The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-07-02

Porto Rico as tropical paradise for the benefit
OF second-rate American office seekers, the Porto
hlcahs would have genuine grievance If the
finances of the island were administered for the
benefit of the government at Washington or If
the commerce of the island were under restrictions
that retarded local prosperity then certainly POr
10 RICO would have grievances. But, happily IN
Gle Sam has made good record in these respects.
Trade between 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 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 an extremely fortunate position. The
islands outstanding Indebtedness is only about
$1O,OO0,OOO. All of the revenues raised by Porto
Rfcan taxation applied to the islands own pur-
poses and are subject to the disposal of the legs
lature. In addition to these local revenues the
United States government pays back to Porto Rico
for its all the sums 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 exempt from the burdens
imposed by our immense 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
our defensive establishments.
For one thing, almost the entire population must
be rehOused Families are large, and the typical
home is very small and slight structure matched
with palm leaves, primitive and lacking in
all that makes for comfort, convenience, health,
and family dignity that it'must be condemned and
superseded a matter of public policy. The in
huence of excellent schools In the towns is al
ready having marked effect upon the improve
ment of home conditions. In San Juan, the CAPT.
tai the government itself is building large suburb
of small concrete houses with suitable appoint
ments, and selling these a longtime plan to
workingmen
1t 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
ton of an independent Porto Rico associated po-
litically with other Latin American entities sur
rounding the Caribbean sea. And this conception
might be fully justified If the alternative meant
rough and tactless attempt to AnglO-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 dlstnctiveness 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 Il
Is probable that she play her part in the Carb-
bean regions with more influence and success If
she abandons all thought or a ruture 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
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 own governor. In practice, however
It would probably be best for Porto Rico, at easr
for some time to come, that the governor should
be named by the President Of the United States.
Latin-American countries often victimize them