Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-14
RICO THRIVING
Development Since United
States Took Possession.
GROWTH OF SUGAR TRADE
Fourfold Increase Since American
Occupation in 1898.
OVER MILLION INHABITANTS
People Peaceful and Happy Under
Present Administrations
ing Shows Advanced Ideas.

Porto Rico has a great future ahead
of her. Her agricultural possibilities are
enormous. The capital which is needed
to develop the resources OF the island
is coming into the country
This statement was made by ID. \.
Skinner. supervisor Of the census in
Porto Rico who has just reached Wash
ington and will remain here to write his
report on the census and conditions OF
the island.
MI Skinner has thorough knowledge
Of the island. its people and conditions
He has been employed there in an Of
fetal capacity ever since 1898 when the
United States took possession
Before he became supervisor of the
census Mr.. Skinner was the assistant
secretary Of Porto Rico. He served in
this capacity under William F.. Willough-
by. who was secretary of Porto Rico, and
who is now assistant director of the CEN
sus bureau
Mr.. Skinner has also served in Porto
Rico as chief Of the bureau of property
taxes in the treasury department, as as
sistant postmaster and as consul
Growth of Sugar Trade.
How great has been the development
of the island since the United States
took possession of it can be gathered
in part. from the great increase in the
sugar trade. Porto Ricos chief business"
SAID Mr. Skinner In 1893 the produc-
ton Of sugar was about $4,000 tons. In
tIsstf Af
about BOO 900 tons
Under the Payne tariff law the sugar
industry in Porto Rico receives protec-
tloh, such as is granted the sugar indus
Try IN the United States. This enables
the islanders to successfully compete
with the Cuban manufacturers"
The people seem we'll satisfied with
American rule. Says MIR. Skinner. and
are thriving under ii. He gave credit to
GOV Cotton for quieting the political
troubles or few months ago
GOV. Cotton Is doing more and more
TO interest the people in business and
In the development of the country's re-
sources, continued Mr. Skinner He
Is making them forget their political diff
ficulties
We have never had any revolutionary
movement to overcome in Porto Rico
SUCH as has had to be overcome in the
Philippines. The Porto Ricans are a
peaceful, peace-loving people.
Small Police Force Needed.
You can judge that the people are
peaceful from the fact that the whole is
land is policed by a force Of between 900
and 700 policemen.
Mr.. Skinner said he was not permitted
at this time to give an estimate of the
population of the island. There are more
than million inhabitants of the island.
It is learned.
They are intelligent" said Mr.. Skin
ner. The entire census has been taken
by Porto Ricans and in the Spanish
language, the language OF the island
L had eight special agents under me. all
Of them Porto Ricans, and nearly 300
who were also islanders
The laws under which the Porto Ri
cans are governed are much the same as
in this country. They have adopted a
code which is practically that of Cali
fornia.
Their corporation laws are much the
same as those Of New Jersey But they
have Outstripped many American
communities in the adoption of excellent
laws for the control of public service
Their law dealing with the public
service corporations is much similar to
that in New York. There is a committee
on franchise, which goes carefully into
the facts in the case before any charter
Is SIdHtcu corporation TO eSta bllSh
public service
Circum-Insular Trolley.
Mr.. Skinner said that the islanders
are extending their railroads and that
eventually there will be lines running
all around the island and connecting
all principal points. The sugar manu-
facturers. many of them, operate their
own railroads at present. In San
Juan. the capital of the island. which
is on the north side, and Ponce, the
largest city on the south side of the
island, there are electric railways
An effort is being made. said Mr.
Skinner, to increase the production OF
coffee. Speaking of the attempt made
by a number OF the coffee growers to
have duty placed upon coffee. when
the Payne tariff law was under dis
cussion. Mr.. Skinner said he did not
think the present output of the island
would have justified such a tariff
New York alone could consume all
the Gomez grown at present in Porto
Rico said Mr.. Skinner But the cof-
fee men are organizing. better methods
Of cultivation will be adopted and the
area planted will be increased. In
doubtedly there is a big future ahead
OF the industry in the island