Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-22
Marvellous Growth in I'M
portance Of Island Affairs.
Vast Increase 10 Land Values
In Ten Years Just Passed.
Activity Of Governor Credited Is
land Advertised as Pleasure Resort

her export trade upwards of rs per
cent. over that of the preceding year.
while, coffee culture excepted. every
branch of industry has developed most
remarkably writes the San Juan cor
respondent of the Transcript. Our ex-
ports at the end of June, 1909, We're
So, 391, 227, while those at the end OF
June this year amount to $37 500, 2l9,
an increase of 81, 56S.994.
1t is generally conceded that this
stride forward in our business actiVl-
ties is in a measure due to the Strenu-
Gus efforts of Governor George r. Col
ton, who combines a sound admjniStra-
tive policy with up-to-date practlcal
business methods. His impartial atti-
tude toward all local political parties
has effectually quoted the frenzied
political agitation that inthralled the
country inhibiting business develop
ment when he assumed the duties OF
his office, a little over eight months
ago, while by drawing together men,
bers of warning Factions in financial Or
ganiZatiOns such as the Porto Rico
Association and Porto Rico Exchange,
he has made it evident that the true
welfare of the island lies in the thor
ough Development Of its resources
Now men of every political utilization
and religious denomination come to-
sether to, amicably discuss and pursue
the best methods OF bringing asricul-
tural and commercial prosperity to the
island, while a year ago to be seen to-
gether would have been construed by
intransieent confreres as treachery to
their principles
In addition to this, Governor Cotton
has Initiated vigorous campaign for
advertising the island as {; pleasure re-
sort and a field for excellent business
investment, the local Legislature ap-
propriating in it's last session $4,000 to
further the propaganda. At his sug-
&c stion a law has recently been enacted
providing for the protection of Porto
Rican cigars by an official brand which
they will henceforth bear to warrant
them as genuine, and he is entitled to
credit for his labor in helping to secure
for San Juan $425.O00 Federal building
to afford accommodation to the United
States District Court the Custom
House and Post Office departments, as
also grants of land from the Federal
Government at the base of San Chris
tobal Castle, the most picturesque part
of this city, portions Of which have
been allotted for the construction of
81, 600 900 hotel, a 100000 Young Mems
Christian Association building, $50
OCO Porto Rico casino and $4,000 Ma
sonic lodge. all of which will be begun
within the next few months.
Thus under Governor Colton's wise
administration, whose salutary effects
were promptly felt, capital both native
from
timidity inspired by previous unsettled
political conditions and large invest
ments giving promise of profitable and
speedy returns are being made.
During the month of June last no
fewer than fifteen new concerns with an
aggregate capital of $3.O12. 900. thirteen
Of which are to develop the sugar-cane
and fruit industries in the island, We're
incorporated and the outlook for the
current month gives promise of as
many more.
The sugar-cane developing concerns
established during the past month are:
The San Cristobal Centrale with ST.
900 900 capital; the Central Aianza with
$500. GOO; the Central Vannino with
$975, 900: the Utuado Sugar Company
with $500 900; the San Sebastian Sugar
Fsc's"N''
Sugar Company with 100000.
The fruit growing and packing cor
porations are:
The Import Packing Company. for
fruit growing and packing, having $751;
OeO capital; Ell Prospero Fruit Company
of Porto Rico $4,000; the South Attain
tic Fruit Company 100000; the Paul
Taylor Brown Company. fruit packing,
$50, 900: the Johnson Industrial Com
pany. general agriculture, $50 1000; the
Imperial Fruit Company, fruit grow
ing, $4,000: and the West Indies De-
velopng Company. developing fruit
plantations, 81, 600.
In addition to these the Mayaguez
Dock and Shipping Company with $75,
900 and the Porto Rico Review Pub
fishing, Company with $4,000 We're in
corporated.
The Central Vannino is located near
Rio Piedras. at about ten miles from
San Juan and the fact that the COM
pany paid $4,000 for eight acres of
land, $4,000 an acre, on which to erect
their plant ~is significant of the inn
mense pritits yielded by the sugar cane
industry in Porto Rico. The company
has negotiated with an American firm
for machinery to cost 100000 and has
contracted for 5000 acres of cane and
will give the planters who possess most
of the land six per cent. per ION of
cane gross weight. This is an advance
of One-half per cent above the price
paid for cane by other centrales and
the Central Vannino is expected to
grind $4,000 tons a day.
Ten years ago the land that has now
been purchased at $4,000 an acre was
valued at from IS to $12 per acre and
as near back as three years ago it
would not have fetched more than $50
to $40 per acre; thus those who have
taken time by the forelock and invested
in sugar-cane lands are reaping a rich
harvest.
In the interior of the island the price
of sugar-cane land varies from $50 to
$500 per acre, the value depending on
fertility and location.
The establishment of sugar centrales
at Camuy. San Sebastian and Las Ma
rias is stunning blow to the coffee in
dustry These are coffee growing dis
tricts and it was formerly believed
that cane would not thrive in the high
lands. This has been shown not to be