Evening star., 1901-07-29
Auditor Garrison Tells of the Islands
Prosperity.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS In GOOD SHAPE
People Pleased With the Free
Trade Proclamation.
A GOOD COMFORT RESORT

uty controller of the treasury and now
auditor for the Island of Porto Rico, is In
Washington on leave Of obsence from his
office at San Juan, and called at the Treas
ury Department today to pay his respects
to Secretary Gage. Mr.. Garrison has been
steadily at work ct his post since May,
1899. His reports concerning conditions in
the island are optimistic. He says the
prospect for future financial and industrial
growth there is excellent.
In conversation with Star reporter this
afternoon he said:
The financial affairs Of the island were
somewhat muddled when we took charge
in May, 1899. Under the Spanish regime
there seemed to be lack of system, and
the management, to say the least, was
somewhat unsatisfactory.
Financial Affairs in Good Shape.
I'VE have been steadily at work since
then, however, and we have been able to
put the financial affairs of the community
in very good shape. When our office was
established it was the idea of the depart
ment to inaugurate a system of financial
management along the lines of that pre-
vailing here. We have been able to secure
the active operations Of that system and
the general laxity Of methods has been
entirely oblfterated.
AT the present time the total balance
OF moneys in the treasury of Porto Rico,
including trust funds, is between So00CGO
and 100000. These trust funds. which in
clude a large proportion of the total
amount, are made up of allotments ordered
by the President from customs collections
in the United States, and the purpose of
the government, in general way, is to is
sue the allotments for public improvements
and instruction, or to meet any deficiency
in the revenues intended to meet current
l,s ~ A l~I -
available insular revenues Is now held in
the treasury, amounting to some S74,000 or
$4,000. These figures are far in excess Of
those which obtained under the Spanish
government. During the time when the
island was under the sovereignty of the
king the amount of money on hand was
generally very small, and very little pre-
caution was taken to meet emergencies
such as we prepare for from time to time.
Lately there has been considerable diminu-
ton in the amount of available funds in
the islands treasury for the reason that
immense sums are required by our gov
ernment for expenses incurred under our
new school system in furthering the propo-
sition to build good roads and other Inn
provements contemplated and being made.
The school budget alone last year amounted
to $40O 600, while during the present fiscal
year 1t will amount to probably $500000.
'"The American system Of government Is
proving more costly than that Of the Span
iards, but it is vastly more beneficial to the
residents Of the island in every particular.
General Business Conditions.
THE general business conditions of the
island, SO far as my observation led me,
are good. The people are especially pleased
with the recent free trade proclamation.
This had been a pet measure of theirs, and
its PRONUNCIATION was source Of much
qualification throughout the island 1t has
given the business men more confidence in
their various lines Of trade. There is GER
tainty now on every hand, while prior to i
the issuance OF the proclamation everybody
was somewhat in doubt as to just what
was to be done. The business element,
therefore, Is able to guide its actions ac-
cordingly. The free trade system will prove
OF great benefit to many, especially the
merchants dealing in sugar This year the
planters disposed OF their crops, in many
instances, before the new law was promul-
gated, and therefore some of them will not
receive much immediate benefit. but in tho
future the new law will be highly valuable
TO them as well as the merchants
Incursion of American Capital.
In speaking OF the incursion of American
capital in Porto Rico, Mr.. Garrison said:
Thus far the influx Of American money
mas not been as rapid and prolific as was
generally expected. In the matter Of pri-
vate improvements and the inauguration
of individual and corporate business
projects there seems to be some difficulty
experienced In raising the necessary funds.
AAc tiouoIe lies, Jn1lk, IN the QireC.
tlon OF degree Of uncertainty that exists
regarding titles to lands and the procure
ment of concessions. All this nebula will
undoubtedly be cleared up within a short
time when American capital will see it's
way more clearly to get into the island for
proftabie investment. Men with money
Will not invest 1t until they are sure they
Will receive returns. And any doubt con-
cerning titles and property concessions is
q condition not calculated to encourage
development.
An All-the-Year-Round Resort.
II think that within the near future
Porto Rico will develop greatly as an all
year-round resort for Americans seeking
comfort, pleasure and recuperation The
warmest day since American occupation
occurred during last May, when the ther-
registered SO degrees There is
considerable humidity there, however, SO
that the whole tale is not told simply by
the thermometric readings.
From the months of December until
May, however, the weather conditions are
simply beautiful. Very little convenience
Is offered to the travellers there at the pres
ent time, but with the future development
which is promised this Encouragement to
the influx Of American visitors will van
ish.
II think that in the future many Ameri-
cans will find Porto Rico an ideal resort
during almost the entire year."
MIR. CHOATE NOT MEDIATOR.