The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-18
Demand For U. S. Statehood Grows
 In Puerto Rico After 40 Years Rule
Island Dependency Losing Fest For
 Independence
By HAYWOOD HULL NEA Service Correspondent

Shn JudH, FueTIO 1NlCO, mug Ao' As this island enters its 40th year since an American army landed in the harbor of Guanica on the morn ing of July 25, 1898, the question of its future relationship to the United States grows daily more urgent.
 The comic opera" conquest of Puerto Rico, accomplished during the July days of the hot summer of % years ago was a short affair. Spanish resistance was weak, the enthusiastic Puerto Ricans greeted the American troops with procla- nations of welcome and enthusi- astic shouts of "Vivan los Amer icanos!" In a few weeks it was all over. The American flag flew over San Juan.
 Statehood Now Sought
 The 40th year of American oc- cupation is about to begin. But the long standing demand of many Puerto Ricans for independence is now beginning to take another turn. American citizenship was granted to Puerto Ricans in 1917. Now full statehood is a growing demand.
 Senator Rafael Martinez Nadal, head Of the majority coalition which won the 1892 and 1886 elections on a platform advocating statehood, urged in a Fourth of July speech that congress define the islands future.
 Senator Luis Munoz Marin, leader of the militant independence wing of the Liberal party, urged a union of all parties in plebiscite to determine whether the island people want statehood or an Independent republic. Senator Nadal agreed, provided all parties agreed to abide by the result of such a plebiscite.
 Independence Less Popular
 Senator Marin seemed highly gratified with the reply of the Coall- ton leader, but Senator Antonio R. Barcelo, president of the Liberal Party and loEg leader of the party advocating independence, expressed his opposition, stating frankly that if a plebescite were held now the cause of independence would lose.
 Tn the meantime Senator Nadal said that the planned to visit Wash ington after his vacation in Europe and that while there he would urge that action be taken on the state- hood bill which the Coalition spon- sored three years ago. Committee hearings on the bill were held, but Congress took no further action. Un- til there Is a decision, the question of what Perto Rico is to be will al- ways be the basis fer island party division.
 Self Government Established
 Under American guidance Puerto Rico has become essentially self governing, electing It's own legisla- ture and all municipal officials in each of the islands 77 towns. The governor, justices of the Supreme Court and two members of the gov ernor's cabinet arc appointed by the President, while five cabinet nem- bers are named by the governor with the approval of the insular senate.
 Women as well as men vote, and qualifications for the franchise are similar to those of most of the states. Women have participated in the last two elections and there Is now one woman senator and one representative. Three towns have women for .lcaldes. or mayors.
 Although outside of the cities many of the old Spanish traditions about womans place being in the home prevail. women are becoming more and mote emancipated. More than 75 per cent of the islands 5000 public school teachers are women. and there are women doctors and lawyers.
 Many women drive their own cars. At the clubs and at cocktail parties the number of women smoking cig- aretS is probably as large as ob- served in the United States or Eu- rope. Woman runs a bank, while thousands have entered business. There are no women taxi drivers, but one woman drives her own tTuCkp dlu COIHpeVsS WlbIl Hlel'
 Vast Federal Expense
 Recent indications are that the island has come out Of the depres- sion, with federal relief and recon struction aid. The fiscal year which ended June 30 recorded the highest income the insular treasury has ever known, slightly in excess of $l7000,- 000-an increase of $4,250,000 over last year, the previous record.
 Since 1884 the federal government from emergency relief and other funds has provided approximately e30,000, ,000 for island relief and $40,- 100000 for permanent reconstruc- ton, not all of which has been spent.
 Gov. Blanton Winship, who has headed the island government since early 1884, is now in Washington seeking further reconstruction funds, approximately $3o,000,o00 in all, chiefly for schools, hospitals and other public improvements. That he Is likely to be successful IS indicated by President Roosevelt's statement that he wants Winship to continue at his island post.