The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-07-23


of second-rate American Office seekers, the Porto
Rfcans would have genuine grievance. If the
finances OF the island were administered for the
Deneht OF the government at Washington. or II
the commerce of the island were under restrictions
that retarded local prosperity, then certainly Por-
to Rico would have grievances. But, happily, I'm
Gle Sam has made a good record in these respects.
Trade between Porto Rico and the United States
Is free as trade between New York and New
Jersey. The production and commerce Of the is
land have increased enormously under the Amer
lean regime.
Porto Rico has a local income tax dating from
the war period, but the surtaxes are at very low
rates as compared with those Of our national in
come tax. As regards public finance, the Porto
Ricans are in extremely fortunate position. The
islands outstanding Indebtedness is only about
$10O09,0O0. All Of the revenues raised by Porto
Rcan taxation are applied to the islands own pur-
poses and subject to the disposal of the legis-
lature. In addition to these local revenues the
United States government pays back to Porto Rico
for it's uses all the collected by our Gus
tomhouse officers at the islands ports on goods
from foreign countries. The Porto Ricans are not
subject to our national income or other direct
taxes, and therefore are exempt from the burdens
imposed by our immense war debt. They are pro-
tected by the army and navy OF the United States
but do not pay any part of the Of maintaining
our defensive establishments.
For one thing, almost the entire pOpuiatlon ihust
be rehoused. Families are large, and the typlca
home is very small and slight structure thatched
with palm leaves, so primitive and so lacking In
all that makes for comfort convenience, heaitn
and family dignity that it must be condemned ana
superseded as a matter of public policy. The IN
.fuence Of excellent schools in the towns Is al
ready having a marked effect upon the improve
ment of home conditions. In San Juan, the capi-
tai the government itself is building large suburb
Of small concrete houses with suitable appoint
ments and selling these on a longtime plan to
workingmen.
It takes courage to aim high and to work toward
the realization of the largest possibilities Look
ing to the future 1t Is easier to entertain the no
ton Of an Independent Porto Rico associated po-
liticaly with other Latin American entities sur
rounding the Caribbean sea. And this conception
might be fully justified If the alternative meant
a rough and tactless attempt to Angle-Saxonize
Porto Rico or to subject its people to rules, Gus
toms and standards that seem to them both strange
and unpleasant. But this is age in which per-
sonal liberty and local dstfnctiveness seem to be
entirely in keeping with large organizations of gov
eminent Of commerce, and of culture for purposes
of common welfare.
Porto Rico need not fear that she will be neg
lected Cinderella in the American household. 1t
is probable that she can play her part In the Carib
bean regions with more influence and success II
she ahandons all thought Of future substitution
Of her local flag for the Stars and Stripes. Por-
TO Rico will inevitably be managed by Porto Ricans
for their own welfare. There is not the slightest
danger of domination from Washington for the
benefit of continental America and to the harm Of
porto Rico. The training and development of the
PORTO Rican people is much more important just
now from the standpoint of democratic progress
+;nan the achievement of outward forms of more
comn,ete home rule. Statehood may be expected
as the ultimate thing.
In theory Of course, the Porto Ricans should
choose their own governor. In practice, however.
i would probably be best for Porto Rico, at least
for some time to come that the governor should
NJ named BY the President Of the United States.
I.atin-American countries often victimize them