment and received warm greeting from
Secretary Long, his old chief and friend.
he spent half an hour with Secretary Hay
in a recital of the conditions in Porto Rico
subject in which the Secretary is deeply
interested. because the island is by law in
charge Of his department.; at least the gov
ernor must report through the State De-
partment.
Charmed With Porto Ricans.
Governor Allen is looking remarkably
well, but Is perhaps a trif1e thinner than
when he left Washington year ago to
take up his charge in Porto Rico Still.
there are some marks visible of the debA-
itating effect Of years life in the tropics
The governor is charmed with the charac-
ter of the Porto Rican people. He made
1t his business to visit every little town and
hamlet within his jurisdiction, and in con-
sequence his face was seen where the eoy-
ernors OF Spain in the past were known
only by reputation and rumor. The people
keen1y appreciated the interest he exhibited
in their welfare, and everywhere he was
greeted with the most spontaneous outpour-
ings of affection and esteem. Governor Al
len intends to remain in Washington for
about ten days. Respecting his plans for
the future he will have something to saw
for publication after he has again talked
with President Mckinley.
Advantages to Fruit Growers.
In a material way there has been won
derful progress. Much of the island, which
was not under cultivation under the old
regime. is being taken up and made profit
able. There is great field in the island
for products that can be shipped to the
United States, especially oranges and other