Evening star., 1939-09-03

GEN. BLANTON WINSHIP.
Underwood & Underwood Photo.
when they stifle industry and close up
factories in an island where oppor-
tunitieS are so few
Since Puerto Rican labor, for the most
part, competes not with mainland in
dustry but with labor in certain foreign
countries where living standards and
wage rates are we'll below those now
paid in the island, the present minimum
wage effectively bars the way to de-
velopment of those new industries.
Because of the shortage of raw ma
terials-the island has no timber, few
important mineral deposits and no fuel
supply-Puerto Rico is dependent for
employment and income almost entirely
on products of the soil and on manu-
featuring enterprises in which the cost
of labor represents a large share of the
finished cost of production.
In the field of agriculture, Puerto Rico
is in position to produce certain new
crops which should provide few thou
sand additional jobs. Some of these are
highly important to the United States,
consisting of strategic war materials
which this country now must import
from foreign countries. Among them are
quinine, palm OIL camphor, essential oils
and other products grown only in the
tropics 1t is highly important to be in
position to produce these materials under
the United States flag. especially in case
nf MI, y,,i0hf ho NJ
of from our source of supply.
Other Products Seen.
There also are indications that Puerto
Rico can produce large quantities OF
vanilla, sea island cotton and certain
perfumes, all of which are obtained
entirely from foreign countries at the
| present time. But, to repeat, these new
products will take up only a small part
Of the present unemployment and even
those gains will be offset within few
years as the population continues to
grow.
| Other products of tropical agriculture,
such as rubber, cocoa and ginger cannot
be produced and exported in large guam
titles because of the relatively high wage
level prevailing on the island or because
OF climatic conditions.
I feel confident that the tourist busi-
ness will grow rapidly during the next
few years and bring in additional income
creating many new jobs. Since our pro-
motional campaign was started two years
ago, the flow of visitors has increased
IN gratifying manner. We have the
climate, the natural beauty, the historic
attractions and the deep-sea fishing and
other sports to make the island the
finest vacation land in this part of the
world. But here again we need the help
of Congress and the Maritime Commits
sion in bringing about an expansion in
steamship service The ships now call
ing at the island cannot accommodate
enough passengers to permit the proper
development of the islands tourist pos
sibilities.
There are other ways by which Puerto
Rico and its people can themselves
help relieve, though not eliminate, the
present critical conditions. One way is
by settling unemployed families on the
islands idle farm lands. The Federal
Government, through the Puerto Rico
Reconstruction Administration, and the
Insular government as well, have made
a beginning on this project but the pro-
gram is barely started. Large sums Of
money will be required to purchase the
lands and equip them with small homes
and farming implements. The islands
basic problems will not be solved until
these families have been settled on
| farms.
In addition, large amount of the
land left idle by crop restriction can be
used to grow food and at least relieve
hunger. Such a program already is
under way the islands sugar companies
and other land owners having lent more
than 10000 acres to the Insular govern
ment for that purpose, together with
tools, seed and oxen. Expansion of this
program will require additional money,
and Federal funds are needed.