Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02

members, of whom at least five must be
natives and this executive council consti-
tutes the upper board of the Porto Rican
legislature We, as nation promised to
protect the island and help the Porto Rican
people to a higher plane. The best and
safest way is to instill in the youthful
minds patriotism for the flag and to intro
duce at the earliest date compulsory edu-
cation. Every American should contribute
to the best of his ability to the educational
fund of Porto Rico. The commissioner of
education for Porto Rico reported in 1891
that the average daily attendance in the
elementary schools was %, 435. out of a total
population of school age numbering 322, 1893.
The enrolment during the year was g., S02.
of which 1852 We're white and J695 were
colored boys, and S,763 white and $500
colored girls. The number of buildings in
use for schools was 100 in towns and 3SI
in rural districts.
Owing to the poverty of the peasant class
and the inadequate means of tranSporta-
ton. it seems that a school system extern
sive enough to cover all the territory to the
best advantage cannot be established for
several years, unless the United States and
its people come substantially to the aid of
the Porto Rican people. We can easily do
it if We will bend every energy in behalf OF
Aunt Dorothy'S Porto Rican fund.
HELENA DOGGY. Age 10,
800 Massachusetts avenue northeast.
1.-THE last report of the United States COM
missioner of education in Porto Rico tells
US that of a possible 100000 school attend
ance they have 10000 only enrolled, and
they must await help from the United
States to reach their present aims for help-
ing the Porto Rican help himself through
education. This is why Aunt Dorothy
Porto Rican fund was started. and the
children are leading the way. The Union
Savings Bank of " ashington is now ar
ranging to receive the deposits of the vari-
Gus circles at work So If the circle treas
urers do not want to hold the money them
selves. each treasurer may go to THIS
bank in the Bond building, at the corner
of New York avenue and 14th street north
west, and deposit 81 and receive a pretty
savings bank, and thus open an account Tor
his circle for the Children's League Porto
Rican fund. The bank officers keep the
key TO the bank, and 1T is expected that
once a month the circle treasurers Will re-
port taking their little banks to the larger
bank Thus the amount that is raised Will
be deposited i'll one place, and Aunt Doro-
thy may always know how much is being
done and how much money is being held IN
readiness for the call to be issued when we
have raised enough to make 1t worth While
to ask you all to order the bank offlcials TO
send this fund to Porto Rico. Aunt Doro-
thy herself has the promise of many adult
helpers who say they will send s. or more
to Commissioner Lindsay whenever she Is
sues this call, and it Is expected that at
least a thousand dollars will be subscribed
very soon and be ready to SEND when, need
ed by the school officials. AS you all know.
you are not to send money at any time. ex-
cept to the bank as directed above, or Wnen
YOU are told to do so through this page.
And then you must send 1t direct TO the
Porto Ricans, according to the address TO
be given you by the children editor OF lnls
page.-Ed.l