BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-14
The Horseless Horse.

Tie island Of Porto Rico Sc far behind
our Amer can citieHin most modern twentl-
eth century congeniences certainly has
outrun some Of Ter smaller friends in the
Union and is only about year behind the
Ojty Of New York in her adaptation Of the
motor wagon. 1t is hardly more than a
year, since the Fifth Avenue stage line in
New York put on few locomobile coaches
% run across Central PARK from east to
west, and it is not even 80 long ago that
tho Park Board Of New York City was
bitterly rent by discussion asXto whether
or ,not automobiles should be permitted to
run through Central Park.
Whatever other criticism we msy be
compelled TO bow our heads TO, We shall
never be compelled to stand criticism on
this subject from our friends on the CONT.
nent The latest news which We bave
received relative to the plans Of the auto
mobile men in Porto Rico is that q twelve
seated coach leaves San Juan to day tor a
trip to Ponce. Ii The run is a successful
one, as 1t surely will be, and if the plan
ia possible, which it certainly must be, a
regular line will be run between here and
Ponce. Taree twelve seated automobiles
will be put in use, and the time between
San Juan and Ponce and intermediate
points will be reduced by about one third,
and The prce OF the trip by about one hall.
And surely there should be no reason in
the world, or rather in Porto Rico why one
should not get from here to Ponce in less
than thirteen hours, the present rate oi
travel, al d there is also no reason why a
trip to the other end OF the island she uld
cost anywhere from eight dollars up. From
Long Island City to the town of Patchogue
tho far cod OF Long Island the fare is about
$3.50. 1t would furnish an interesting
study to compare the maps Of Porto Rico
and Long Island.
With the running OF this new line of auto
coaches the time between San Juan and
Ponce will be about six hours, the delays
which aie always likely to occur in oul
ordinary horse coaches will be done away
with, no changes or stops being necessary
and every coach carrying repair KIT aLd
machinist to repair any breaks that may
occur along the line the terrible faliguinl
journey which going to Ponce has necesstat
I'd In the past will be done away with, ani
tho traveller instead OF looking towards Q
necessary business trip with frown will bt
glad TO avail himself ofthe opportunity o
q tightening ride across mountain ant
valley and the many picturesuque spots or
| this island. Thsge VIEWS taken at the borsl
coach rate Of mile an hour become be
wiIdef;ng mazcs. sickenirg to The eye. Ths
automobile will change all this.
That the new line will be success canno
be doubted. That tic American who bit or
this scheme certainly displayed considerable
business acumen must be admitted, and tt
keep him here and the line which he proposes
TO Iun in operation should be the effort o.
our people and our officials. DO not star
in by placing all kinds Of fancy ordinances
on the statute books which will frighten thest
people away, instead make laws which vii
draw them 10 this island.
We need people who will do things all
The time. Every now Improvement no mat
ter how Insignificant acds to the sum total
Let this automobile man make some money
on you now, and the island of Poro Rico
will profil teofold In the Immediate fu,are
Once the hoiseless horse gets hold IN
Porto IL co make it stay, even il ou'ye goI
to pay premiums to do SO.