Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-30
Uncle Sam IN The Caribbean
1S-Rich Island of Poverty
Ri Frederic ]. Haskin

San Juan, Porto Rico March 19.-Since Porto
Rico came under American control its annual
production of wealth has increased from S4S,-
100000 to Sis 100000; roads and schools have
been built; light, water and sewage have been
introduced in the cities; the island has been con-
vertcd from sleepy picturesque bit OF Primi,
tive Spanish America into land of wealth and
modern industry.
There is only one thing that has not changed
much, and that is the condition Of the people.
When Spain owned Porto Rico the bulk of the
people were very poor; they lived as squatters
OF the owners and worked in the sugar fields for
40 cents day. Now they are still poor. though
the island is twice as rich, they are still squat
tiers and they work for 90 to 20 cents day, while
the cost of living has risen. In only one way
have they changed. These Porto Rican field
organized struggle for their rights. They have
thrown off the submissiveness instiled by SPANS
long rule Of fear, have organized themselves into
unions and have repeatedly gone on strike
Through their chief spokesman they gained
hearing when the Jones bill was being drawn and
for the electorate and for ofhce-holders struck
out Of the bill so that their legislative power as
a class is greatly increased.
The condition of these laborers is made acute
by the fact that Porto Rico is very small island
with a very large population, which owns little
capital and labor goes on everywhere But in the
United States, for example, it is ameliorated by
many things. Every man has opportunities to
better his condition. There are still public lands
which he may have for the taking, and others
which he may buy at low rates. All of the varied
resources and industries of great nation are be-
fore him.
In little island like Porto Rico it is very diff
ferent. A large part OF the urban property is
owned by Spaniards living in Spain, and to them
flows annually much of the islands wealth. The
street car lines of San Juan are owned in Can
is controlled largely from the United States.
Porto Rico is making money for many different
peoples but little for Porto Ricans.
Thus the Porto Rican laborer is at the mercy
of the landowners, many Of whom have never Wis
poor man can acquire ownership. There is no
work for the great majority OF the people except
the labor of the sugar fields. Formerly the
laborer was very poor and toiled and was con-
tent. Now he is very poor and tolls and is dis
contented. Hungry and lean, with bare machete
erty and equal opportunity which is mentioned
in the Declaration of Independence, the constitu-
ton Of the United States, and referred to by po-
litical orators These men have an organization
Of growing strength, and they are demanding
from the planters dollar a day for eight hours
Of work This the sugar interests refuse.
But whether they win their strikes or not, it
is apparent that some fundamental changes will
have to be made before industrial peace can be
permanently established in Porto Rico and the
condition Of the people permanently improved.
The leader and spokesman of the laborers in
Porto Rico is Santiago Igesas, Spaniard and
a man of education. He is not beloved Of the
governor, the chief Of police nor the representa-
tives of the sugar interests, but none of these
have any serious charge to make against him,
and it is probable that his efforts to better the
condition of the people will in the long run re-
dound to the benefit OF all Of them. The planters,
for instance, complain that these Porto Rican
laborers will not work hard and regularly. None
Of them seem to have reflected that man who
has to live on 90 cents a day, with the cost of
living what it is and without the prospect Of
raise, might lack both the energy and the incen-
tive to hard and regular work. At the docks
the laborers are paid somewhat better, and the
ship captains testify that they can trim a ship
more quickly and efficiently than the famous long
shoremen of New York. Likewise the sugar COM
panes are said to be making profit of 100 and
$50 per cent this year, the work evidently gets
done somehow.
The greatest need is to give the people chance
to own land. A man who has no place in the
sun" and no chance to acquire one is not on the
way to become a good citizen. There are 100000
acres of government land on the island which
could De div1ded into homeSteadS OF lew acres,
giving the laborer a home of his own and little
land to cultivate A law was passed by the Porto
Rican legislature directing the commissioner Of
the interior to divide this land and offer it to
the people. He id so divide one bit Of land. but
the people claimed that it was merely ruse to
colonze them around a certain sugar factory that
needed more labor, and they would not go. They
are suspicious Of the Porto Rican officials and
government. but they have considerable faith in
the United States congress,
high tax on uncultvated land would make
absentee landlordism less profitable than II is now
in some cases and would enable the people to buy
some Of the land now held for speculative pur-
poses
This has been very prosperous year in Porto
Rico. The crops have been good and the prices
very high. The island is dream of productive
beauty. You may ride through miles and miles
Of tender, pale:.green cane fields, dark orange
groves speckled with gold, pineapple fields hold
ing up their heavy fruit to the sun. Now and
again you fash through a squalid little village Of
palm thatch and lean dogs and half-naked chill
dren and dirt and stencil. II is like stain on
beautiful fabric-this shame Of poverty in rich
land.