Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-15
PROGRESS IS NOTED
Island of Porto Rico Under
going Improvement.
CABINET MEMBERS VIEWS
People Generally Prosperous, With
Exception of Coffee Producers.
Changes in Law Proposed.

A general improvement OF conditions in
Porto Rico, political, commercial and
sanitary, may result from the recent
visit of Secretary Dickinson to that island
possession Of the United States. In con-
versation with a Star reporter last night
in regard to his trip the Secretary said
that general conditions In Porto Rico are
gratifying.
THE people, except those engaged in
the production Of Coffee" said he, "are
generally prosperous. Through the polit-
ical relations established between Porto
Rico and the United States they have lost
their foreign market and have been I'M
able to compete successfully with the
Brazilian coffee In the United States. It
is hoped that this industry will be revived
by creating a demand for the coffee on
account OF It's superior quality and also
by the improved methods In agriculture,
which will increase the production and
tighten the cost
Governors Vigorous Policy.
Gov. Cotton has taken hold Of the
governorship vigorously, and has made
a good impression by the earnestness,
zeal and ability he has displayed. There
seems to be general satisfaction with his
administration, and the promise is good
for the cultivation of still closer rela-
tons between the Porto RicanS and the
people of the United States and for the
general advancement of the prosperity Of
the island. A number OF proposed changes
in regard to the organic law of the island,
embodied in what is known as the For
aker act. have been mooted, such as a
conference Of collective citizenship, the
election OF a senate by the people. the
separation Of executive from legislative
1ivSaif ito % he nla
franchise, the bringing of questions of
sanitation and administration under a
central power, the payment of the ex-
penses of the federal court by the United
States and many minor changes of less
significance. All of these questions were
inquired into. and in due time recon-
mendationS will be made to the President
with regard to them.
No one who has not been to Porto
Rico has any conception of the beauty of
the island. its productivenuess and the
hea.thfulness and comfort Of the climate.
1t Is destined to become a popular " IL
ter resort for people of the United States
and nothing is needed therefor except
steamer facilities. 1t has been suggested
that the government encourage a plan
for hotel by permitting the use of a
portion OF the public lands fronting upon
the sea as site for it.
Rich In Historic Interest.
Porto Rico is rich in historic interest.
and there are many splendid massive
buildings constructed by the Spanish
which are now util zed for public p1lr-
poses. One building Of special interest
is the Casa Blanca. which was built by
Ponce de Leon for residence. There
is no more attractive ride In the word
than from San Juan to Ponce, over a
magnificent road constructed by the
Spanish government and maintained in
q frst-class condition by the present gov
eminent.
II returned by San Domingo and spent
a day there looking into the administra-
States Of the port collections. These
were being handled in satisfactory way.
The trip to the West Indies on the
Mayfiower was uneventful, barring some
roughness of weather and the seasickness
incident thereto. in which, however, L
did not participate"