The age-herald., 1901-04-07
GOVERNOR ALLEN
 WILL NOT RESIGN Has Long Conference With
 President Mckinley CONDITIONS IN PORTO RICO 1t Is Understood That Allen Wanted To Resign, But the President Per suaded Him to Remain at
 His Post.
CONDITIONS IN PORTO RICO

Washington, April 6-Charles IT. Allen, Governor of Porto Rico, who arrived in Washington this morning had an hours conference with President Mckinley to- day. Great interest was manifested in Governor Aliens visit on account of the rumors that have been rife ever since he sailed from San Juan, that 1t was his in- tention to relinquish his post in the is- land.
 After the conference, however, Cover nor Allen announced that he would not resign, but would return to his duties in Porto Rico about the first week in May. It is pretty well understood that Cover nor Allen came to Washington in the hope that the President would relieve him of his duties in Porto Rico and that he asked the President to do so, but tho President prevailed upon him to continue at the head of the administration of the affairs of the island
 Governor Allen enjoys the confidence of the President to very high degree, and he felt that 1t was his duty to accede to the wishes of the chief executive. Speak, ing about the affairs of the island, Gov ernor Allen said:
 "The civil government established in Porto Rico is working smoothly. The va rious departments have been organized and our administration is seemingly giv- ing general satisfaction. In a material way there has been wonderful progress. Much of the island which was not under cultivation under the old regime is be- ing taken care of and made profitable The island is good field for products that can be shipped to the United States and especially oranges and other fruits.
 A Fruit Growing Country.
 The advantages possessed by the Porto Rican fruit growers on account of the discrimination In their favor, as far as tariff duties are concerned, which will be increased when all duties are removed July l, cannot but result in making 1t great fruit-growing country. Recently people who are interested in the growing of lilies and other flowers, as well as onions and potatoes in Bermuda, have been looking over the island with a view to transferring to Porto Rico the agri- cultural industries that have made Ber- muda famous A faint idea of what this would mean to the island can be gathered from the fact that last year this country imported from Bermuda 4000 GOO bushels of onions alone. In the old-established in dustries in Porto Rico there has been great improvement in all except coffee growing and production. Unfortunately this is languishing at the present time The production of sugar has been in creased from 40, 900 tons last year to prob ably 100000 tons (estimated) for this year. The sugar industry Is bound to flourish owing to the tariff discrimination in its favor Upon the crop estimated for this year the Porto Ricans will save 8. 3.500, 900 in tariff duties. The orange industry is being increased by the investments of Americans. The fruit is delicious and there is plenty of land to be had for its cultivation.
 Hollander Tax Law.
 When asked about the alleged unpop- ernor Allen explained that there was necessarily much misunderstanding about the inauguration of a purely American system of taxation. based upon property valuations to take the place of the Spanish system in vogue for over 300 years He said the total valuation of property In Porto Rico would be close to 500, 900. 900 and under the law but one-half of per cent could be levied for municipal purposes and the same for insular pur- poses. This would raise about $1. 1.000000. The other million necessary to make up the total budget would be raised by ex- else taxes on rum, cigars, cigarettes. etc. Governor Allen said that taxation under the Hollander law was lower than in any of the States of this country. "The Administration of the island" con
 
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