Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-24

Col Theodore Roosevelts report as
Governor of Porto Rico shows such inn
proyement in conditions on the island
that the representative of this Govern
ment Is declared to have. shown unusual
capacity In dealing with the problems
that affect the welfare of the natives.
He Is commended by Americans for Civ
ing much attention to the need for a
self-supporting population.
Porto Rico's prosperity" according
to the Newark Evening News, lis only
relative, made conspicuous by the islands
poverty under the preceding years of
American rule. 1t counts its profits in
thousands of dollars whereas millions
of dollars are needed from the foster
Parent republic to bring standards of
living up to the average for which the
United States is 50 proud. Milk sta
tons for the Porto Rican babies are
being closed because the fund support
ing them withers before hard times on
the continent, and the notable advances
IN public health among our stepbrothers
and sisters in the Caribbean will halt
and slide back unless thought is given
them. Altogether the Governors re-
port bears out President Hoover's high
praise which he gave the Porto Ricans
on his visit there last Spring"
: Studying the projects that have been
Buffalo Evening News holds that most
important Of all Is the Homestead Com
mission, whose. functions are to provide
houses for workingmen and to establish
small farmers on Government property"
The Evening News adds: During the
past year $50 small farmers have heen
established in this way and more than
10000 acres are under contract. which
will provide for 1900 families. Here is
an idea in practical operation which
well may attract many students of hui
man welfare in all countries.
II the wage Garner were producing his
cwn food and maintaining his own
housing as q similar Incidental part of
his business occupation, any acute dis
tless among the e-bodied members
of a population. would be rare. Those
plantation hands in Porto Rico who
are raising their food supplies are In
the same position as If the normal cost
of their food had been added to their
wages, and they are earning this by
additional labor where 1t could not be
given them out of any profits which
their employers could make In depressed
seasons. This is the kind of help
which tends to make the relief of pow
erty permanent"
WIFI eIIlpLldSln upOA bAlc 0lSCOuTdS~
ing character of the Porto Rico prob
lens, the New York World Telegram
calls the results in the island lone of
the finest achievements of the Hoover
administration" and continues: ITO
conclude from these achievement that
Porto Rico Is now happy, healthy and
prosperous would be erroneous. One of
the Governors virtues Is his refusal to
put a good face en- a bad matter. He
properly warns Porto Rico and the
United States that there is long way
yet to go kefore life in that beautiful
island can be made decent for the ma
jority."
Within three difficult years" OBJ
serves the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel,
"Col. Roosevelt has achieved much that
his predecessors found impossible dur
ing better than quarter Of century"
That paper points to three outstand-
ing facts that may receive attention,
with the rtatement: First, the island
governments budget has come to
financial balance for the first time in
II years Second, the export trade Of
the Puertoriquenos, In spite OF year Of
Well-nigh universal depression, has been
held and increased to favorable
balance of IS per cent. Third, the vital
and educational statistics are showing
continuous advancement OF the islands
people in health, lowered mortality |
rates and general popular culture. We
trust that official and business circles
will nevertheless, decline to allow |
their gratification at these accom- |
plishments To detract from thar re- !
sponse to tiIsN appeal for larger interest
IN insular abairs that has character /