Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-09-25
CAPE PALMAS. LIBERIA

into by which New York bankers
loaned to Liberia approximately ST.
100000 for 40 years. This was enough
to refund all the outstanding foreign
loans to put Liberia on her feet
financially.
1t was provided In the agreement
that a foreign receivership should be
established to collect Liberals customs
revenue. her head money revenues and
the rubber tax. The receivership was
TO consist of an American comptroller,
and British, French and German sub
comptrollers.
These four we're appointed by the
Liborian government on nomination
by their respective countries. They are
officers Of Liberia, not OF their own
nation. and are paid out OF its receipts
Mr. Clark, as the American member
Of the receivership, is comptroller OF
the Liberian revenues. and this is the
work upon which he is engaged.
Country Is Rich.
Slender. strong featured. his dark
hair shot with gray, Mr.. Clark in ap-
pearance is the typical New England
university man-alert. alive. keen. in.
telligent. And with II all he has the
mark that long public service In Wash,
ington puts on its men-the mark ot
courteousness, simplicity and frank
ness in demeanor and expression. In
q conversation at the University club
during his stay in Washington Mr..
Clark told something OF the country.
Said he:
Liberia is extraordinarily rich in
natural products. but has been littld
developed. No less that 22 varieties
OF rubber-producing plants grow there.
Rubber production is n staple indus
try. though most OF the rubber comes
from the: natural and not the cult,
waited groves. Palm oil and oil.bearing
palm nuts are other large products;
With an unlimited market for palm
oil. there are great possibilities in this
industry. /
"The coffee plant is indigenous 10
Liberia. The elephant coffee berry,
grows there In abundance. II has a
peculiar flavor, the taste for which is
acquired. but. once acquired, one pre-.
fers this to all other coffees. The ele.
phant berry also is used In producing
fine blends. Brazil and other coffee.
growing countries obtained their orig.
inal stock in many instances from Ii,
IBERIA. and still go there for scions for
use in plant breeding.
THE coastal country OF Liberia is
low and, in places, marshy. No harbors
exist, but at Monrovia is a splendid
roadstead. Relatively small sums ex.
pended in the construction OF break.
waters would create an ideal harbor.
The level country Is well covered by
vegetation.
Development OF the natural re.
sources Of the country has hardly be-
gun. What stands In the way Is lack
of transportation. There arc no rail.
roads. practically no roads. | have
never seen wheeled vehicle in Ii.
IBERIA. save small hand trucks in use
In tho stores In the towns. have
never seen beast OF burden In tho
country.
Travel is all on foot and one can 20
only 10 or IL miles day through tho
Jungle. All goods are transported by
hand. Consider that II takes a man at
least two days to carry TO the sea
coast q load Of palm oil or nuts or
rubber, and you can readily sec that
the cost OF transportation Just about
eats up the selling price OF the product.
Nevertheless trade thrives. The ex.
tent to which II would reach with
transportation and with intelligent do.
velopment OF the natural resources ls
almost unbelievable"