Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-07-07

Porto Rico as a tropical paradise for the henefir
oI second-rate American office seekers the Porto
hlcahs would have genuine grievance If the
nnances Oh the island were administered for the
Deient OF the government at Washington or if
ue commerce of the island were under restrictions
that retarded local prosperity then certainly por
10 hlco would have grievances But happily Un-
GIG sam mas made good record in these respects
Araue oetween Porto Rico and the United States
Is as 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
lhe 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
flcans are in an extremely fortunate position. The
Islands outstanding Indebtedness is only about
$lO,OooOOO. All of the revenues raised by Porto
Rican taxation applied to the islands own pur.
poses and are subject the disposal of the legs-
lature. In addition to these local revenues the
United States government pays back TO Porto Rico
Tor its own uses all the sums collected by our Gus
tomhouse officers at the islands ports on goods
from foreign countries. The Porto Ricans are nor
subject to national income or other direct
taxes, and therefore 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 cost of maintaining
defensive establishments.
one lHiuS, dlInoSI Llle eHtlTe pOpulallO0 must
be rehoused Families are large, and the typical
home is very small and slight structure thatched
with palm leaves, so primitive and lacking in
all that makes for comfort, convenience, health.
and family dignity that 1t must be condemned and
superseded a matter of public policy. The ip-
fuence of excellent schools in the towns is al
ready having marked effect upon the improve
ment of home conditions. In San Juan, the capt.
tal the government itself is building large suburb
of small concrete houses with suitable appoint
ments, and selling these on a longtime plan to
workingmen.
1t takes courage to aim high and to work toward
the realization Of the largest possibilities Look
ing the future, 1t is easier entertain the no
ton of independent Porto Rico associated DO
litcally 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 Anglo o-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 an age in which per.
sonal liberty and local distinctiveness seem to be
entirely keeping with large organizations of gov
ernment of commerce, and of culture for purposes
of common welfare.
Porto Rico need not fear that she will be a neg
lected Cinderella In the American household II
is probable that she play her part in the Carib
bean regions with more Influence and success IL
she abandons 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 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 tust
now from the standpoint of democratic progress
than the achievement of outward forms of a more
complete home rule. Statehood may be expected
as the ultimate thing.
In theory, of course the Porto Ricans should
choose their governor. practice howovar
it would probably be best for Porto Rico at leasr
for some time to come, that the governor should
be named by the President of the United States
LatinAmercan countries often victimize them