Evening star., 1936-05-10
Island Suffers Blight
Commercial Exploitation Accompanies Political Atism.

the other two. It Is the Nationalist
party, headed by Albiza Campos. In
the last election it cast about 5000
votes. The unrest which may develop
as result of this party comes from its
leader and his American experience.
Campos Is graduate Of Harvard
with a hatred of Americans. This
hatred was born of determinations
shown against him while a student in
America and intensified by his service
in the World War.
Labor conditions in the island are
good. There is no unrest, no strikes,
no boycotts, according to Gov. VIM
ship, who recently made a visit to
Washington. I'VE have got labor and
capital" he said. Ito come to an agree
ment under which minimum wages
and maximum hours are provided for.
The great thing now is to solve unem-
ployment, develop the land, industries
and tourism-especially the latter"
From tourists who may be inveigled
to visit the island Gov. Winship Is
hopeful of q great revenue. There Is
no reason, in his opinion, why the
island should not attract $100, ,0o0, 900
to 1t annually as q playground for the
mainland. The climate Is unsur-
passed. The Winters average around
rs degrees F. and the Summers 73.
Being mountainous and surrounded
by the sea, the island Is remarkably
healthful and temperate. though in
the tropics. There are innumerable
historic spots to be visited. San Juan
was making preparations to celebrate
its first centenary before st. Augustine.
Fla, accredited with being the oldest
city in the States. was yet founded.
Moro Castle Famed.
And while romance trods the heavy
fiagstones of old San Juan In the
shadowy shapes Of young lovers, war,
and the grim business Of destruction,
follow the footsteps along the fortress
walls of MORO Castle, built In 1889 by
the Spaniards as q protection against
sea attacks. Then there Is Caneulo
Castle, in the middle channel, San
Cristobal Castle and San Geronimo.
And nearby San Cristobal Castle, the
Haunted Sentry Box" where many
strong bodied guard was carried
of in olden times by an evil spirit,
leaving not trace of his presence be-
yond the strong odor Of burning brim-
stone. At last the sentry box had
to be sealed up, so fearful an object
did it become to the soldiery. .-
A magnificent modern swimming
pool graces the mountain interior OF
the island, innumerable golf courses,
two race tracks, famous hotels and
gardens. A wonderful playground
for the tired, the pleasure-hunting,
the youthful honeymooners and the
sportsman-especially those who love
fishing, whether 1t be for the elusive
mountain trout or the game fish OF
the ocean waters.
The greatest change now being
sought by the Government In Puerto
Rico is the enforcement Of the So
called 800 law"
The Foraker act, known as the
first organic act Of the island, for
bids the ownership and control OF any
land in excess Of 500 acres by any cor
poration. The restriction Is by char
ter and in the interest Of agriculture
Congress Often Blamed.
This act has consistently beer
evaded In the years since its passage
first one subterfuge and then another
being used to circumvent 1t. Congress
has been accused for this lack Of en-.
forcement because Of no penalties at-
tached for its violation; and Puerto
Rico has been blamed, charged with
control of its Legislature by the sugar
interests. However it may be. the Law
has never been enforced on the island
and great acreage is now owned BY
corporations.
It Is to break up this great land
holding monopoly that. within the las'