New-York tribune., 1921-12-22
Harding Backs
Appointments
I'm Porto Rico
lin Letter to Senate He De-
clares Natives Have Been
Given Preference in the
Matter Of Federal Jobs
Four Continentals Ousted
Asserts Governor RELY Has
Named Only z FormerU.S.
Citizens Out of 25 Chosen

From Ths Tribunc's Washington Bursou
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.--President
Harding, in q letter to Senator King,
of Utah, which was read in the Senate
to-day, set At rest charges that carpet
baggers" are being appointed to office
in large numbers in Porto Rico. Sem
ator King recently offered resolution
Of inquiry into such charges, and the
President, without waiting for action
by the Senate, sent the Senator the
information which he desired.
The President shows that as mat
ter of fact there are only fortytive
Americans holding Office in Porto Rico,
while there are nearly 5000 native Of
fee holders. The letter follows:
"The White House,
"Washington, d. c., Dec. 19, 1921.
"My Dear Senator King: My atten~
tion has been called to n resolution
which you presented to the Senate,
number Of continental and native citi~
zens in tho employ of the insular gov
ernment of Porto Rico.
Having learned Of the matter, felt
so ready to have you have the infor-
nation that l asked Governor Reilly to
ADVISE me concerning his appointments
so that might give you the desired
information without awaiting the sane
ton of the Senate by the passage of
your resolution.
Harding Ousted Four Contincntals
Governor Reilly became the chief
executive of the island on last July |,
and at that time found forty-nine con-
tinentals and 5,911 natives employed
in the insular government. The only
changes of any consequence since that
time have resulted in reducing the
number of continentals from forty
nine to forty-five. You will probably
be interested in having tho details Of
these particular changes. My appoint
ments to the island service are: First,
E. Mont Reilly, Governor, succeeding
Governor Yager, continental ap-
w. l.. Kessinger, auditor, succeeding
a continental appointed by President
Wilson; third, J. B. Huyke, Commis-
sioncr Of Education, Porto Rican,
succeeding Paul G. Miller, conti-
mental appointed by President Wilson;
fourth, Robert G. Todd, Commissioner
Of immigration, Porto Rican, sue
ceeding L. C. Evans, a continental an
pointed by President Wilson; fifth, NJ.
r. Ccsquera, prohibition director, a
Porto Rican, succeeding DR.. Donald
sun. a continental appointed by Presi-
dent wilson; sixth, H. S. Besosa,
United States agent for collection Of
internal revenue, Porto Rican, sue
tinental appointed by President Will
son.
You will note, therefore, that in
the major appointments there have
been six changes, and in four instances
otficeholders who were appointed from
the continent have been succeeded by
citizens Of Porto Rico. Other than
Governor Reilly, only one appointee
comes from Kansas City, Mo, namely,
the auditor, Mr.. Kessinger.
Natives Given Preference
"Since Governor Reilly has been in
executive authority he has made
twenty-five appointments to the island
government, and of this number two
are former cOntinentals who have re-
sided in the island for quarter Of a
century, who are representative citi-
zens, and both Of whom formerly held
the positions to which Governor Reilly
appointed them. One of these appoin-
tees was first named by President Taft
and the other by President Wilson. All
others are native Porto Ricans.
Governor Reilly informs me that
there are 174 continental American
teachers employed in the schools of
Porto Rico, this rumbcr including
those connected with the insular uni
versity. These governmental employees
from the continent are not included in
the list Of employed above quota. I
understand that the Commissioner of