The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1901-04-26
HEPDRIO R|COOF TODAY.
L. S. Rowe, of the Porto Rican Code
Commission, Talks About
the Island.
A COMPARISON WITH TWO YEARS AGO.
The Islanders. For the Most Part,
busy ON the solution of Problems
which should Have Been Faced
Century Ago, hut Progress IL
Being Made.

New York, April Pal. S. Rowe, of
the Porto Rican code commission,
has arrived here from San Juan. lie
brings with him the report of the
commission appointed by the presi-
dent in June of last year. After pre-
senting this report. DIR. Rowe will re-
turn to San Juan to assume the chair
manship of the new code commission,
appointed by Gov. Allen.
situation In the Island.
Speaking of the situation in the is
land, DIR. Rowe said:
THE statements concerning Porto
Rico have been so numerous and so
contradictory that it seems hazard
Gus to venture an opinion at the pres
ent time. The different points of
view represented in the statements
that have recently appeared are to
be explained by the fact that Porto
Rico, after period of uncertainty
incident to the change of sovereignty
is now settling down to the solution
of the problems which should have
been faced century ago.
A Comparison with $500.
THE spirit of pessimism, which a
small element of the population
seems intent on keeping alive, loses
it justification when the Porto Rico
of to-day is compared with the Porto
Rico of 1899. To-day fully organ
lied government, in which the people
are actively participating, is guaran-
teeing personal and property rights
throughout the island; justice is be-
ing administered with an impartiali-
ty hitherto unknown, and taxation,
which has been largely a matter of
favoritisln and partisan discrimina-
ton, is being placed on "a definite and
secure basis ard with the assurance
of equality and uniformity in admin
istration.
Many Problems Have Been Solved.
mo one will for a moment contend
that all or even the greater part of
the economic and political problems
confronting the island have been
solved. Nothing less than miracle
could have worked such a change.
But it is equally clear that firm
and lasting foundation has been laid
for the gradual solution of these i'm.
portant questions, such as the re-
generation of the coffee and tobacco
districts. the development of the fruit
trade, etc, upon which the future
prosperity of the island will largely
depend
Three Radical Changes.
1T must be borne in mind that Por-
to Rico has passed through three rad
ical changes of political system in as
many years. First came the change
under Spanish rule from absolutism
to autonomous regime, then the arbi-
trary rule of military government,
and. finally. the more liberal system
introduced by the Foraker act 1t is
not surprising that under such cir.
cumstances the spirit of unrest
should have developed. 1t is only
within the last six months that Porto
Rico has quietly settled own, deter
mined to help itself and solve its own
problems.
Impotence In Some Quarters.
"The Impotence shown in some
quarters by the native population be-
cause of the failure to give to the is
land within the short space of a year
complete system of roads and a
widely distributed system of govern.
ment loans to agriculturists is but
an indication of lack of acquaintance
with the difficulties of the situation
and will disappear with closer touch
and more active cooperation in the
work of public administration.