The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-24
PORTO RICANS
CHEER HOOVER
PROGRESS PLEA
Make Economic Steps the
'BuIWark of Liberty
President Says.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press STAFF Correspondent

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, March
24.-Economic advancement can be
made the "bulwark of liberty and
freedom ITSELF" President Hoover
told the people Of Porto Rico this
morning, delivering his formal
speech here before the legislature
after a brief visit to the islands
largest city and just before return
ing to Ponce, to embark on the
battleship Arizona for the Virgin
islands.
1--WE wish to see every Porto Ri
can with the same opportunities in
life to which we believe every
American is entitled" he said.
Economic advancement is not
necessarily the foundation of moral
and spiritual advancement, but it
can be made so if We SO conduct our
institutions that prosperity shall be
diffused among all our citizens.
IF we use its surplus to advance
the cultural, the moral and spiritual
welfare of our people, then economic
advancement serves not along these
purposes, but becomes the bulwark
Of liberty and freedom itself"
Praises Governor Roosevelt
The President praised the ac-
complishments of the Porto Rican
people, noting the hardships in
flicted by the recent disastrous hurri-
cane and spoke words Of encourage
ment. He praised highly the work
of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Gov
ernor of Porto Rico.
"Our nation is proud of the
progress made by the people of
Porto Rico. Endowed with liberty,
freedom, with self-government and
individual opportunity through in
corporation under the American
flag, the island, by the efforts of its
citizens and the cooperation Of the
whole United States, in a single
generation has emerged from stag
nation to a high place in the march
of progress.
IlIiteracy Is Decreased
"You have in this single genera
ton, since joining in our citizenship,
increased more than go per cent in
population, increased over 500 per
cent in material wealth and over 800
per cent in attendance upon public
schools. You have decreased litter
acy by almost so per cent and the
death rate has been diminished by
more than so per cent.
Crowds were nnassed on the steps
of the capitol and in the plaza at
dawn to be sure Of hearing the fare
well address.
1t was q gay throng, bent on
showing anew the tremendous en-
thUsiasm with which they greeted
the President Monday.
Roosevelt told correspondents that
the reception was bigger than the
greeting given Colonel Charles A.
Lindbergh on his visit here.
Roosevelt introduced the President
to the throng as "Muy Sirnpatico," a
complimentary Spanish phrase,
which practically defies exact trans
lation into English.
Called Regular Fellow
The governor meant Mr.. Hoover
was sympathetic and understanding
and a regular fellow with it all.
The crowd understood and cheered
loudly.
What we hope to see in Porto
Rico is the developing of it as a
connecting link between the Amer
lcas," Roosevelt said. 'First, I am
trying to persuade industries need
ing men for Latin American coun-
tries to use Porto Ricans. They
are American citizens, but Latin,
and understand the little niceties
which are important in the end.
The American has to learn them,
while the Porto Rican has them
naturally and is much better fitted
for South American service"
Roosevelt told correspondents
that unquestionably the United
States had naismanaged some of her
lnSular possessions in the past,
and that it was necessary to work
slowly toward better methods.
1t is known, however, that the
administration has no plans for a
change in the islands status.
The reception at the Fink palace
Monday night was one o. the most
colorful this city has known. Gov
er1or Roosevelt was host.