Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26
Mica in
Brewing.

ing dry" This is mica. It is used ex-
tensively in the publication and test
ing of beer. Through the government
agencies other markets to the south
are being cultivated.
Another phase Of the way in which
the government is seeking to i'm
prove conditions for foreign trade is
seen in hearings to be held next week
on a bill which has just been intro
duced in Congress by Representative
Garrett of Tennessee, at the request
of the bureau of insular affairs of the
War Department. This proposes that
the United States should send a COM
mission to Porto Rico to study indus
trial and economic conditions there.
The foreign trade interests of the
United States have been much con-
cerned about Porto Rico and are eager
to cooperate with the federal gov
eminent for an improvement. Those
especially whose trade has been con-
nected with the production of sugar.
citrus fruits. pineapples and the to-
bacco crop in Porto Rico are anxious
to have works put forward which will
minimize the unemployment which
has seriously fnterfered with com
merce in those things which the island
can yield at a minimum cost.
The bill proposes that the President
be authorized to appoint a commission
of not more than three members to
proceed to Porto Rico, to study the
situation and report to the President
with recommendations regarding the
industrial and economic conditions. An
appropriation of $500 is carried in
the bill for expenses of this work.
with the proviso that the pay of the
| a{c0f ND ho ofrr hal I
not be more than $40 each per day for
time actually devoted to this enter
prise.
The bureau of insular affairs expects
that this commission will be able to
make recommendations which will so
develop the industries of Porto Rico
as to do away with unemployment,
which has seriously interfered with
peace and commerce. 1t is believed
that the agricultural interests may
be developed, that American capital
may be induced to build up the in
dustries and that source of raw ma
terials at cheap production cost may
be provided for American ref1nerieS.
The bureau Of insular affairs feels
that the over-population Of Porto
Rico, with more than
Porto Rican million and a quar-
n. ter Of people in less
Condlaons. than 1000 square
miles of territory, is the real cause
of unstable conditions, because there
is constant unemployment. which
always produces unpleasant condi-
tions. It is the purpose of the War
Department to send this commission
to Porto Rico just as soon as it is
authorized by Congress.
Protection of the American market
against inferior grades Of commodi-
ties from other countries is also re-
ceiying close attention from the
federal authorities. Consuls and
commercial agents are using their in
fluence in the foreign shipping mar
kets to see that only quality goods
are sent to this country. For ex-
ample, the question of postwar trade
in tea between the Netherlands East
Indies and the United States Is of
considerable Importance. A strong
effort is being made to retain a pro-
portionate share Of the American tea
trade in competition with Indian,
Japanese and Chinese teas. which
have in the past controlled the Amer
lean market.
Inc foreign LfaOG interests Oh the
United States are DESTROYS Of continu-
ing to take tea from Java, where the
United States during the war has
been the largest purchaser. The
United States wants this new source
of supply and wants to take tea as
return cargo when manufactured
goods are shipped to the Netherlands
East Indies. At the same time a
strong protest and warning has been
registered against overlooking the
American market with Javan tea and
against the poor quality OF the leaf
shipped. 1t has been frankly stated
that unless some method of control
is exercised as regards the grade of
teas sent to the United States future
trade in this market will be lost.
WILL P. KENNEDY.