El Imparcial. (San Juan, P.R.) 1918-197?, 1919-05-06
OPINIONS OF MY OWN
Have you noticed how longtit
always elapses from the time
when anything is invented or dis
covered to the time when the
LOOKOUT FOR
PRIVILEGE
By Claudio Cap6.

III
81 80 --:x> covered to the time when the
common people, humanity at
large obtain the real benefit derived from that invention
or discovery?
Years ago when Marconi and de Forest startled the
world with their wonderful Inventions we remember
having read somewhere about the immediate benefit
which, everybody would derive because OF the great
reduction in the cost Of elegraphing all over the world
The paper where read about spoke OF ve cents per
word to Europe for the general public and OF course
considerably less for the press .t"
But although many years younger at JnaC Ile
septcism had already gotten hold OF u.s. when CONSIDER
ing matters Of this kind and we did not parake entirely
of that papers opinion No. that miracle couldn't happen
We didn't know what, but something told us the thing
was too good and beautiful to be true Indeed it was
few days after, when actual organization OF wireless
telegraphc company was consldered some OF the ola
cable companies stepped in and prevented either through
an Injunction in other way which we can't renem-
ber just now, the competition of the new concern Later
on both companies the cable and the wireless We're united
by the powerful bonds Of interests and business was
carried on as usual. We must not forget that the
millions invested in the cable business, plus the tremen-
dous amount of waered stock thrown about them (the
cables submarine, don't you knoW have to be pro-
tected. ~t 81 ""ss sAasssaaasM
AS far as we Porto Rcans concerned, please note
that the cost Of cabling from here to New York forty
cents per word and late last week it hfty SO,
you see we are making progress in spite OF ALL
you stop to think about any other industry the same
thing. Remember when transportation was carried on
by horse mule camel any other animal means OF loco
motion? Imagine what must have been the cost of one
pound of cinnamon or yard OF silk brought, over land
after many months from eastern AS to Europe! Now
they put in the hold of vessel the entire load OF thous
ands of cames and in few days the merchandise trans
ported to London Paris But don't imagine for Sc
cond that the people derived all the benefit OF the
Improvement from the very begnning they not hav
ing it even to-day.
Go to the machinery field How could any compare
the daily labor done by hand by a shoemaker
with the work turned out by the latest improved machi
merry during an equal period? But don't that cot
ton goods common ordinary shoes cheap as any
body would think they should be- in view of the industrial
progress realized Where has the benefit gone?
If from the material realm pass to the world OF
ideas, the same thing Remember how long it is since
we are talking of republic liberty, and FORTH but
don't trouble yourself going very far back, and just pic
tre in your mind the French cOnventonalS voting the
death of the king They spoke Of Liberty Equality and
Fraternity The kings head was chopped off all right
BUT HE DIDN'T DIE; royalty and nobility are still alive
right here in the republic even if you don't see the
crowns. - @sF F%@as@Ba a&MkM
But how is that? you ask of us; does all that mean
that all of struggles and anguish and anxiety have
been for nothing? No improvement? No progress? No;
all has not been in vain Improvement and progress
can be noticed; SOMETHING has been gained But the
greatest share hasn't been taken by the people
The people ignorant and such they have
to pay a very heavy tribute to PRIVILEGE.
How long yet going to let Privilege appropriate
the largest share in human progress?
WHERE THERE'S WILL Irretera is all the needed
THERE is A WAY. for additional track
Where there's will there's
Are you interested in hav- way.
ing good seet car service @ we Porto Rico Railway Light and
are in providing it? pouor 20
Qess you "ahC II we cano' San Juan wouldn't be San
- . Juan without the street
is as much yours With <,..,,o