Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-15
Puerto Rico Hopes Statehood
Will Come From War Crisis
Islands Economic Handicaps Will Never Be
Overcome Until 1t Has Political
Power, Leaders Believe
By Everett B. Wiison

plan was continued, and the following
year brought another unexpected blow
AT the last minute before Congress
passed the wage-hour bill in 1898, the
Islands tropical labor was included in
the legislation and put under the same
minimum wage and hour regulations
that apply to workers on the United
States mainland. Even the islands la
Dor leaders, who had requested such
action were alarmed as soon as they
realized that this act virtually meant the
end OF the S20000,000 needlework indus
try, employing nearly 100000 workers in
competition with Oriental countries, and
practically closed the door to other
smaller handWork industries in which
lay the Territorys only hope of creating
large numbers of new jobs for its many
thousands of unemployed.
1t was at about this time, also that
P. R. R. A. officials admitted that the
program of economic reconstruction had
failed in its main objective of creating
new sources of employment.
Future Was Dark.
1JdSl llOWCfCl, WllCll tNCly OllC
in Puerto Rico agreed that the island
faced the darkest future yet envisioned
and some strong form of protest was be-
ing considered, the situation temporarily
frightened, as result of the threat of
war in Europe. BY December, the out
look seemingly had improved greatly and
the Puerto Ricans looked forward to 1910
with considerable optimism.
First of series of encouraging devel-
opmentS was the announcement that
Puerto Rico was of the utmost strategic
importance to the United States and
should be converted into the Gibraltar Of
the Caribbean, with heavy expenditures
for Army and Navy bases. Next, and far
more encouraging, was President Roose-
velt's sudden suspension of sugar quotas,
following the outbreak of war. That &C.
ton not only permitted Puerto Rico to
market a rather large surplus of sugar
which it had been unable to dispose of
under the quota system, but also opened
the way to unlimited sugar production.
Instead Of being held down TO a pro-
duction of less than 100000 tons year.
there now was no obstacle 10 producing
as much sugar as the islands resources
would permit. Almost overnight more
han 10000 of the nearly 25000 unem-
ployed laborers there went back to work,
planting new fields and intensifying cul-
tivation of the standing crop.
However, the optimism was short
lived Once again Puerto Ricos hopes
were dashed A few days before the
close of the year the President restored
the sugar quotas, thus eliminating the
possibility of an increase in employment
in that industry.
Then Congress met, and Gov. Leahy
came to Washington to impress upon the
Federal authorities the need of legislat-
ing in Puerto Rico's favor. but in vain.
Out of nearly 20 separate bills introduced
in Congress to deal with sugar legisla-
ton, none proposed ar increase in Puerto
Ricos quota.
See Hope in Vote.
Puerto Rico is convinced that, if the
island were to become State. with two
votes in the Senate and seven or eight
votes in the House, the political power
gained thereby would mean the end Of
undesirable legislation Indeed. the is
lands people are resigned to the belief
that without such political influence,
Congress will never deal constructively
and realistically with their problems.
Thus, statehood has become the big
objective. In spite of the consistent re-
fusal Of Congress even to bring up past
statehood bills for discussion, political
and business circles in Puerto Rico will
intensity their drive toward that goal.
The campaign will be a forceful one
In the past, too vigorous and outspoken
criticism of colonial government and
congressional discrimination might have
resulted In a serious move to force in
dependence on the island Now, however,
that possibility is thought to have dis
appeared. The islands importance to
national defense and it's strong influence
in the success of the good -neighbor
policy make it entirely safe, most Puerto
Ricans think, for them to come to Wash
ington and voice their complaints freely
and frankly That is exactly what they
intend to do.
The huge defense bases in Puerto Rico
may help to keep the lightning war away
from our shores but, in turn, will be pri-
marily responsible for encouraging the
thunder of words which will be drummed
into the ears of official Washington by
its small but vociferous OUTPOST.