Evening journal., 1908-05-13
WORDS OF PRAISE
FOR PORTO RICO
John S. ROSSeII, Back From
Five Weeks Trip. Tells
Interesting Story
ISA TROPICAL SWITZERLAND

ling gracefully north and south, with
beautiful valleys and rivers and .ivu-
let's flowing to the Atlantic ocean and
caribbean sea, make up a panorama
that charms and delights the tourist"
In these words, John 5. Rossell, sec
retary of the Security Trust and Safe
! deposit Company, and prominent
member of the Board of Trade. who
returned yesterday from a five weeks
trip to our nearby insular possession,
Expressed his opinion of Porto Rico.
Mr. Rossell tells a very interesting
story of his visit, during which he was
able to collect much valuable informa-
ton concerning the island. its people
and its government. He returns with
the most favorable Impressions and
recommends to anyone who desires a
'restful and highly instructive vacation
to take in Porto Rico. He reports the
climate as very pleasant throughout
the greater part of the year, but says
that one must know how to safeguard
against the suns direct rays during
midday to avoid i'll effects, and must
be sure to adopt precautions against
mosquitoes at night.
Hotel accommodations are not Of
the best. and outside of the cities it
lis a little trying to Americans, but
generally this is not very objection
able" he said this morning. "The ma
tives do their best to make their guests
comfortable, and there is an appreci-
liable effort to improve the hotel SER
vice. There is a splendid opportunity
for the establishment and profitable
Operation of a circuit of hotels on the
American plan throughout the island.
land ~ will ha hafnra nff fn1
will find its employment in this, among
other enterprises Of a promising char
acter, required by the needs of the
island
Great Progress Made
1T is admitted by all that great
progress has been made since Amerl-
can occupation. ten years ago. and the
business Of the island has been SO
highly developed that it is conhden.y
lexpected that the next ten years will
bring the island and its people 70 a
still more prosperous state. There is
great need. however, OF more capital
to work out these results. and from
what l have learned large returns
await those who have the courage tC
engage in business in Porto Rico. The
, working capital Of the island is now
estimated at $5,OO0.OOO. At least S10.-
= 000,O 600 are necessary to promote the
D various undertakings that should fe-
e ceive attention.
s "The people are kindly disposed and
r allowing for climatic influences. are
! very Industrious. Good returns are
G obtained from labor and the wages dre
comparatively low. The average Il
I placed at from so to 60 cents per day
r There is a strong demand for an in.
I crease. and no doubt this will come
with improved methods.
i Sugar Cane Industry
! "The raising of sugar cane is one
of the largest industries of the island
, and the lands most suitable for thi.
= purpose command a good price. I Wis
tied the Guanica Central, the larges
sugar plant in the world. This cen
Q tral is controlled by American capita
y and has an output of between 40,0Ol
Z and $4,000 tons of sugar annually.
e gives employment TO a large number
: of persons, all of whom appear TO bl
S prosperous. There are a number o
t other centrals throughout the island
. and all are reported to be doing well.
= "The coffee industry. which interest
T perhaps nearly half the population. h
somewhat depressed, but with addi
Itional capital and the introduction o
more scientific methods of cultivation
could be revived. This was the chic
Industry of the island in the Spanisl
time, but with loss of the profitable
\ markets with Spain and other Euro
lpean countries, and the destructive ef
fects Of the hurricane in 1899, the pro
duction fell off very largely and tn
: reduced prices obtained have made tn
~ coffee growers poor.
- Cities Are Active
"The principal cities and towns o
a the island present scenes of the great
: lest activity. The banking and com
a lmercial institutions are handling tn
"a business that comes to them as ener
"a Igetically and as intelligently as d
n Isimilar establishments in the States
Ie They are fully alive to all the demand
" and are thoroughly conversant wit
financial and trade conditions through
Z out the world. They have close con
,r INJECTIONS with the United States an
" Europe, and in conversation the offi
l. GERS give every evidence OF full ap
n probation of the intricate problems o
finance and trade.
TT is, perhaps expressing It to
strongly to say that Porto Rico ha
I. 1.-THE best system of insular and mu
% lnicipal administration to be foun
l. lanywhere, but the fact is that for al
le 1.-THE requirements of the island, gov
= lernmental methods are up to date, an
d when it is remembered that the pres
= ent system has been developed out q
le a rather chaotic condition, the highes
l. praise is due to those who have la
i bored so long and earnestly in tn
work. I inquired into the details q
the general government Of the islam
and was greatly pleased to find tina
in every branch the closest study ha
been given to the intricate problem
Il presented and the most gratifying re
y suits worked out / believe that stu
dents of government in the State
would learn much from inquiring int
a . the splendid system that has bee
IN built up I'm Porto Rico.
Df Government of Island
n "The island is governed under wha
IA is known as the Foraker Act, passe
Of by Congress, which provides for
r COVE. nor. an executive council Z
ut eleven members and a house OF dele
IN gates of thirty-hve members. Th
governor and members Of the execu
he tive council are appointed by tn
%. Continued on Second Page. g.