The Harrison times., 1917-01-27

SONtTUtu.
Porto Rico was not conquered by the
United States in one sense, although ii
was occupied during our war with
Spain when such Spanish soldiers as
were there were defeated In battles
that were nothing more than skir-
misheS. The Porto Ricans themselves
met the soldiers of Gen. Nelson A.
Miles with outstretched hands and
with hearts full of hospitality. Nearly
all of them were glad to get away from
the control of Spain.
Congress has been told from time
to time that the islanders expected to
be given certain rights as new men,
bers of the great republican family
which they had been denied in the
past. They are allowed today to elect
their own island house Of representa-
tiveS, but its will is entirely subject
to that of the American appointed gov
ernor and his executive council. An
other Edward Everett Hale might write
another Man Without a Country"
with a Porto Rican as its hero.
Some Want independence.
Through the years that have passed
when it became apparent to the Porto
Ricans that in the matter of beStOw-
ing American citizenship upon them
congress intended to act very slowly, if
at all, many Of the people have be-
come Indifferent to the American tie
and actually have demanded cOmplets
independence. There is in the island
today a considerable party which
hopes that the political bonds which
tie the country to the United States
today may sometime be severed. The
uniOnist party, however contains a
majority of the people and these de-
sire to continue the union with the
United States, but on the basis of
American Citizenship. Apparently it
is the belief of the American con-
gress that all the Porto Ricans event
ually will become satisfied provided
citizenship be given to them.
To Aid Vocational Training.
On the point OF passage, and soon
unquestionably to receive the preSi-
dents approval, is the bill which will
give federal aid to the various states
for the promotion of vocational educa-
ton in agriculture and the trades and
industries. Irrespective Of party, most
Of the members of congress seem to
think this measure is be one Of the
most salutary educational works ever
entered upon by the government
In brief, this vocational educational
measure provides for financial assis-
tance from the government, to be in
creased in amount from year to year,
for any state which in its own behalf
chooses to allOt certain amount OF
money from its treasury for the pur-
pose Of carrying forward the educa-
tiOnal endeavOr. The sums which are
to be allotted by the government to
the different states for the teaching OF
agricultural subjects are to be in the
proportion which the rural population
of these states bears to the total rural
population of the United States.
The sums which are to be appor-
toned in the states for instruction in
trade and industrial subjects are to be
| allotted in the proportion which the
states urban population bears to the
total urban population or the United
States,
Cabinet Members on Board.
The law creates a federal board for
vocational education. 1t is to consist
of the postmaster general, the secre-
tary of the interior, the secretary OF
agriculture, the secretary of commerce
and the secretary Of labor. This board
is to make studies and investigations
which will enable the government in
telligently to assist in the establish
ment of vocational schools and classes
and in giving instruction in agricul-
! ture, trades, industries, commerce and
commercial pursuits and home eco
nOmiCS.
Soon after the president signs this
vocational educational bill, which at
this writing is in conference between
the two houses, and virtually is GER
tain to pass, the board consisting Of
| the cabinet officers already named will
select a general director Of all vOCa-
tIonal educational work. He probably
will be paid a salary Of $500 year
A specialist in agricultural education
is to be employed, probably at salary
of $1,000 a year. Other specialists re-
ceiving like salaries will be named to
supervise trade instruction and COM
merclal instruction. 1t seems likely
that a woman will be appointed as the
specialist in home economics. Her
salary will be $1,000 year
The board also will be authorized
under the law to select an advisory
board to be composed Of seven men,
one from the economic arts, one from
agriculture, one from commerce, one
from labor in general and three from
the field of general education The
members Of this advisory board cannot
serve under the law for more than &c
days in one year, They are to re-
ceive no salaries, but shall have theii