Boletín Oficial de la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico (1933)

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cEoLetin^

illüfede DE PUERTO RICO Administrador: F. A. DONAYRE A.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Septiembre de 1934

Año X

Número 6

Editado mensualmente bajo la Dirección del Comité de Publicidad. Toda colaboración deberá remitirse al Comité de Publicidad, antes del día 20 del mes en que se pida su inserción. Admitido como materia de segunda clase en el Correo de San Juan, P. R., el 26 de noviembre de 1931, bajo la Ley del 3 de marzo de 1879.

Este No. $2.00

Suscripción Anual $2.00

D I R ECTIVA (Board of Dircctors) Filipo L. de Hostos Presidente

Eduardo R. Pons Primer Vicepresidente

Julio V. Llompart

Ulpiaiio Casal

Segundo Vicepresidente

Tesorero

DIRECTORES:

Gonzalo Aponte

Rafael Arcelay Víctor Braegger Luis E. Dubón

Francisco Freiría Frederick C. Piolines R. F. Fels

Frederick Krug Eduardo Larroca Jr. L. L. Lindstrom

J. A. E. Rodríguez José Rullán IManuel Vilá Mayo

Miguel Morales

Manuel Perez Blanco

J. R. Nuber Julio B. Ortiz

Félix Suarez

Toribio de la Fuente

F. J. Garffer

J. J. Figueroa

Manuel Berrios

Ma SB FKfiSTA FUÜUIA DB LABAX

Secretíirio-Gerente

COMITES PER^IAKENTES

(Statiding Comiiiittccs)

Ejecutivo: Filipo L. de Hostos, Eduardo R. Pons, Frederick Krug, Miguel Morales, José Rullán Hacienda: Eduardo R. Pons, Ulpiano Casal, Frederick C. Holmes, J. R. Nuber, Gonzalo Aponte

Ecfjislación: Julio V. Llompart, L. E. Dubón, Gonzalo Aponte, Rafael Arcelay, J. A. E. Rodríguez, G. Navarro. (Auxiliar)

Programa: Frederick Krug, J- B. Ortiz, Sebastian Solo Báñeos: José Rullán. L. E- Dubón, L. L. Lindstrom

Publicidad: Gonzalo Aponte, ^lanuel Vilá Mayo, Frederick Krug. J. B. Ortiz.. IMuardo Larroca Jr.

Defensa: Ulpiano Casal. A'ictor Braegger, J. G. Lallande. E. Larroca Jr., Emiliano Méndez Icción Civica: F. J. Garffer. J. A. E. Rodríguez. Rafael Arcelay. Carlos A. Gual. Ifduardo Ferrer Propaganda: A'ictor Braegger. Francisco Freiría, l-redcrick C. Holmes. J. R. Nuber, Ignacio I.omba, Eduardo Ferrer. F. Rodríguez

Agasajos: Eduardo Larroca Jr., Sebastián Solo. J. G. Lallande. Julio A". Llompart, Rafael Arcelay prihnnaJ de Arbitraje: P. T- Bras, PA-ancisco PA-eiría, J. G, Lallande, Ignacio^P.omba, Sebastian Solo, Propietarios Manuel Martínez Padin, PVriíando Rodríguez, PC A. Stebbins, Suplentes

Boletix Oficial

CAMARA DE COMERCIO DE PUERTO RICO Nómina de Socios—Mcmbcrship Socios Colectivos—CoUccfivc Mcinhcrs

Asociación de Comerciantes Mayoristas Cámara Insular de Comerciantes Mayoristas Centro de Detallistas de Puerto Rico Colegio de Administración Comercial, Universidad de Ruerto Rico

San luán P R San Tnan. R. R. San [uan R R Rio Ricdras. R. R.

Ma>aguez Needlework Association

Ma\-K'-ucz R R

p-Ro Rico service. inc

Sa^i }uan, r; r:

Sección Industria Tabacalera

San Juan R R. SOCIOS—MEMBERS

SAN JUAN José Arabit

Kscamliron Bcadi Club

Mobile, Mianii N (iiili S. S. Co., Inc.

R- &

Manuel L. .Min")

Anglo P. R. Insurance Agencies, Inc.

C. R. Elmcnclorf, Sucrs. Philip El Koury

K. Anglada & Cia.

Ramón Escrihá

Siicrs. de- A. Maeol éc Co.

Roque Alvarez & Co

Germán Fernández

Armour & Company'

Clift'ord S. Foy R. Fabián & Co. Sucrs.

Mariano MÍit Daldomcro Moreno

Aristeguieta, Inc.

Sucesores de Abarca

losé Martínez & Co. .S. en C.

l'anl S. MoIoiun'

All América Cables, Inc.

Fernández & Co.

Miguel Mocoroa Arsua.ga

R- Alvarez & Co., Sucrs.

B. Fernández & Hnos. Siicrs.

Xatioiial Cily Dank ol Xe-\v York

Gonzalo Aponte

Co. of Porto Rico

F. Freiría S. en C.

lolin K. XTiber

R. F. Fcls

X'eev York & Porti^ Rico S. S. Co.

A. Alvarez & Hermano

Freiría Hermanos & Co.

Nitratc Agcncic.s Comiiany

»5cgundo Alonso

E. Franklin & Co.

Ochoa Kealty Compan\' Harr^- l'ietcrsz

lesus Benitez Castaño Earl K. Burton, Inc James R. Beverley ' Víctor Braegger & Co BulI Insular Line, Inc

Sucrs. de José Fernández

Portland Florida Cemcnt Co.

Julián l'latón

Figucroa & Gautier Galiñanes & Cia.

J. I'ércz Berciano I^roprictary Agcncic.s, Inc. 1'. R. American Tobáceo Co.

Carlos A. Gual

Behn Brothers, Inc.

Gobio & Jiménez

Bank of Nova Scotia Eallester Hermanos

J. González Torres

Baquero & Co.

M. Gómez & Co.

G. Baldrich & Co

H. V. Grosch Co.

Porto Rico Pb-nit Unión

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

Hotel Condado

Fernando Badrena

Hotel Palace

Pedro A. I'izá Puerto Rico I^unibcr Co. Adolfo S. Pagan

P- L- Cochran M. Carvajal Roberto Colón M. Couvertié

F. Carrera & Hermano

Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Cía. Azucarera del Toa Co Con Antillana. Consolidated Drim C^ r Inc

P. R. Railway Ei.ght cX Rowcr Co. Porto Rico Tclcphone Co.

Grevatt Corporation

F. A. C. Hastrup F. L. de Hostos & Cia. Frederick C. Holmes Ledo. Celestino Triarte

L'laza Proei-sion Company Pyramid l'roducts, Inc.

qri ril")

I'an American Airwaj-s, Inc. Pan American Standard Brands, Inc.

Inter. Gen. Electric Co. Korber & Company

Robert R. Prann Alanucl Peña Sánchez T'orto Rico Cías éc Cokc Co. Pavía Brothers, Inc.

Albert E. Lee & Son, Inc. Llompart Bros. Co., Inc. M. Lamadrid & Co. Sucrs.

Lykes Bros. Steamship Co.

Ulpiano Casal

Banco de Puerto Rico

Lederlc Laboratories Co. J. Gus Lallande Gregorio Ledesma Teódulo Llamas

Chase National Bank

Ledo. Ricardo La Costa, Jr.

H Domínguez & Co. .Sucrs Ledos. Dubón & Ochoteco '

^liguel florales Alendez & Compañía

Camilo Domínguez & Co.

Méndez, Martínez & Co. Martínez Hermanos & Co.

Isidore Cohén

Gonzalo Diago F. A. Donayre Manuel V. Domenech

Ricardo R. Pesquera P. R. Leaf Tobáceo Co.

Ledo. E. Igaravidez Giiticrrez Sobrino de Izquierdo, Inc.

A. M. Cheney

Mariano A. Catinchi

Puerto I^ico Sliippcrs Service, Inc.

Santiago A. Panzardi, I.td. Puerto Rico Ser\ice, Inc. Manuel Quintana &: Hno. .S. Ramírez &: Co.

Bernard Rubclí fXesllc's Milk Ih-oduct) Real Hermanos, Inc.

Americo Miranda

Royal Bank of Cañada Radio Corporation of Puerto Rico Rodri.guez Trelles Hermanos p'rank Rodrigui'z R- Co. Juan Rodriguez I'fju Rubert Hermanos, Inc.

José Malgor & Co. S. en C.

\'entura Rodri.unez

Malgor & Compañía

R<ilan I.mnlier t 'Uiipany

Merino Rodriguez Hnos.

Boletín Oficial

SAN JUAN

Smallwood Brotbcrs

MANATI

Ignacio Rosales J. A. E. Rodríguez, Inc. Sparks Milling Co.

F". R. Villavicencio L. R. W'ood Co., Inc.

R. Cacho & Co. Cuadros Hermanos & Co. Félix Del Llano & Cia. Víctor Garda

I^do. Jaime Sifrc, Jr. F. Schomburg Singer Sewing Machine Co.

MAYAGUEZ

Maria Luisa Arcelaj'

José López

Hirám Gómez

R. iMoran &: Co. Ramón Menendez D. Sandoval

Infanzón & Rodríguez

Angel Suarcz & Fino. San Juan Mercantile Curporation

Primitivo Gran

Stcbbins & Ciarcia, Inc.

Sparrow, W'aymontb & Co.

Carlos Armstrong c Hijos, Sucrs. Monllor & Boscio, Sucrs. Sucesión J. Serrallés Tropical City Ice Co.

Sbell Company (P. R.) Ltd.

ARECIBO

Sun Life Assurance of Cañada

Barccló & Cia.

San Juan Trading Company

Andrés Garda & Co. Marques & Cia.

Fajardo Sugar Co.

San Juan Lumbcr Yard

Tbc Simons Company

P. R. Distililing Co.

Francisco Franqui

R. Santaclla & Bros. Inc. E. Solé & Co.

J. M. Pórtela & Cia.

1. Lewis Cigar !Mfg. Co.

Miguel Roses Alayol

Francisco iMujica

Walter Tischer

Roses & Cia.

José Silva

Swift & Company Sebastian Solo

Carlos. J. Torres P. N. Toledo

A. Trigo & Co.

James F. Todd (Gen. Motors Exp. Co.) Carlos del Valle F. Valledor & Co. Sucrs.

Ramón Vega, Jr. Teodoro Vidal Sánchez Ramón Valdés

PONCE

GURABO

J. M. González CATANO Fernando Alvarez

FAJARDO Jorge Bird Arias JUNCOS

GUAYAMA

AIBONITO

Fernando Beiró Genaro Cautiño

Ignacio López Colón Nicolás Ortiz Francisco Ortiz

A. M. Gatti, Inc.

YAUCO

AGUADILLA

Díaz, Rodríguez & Co.

Banco Agrícola de Aguadilla J. C. Caballinas

Arturo Lluberas

RIO PIEDRAS

CAGUAS

!Mr. V. Vaiden (Federal I-and Bank)

Arce Tobáceo Co.

Donato Vigil & Co. Westingbousc Elect. Int. Co.

C. W. Boom

CAYEY

Durlacb Brotbers

Jesús Collazo

West India Macbinery & Suppb' Co.

García & Sánchez

Echevarría & Co.

SANTURCE

J. D. Galindo General Cigar Co.

COROZAL

Serafín Inclán

F'aliénte & Co.

Eduardo Barreras

Jorge Chaubab Fernando Caso Pascual Hernández

La Industrial Algodonera E. Irizarry e Hijo

Bernand Scbwartz Cigar Corporation YABUCOA BAYAMON

Red Star Alfg. Co.

Ocboa Fertilizer Corporation Wbite Star Bus Linc, Inc. PUERTA DE TIERRA Avelino Moreno A. S. Santoni & Co.

ENSENADA Peter Boiesen

Celestino Perez & Co.

Joaquín Borrero, Jr.

López & Hermanos

M. Joglar & Co.

Cipriano Manrique

Jiménez & F'ernandez, Sucrs. Miranda Hermanos Enrique Martínez Francisco Font HATO REY

Sobrinos de \ illamil

^lartínez, Fernandez S: Co.

R. Cámara & Co.

ARROYO

Prudencio González

J. R. Nieves &; Co.

Sucrs. de Huertas González

MOROVIS

Sucrs. de iManuel Perez & Co.

Jovito Rodríguez

Sucrs. de San iMiguel Hnos. J. R. Santamaría Julio Viejo l'cliu

COMERIO

B. Santiago & Co. VEGA BAJA Alfonso Trápa.ga

UTUADO

Norberto Garda Carlos M. González

NARANJITO

Francisco Galeno Gabán

Rafael Valles Santos

ESTADOS UNIDOS

L. \\ . & I'. Armstron.g Antony Gibbs & Co., Inc.• • • Axton Fisbcr Tobáceo Co...

Baton Rouge Rice lililí, I'>cFermers Rice Milling Co.. - Jackson Brcwing Co Kaplan Rice Mili, Inc

Republic Rice Mili, Inc Simon's Rice Mili

Beaumont Rice Mili, Inc....

Tyrrell Rice Milling Co Tbe Bay C'itv Rice Milis...

..New York, N. Y. ..NewYork, N.Y. ....Louisville, Ky. .Baton Rouge, La. .Lake Charles, La. .New Orleans, I.a.

Kaplan, I^a. Gueydan, La. Crowley, La. . . . Beaumont, Tex. , ...Beaumont, Tex. . . . . Bay Citv, Tex.

Mycrs-Spalti Mfg. Co.. . Adolph Pfcffer Rice Milling Co

Pritchard Rice Milling to Chas. R. McConnick Lumher Co

Newcll-Gudradt Co

Houston, Tex. Houston Tex

Houston, Tex San Francisco, Cal

San Francisco', CaF

Van Camp Sea Food Co F. G. Vogt & Sons, Inc

Terminal Tsland Cal Philadelphia, Pa."

REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

Font, Gamundi & Co. C. por

\"ega

ESPAÑA

J. Muñoz Royo

Valencia

Boletix Oficial

Kní-..\ Sr .

i'--'

San Juan's Civic Center

Ateneo, Carnegic IJbrary, and Cab'tol of l'nerlo I^ici

FOREWORD

The special tourist edition published by us last April iiiet with such g'ratifving" success, that it has spurred us to a new and bigger eftoit.

For a long- time the \vant has been keenly felt here and in the United States of a publication giving in a comprehensive and co-related fonn the statistics ot Puerto Rico and showing in a graphic manner the progress inade by the Island up to the present.

This year book is designed to fill that need. In its pages the manufacturer, the'merchant, the exporter, the businessman and the statesnian intei"" ested' in Puerto Rico and its affairs Avill find reflected the life and activities of the Island in its manifold aspects as well as the progress achieved during the last thirty-five years.

Throimh this Year Book we will endeavor to give our fellow citizens both here and in the United States as íaithful and clear a picture of Puerto

Rico as Ave possibly can. The work, admittedly, is not perfect but we feel iustified in stating that it comes as cióse to perfection as it could be niade under the circumstances.

Puerto Rico is America's outpost in the Caribbean. Situated midway between North and South América, in a commanding position astride of the main avenue of approach to the Panama Canal, with a civilization dating over four hundred years that has endowed its people with a deep rooted latin culture broadened in the last quarter of a century with a knowledge of Americ'an institutions, ideáis and practices, it seems destined to play a very

important role in the relations between the two Americas. But its claim to the interest of the people of the United States has a far larger significance

from the material than the sentimental point of view. Indeed, the econoniic and commercial ties binding together the States and the Island are of such a mao-nitude that the importance of the trade relations existing between the

two'c'ountries cannot be overemphasized.

This little West Indian island is the best market that the United States

has in all the Americas, with the only exception of Ganada. The fact that

Puerto Rico is a part of the nation ancí that its people are Anierican citizens

has not half the importance in the eyes of the Anierican farnier, manufacturer and merchant as that of the potentiality of our people as large constimers of Anierican produced or iiiade goods. We do not hesitate conse-

quentlv to emphasize that fact. After all trade relations and a coniniunity of interest have ever been the best pronioters of aiiiity between the peoples of the world.

We may well take it for granted then that the people of the United States in general have a very real and lively interest iii a market which even

durillo- the worst years of depression has bought froui the metrópolis an averao-e of sixtv-nine niillion dollars worth of Anierican goods per aniiuin and

that'.such bcing the case they shall welcome a book, whieh like the present, is desio-ned to faniiliarize theni with this \ ery important niarket.

PREFACIO El éxito extraordinario alcanzado por el número especial pro Inrisnio que publicara el Boletín en abril del año pasado puso de manifiesto de modo tan evidente los beneficios que deriva el país de ese g-éneiaj de i)ropaiLían(la ({ue, convencida la directiva de nuestra Cámara de la altíi conveniencia de con

tinuar esa labor, acordó editar anualmente un número es])eciab a manera de-

anuario, que sirviera para poner de manifiesto el proj^-reso y marcha de las actividades económicas de la isla durante el año inmediatamente anterior, a

la vez que presentar un resumen de la labor realizada por la Cámara duranteese periodo.

Por muchos años se ha echado de menos tanto aqui conuj en los Estados

Unidos una publicación que reúna en forma comprensiva a' coordinada las

estadísticas de Puerto Rico y que exponga gráficamente su progreso.

Al

tomar el anterior acuerdo nuestra directiva tuvo en mente esa circunstancia

y este número va encaminado a realizar ese propósito y llenar ese vacio.

Por medio del anuario nos proponemos ofrecer a nuestros conciudadanos

de aqui y del continente una impresión objetiva de x uerto Rico todo In clara y fiel que sea posible. Huelga decir, desde luego, que nuestro trabajo por obvias razones, no habrá de lograr la perfección pero creemos justifi cada la aseveración de que será todo lo perfecto ciue ¡)ermitan las circun stancias y la falta de una oficina central ele estadística. Encaminado como va este anuario a servir la propaganda de la isla pi'io-

cipalmente en los Estados Unidos, donde la ignorancia que impera acerca de Puerto Rico es factor que milita constantemente contra nuestros intereses 3' dificulta y entraba la labor de acercamiento que debiera efectuarse tesonera mente para afianzar la comunidad de intereses existente entre ambos pueblns,

hemos creído oportuno y conveniente que este anuario se edite en ing'lés de manera que alcance mas eficazmente su finalidad. Por otra parte, el cono

cimiento del inglés está tan difundido entre nosotros que salvo contadas excepciones la circunstancia de estar escrito en ese idioma no habrá de restar

utilidad al anuario entre nuestros lectores de la isla.

Con frecuencia y desde hace muchos años se ha venido hablando de lu necesidad y conveniencia de hacer propaganda a favor de la isla en los Estados Unidos pero, como sensiblemente ocurre con frecuencia entre nosotros, u. convicción de que existe la necesidad no logra mover voluntades ni iinpnlsni iniciativas y los años trascurren sin que se haga labor perdurable v efecti'^n en ese sentido.

Para realizar esa necesaria y útilísima labor se necesitan medios cond^^^

no cuenta la Cámara pero deseosos de contribuir en algo a su reali^^aci^" emprendemos la publicación de este anuario, que confíana^s llenará la fi nalií''^'^' fiue perseguimos, sirviendo de paso los altos intereses de la comunidad.

Nuestros esfuerzos en ese sentido se habrían estrellado contra el valhP^'^'"

formidable de la falta de fondos a no haber sido por el concurso generoso <^5' comercio e industria de la isla. Difícilmente podríamos cerrar est^as linea.s nejar constancia de nuestro profundo reconocimiento.

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Royal palms add splendor to the entrance of coiintry estáte near San Juan

1

Boletix Oficial

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Tlic hcart of thc business district in San Jnan, Puerto Rico's capital eity

La Labor de la Cantara Durante el Ano de 1933 Nos place insertar a continuación la memoria anual rendida por nuestro Presidente a la asamblea general anual celebrada el 2/ de

enero i'iltimo, así como los informes del Tesorero, Comité de Legisla ción, Comité de Hacienda 3' del Secretario-Gerente en los cuales se

pone de manifiesto la labor realizada por la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico durante el año de 1933.

Estimados compañeros: Al extinf^uirsc el mandato que recilnera de vosotros

gándonos desde hace varios años se \"ié) agudizada pe

en nuestra última asamblea anual inira dirigir la marcha de nuestra institución durante el año que

cich'in de San (..i])rian; luego, jior las re])ercusi(>nes de la crisis en los Estados b'nidos (pie en los comienzos del año adipiirié) caracteres alarmantes, causando un pánico bancario cpie puso en ])eligro la estructura eco-

termina hoy, cúmpleme rendir a vosotros cuenta de mis actos y de la j^estión realizada. Muy lejos estaba yo de imaginarme al acejitar esta

nosamente, primero, ])or los efectos del desastroso

n(')mica de la naciém ; des])ués ])or los efectos de la apli

honrosa investidura (['ue me il)a a tocar un término tan

cación a Puerto Rico de las leyes del iirograma de

arduo y a])remiante.

rehabilitación nacional, (pie hasta ahora nos han afectado adversamente, creando nuexos temores v

Cabe stqioner que si vosotros

hubieseis tenido el ])resentimiento de los graves i)roblemas que iban a surgir, vuestra elección habría recaído en persona más a])ta v experimentada c[ue yo. Cons

complicaciones; y últimamente por la situación de

ciente de ello, me he esforzado en compensar con buena voluntad y celo las limitaciones de mi capacidad, cor respondiendo con dedicación y entusiasmo a la

linalizar el P)d3 en actos de abierta ana'iapiia.

distinción de (pie inmerecidamente me hicierais objeto.

m<is la (lifí(.d situa(.ion ciimpie se ha \'enid(> confron

.Acabamos de pasar un año de ruda ])rueba para nosotros, para el comercio y i)ara la comunidad en

general.

La crisis progresixa (]ue ha venido casti

efei \ escencia politKti, desaSí »sie,g( > \' desi )rientaci('m que se iniciara en la segunda mitad del año v culminara al 'Lodos esos acontecimientos entrababan cada vez

tando el comei(.io \ la industria, creainh) nue\'<)s pro blemas (pie ha sido necesario atender v que nos han mantenido en constante acti\idad. Aiá.s adelante dejo

Boletix Oficial constancia de las gestiones realizadas en ese sentido. En el desempeño del cometido que me fuera con fiado he tenido siempre como norte de mi derrotero el concepto que tengo formado de nuestra misión como

en aquellos casrts en fjue es in(lis]K'nsal)le el concurso individual de los asociatlo.s. i'ai-.i nosotros ha sido motivo de viva contrariedad que ])or esa circunstancia

entidad representativa, el cual deseo reiterar y exponer una ves más para que vosotros podáis juzgar y apreciar

dotar a nue.str£L Cam:ir:i de ciertos ser\ ici< )s directos v

mejor la política seguida. Consideramos que en la sociedad moderna las insti

valor de la condición de miembro de la institución. Para bien de hi C;im<ara y el mejor ser\ icio <le \'osotros

tuciones de la índole de la nuestra juegan un impor tante papel y que su labor complementa la acción gu

es de esperarse cjue en un luturo cerc.ano ])ued;i llevarse

bernamental.

Son, en realidad, cooperadores de la

administración en su peculiar esfera de acción y llenan una misión útil y provechosa, que salva el vacío que siempre ha existido entre gobernantes y gobernados. Son portavoces de la aspiración colectiva; nexo eficaz de contacto entre los poderes públicos y el individuo, cuya opinión quedaría inarticulada a no ser por la voz que le presta la palabra colectiva. Esta convicción nos ha servido de acicate poderoso en todo momento para no desmayar en nuestra labor y para redoblar nuestros esfuerzos para hacer de nu

nada haya podido adelantarse en nuestro ])ro])üsito de

provechosos a los socios cjue realcen tíingiblenicnte el

a cabo esa neccsari;i y útilísima innov.ici(')n. En otros sentidos l;i lai)or de la Cámara ha sido

fecunda y, en la mayorí;i de los casos, fructífera, como

podréis apreciarlo jjor la relación incom])let;i cjue hace mos, en obsefjuio a la brev edad, de .algunas de nuestras gestiones :

Caja Liquidadora de Bancos: lm]niestos de que la nueva ley federal de bancos, ele <iue es autor el senador Glass y aprobada a ])rinci])ios de año, dispone la creación de una Caja íáfiuidadora de iCincos desti

estra institución el útilísimo centro de acción social que

nada a poner en circulación el monto de los depósitos congelados a causa del cierre de instituciones bancarias, y consideranch) <|ue esa medida ofrecía la mejor

es y debe ser. Conocedores de los problemas de la

solución del problema creado loc.almente por el cierre

comunidad porque los tocamos de cerca, estamos en situación de coadyuvar eficazmente a su solución,

torial y Agrícola, gestionamos a tr.avés del Comision

aportando una contribución desinteresada sin otra mira que el bien general que, al fin de cuentas, es también

ado Residente de Puerto Rico en óy.ishington que se hicieran extensivas a la isla bis f.icilid.ides de esta

el nuestro. Fomentando la economía de la comunidad,

institución.

propendemos a la nuestra. Cooperando al desenvolvi miento y desarrollo industrial del país realizamos una

Receso Bancario: Este jienoso suceso nos oblig-^^ a realizar una ardua v activa bibor. Ea directiva

obra de bien general y de consuno de bien individual.

Propendiendo al embellecimiento de nuestras ciudades contribuiremos al fomento del turismo, industria cuyos beneficios alcanzará a todos. Al realizar gestiones de tan variada índole hacemos obra altruista pero no es menos evidente que también obra utilitaria, si bien en

noblecida por el propósito de bien general que la inspira. Al iniciar nuestra gestión presidencial esbozamos

un programa de trabajo que sensiblemente sólo ha podido realizarse en parte, ya que no siempre se ha tratado de asuntos en que el esfuerzo de la directiva o el nuestro bastaban para llevarlo a vías de hecho. Es desalentador constatar que poco o nada se ha logrado

del Banco Comercial de Puerto Ricf) y Banco Terri

estuvo reunida en sesión peim.inente por e.spacio

varios días y se celebró una ;isamblea general extraordi^ naria el día once de marzo.

E;i Cámara aimgó cop

éxito porque se diera el car.icL'i de fideicomiso a las nuevas cuentas asi como en favor de otras medidas que pusieron término al receso.

Legalización de la Venta de Cerveza: .Al pre.septarse en el congreso ncicional el ]n<'v ect<» de ley res

pectivo, solicitamos inmediatamente (|ue esa niedida legislativa se hicier.a cxtensiv.'i a Puerto Rico.

Ley de Ventas: Convencidos de ha improcedencia de solicitar lisa v' Il.'inamente l.i dei og.n i(.>n de l.i leydel dos ])or ciento, sin ])roponei .i la vez un.i nuevjj^

1 1 11'

FP Ba ij

fñ

Looking tou'ard ihe financiol districi of fhe ciiy

I

Boletín Oficial

fuente de ingreso ijue ^•iniese a sustituir aquella, se acordó realizar una investigación y estudio de la ma

teria en conjunción con el Colegio de Administración

Estacionamiento del Buque de Cables "Guardián ; Plabiendo tenido conocimiento que la All América Cables, Inc. se había visto obligada a retirar de Puerto

Comercial de nuestra universidad, destinando al efecto

Rico su vapor "Guardián" debido a dificultades tenidas

la suma de doscientos cincuenta dólares.

con la oficina de inmigración y considerando que el

Investigación Sobre el Precio de Viveres; Coadyu vamos a la lai)()r del Comité Investigador de Precios

provechoso para la comunidad, gestionamos de la di

de la Asamblea Legislativa que actuó a fines de marzo, suministrándole cotizaciones y otros informes que desvirtuaron por completo la acusación de agiotismo

que en atiuellos días se hizo contra el comercio de viveres.

Mejoras del Puerto de San Juan: Comparecimos a la vista pública que ante el Ingeniero de los Estados Unidos se celebró en esta ciudad para tratar de este importante asunto y apoyamos el plan de mejoras pre

sentado por el Comisionado del Interior, que consulta ampliamente las necesidades de nuestro puerto.

Traganíqueles: Convencidos del grave daño mate rial y moral que cenían haciendo estas maciuinas,

abogamos insistentemente cerca del Gobernador de Puerto Rico para cjue jfidiera a la Asamblea Legis lativa que decretase su prohibición.

Ley de Rehabilitación Industrial: Tan pronto tu

vimos conocimiento de la aprobación de esta ley iniciamos activas gestiones para salvaguardiar nues tros peculiares intereses, solicitando reiteradamente cjue se nos permitiera formular nuestros propios có digos de justa competencia. Para dar mayor peso a

estas gestiones, auspiciamos una acción conjunta en

igual sentido de las demás instituciones congéneres de la isla, propósito que felizmente se alcanzo. Cierre de los Bancos: En vista del hecho de que los bancos de la localidad han venido cerrando sus

puertas al público en días de fiesta que no son feriados legales y en los cuales el comercio permanece abierto, tuvimos que dirigirnos a los Gerentes de estas institu ciones llamando su atención" hacia los perjuicios y

molestias que esa práctica ocasiona a la comunidad^ y solicitando que los bancos sólo cierren en los días feriados que establece nuestro Código Político.

estacionamiento de ese buque en nuestro puerto era

rección de la compañía la reconsideración de su de

cisión. prometiendo asegurarles por parte de las auto ridades locales de inmigración el mismo trato que obtienen en los Estados L uidos. Celebración de Carreras en Dias Laborables; A

vista de la solicitud hecha por los hipódromos de la

ciudad para la celebración de carreras los dias sábado, nos diri<ñmos a la Comisión Hípica Insular poniendo de manifiesto los inconvenientes y perjuicios que aca rrean al comercio esas carreras y solicitando no se

concediese permiso para ^ erificarlas.

^

Hemos realizado numerosas otras gestiones de di

versa índole que sería prolijo mencionar en detalle y

que fios limitaremos a enumerar, tales como endoso de las solicitudes de préstamo hechas por el Gol^erno

de la Capital a la Administración Nacional de Obras naVa la construcción de una escuela de artes a ■ graduadas v oficios y dos í^sciielas escucid t, ■ +en jbanturce i * ;" ges-

:•

^

^^ncpo-mr el saneamiento de los terrenos

dTPrárMirnndPen Puerta de Tierra ; eudeso de la

solicitud de préstamo para la construcción de un dique

de carena en el puerto de San Juan ; gestiones reali zadas cerca de la Administración de Auxilio de Emer-encL para obtener ha pronta tramitación y pago de fae. P fcntas del comercio; gestiones realizadas cerca de , .j insulares competentes para obtener el

las autoridades ins^ ^ pronto pago Negociado

gestiones rea Rico,

comercio al

ivjateriales. Imprenta y- Transporte; cerca del Gobernador de Puerto

conjurar el peligro de un paro del "boycütt" contra las compañías

como consec ^ ,iggpués para obtener el rápido restagasolineras ^ tránsito. Cabe también recordar las blecimiento

venido haciendo cerca de la .Nd-

gestiones qn

/\uxilin de Emergencia para cautelar

ministracion

legítimos intereses del comercio

en debida forma lo.

VjSJ

IJJ 1 I Ij I i i t fi

'

l'laza de la Marina. leitU the l'iiited Statc.s- Federal fíitildinii in the fare;!roiind

10

Boletín Oficial

en lo que respecta a la compra de víveres para distri bución gratuita, asi como las realizadas cerca de la Cor

poración de Rehabilitación Financiera para conseguir que se hicieran extensivos al comercio de Puerto Rico

los préstamos que autoriza la ley para el pago de tribu tos impuestos por la Ley de Ajuste Agraria. Programa Nacional de Rehabilitación: La serie de

leyes de emergencia dictadas por el Congreso al ini ciarse la administración del Presidente Roosevelt y en caminadas a lograr la rehabilitación económica e in

dustrial de la Nación, ha sido y sigue siendo asunto de gran trascendencia para la Isla ya que esas leyes

¡publicación ile dos holetine.-^. mío semanal

otro men

sual.

El lioletin semanal "1 1 EL 1 1(

(|ne tiene ])or finali

dad mantener informados a nuesliais asociados de los

asuntos de interés (¡ue ¡medan afectarles y de las gestiones realizadas jior la Directixa. ha rendido un año más de labor gracias al esfuerzi i entusiasta interés de nuestro .'sccretario-í íerente. Sr. Perrios.

La jiublicación menusla, el P.oletin Oíical de la Cámara, cjue como órgano de ojiinión encaminado a dar a conocer al jjúblico nuestros ininlos de \ ista respecto de tisuntos de interés general, tiene una misiéin com-

afectan directa y profundamente nuestra economía.

¡detamente distinta al jirimero, ha seguido jiublicándose

Las consecuencias de esa legislación y la manera de

con alguna irreguharidad debido a dilicultailes de orden económico y a falta de coo])eración jior jiarte de

amparar los legítimos intereses de Puerto Rico afecta

dos adyersamente, ha sido motiyo de honda y cons

nuestros socios.

tante preocupación para nosotros y conyencidos de la apremiante necesidad de obtener la acción conjunta de

erzos notables que jirestigian a nuestra institución y que constituyen una ajiortación efectiva de nuestra Cámara a la publicidad inteligente y eficaz de Puerto

todas las entidades económicas de la Isla a favor de una defensa estrecha y común de los intereses eco nómicos de Puerto Rico, hemos realizado continuas tesoneras^ gestiones para obtener el concurso de todas

estas instituciones, habiéndolo logrado en dos ocasiones

señaladas. Primero, en ocasión del telegrama dirigido al Presidente de los Estados Unidos bajo fecha de noviembre 14 llamando su atención hacia la grave situación creada en la Isla por la aplicación parcial de esa legislación, que hasta entonces sólo nos habia

tocado en sus aspectos opresivos ocasionando un dese quilibrio que estaba causando graves perjuicios, y soicitando que como cuestión de equidad se hicieran inmediatamente extensivas a la Isla las medidas com

pensadoras que contempla esa legislación. Posteriorniente, cuando en ocasión de la consulta

echa por el Gobernador a las entidades económicas de

a Isla acerca de la aplicación a Puerto Rico de la Ley

Sin embargo, ha realizado dos esfu

Rico, en el Norte y el e.xterior.

El jjrimero fué el número extraordinario de turismo

que vio la luz pública en el mes de abril 3- que el consenso de opinión justicieramente ha considerado como lo mejor (jue hasta la fecha se haya hecho en ese sentido.

,•

v.

Ifl otro fué el jprogram.a es])ecial de radio trans

mitido con la cof)])eracié.n de numerosos clubs de radio escuchas de h-s Pistados Cni<los en las ¡.rimeras horas del día 15 de octubre jiasado. el cual llevo el nombre de

I'uerto Rico a millares de radio-escuhas en^ pps P-stados Unidos, Cánada, países de p:uroi)a y de Centro y Sur -América.

.

,,

Gran liarte del éxito en ambas ocasiones .se debe al

entusiasmo y celo de nuestro Agente de Publicidad. Sr. Donayre.

,

,

,

En vista del éxito alcanzado ¡lor el numero extra

de Ajuste Agrícola realizamos continuas gestiones para

ordinario de abril ].asado, vuestra Directiva acordó 1^

obtener un acuerdo unánime acerca del particular, gestiones que culminaron en la Asamblea auspiciada

publicación anual de un numero extraordinario que servirá de anuario de Puerto Rico y reíleiara en sus

pasado y en la cual, felizmente, se llegó a un acuerdo

1933. El primer anuario esta en vías de publicación y

unánime que fué suscrito por las veintiséis instituciones

confiamos resulte una obra que haga honor a nuestra institución y a la Isla.

por esta Cámara y celebrada el día 15 de diciembre

asamblea fué también el envío

air1 gestionando "jgton del la comité que se encuentra consecución de las actualmente medidas de auxilio y compensación solicitadas en el memorial reac a o por acuerdo de la mencionada asamblea,

de t wtanto asamblea comoentrascen dental por elpuede hecho considerarse de ser la primera que se I iiceno ae ser la primera en que av.

grara la unanimidad de criterio y acción de las enti-

dallo

ue criterio y acción uc ias euci

^ ^^ouomicas de Puerto Rico cuanto por el fruto

-. .

.,

1

1

n 1-I í-n r» T-í ^

r-k-V-

' w

1 í tn'1 1*1 CA

páginas el progreso realizado jioi la Isla hasta cizaño Vigésimo Aniversario de la Fundación de la Cá

mara: El día 26 de juH"

cumplieron veinte anos de

la fundación de nuestra Cámara. Con tal motivo cele

bramos una serie de actos conmemorativos entre l^os cuales sobre.salió el "smoker celebrailo en la noche del 26 de julio y en cuva ocasión se coloco en nuestro salón de actos una galería de los retratos de nuestros

ex-presidentes. Creemos oportuno repetir aquí las

^ dar. Si vuestra Directiva no hubiese reali-

¡palabras fiue pronunciamos en aquella ocasión al descorrer el velo que lo-S cubila.

rniento^ Para hacerle acreedora a vuestro reconociA_este respecto cabe recordar aquí que a mediados

ticia al asociar a esta celebración los nombres

zad

V ^

gestión que esa durante todo el año, ella realizado en Washington gestiones

rnm^npor conducto de nuestro Director y rrmV ■ Prederick Krug, quien > ino en ser nuestro personero cercagenerosamente de las autori

"Realizamos, pues, un acto de elemental jus prestigiosos de los distinguidos caballeros que llevaron ese peso sobre sus hombres, airosamente, con brillo para si v ¡irestigio ¡.ara la Cámara. _1 ara dejar constancia visible de nuestro reconocimiento

dades nacionales.

colocamos esta noche en sitio de honor de nuestra sala de actos las vera efigies de estos esforzados

1 as Pri'^l^^^ad: Teniendo la convicción de que una de mas importantes misiones reservadas a instituciones

servidores de nuestra causa.

representativas del carácter de la nuestra es el de servir

ti\'idades continuaran ins¡)ir.ind<.nos

de guia a la opinión pública en aquellos asuntos de su particular competencia, hemos puesto especial empeño en realizar esa importantísima labor a través de la

Ahí, presidiendo silenciosamente nue.stras acsirc iéndonos

de estimulo.

La gratitud es una tan rara virtud humana que

por eso quizás es una de las mas enaltecedoras.

J

11

Boletín Oficial

Movimiento de Socios: Es motivo de honda satis

facción poder informar a vosotros que apesar de la desfavorable situación de los negocios el número de asociados al 1° de enero de este año era de 299 contra

253 que teníamos en igual fecha el año pasado, o sea t¡ya^

un aumento efectivo de /o, descontando 2/ bajas registradas durante el año.

ilTíft"" n« ■

■

Legislación: Como en años anteriores, vuestro Comité de Legislación rindió una labor activa y pro vechosa V debe ser motivo de satisfacción para él y

de orgullo para nosotros la circunstancia de que sólo i

doce "^de los sententidós proyectos de ley a que nos opusimos fueran aprobados por la Asamblea Legisla tiva en su legislatura ordinaria del año pasado y que ninguno de ellos llegó a convertirse en le^-. Convenciones:

Durante el año

pasado

nuestra

Cámara fué invitada a concurrir a las convenciones de la Rice Millers" Association y la South West Trade Conference, en la que estuvimos dignamente repre

sentados jior nuestro Director Sr. Eduardo Larroca, Thc Ochoa IhiUcliag, localcd iii tlic Iicarc of Sati Juan, ¡s llic

Tr., quien renovó ante la primera de dichas asambleas

hume of thc Clunnhcr of Commcrcc of Puerto Rico

la invitación hecha el año anterior por nuestra Cámara

para que se designe a San Juan sede de la próxima La Cámara se enaltece al honrar a estos caballeros

cjue la sirvieron bien y desinteresadamente." Pero sin duda alguna el más brillante de todos fué la recepción y baile con Cjue nos obsequiara gentilmente nuestra asociada la New York and Porto Rico Steam-

ship Co. a])ordo de su vapor "Borinquen". Todos guardamos grata memoria de aquel espléndido obseciuio que compromete nuestra gratitud. Socios Colectivos: Nuestros estatutos sabiamente

cr)ntem]jlan el ingreso a nuestra Cámara de institu ciones añnes con el carácter de socios colectivos.

Compenetrados de la alta finalidad que con ello se

persigue y de las grandes posibilidades de bien general que pueden alcanzarse a través de le acción colectiva

rjue la Cámara puede realizar con el concurso de estos

convención de la Rice Alillers' Association.

Necrología: Con sincero pesar cumplimos con el penoso deber de consignar en esta memoria el falle cimiento de varios socios distinguidos y estimados de esta Cámara ocurridos durante el ejercicio que termina hoy: Don Manuel Lomba, Expresidente de nuestra Institución y uno de sus fundadores; Don Hernando Behn, hermano de nuestro Primer Presidente y funda dor Don Sosthenes; Don Sergio Ramírez de Arellanq,

también uno de nuestros fundadores ; Don Elias Woolf, Don Toribio Quintana, Don William J. Gillerán, James Bliso Coombs y Don Ramón Cámara, todos los cua les dejan grato recuerdo por sus merecimientos y dotes de caballerosidad.

Al cerrar esta memoria cábenos la satisfacción de

que nuestras g'estiones en ese sentido alcanzaron éxito

poder asegurar a vosotros que la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico no ha perdido nada de su pasado vigor y prestigio y que la labor realizada le ha conquistado nuevos afectos en el seno de la comunidad que aspira

halagador y que gracias a ellas han ingresado en nues

mos a servir.

socios colectivos, nos dimos con ahinco y tenaciddad a la tarea de aumentar el número de estos socios y nos

es particularmente grato poder anunciar a vosotros tra Cámara con tal carácter instituciones tan presti

giosas como la .Asociación de Comerciantes klayoristas, Inc., la Cámara Insular de Comerciantes Mayoristas,

Séanos permitido al cerrar estas lineas dejar cons tancia de nuestra sincera gratitud hacia los señores miembros de la Directiva, hacia el Secretario-Gerente

la Mayaguez Needlework Associatioh, y el Centro de Detallistas de Provisiones de Puerto Rico.

Sr. Berríos, hacia el Agente de Publicidad Sr. Donavi"^

Persiguiendo igual propósito realizamos también activas gestiones para constituir en secciones de nues tra Cámara a distintos gremios. Fruto de ellas es la

curso cordial j" entusiasta no habríamos podidcr realiz^'"

constitución de la "Sección Industrial Tabacalera," a h) cual ct)ntril)u'\'eron eficazmente los señores Fels, Inclan, Oalindo y nuestro Lóirector Sr. Braegger.

Fstán muy adelantadas gestiones similares para

y hacia todo el personal de la oficina, sin cuyo con

la labor de que os doy cuenta. Pero pecaríamos ^e ingratitud si no hiciéramos público reconocimiento del concurso que todos nos habéis brindado permaneciendo fieles a la institución que representa vuestros interesas con prestigio para todos y provecho para la comunida*^Os saluda ciirdialmente.

constituir la Sección de Distribuidores de .Automóviles

y la de Dueños de Talleres de Reparación.

Fstamos seguros de interpretar el sentir de todos nuestros asociados al pedir a vosotros que esta asam blea haga expresión de su beneplácito por el ingreso de estas prestigiosas entidades.

.A este respecto nos es grato consignar que nuestra Cámara contaba con dos socios colectivos; El Colegio

de Administración Comercial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico v la Puerto Rico Service, Inc.

Presidente.

Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico

Fir.iPo L. i)K Hostos 1933—1934

!•

icK

1 i( )i.M i".:

Fredeiuck KrU( 1932—1933

Mii.i ia. MoRAi.ES 192()- 1927

^Ianuel \. IXjMKNECH 1921—1926 1927—1929

SOSTHENES BeU.V Foltnder 1913—1916

Eduardo Ferrer

/Xl.llKRl 1 17

1918—1921

Manuel I.omiia

1916—1917

12

I-:. I.I-K 1 91 s

i3

Boletín Oficial

L,a (^ámai~a de (Comercio y el Vigésimo ylniversario de su Fundacio?i Correspondiendo este anuario al año de 1933, en que nuestra Cámara celebrara el \-ig-ésimo aniversario de su fundación, cumplimos con un elemental deber de g'ratitud al hacer rendida y grata memoria de los disting-uidos caballeros que rigieron los des tinos de esta institución desde la fecha de su fundación hasta nuestros dias.

Para que nuestro homenaje tenga el valimiento del prestigio de la propia Cámara, transcribimos a continuación algunos párrafos del discurso pronunciado por nuestro

actual presidente, don Filipo L. de Hostos, en la sesión conmemorativa de ese fasto de nuestra historia:

''La Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico quedó constituida en memorable reunión celebrada el día 26 de julio de 1913. a iniciativa del Sr. Sostbenes Rehn, hombre de visión y de gran espíritu de empresa que. al correr de los años, lo han.

llevado a ocupar una posición destacada y distinguida en la finanza internacional.

Como primer presidente de nuestra institución, a el correspondió la ardua tarea de ort^anizarla y darle vida y de cimentarla sobre una sólida base que asegurase

su existencia y la consectición de los altos bnes para los cuales fuera fundada. Su inspiración ba perdurado a través de los años y llega basta nosotros como valioso legado.

"Fd tiempo, probador inexorable de los hombres y de sus obras, se ba encar"■ado de demostrar la bondad de la obra realizada por aquel grupo de hombres de buena voluntad que. en aquella señalada fecha de nuestra historia social, se reunieron para dar forma a un noble pensamiento y echaron sobre sus hombros la ino'rata tarea de darle vida. Ingrata tarea, repito, señores, porcjue aún cuando el

espíritu de asociación es una de las características del ser humano, lo cierto es que

la indiferencia, la apatía y mezquinas pasiones ofrecen siempre un formidable valladar a todo propósito de unión, a todo intento de asociación.

"Para todos nosotros debe ser motivo de legítima satisfaccii'm que nuestra

Cámara llegue a los veinte años de existencia con una historia limpia, honrosa. di"-na de sí y de la sociedad que aspiramos a servir. Fundada con el iiropósito

]U-unordial de defender y amparar los intereses del comercio, nuestra institución

ha sabido en todo tiempo realizar esa función en forma levantada, sin herir o lastimar otros intereses; sobreponiéndose al egoísmo tic gremio; inspirándose en

un ami)lio y generoso propósito de bien general. Fs en verdad honroso, señores, iiue'hombres que tenemos fama d'" cuidarnos tan estrechamente de nuestros jiarticulares intereses seamos capace.s de dar. a través de los actos de nuestra Cámara,

una tan palpable prueba de altruismo cuaiulo colocamos en la balanza esos inte reses V los de la comunidad,

."-ti nuestra Cámara no tuviese otro título a merecer

bien (íel país, ese solo bastaría para granjearle el aprecio de la comunidad.

"Realizamos, pués. un acto de elemental justicia al asociar a esta celebración

los nombres prestigiosos de los señores Sostbenes l'.ehn. IManuel Lomba. .Mbert IC 1 ee Fduardo Ferrer. Manuel \'. Domenech. Miguel Morales. Frederick C. Ilolmes V Frederick Krug. distinguidos caballeros que llevaron ese peso sobre sus hombros, airosamente. ct)n brillo para si >• prestigio para la Cámara."

Looking

^head Governor Blaiiton IViiisIiip

AT^ was no established time since the American civil government in Puerto Rico has the Island tacad a more promising economic era. arly to enter into the economic chaos of internalona depression, Puerto Rico was also one of the first

Rico as a tourist center. The ]iistur\- of the Island is a fascinating stud_\- for an\' scrimis niinded student and there is room for a great aniount of research worR

along historical, archeological and gcological lines. The fauna and tropical A'cgetation of the Island offer

o s ow definite signs of recovery. Despite the eco nomía difnculties causad by the loss of crops, great urncane disasters, and repercussions resulting from e ecline of international trade, our commerce in fig ures of exports and imports has steadily maintained a reasonably favorable balance. Sugar prices were fairly

scenery, are available for the \acati(mist and readily

shipments a long crop seaLoffee moved steadilyregular despiteduring the limitad

accessible at all seasons of the 3'ear. The saluln-iotis and equable climate of both the hnvlands and motín-.

n pro uction. Tobáceo commanded fair prices, and citrus ruits, although suffering from crop losses, had a reasonably good market.

lu view of these definite indications of a substantial port market, it is gratifying to note that the purasing power of Puerto Rico in the markets of the

am and still stands firm—in fact, shows a smaller

th an hatdecrease during the years of the depression of any other country in Latin América. Our th" ^ credit organizations, somewhat fortified

„good

Federal aid, have maintained and reported business."

And so I feel confident that, with these fundamental ommercial factors which continué to maintain the

economía strength of the Island and ably to support a

thrp"h"m f sound business, Puerto Rico is at the ° organized program for permanent ecoilitation. The plans of the Federal govrnr.r.of" connection, with the whole-hearted with" ^ In.sular authorities, should result trifc'" ^ years in putting our agricultural indus.1 'no ^too more substantial basis. will In distant future and our independent Island, therefore, cer am y cornmand an inspiring and enviable position

an interesting subject for the .student of nature. Local traditions and legends are suhicicntl;y intricate and ii:i_ triguing to stir the imagination of the best authors of popular fiction. Swimming', hshing-, yachting, inotiiitain climbing, and other spíjrts, together witli tropical

tains is continuously under the reireshing iníluence of the trade winds. In short, wc ha\-e liere in Puerto Rico a most desirable comljination of conditions and circumstances which wc offer to the pcojile of otlier lands

who seek a change or a rest. Because of the depreciation of the American dollar in certain Liiroiiean cotiii-

tries the attractions of Puerto Rico should appeal es~ pecially to tourists from the States contemjdating trips to Europe, and we hope in the near future to ha\ e this

Island recognized as an ideal winter re,sort and estab lished as a permanent tourist center.

The future promises much ! But it remains today more important than ever for all of our Icgitimate coni-

mercial organizations to stand solidly Iiehind and offer constructive counsel to those in whose charge has been placed the program of permanent economic rehabilitation. For the courage, steadlastness of puiqiose. and

splendid spirit of coo])eration tlnit has cnabicd the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico to come through

a trying period, I feel that this organization is descrving of the warmest felicitations of e\ er\- Puerto Rican.

In the new day of world tr.'ule which lies just ahead f wish the Chamlier continiied success amí pri )sperit_v.

in the world s commerce.

BPA.V'lTi.N WIXSI IIP.

In connection with the Island's commerce in world

trade it is well to take into account the future of Puerto

r¡o\ crnor.

14

15

Boletín Oficial

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T/ít- Porí o/ San /íí-ítíí, dnring thc carly part of tJic sez-ciiiccnih cciitury

Four Hundred Years of^ Progress Pl'IÍRTO RICO, alluring verdant isle on whose gleaming- shores the blue of the great Atlantic

and the decper blue of the Caribbean meet, was awakened with the coming of that immortal discoverer of the new world—Christopher Columbas. In Xovember, 1493, over 137 years before the Pilgrims ventured timidly ashore in savage North América, the valiant navigator landed on the coast of the Island then known as Borinquen, near the spot

where .Aguada now stands.

Columbas was, at the

time, engaged in his second voyage to the Indies.

The great discoverer took possession of the Island

in the ñame of his ruyal patrons and gave it the ñame —San luán Bautista, to which was added later the (pialiñcation, "de Puerto Rico." He and his men then jm-shed on toward Santo Domingo, leaving the task of

colonizing the Island to those who were to follow. During thc following decade little progress was

made in the concjuest of the Island and it was not until 1506 that developments of any importance took place.

In that vear the Crown of Spain commissioned

Captain A-^incente \ ánez Pinzón to concjuer and colonize the Island, but his mission was not fulñlled be-

cause Yánez procceded with others to discover part

of the continent.

In the year 1508 Juan Ponce de León agreed with

Fr. Nicholas de Ovando, Governor of Hispaniola (Santo Domingo) to explore the Island of Borinquen.

Ponce de León landed on the southern side of the

Island of San Juan on .August 12, 1508 at the bay of Guanica, after which he explored the coast Une by

vessel.

He fi nally left the ship at a ]dace known as

Boca Abana, off Dorado and after exploring the surrounding country selccted a site for a colonists' settlement and imuceeded to cstal)lish the ñrst Christian community—the town of Ca])arra. a few miles south of the present capital city of San Tuan.

The king of Spain hrst offere'd protection to tbe

new town in 1509 by granting land to those wishing to settlc there. in addttion gTanting all such ]~)ri\"ileges as were enjoyed by neighboring Hispaniola. he granted the Island a coat of arms.

In 1511

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Tile capital city, San Juan, ai tlie cnd of ilie elí/iilcentli century

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Boletín Oficial

San Juan Today—thc Modcrn Mclrot>otis of Puerto Ric

-thc Conuncrcial Dístriet

Vicivcd front titc A ir.

Under the governorships of Ponce de León and Juan Cerón who succeeded him, Spanish settlements spread along- the coastal región. Ill-advised treatment

cjuer the city in 1797, but they, too, were repulsed, leaving behind many dead and numeruus prisoners.

of the natives on the part of Juan Cerón finally lead to a serious uprising on the part of the aborigines and in thc cüursc of time they were thoroughly subdued by the Spanish invaders and forced to withdraw to the

sive fortifications were constructed around the capital city, making it an almost impregnable stronghold, The Island developed slowly during this time, the

fastnesses of the interior highlands where they were

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries mas-

discovery of México and Perú "hindering the colonization of Puerto Rico for the reason that the majoritv

left in comparativo independence until the ISth

of colonists wished to go to the mainland. The at-

century.

tention of the Spanish Crown centered on the riches

The Island of Puerto Rico, like many other early

of the Aztec and Inca empires and during this epoch

Spanish colonies in the Caribbean, soon became the object of concerted attacks by the enemies of Spain

the only practical valué of Puerto Rico to the mother

as well as roving bands of pirates and freebooters. While Trance and Spain were at war in 1528 French

The only political event of importance was the separa-

privateers attacked the Island, and it was after this invasión that the famous Fortaleza was erected at

which time, until the period of South American eman-

San Juan. The success of a second attack on San Juan by the French led to a third assault which terminated in dismal failure.

In 1595, Sir Francis Drake approached San Juan

in quest of a rich dcposit of gold and silver buílion, but he was repulsed after three days of bitter fighting during which Tohn Plawkins, his chief officer, was

country was _its unquestionably strategic location, tion of the Island from the rule of Hispaniola from

cipation, the colonial government was supported by aliotments from the Alexican treasury, The agricultural development of the Island was not entirely dormant, during these turbulent times, how-

ever. It was soon found that the climate and tire soil

were particularly favorable for cultivation and as early as 1515 sugar cañe was introduced from Santo Do

killed. This attack was clo.sely íollowed by another

mingo and the cultivation of coffee soon followed, In the eighteenth century colonization boomed,

under command of George Clifford. Earl pf Cumber-

Increascd political and economic activity became ap-

land, who remained on thc Island for a few months following the siegc of thc city. The Dutch attacked the town in 162a. but were put

parent as Spain, now deprived of her continental colo

to rout after their leader. Flendrick Bowdoin, had been

Puerto Rico, while under the Spanish regime, really took place in the nineteenth ccnturv, This' period maA'

seriously wounded in a skirmish with a few hundred

colonists who had garrisoned thcmselves in El Morro. Harvcv and .\bercrombic, famous Fnglish priva

teers, with 8,000 troops, made a final attempt to con-

nies, turned her attention to her insular iiossessions. Howec er, the chief development of the Island of

well be called Puerto RicoT Golden Age -\t the be'ginning of the century the Island had a population of aliout 150,000, At the cióse of thc period thcre were

18

Boletín Oficial

over 900,000 inhabitants. Ports previously closed to foreign commerce were opened to the trade of the worid. Up to this time the port of San Juan alone was free to send its products to Seville. In 1804, however. Fajardo, Ponce, Cabo Rojo, Mayaguez, and Aguadilla were declared open by Royal Order. In 1811 custom-houses were established in San Juan and the other open ports. Consuls were appointed to San Juan in 1813. A printing office had been established since 1806 where the Royal Gazette was published. One of the greatest forward steps came about

through the Royal Commission, known as the Commission of Grace which, in 1815, allowed foreigners to establish themselves in the country with their capital and slaves, provided they professed the Catholic re ligión. Many English and French colonists migrated to Puerto Rico from neighboring islands, together with Spaniards from Santo Domingo and Venezuela. The Royal Commission of 1815 also established the

Real Audiencia Territorial (Supreme Court) and the Offices of Alcaldes Mayores Letrados (Justices of lower courts) Puerto Rican cases thus ceasing to go to the Audiencia of Puerto Principe, Cuba, on appeal. The school development of the Island, which dated

írom 1770, was greatly aided by a system of regulations issued in 1822, and further by the establishment of the Seminary in 1832. Next came the Civil Institute, and the Jesuit College of Santurce, the College

of the Sacred Heart and other centers of learning scattered throughout the Island.

During this century agricultural and industrial progress came through the further development of

cañe, coffee, and tobáceo planting. In 1869 Puerto Rico was restored to representation

in the Spanish cortes, a privilege which it had not enjoyed since the period 1812-1820. The year 1873 saw the abolition of slavery without bloodshed. A change in government in the mother country in

the next year took away many of the political privileges that had been gained by Puerto Rico and a bitter

Brooke as governor and for a time the Puerto Rican cabinet officers retained their res]jecti\'e jiositions. General Brooke was succeeded by General Guy V.

Henry who in turn wms followed b}' General George W. Davis. The year and a hall of militar^- govern ment was a period of rapid transition. many imjirovements and new institutions lieing grafted on a Spanish foundation. Steps were taken for jn-oviding a postal

system, a local pólice forcé, improved sanitary regulations, judicial amelioration, free iiublic schools. and financial stability.

Civil government came on April 12, 1900, when the United States Congress passed the Foraker Act. But

many political restrictions remained for consideration. President McKinley appointed Charles W. Alien as the first civil governor of the Island. The Executive Council composed of cabinet members organized on June 28, while the lower Plouse dclegates were first

"chosen by general clection Xovember 6, 1900, and held their first session Decembcr 3 of the same year.

The material development of Puerto Rico during

its years under the American flag is without parallel and is really amazing when it is considcred that all this remarkable progress has been accomplished upen a small island, the area of which, including land and

water and adjacent isles, is only 3,435 square miles. Concrete evidence of this phenomenal agricultural and

commercial expansión will be found in many of the pages that follow.

One of the most significant moves madc by the

United States after acquiring the Island was the grant

ing of American citizenship to citizcns of l'uerto Rico. This was accomplished by an Act of Congress on March 2, 1917, known as the "Jones Act." Sulisequent

l^rogress has clearly .shown that the citizens of Puerto Rico were worthy of this honor and their loyalty to the United States is not surpassed by the citizcns of any State in the Unión.

sti'uggle ensued between opposing factions for som^e

The history of Puerto Rico can really be divided into two distinct periods—the Goldcn .Age of oíd Spain and the progressi\'e age of material ad\'ancement under the Stars and Stripes. Nowhere in the Americas can

Rivera and other patriots. The granting of an auton-

one find a better blcnding of the oíd world and the new. While Puerto Rico's cultural background and her foundation date from the_ times of the early con-

form of autonomy, until it was finally won in a modíhed form in 1897, under the leadership of Luis Muñoz omous charter by Spain was followed by a change in domination the next year.

, Hardly Puerto Rico begun to adapt itself to the reformedhadgovernment when the Spanish-American war disturbed the peace of the Island. Admiral Samp-

son by sea and Major-General Nelson Miles by land

rought the war to its shores, but an armistice beween Spain and the United States, arrived at on

August 12, 1898, halted the campaign for the capture ot the Island. As a result of the war Spain ceded the island to the United States and formal possession was assumed on October 18, 1898.

From the moment that the peace treaty was con1 p Jhe two nations, the destinies of beau/s an 1, a Spanish Ricocolony were since entirely changed byand this■ its discovery Colum bus in Loyember 1493, became "an insular possession" o the United States of América and was placed under the political, commercial, and moral influence of the great republic of North América.

During the administration of President McKinlev

in the United States a military government was inaugurated for Puerto Rico with General John C.

cjuests of Spain in the Americas, the^ Island has not allowed the glamor of the jiast to cripple her future advancement. Pler citizens have been quick tci giasp

at all the opportunities presented by the invasión of American progressiveness and nowhere among the possessions of the United States will one find a people more in step with modern developments. Puerto Rico

has assimilated the best that Spanish and .Amencan influence had to offer and has j^rofited hugely by both.

Thus, the visitor to Puerto Rico today is imnie-

diately struck by the júcture of modern efficiency which she presents, despite the fact that, on e\ ery hand, traces of her oíd world background are to be seenv Those who travel through I uerto Rico today cannot but admire the Island s niatchless roads, its modern office buildings, the handsome bridges. the

lively bustle of her multitudinous transjiortalion sys-

tems, her huge sugar centraU. si ientilicali\' ])lanned irrigation systems, the striking ])ublic buildings. the

profusión of schools, the ventable netw..rk .,t light and priwer transmission lines which t o\ 11 the Island. .ind all other evidences of mr.dern material a<K an.-etnent.

Consuls <^ccredited iií dPuerto Rico Argentiiie Austria

Belgiuni Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia

Lope Bello J- Stubbe

Manuel Y. Saldaba W. A. Waymouth Víctor Braegger Filipo L. de Hostos Manuel Benitez Flores

Costa Rica

Ramón Fournier

Cuba

Eduardo Alvarez

Denmark Dominican Republic

F. A. C. Hastrup Federico Llaverias

Ecuador

Fernando Gonzales

El Salvador

J. Fernandez Usera

France

Germany Great Britain

Honduras Flaiti

Barón de Camas

F. Schomburg A. H. Noble

Juan Bermudez Sánchez Charles Vere

Holland

Albert E. Lee

Italy

Siró Malatrasi

Japan Latavia

Miguel Such Ricardo Pesquera

Norway

W. E. A. Lee

Panama

Luis Brau

Portugal

Dionisio Trigo

Spain

Luis de Ariño

Sweden

Switzerland

Uruguay Venezuela ■ •

E. Yeats

Víctor Braegger

Manuel Gómez López ■ -^lauuel Norberto Vetancourt

20

Boi.ktix Oficial

• 'II

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Unitcd S'lates Cusloni-house

San Jican, Puerto Rico

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1

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l'iirnu Rico's ¡mtorts froiii tlic l'niled Statcs are oiily cxecedcd by England. Cañada, Gennanv. Jatan, Franee, Flaieaii and Italy.

The External Trade of Puerto Rico By Filipo L. de Hostos Presideut Cha/nber of Commerce of Puerto Rico

IXandAÍAKIXG a survcy of the trade of Puerto Rico its develoi)ment from the time of American occupation to the present day, four^ salieiit lacts will immediatelv arrest the attention ot the in\ csti-

nator; lirst, the'far-reaching: eltect ot the inclusión ot

imports and exports, are as follo\ys ; total trade with

the United States in 1901; $12,546,000; in 1905; $27492,000; in 1906; $37,473,000 and in 1928; $158,765,000. It is evident from these ñgures that the establishment of free trade with the United States has benefited both

the Island vvdthin the customs unión ot the P nited

the Island and the States to an eciual degree since the

Statcs; second, the manner in which_ tree trade \yith

percentage of our imports from the mainland has kept

the Uniteil States has affected the agricultural produc-

the latter has normally exceedcd that of the former,

timi of the Island; third, the consequent absorption by Ainerican cmmerce of practically all ot the imports and exp,n-ts of Puerto Rico, and. fourth the great im-

portance of the commerce of the Island to the external trade of the l'nited States in relation to other cotintries.

When, on Tuly 25, 1901. a Presidential proclamation made Puerto Rico a part of the trade and eommercial svstem of the United States like any State of the Unión, and frce trade was established with the

pace with that of our exports and while the valué of

this visible favorable trade balance has been used to

liquídate the heavy d_9,ficit for Puerto Rico that the non-trade sources of international income and outgo have always produced and which goes mainly to the United States in the form of pavments for account of

interest, banking, dividends, insurance, shipping, etc. for, as in the case of trade, financial relations are also

very largely controlled by American capital, which is by far the hcaviest outside investur in the Island ; while shipping of the ninety per cent of our external trade absorbed by the mainland must perfnrce be made in

mainland, not onlv was great Ímpetus gi\ en to the

(Icx'cloi^nient of trade \vith the States but the Island was c.ndemned, involuntarily perhaps, to almost com plete ecommiic deiiendence on Amencan commerce and to American iinancial domination. In tact. Puerto Rico was thcrebv made tribiitarv to the Amencan mar-

.American bottoms as Puerto Rico is also in'cluded within the coastwise national shipping area

Wdien considering the relation of tlie external trade of Puerto Rico to its commerce with the United States it must be borne in mind that the Island is not seíf

ket as ettectively and comiiletelv as any other Amero can community.

,

•,

suiiporting even in the matter of f(unlstuffs--an agri

,

cultural country though it is- and that consecpientlv

Prior to American occupation our trade with the States amounted onlv to approximateU tccentc jier cent of the total but from the vear 1901 t<i 1905 it rose rapidly to seveiity-eight per cent and fr.im 1906 to date it 'has further expanded and increased from

the ratio of its external trade to its t.Aal commerce is

exceptionally high ; much more so than in the case of the average agricultural comnuinitv, for its lu-oduction has been conhned to a limited num'ber of commodities ;

cañe sugar, tobáceo, Iruits (oranges, gra|)efruit, ]iine-

eighty-fiye to ninety-two per cent. The corresponding

apples, and coco.anutsU and coffee,—of which tlie first

figures showimi- the laalue of such trade, including both 21

22

Boletix Oficial

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Puerto Rico's import and e.vport trade with the United States, from 1909 to 1933.

is by a wide margin the most important of all—and the bulk of all of which is for export. Henee, external trade represents by far the biggest share of the total commerce of the Island and it may be said without ex-

^^g'g'Gration that Puerto Rico practically imports all it consumes and exports all it produces.

This situation is to be attributed directly to the inclusión of Puerto Rico within the customs system of the United States and should be considered as the most

important and far-reaching consequence of that fiscal measure. Indeed, as we shall see, it has resulted in the

conversión of a largely self-sufficing economic entity mto a thoroughly dependent unit of the American mar-

ket to which it has become tributary. This explains the remarkable expansión of its external trade in

proportion to population and the rapid rise of its

volume per capita.

According to the report of the

survey of Puerto Rico made by the Brookings Institution, the ascending curve of the corresponding fi g

ures is as follows: imports, from $17.47 per capita in 1902 to $35.60 in 1905, to $40.77 in 1910 to $41.27 in 1905, to $48.47 in 1920 to $64.03 in 1925, and to $68.29 m 1929. As regards exports, the per capita figures are: $11.97 for 1901 ; $20.40 for 1905; $30.38 for 1910; $42.60 for 1915; $54.20 for 1920; $64.55 for 1925, and $59.82 ff)r 1929. The drop shown by the figure for 1929 is explained by the widespread damage and loss caused by the devastating hurricane of the previous year. In contrast to it, that corresponding to the year 1926: MEAT

1901 1905 1910 1915 1920 1925 1929

Lbs.

sands

per

of Lbs.

capita

5,578 8,695 13,012 18,222 13,644 31,114 30,795

5.7 8.3 11.6 15.1 10.5 22.2 20.7

Thousands of Lbs.

Lbs.

42,968 81,102 117,731 127,511 133,449 169,531 199,934

43.8 77.8 105.0 105.6 102.7 121.2 134.6

per cap.

record.

In no instancc has the effect of free trade with the

United States manifested itself more forcil^ly and decidedly than in the great change it has Irronght about in the agricultural production of the Island botli as to

the relative position of its principal crojis as well as to the remarkable expansión of most of tliem. Indeed, it has been revolutionary when both the economic and social aspects are considered, and its

most important result has been the fostering and development of the sugar industry to the position of dominance that it now occrq^ies as the mainstay of the economic structure of the Island. Prior to the American rcgime coffec was Puerto

Rico's most important crup, outranking sugar and all others by a wide margin. But the Ímpetus given to sugar production by the establishment of free trade was so great that within the space of a few years sug^ar rapidly pushed to the front, displacing coffee from its privileged position, and while it has not encroached directly upon its former rival because coffce is grown on the highlands and hillsides where sugar cañe cannot be cultivated successfuUy or profitably, it has tended

to specialize agriculture to a very high degree and to limit the number of crops under cultivation to com-

mercial staples, eliminating or discouraging farming of subsistence crops. This account.s for the seeming anomaly of an agricultural community that must im port from abroad the bulk of the foodstuffs it con-

WHEAT FLOUR

RICE

Thou-

$69.51, should be noted as the liigliest un

Thousands of Lbs.

43,078 39,219 63,844 59,304 88,139 80,117

100,475

Lbs. per cap.

43^9 37.6 57.0 49.1 67.8 57.3 67.7

POTATOES

BE Thousands of Lbs.

2,973 3,637 10,915 12,273 22,322 29,304 43,888

Lbs.

Thou-

per

^and s

cap.

of Lbs.

3.0

3.5 9.7 10.2 17.2 20.9 29.6

6.801 6,974 11.965 9,65 5 16.367 55,734 51.3t,8

How Puerto Rico's imports of staple foodstuffs have increased during the ]) a s t thirty years.

Lbs. per caji.

6.9

6.7

10.7 8.0 12.6 39.8 34.6

23

Boletín Oficial

trate the situation let us take five of the niost impor-

tant ítems of the native diet: rice, beans, wheat flour,

potatoes and meat and see how our imports per capita have increased during the last thirty years despite the fact that the population of the Island has increased

enormously from less than a million to a million and

Year

(Tons of 2,000 Lbs.)

1901 1902

103,152 100,576

68,909 91,912

1903 1904 1905 1906

139.096

113.108

151,088 214,480 206.864

129,647

a half during that same period. This is clearly shown

1907

230,095

in the tal)le on the opposite page.

1908 1909

277,093 346,786

1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

349,840

The development and growth of the sugar industry and the tremendous increase in the amount of cañe

sugar produccd has not only been the outstanding resuit of the inclusión of Puerto Rico within the customs arca of the United Statcs but likewise the principal

factor in the phenomenal expansión of the Island's external trade, constituting nearly sixty per cent of our exports. Being the mainsta}^ of our economic structure it has also become the barometer of Puerto Rico s

prosperity. \Mien the price of sugar is good our im-^ ports increase sympathetically; when the price ot sugar is bad they fall off in similar fashion. From 1897 to 1928 the arca planted to sugar cañe rose from 61,558 to 237,746 acres. More than two-

fifths of the Island's cultivated area, which corresponds

to more than eleven per cent of the total area of Puerto Rico, is devotcd to the cultivation of sugar

cano. It has monopolized practically all of the coastal and low lands, annihilating the catt'lc raising industry whicii thrived during Spanish times and used a part

of these lands for pasture and grazing. The astounding growth of the sugar industry, entirely fostered and made possible by the protection afforded to it by the American tariff, is the greatest accomplishment of /\merican occupation but it might prove a tragic one

of

Exportation

$4,715,611.00

135.663 205.277 204.079

5,890,302.00 7,470.122.00 8,690,814.00 11,925.804.00 14,184.667.00 14,770,682.00

234,607

18.690,504.00

244.257 284,522

18,432,446.00 23,545.922.00 24,479.346.00 31,544,063.00 26,619.158.00

322,919 367,145 382,700 320,633 294,475 424.955

371,070 398,004 351,666 346,490 345,490 483.589 503.081 453.793

\

Valué

Exportation (Tons of 2,000 Lbs.)

Production

sumes, these importations ranging from one-third to alnu^st one-half of the total imports. To better illus-

20.240.333.00 27.278.754.00 45.809.445.00 54,015.903.00

488.943

41,362,229.00 48,132,419.00 98,923,750.00

336,788 351,910

406,002

419,388 409.407 469.889 355.423 372.041 571.559 578.811

485.077 491.000 405.000

379,000 447.000 660,003 603.187 629.135 748.677

72.440.924.00 40,820,333.00

46.207,276.00 47,838,687.00 53.261.895.00 48.223.258.00

54.756,984.00 54,579,020.00 35,224.056.00 53,670,038.00 54,367,401.00 55,116,975.00 50.780,422.00

574,689 605,620 471,269

586,760

721.217 806.826 912,169 822.423

866.109 783.163 992,432

816,337

if such a protection lie ever withdrawn or diminished

Next to sugar cañe, tobáceo has benefited to a very

since the economic fortunes of the Island are depen-

large extent from free trade with the United States

dent upon this industry, which provides sixty per cent of its exports and one-fourth of the insular and local

and the tobáceo industry has attained great importance,

taxes.

The following table tells graphically the story of the development and expansión of the industry during the last thirty-two j^ears:

occupying second place amongst the Island's principal agricultural industries. Its expansión and growth appears from the following figures: in the year 1901 the valué of tobáceo exported amounted to $681,000 equivalent to 8% of the total exports ; by 1914 it had

A '

1 E-xp

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1909 I1IJ> 10 n

/V' 12

J3

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1914 IS

19/S /6

19/*' '7

I9IJ IS

19IS 79

1919 20

¡930 l9il '9^^ 2! 22 3i

'99i 3~4

I934 ¿S

I99S /9JC 2t> 37

193^ 3&

3936 '939 39 30

P'ucrto Rico's forcigii trade n'itti roiiHiries ollicr than the L'nitrd States, from the year !V(>^ to 1'77\

/930 '93! 3! 32

'933 3S

Boletix Oficial

24

VALUE OF MERCHANDISE SHIPPED FROM PUERTO RICO TO THE UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES To the

VALUE OF MERCHANDISE SHIPPED FROM UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES

To Foreign

Years

United States

Countries

Total

Years

1901 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

$5,581,288 32,095,645 34,765,409

$3,002,679 5,864,574 5,152,958 6,832,012 8,564,942 8,679,582 7,044,987 5,778,805 7,855,693 8,779,033 8,480,989 17,603,941 8,890,348 5,942,800 5,285,793

$8,583,967 37,960,219 39,918,367 49,705,413 49,103,565 43,102,762 49,356,907 66,731,573

1901 1910 1911 1912

42,873,401

40,538,623 34,423,180 42,311,920 60,952,768 73,115,224 65,514,989 71,015,351 133,207,508 103,388,227 66,229,771 77,007,257

80,754,975 84,411,792 88,106,570 100,574,001 96,662,619 76,418,210 95,097,640 94,876,997 83,645,863 73,388,298

7,525,565 10,407,152 10,618,281 7,493,433 6,872,120 5,304,660 4,468,565 3,523,930 2,771,075 2,018,157

80,970,917 74,294,022

79,496,040 150,811,449 112,278,575 72,172,571 82,293,050 88,280,540

94,818,944 98,724,851 108,067,434 103,534,739 81,722,870 99,566,205 98,400,927 86,416,938 75,406,455

to $8,947,000 or 20.7% of all exports. By the year 1928 tobáceo exports had reached the sum of $20,701,000 an increase of over eleven and three quarter million dollars in fourteen years. The fruit industry is a child of free trade. It did not exist before American occupation and while eighty-four thousand dollars' worth of oranges were exportad in the year 1901, an organizad fruit growing industry had not been established then. It grew rapidly and by 1914 it was shipping $3,202,000 worth of grapefruit, pineapples, oranges and cocoanuts. Ten years later it exportad fruit valuad at $3,788,000. In 1928 its exports amounted to $6,358,000 almost twice as much as four years earlier. We have already noted how the United States increased

Friiin the United States

$6,963,408 27,097.654 34,671,958 38,470,963 33,155,005 32,568.368 30,929,831 35,892,515 49,539,249 58,945,758 57,898,085 90,724,259 97,074,399 57,400,028 64,743,462 80,590,021 79,349,618 83,046,553 87,046,319 79,743,088 85,078,596 73,078,779 68,018,167 52,826,794 48,886,644

1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

Ibs. valued

Frfiin C^iiiiiiries

$1,952.72S ,^537,201 4.115.039 4.501.92$

3,745,057 3,8.^^8,419 2,954,465 3,058,641 4,(X)5,975 4,443,524 4,502,275 5,664,275 8,405,304 6,775,121 7,201,043 8,779,603 11,154,983 12,211,711 11,764,431 12,599,241 12,782,164 10,844,050 8,419,243 8,454,307 5,859,067

at $5,016,796 f<

Total

$8.918,136 30,634,855 38.786,997 42,972,891 36,900,062 36,406,787 33.884,296 38,951,156 53,545,224 63,384,282 62,400,360 96,388,534 105.479,703 64,175,149 71.944,505 89,369,624 90,504,601 95,258,264 98,810,750 92.342,329 97,860,760 83,922,829 76,437,410 61,281,101

54,745,711 lins

I une

30, 1933, all of which

Meat and pork products come next with a total valué of $2,399,556, followed by lard and other eclible oils and fats valuad at $1,494,408. Dned heans and peas make a closc fourth with a total of $1,321,580. Fifth is wheat flour with a total of 420,105 b.arrels valued at $1,281,774.

As regards apparel—cotton cloth. sheetings and bleached cotton head the list with a total \'alue of

$10,042 947

Next comes boots, shoes and footwear to the valué of $2,239,165, followed by cotton wearing apparel valued at $1,835,106. The importance of Puerto Rico as an overseas market for American products and goods has been growing-

has absorbed the bulk of the external trade of Puerto

in direct ratio to the expansión of its external trade.

Rico, over ninety per cent of which goes to the mainland. We give here a tabla showing total exports and imports and amounts corresponding to the States and to foreign countries. Turning now to the composition of the import trade we find that merchandise bought by Puerto Rico from

Few people in the United States are aw.ire <)í this ^ er\ important fact. Last year, for instance. Piierto Rico ranked eighth among the woilds buvers of .American goods, being surpassed rinly by the United Kingdom. Cañada, Japan, Germany, biance. China and

the United States and foreign countries is distributed as follows: foodstuífs thirty-six per cent; apparel fclothing, headwear, footwear, etc.) twenty-one per

goods exceeded the ciimbined jier caj)ita purcha.se.s of

cent; building materials (lumbar, steel, cement, etc.) twelve per cent; motor vehicles and other transportation equipment, eight and two-thirds per cent; machinery and supplies for manufacturing industries, six per cent; agricultural machinery and supplies, five

betwecn Puerto Rico anfl the Imited States there is

c\'erv reason to expect that the Island rvill continué to occuiiy that ])osition of ])rominenie .inningst the (ver

per cent; all other imports two and one-third per cent. These figures represent the average for a number of six representativa j-'ears comprising the period from

succesR of the nati^mal reco\ ei \ ])r<)gram, b()th in the United States and Iiere. e aie .it jíre'^coit U'cHng

1901 to 1930.

In the matter of foodstuffs rice is the most important Ítem the import list with a total of 243,532,018

During the year 1932 our ]icr tajiita ]>ui chases of such

all Central and South .América. In \ iew of world con-

ditions and the particularly cióse relations existing

seas markets of the I^nitefl States.

However. our ability to do tiiat depemU on the

more acutely than exer tlie elleit^ ol tlie gimeral deprcssion that sweeps mercile^slv o\ei tlie w hide woild. The crisis here is aggraxated b\- peculiar loc.al C(um flitions which command s])Ccial attentic in ,ind rcpiire

Boletín Oficial

Country North América: Cañada

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS BY COUNTRIES. Country Exports Importa Europe: (Dollars) 304.983

304,983

Mujuelon and St. l'icrre.. Nicarajíua Panama México Ncwfoundland

Unitcd States

18

75

1,530

1,017

106,677

73,388,298

459,300 48,886,644

Ar<;entina ....

1,800

31,068 3,488 20,338

0,052

82

10

2,948 480

1,915 2,834

Rep

Virgin Islands .

34,613 13,371

281,803

47,414

134,271 1,974

241.748

750,112 479,313 34,615 4,357 152,117

426,515

185,674 132,411 61,916 658,311

Africa:

Canary Islands Morocco

588

....

281,449 14,571

Belgium Czcchoslovakia

164..305

Denmark Finland France

223

3.238

63.688 250.468

Germany

Italy Netherlands ... Norwav

2

Poland and Danzig. Portugal Spain

2,829 49,780 987,033 8,981 627 108

8,370

336,680 34,724 5,685 451,431

Sweden Switzerland

272

Uruguay Venezuela .... West Indies: British Cuba . . .. Dominican IDutch \Wst Indies. French West Indies. Haiti

Exports Imports (Dollars)..

Irish Free State

South América: Rrazil Chile Colombia . ... Ecuador Br. Cuiana ... Dutch Guiana French Guiana

.Austria

1932-1933.

796

840 50

472,951 544

1,812

Plong Kong Japan

4.523 107

Palestine

closelv linkcd to and dependent on that ot the

United States, to whose markets we are entirely tributary, the magnitude and effect of those conditmns on our economic structure is such that our social and economic ills cannot effectively be remedied y le

mere application of the same measures that are bemg applied in the States at present, for the very simple reason that there are great and marked discrepmicies bctween conditions here and in the States and, what is more important still, because our economic structure

jirescnts a ]ieculiar and probably umque case. The Ihhted Stat¿s are practically a sclt-contained commonwealth producing and manufactunng almost eyerything it consumes. In Puerto Rjco the situation is reversed: we must import practically everything that we

15,942

Philippine Islands .. Oceania: .Australia Br. Oceania Netherland Fast Ind.

Share oí the U. S. in the commerce of P. R. (1932-33)

specific remedies. Fven though our economic life is so

109,239

United Kingdom .... Asia: British India China

9,007 92

10,896

$75,406,455 94%

$54,745,711

fact that with the exception of sugar, tobáceo and coft'ce, we do not produce any of the commodities which the act seeks to protect. Consequently every

dollar paid by Puerto Rico for account of taxes on such commodities as wheat, cotton, pork, etc., will be

so much money taken out of our already very depleted coffers without compensation to us.

This will result

in very serious hardship to the Island, all the more

so since we are also paying increased prices resulting from the imposition and collection of those taxes in

the States as Avell as the general advance resulting from the operation of that legislation.

There is only one way in which the injustice being worked upon us by that legislation can be corrected and that is through the adoption of measures that will

raise the price of sugar to the level contemplated by

consume and export all that we jiroduce There can be no doubt, therefore, as to the extent to which we are alTected by economic conditions in

law. Sugar is the mainstay of our economic structure

the States.

bencfit by the provisions of the -Agricultural .Adjust-

,.

.

.

.

Henee our concern for and vita interest in the lar-

reaching national legislation enacted by Congress to lift the nation out of the abyss ot deiiression and unemployment. The success of the national yecoyery program has been staked on two ma.,or legislative meas

ures: the Agriciiltural Adjiistment .\ct and the

Natiunal Recoverv \ct. Both are applicableto Puerto Ric(^ and in full forcé and ehect here. f)t the twci.

the first is of paramount imi>ortance to the Tsland. because the iirocessing taxes le\ led undei it will affect US l„,th directly and indiyectly. owing to the ]ieruliar circumstances abo\e rcteiied tii. .ind to the

and no improvcment in local conditions can be hoped for unless our principal basic industrv is enabled to

ment .Act and to rellect its prosperity on the general situation.

Tile U'nitcd States has a A ery direct concern in the prosperity of Puerto Rico. Tt is to their intercst that

we may be able to maintain our position as their best

customer in T.atin .\merica. Gonseiiuentlv. not only as a matter of fundamental justice but as well of verv

direct interest to tbem, manutacturers. prodiicers and merchants in the States should actixelv lielp Puerto Rico to receiie legislation.

its

due

b\' the

federal

recox'erv

MAYAG

o Poto

OMoca

Guon ic Q

Caja de Muertos

I Colfee S Coconut

SÍMUffi cottoYi

I Sugar-cane

LTf^jíll^AI^

ledra

Fruits

^ Tobáceo

Yobucn

UMACACSIS

S^^Ll-Onenzo

N o d u a l-i Las Piedras

Lo I ? n

en na as '''<li^, V/^2H S_Bu ue sJ//////i¡ ////%//■''"'iP^ no

GUAYAMA

Psoüno

ifüiiiiiiiiiiiiiir

om e

/Naromifo

ACTUAL AREA UNDER CULTÍVATION

'^

Bovomon

OCorozoL^^

VeppAlfo

Borranq

O

M o ro VI

Sont'o Isabel

Juono Diq!7

II

I I Iqlb

eso

onoí

prcéronet

Aii agncultural map, shuií'iiig Ihc nrras drrolrd te tlic iitltiviiliiin of llic Island's ¡^riinil'al irof's

uoyanillo

aGrande

Youco

rmon

Moricoc

Monas

S/AGÜADI lT

Mm h

^g\XÍ^)))j;:«

tNi

r

>

o

o 2

X

03

O

27

Boletín Oficial

Puerto Rico's principal crops—sugar cañe—coffcc—tobáceo—citrus fruit

^griculture PUERTO RICO is essentially an agricultura! country. Since the days of its^ pioneer settlements—the glamorous era of Christopher Columbus and Ronce de León—the Island s Ufe has been

linked inseparably with the soil. All through the years the material progress of Puerto Rico has depended uttcrly upon the fruitfulness of her lands, and the history of the Island's growth is a record of her development in field, farm and fruit groye.

Throughout these pages one will see set forth a panorama of Puerto Rico's expansión throughout the

years. Picture, fact and figure will show the steady progress of the Island and its people. And on every

hand will appear proof positive that the story of Puerto Rico is the story of her agriculture. This has always been so, it is true to-day, and it will be the

same through all the years to come. Pler destiny is

immutably fixed.

While it is true that the Island has its industrial

aspects, agriculture employs, by fay the majonty of capital and labor in the country. Of the some 503,810

persons employed on the Island, over 51% or approximately 261,789 are directly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at least 75% of the total population of the island is directly aftected by the prospenty (or the reverse) of the agricultural industry.

The agricultural growth which is indicated through

out the pages that follow was not achie\ ed without a struggle, and Puerto Rico has had her fair share of periods of transition and travad. rhroughout the entire develoi)mcnt of the Island, Puerto Rico has been

for the most part a one-crop ^ country, and she has cxperienced the difticulties which are bound to arise in such a situation. There have been many changes.

For examjile, several hundred years age, rice constituted one of the iirincipal crops ot the Island. Today

thcre is not a grain grown in the country. Crops which have come to the fore during the past century or more have been quite different. The principal ones have been sugar, tobáceo, and coft'ee. In modern times sugar has soared to a commanding position, and it is unlikely that it will ever be superseded. Today sugar completely dominates the agricultural, industrial, and commercial life of Puerto Rico. From the year 1897 to 1933 the amount of land planted to sugar cañe has risen from 61,558 to over 241,000 acres, and nearly 60% of the Island's tilled area is devoted entirelj^ to the cultivation of cañe. The sugar industry, as will be seen from evidence in this volume, is the ver}»- heart's blood of Puerto Rico. With the growth of sugar has come the growth of the Island. \A'hen the sugar crop is good. Puerto Rico

prospers; when sugar is down, the depression is reflected in every activity of the Island.

As cotton is

"King" in the southern L^nited States, so is sugar King in Puerto Rico.

The commercial importance of sugar, tobáceo, and coffee, has led, naturally, to their almost exclusive cul tivation, but in recent years citrus fruit and other

products have come to the fore and bid fair, one day, to rank among the principáis.

And while there is tre-

mendous acreage devoted to sugar and other leading products, there are literally thousands of acres still

available throughout the Island for the production of other crops.

The chínate of Puerto Rico is not, as cnmmonly supposed, tropical. It is senii-tropical, and many forms of vcgetaticni which tlourish in températe dimes are readily acclimated. Considerable variety c^f .soil exists and general conditions in the Island favor the growing of a diversity of crops.

28

Boletix Oficial

In the past practically no attempt has been made

to take advantage of these conditions and intense spe-

cialization has made Puerto Rico susceptible to all the ills which a one-crop country is heir to. In recent years, however, a concentrated campaign has been carried on by the agricultura! bureaus of the Insular Government to convince planters of the need for greater

variety. Educational projects, demonstration farms, and other media have been employed with considerable success. Special efforts have been made to spread the

cultivation of green vegetables and encouragement has been given to the development of the so-called "truck farms whose greatest field of usefulness will lie in

the production of foodstuffs for local consumption. This movement, while having no detrimental effect on the production of the Island's chief sources of reve-

nue (sugar, tobáceo, etc.), will perhaps in time free Puerto Rico from her present anomalous position— that of an agricultural country importing practically all of its food supply.

Since the American occupation the agricultural pieture m Puerto Rico has undergone kaleidoscopic changes. When the Island became a part of the nited States, removal of export trade barriers spurred production and put all agriculture on a more profitable asís. The introduction of American efficiency rehabili-

a e industry and started the march of progress which as continued ever since. A study of production fig ures and other statistics appearing elsewhere in this wor will revea! the striking advances made since the turn of the present century.

decades Puerto Rican planters

present over 100,000 tons of mi.xcd fertilizers are used

and the consumption is mounting \carly. Some planters have gene so far as to inxestig.ate all their fields separately and fcrtilize thcm according to their special requirements.

The greater part of the credit fur Puerto Rico's agricultural development must be gi\en to the experi mental and educational work i >f gox ernment agencies

and departments, such as the Department of -Agri culture and Commerce of the Insular (¡ox ernment and

the United States Dei^arment of .Xgricidture.

Some

of the particular projects which ha\ e been of invaluable assistance to Puerto Rican agriculture include

the plant propagation station. Insidar b.x])eriinental Station, demonstration farms. the l'lant Ouarantine and Control Administration of the F'. S. IDejjartment of

Agriculture operating in Puerto Rico, and the vocational education work (specializing in agriculture)

conducted by the Insular Board for \'ocational Educa tion.

The purpose of all these projects, and many other similar enes which are carried on in the Island. is to

better Puerto Rico's crop production. to introduce new disease-resistant varieties, to cnlarge the scope of the

agricultural industry, to guard against the importation of infected plants and jjests, and to develo]! a new generation of modern farmers. thoroughly trained and

well acquainted with the most scientific methods of cultivation known today. The work that has been done by the Plant Ouar antine service has been extremely valuable in pro-

with every modern development

tecting all manner of crops, and its activities are of particular interest since they involve the enforcement

°j at ^ agricultural of the Island would aze the signs ofsections progressiveness which are

of Federal foreign and domestic plant quarantines, as well as certain Insular quarantines. This work is de-

ín if

bp

crops has made fertilizatiím <<f utmnst imi)<)rtancc. At

j"r

is quite likely, indeed, that a

scribed in detail elsewhere in these pages.

u

miles of well paved

bv ways which facilitate deliveries of produce ranp anV ^ up-to-date railways serving the ownpd ana° regions—and also miles of railroads of nnp {from field to by sugar the handling mili ; onecentráis will seefor sugar factories

knnwt^'^^fu •

latest processes and machinery

The operation of demonstration farms has been

attended with great success and the educational benefits cannot be gauged in figures. Intensi\ e work has

been done in propagation of vegetable growth new to the Island. Seed selection and anahasis has been under-

taken on a large scale. The work in suppression of disease in the sugar

are larp-pb

There are many milis which

crop—carried on almost entirely by govcrnment agen

and othpr

motorized plows, subsoilers,

experimental fa

centráis have fully equipped

so positive that few other sections of the world can offer better evidence of successful agricultural research of a similar nature. All this work has been done, and more is being

cies, and a few private experimental farms. has been

will be noteTtÍa^'^''^

preparation. It

constantlv bein of all—eñe will •

varieties are perhaps most impressive

irrie-atinn

^ magnificent system of scientific of acres devoted practi-

Rico whiSf'Wp^ wrigation is one of many in Puerto Overeóme Lnrb í"" thoroughly investigated and dearth of watershp 1

to successful canp 1

^

timber and consequent irrigation necessary

is deficient in rainGll'^'"?' supply of water

ated systems are

T

section generous

" g'wcrnment-owned and oper-

the resultant increasT'

situation and

done every year, but perhaps the greatest stej) toward assuring a great and prosi^erínis futuro for Puerto Rican agriculture is the one represented by the vocational educational work now types of schools for vocational operated and the cfiurses ot most are those in vocational

well undcrwav. Three education are now being instruction emi'hasized agriculture. There are

at present forty-seven groups being trained in modern agricultural methods, with

an

enrdllment of over

5,000 students. Project w<')rk on crops is carried out on model farms bv each group and similar ])roiects are carried out on the home farms of studeTits.

This educational program is «lesigned to de\'elop

sion „n any scale S"ñSV¿;a"y:^° is

successfully met r 'per soil conditioning. Speciaiizatíon in

farmers who will be skiífully and technicallv trained and the wrjrk so far accom]dished ha> been imist gr.atifying to all those who see in the thonuigh instructi'Ui of the "young idea," Puerto Ricos gre.atest hfi]'e for a successful future in .agriculture.

(§ugar PUERTO RICO owes its very existence to sugar. TIic silgar industrv is the foundation of the Island's entine material development and were

it nf)t for cañe Puerto Rico might be largely dependent for its supjiort upon the United States, instead of be-

ing ivliat it is today—ene of the most valuable "out-

i

ports" nnder the American flag.

Since sugar has played the major role in the history of the Island, it is altogether fitting that \ve review the develojnnent of cañe growing, since its earliest beginnings, tracing, as we go, the steps which gradu-

ally brought the indiistry to the position it occupies today.

lience, in subsequent pages, we present a summary view of the industrv in the Island, its historical de\ el-

opment and recent progress, a brief account of the various centráis and of the institutions working for the

betterment of the industry, together with an outline of activities which are being carried on to establish sugar production on an even higher basis of operating efficiency.

Sugar cañe has been grown in Puerto Rico for upward of four hundred years. As cañe originated in the eastern hemisphere, it may be of interest to learn how it first carne to be imported to this Caribbean island.

History says that Christopher Columbus brought with him on his second trip to América, the first sugar canes that crossed the Atlantic. This took place in

the year 1493, when lie arrived at Hispañiola, now

known as Santo Domingo, the island most highly praised by the great admiral. It seems, therefore, that these canes were from Spain, where they had been brought in from far away y^siatic regions in remóte times.

The canes brought over by the famous nai igator did not grow in Santo Domingo. As a matter of fact no descendants from these original plants were ever

found. Howei'er, a new importation to Santo Do mingo was made in the year 1506. This time propa-

gation was made possibíe and hi.stOTy sa} s that the first sugar was manufactured in 1509.

The first cañe brought into Puerto Rico carne trom Santo Domingo in the year 1515. The new grass was easily grown in the Island and the first gnnding ap-

paratus and equipment for making edible molasscs was built in about 1523.

. ,

. ^

The development of the sugar industry m_ Puerto Rico met with manv a hardship from its earliest be

ginnings. The iudi¿ial annals of Puerto Rico register the first forcclosurc of n.

niill in the ^eíii 1^2/.

this having lieen decreed for the collection of debts on

an ingenio (plantation) owned by Don Tomás de Castellón, of San Hermán. This was the first ingenio established in the Island. . a- ^ ■ The government of Puerto Rico oftered im]iortant

cooiicration to the slowly developing sugar industry by Icnding monev for the establishment ot ingenios. P> to the year 'l54() Don Juan de Castellanos, the treasurer of' the Island, had made disbursements for

Oiily edible molasses had been manufactured in Puerto Rico prior to 1548, in which year Don Gregorio de Santa Olaya built the ingenio Santa Ana, at Bayamón, operated by a water wheel, for the manufacture of muscavado sugar. In the year 1581 there were eleven ingenios in the Island, four located on the

shores of the Bayanión River, one at Caparra, three on the shores of the Toa River, one in Canóvanas,

and two at Loiza. Two of theni were operated bv water-wheels, and the rcmaining nine were operated by animal power.

The annual production of these

ingenios was 15,000 arrobas (nearly 200 short tons) of sugar, and it had first place among the Island's sources of revenue.

Many difficulties were confronting the sugar in dustry by this time, the worst being of an economic nature. Alany land-owners turned their property over to the cultivation of ginger because of better returns, and by the year 1602 there remained onlv eight in genios with total production of 3.000 arrobas (nearlv 40 short tons) of sugar.

In 1603 Governor Sanch'o

Ochoa de Castro, alarmed by such reductions, called

the Cabildo (goveriiing body) to meet at the Capítol and takc up the matter. As a result of this meeting the cultivation of ginger on sugar ingenio lands was prohibited.

On September 12, 1615, a hurricane destroyed all the remaining ingenios. With considerable help coming from the government. four new ingenios had been

built by the year l(i20. Seven ingenios were cqierating in the year 1644. The number of them continued t'o

increase and in 177() Governor O'Reillv roported a pro duction of 10.947 arrobas (137 short tons) of sugar, and 78,884 barréis of edible molasses. The largest luimber of ingenios reached was (>43 and by the middle of the year 1878 they had been reduccd t'o 505. There were central factories or milU at Aguada,

tbis luinpose aniounting to six tbousand pesos. The King of Sjiain likewisc coopcrateil and in the year

\ eg.i Baja, lanza, Xaguabi), and Alaunabo in the year

1549 he made a loan of 1.500 pesos to Don Alonso Pérez Martell for the establishment of one ingenio.

ganizcd m the Island had madi' a suri'ei' of the possibility of building large central factories. arrixing at

188(1. By this time tiie agricultural associations or-

20

30

Bolktix Oficial

the conclusión that there was room enough for fortysix of the new kind of milis.

Just prior to the American occupation there were twenty-two new central milis and 249 ingenios in the Island. Today there are forty of the former while the latter have completely disappeared. At the cióse of the Spanish occupation in 1898 a larger proportion of the milis in the Island were still

of the ox power and open kettle type. Production, which had risen to 115,700 tons in 1872, fell off to 64,000 tons in 1897, and in the following year, as a result of a destructive storm, it was only 46,500 tons. A new era opened when Puerto Rico became part of the United States. In 1901 sugar from the Island was admitted free of duty to mainland ports. This at once put sugar production on a profitable basis and

brought about the replacement of the oíd time ingenios by large modern centráis. Large factories equipped with modern^ machinery were established; railroad lines for hauling cañe over long distances were built,

and methods of cultivation were improved by the

modern implements and machinery. Fhe advantageous financial and economic condi-

tions attamed by the industry have made it possible

tor pianters and manufacturers to apply the latest practices in ñeld and factory. They have made possib e the establishment and operation of institutions and organizations devoted to research and experimentation in sugar cañe agriculture and to the propagation of all the knowledge so acquired.

The increases in production in the ])ast ten years, for example, have been due, not to expansión of acreage, but to a higher production ]>er acre biajught about by a change of \-arieties, imjre intensi\e cultivation, irrigation, and more suitable fertiliz.ition. This has been the result of the experimental work carried out in the Island, of the higher type of field men employed,

and of experience accjuired thrinigh intelligent field observation.

From 1918 to 1924, inclusi\e, the a\'erage j^early planting was 242,473 acres. The average for the period 1925 to 1934 has been approximately 241,000 acres, the extreme limits being 236,148 in 1927 and over 250,000 in 1929.

This improvement has been brought about only by the cooperation of the Insular and Federal Governments, through the experiment stations maintained in the Island, with the Association of Sugar Producers of Puerto Rico and the individual sugar companies who have undertaken experimental work on their own account. It would have been impossible without the

work of able technical men, and not have been made without the tion of available resources under ship. Concrete evidence of just how

this progress could intelligent applicaprogressive leadermuch has been ac-

complished in sugar production in the Island of Puerto Rico is to be had in the following series of figures covering a period of over a century.

Sugar Production in Puerto Rico, during the Past Century 1828-1933 Production Years

1828 1830 1835 1850 1855 1860 1865 1870 1875 1879 1880 1885 1890

Production

(Short Tons)

Years (Short Tons)

9,391 17,008 21,928 56,064 50,719 58,007 60,527

1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900

95,825

1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907

81,097 168,303 110,865 98,081 64,158

1901

66,087 61,486 63,560 70,480 70,285 49,200 91,536 113,152 115,576 153,096 166,088 229,480 221,864

Prruliiclinn

Production Years

(Short Tons)

1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920

230,095

Years

1921 1922 1923 1924

277,093 346,786 349,840

1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931

371,076 398,004 351,666 341,490 483,590 503,081 453,794 406,002 485,071

1932 1933

(Short tons)

489,818 408,325 379,172

447,587 660,411

603,240 627,593 747,845 585,048 865,351 783,297 986,107 827,481

Increased Production Resulting from Scientific Methods Years

1918-19 1919-20 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23

1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29

Average (11 years)

Cañe

Supar

Area

Tons Gane Per Acre

Tons -Sugar

1.70

236.600 240.010

15.52 21.99 21.96 14.95 14.06 17.97 25.72

2.02 2.03 1.66 1.58 1.89

22.39 23.98 26.94 20.89

20.57

(Short Tons)

(Short Tons)

(Acres)

3,709,685.55 5,281,971.10 5,301,303.97

406,133 485,887 491,114 405,936

238,901 240,151

379,071

239,676

447,973 660,532 606,464

3,650,955.73

3,370,540.31 4,252,708.27 6,173,272.26 5,436,479.00

241,372 244,180

5,664,518.84 6,405,388.81 5,244,152.60

630,201

751,331 586,577

242,745 2.36,148 237,746 251,018

4,953,725.13

531,929

240,777

Per Acre

Tons Cañe Per Yicld Ton of Sugar (Percent)

Rainfall

(luches)

2.49 2.66 3.16 2.33

8.99 8.89 9.49 9.34 8.96 8.98 8.52 8.94

10.94 9.19 9.26 11.11 11.24 10.53 10.70 11.15 11.12 11.73 11.18

60.30 64.02 62.94 62.63 64.70 51.83 68.(X) 58.16 58.64 81.80 64.07

2.20

9.31

10.73

63.37

2.75

9.13 10.87 10.79

Mirtr:

The Manufacture of Raw f^ugar Pri??iiti've Method and

M.odern Process By Eladio J. Candal

Comptroller, Fajardo Sugar Co. of P. R.

SUGAR cañe is described by agriculturists and scientists as a larg'e grass belonging to the genus saccharum. Tlie composition of sugar cañe depending on varioty and growth varíes betwecn the following limits; water 70 to 75 per cent; fibre 8 to 16 per cent; saccbarose 7 to 20 per cent; ash 3 to 8 per cent and organic non-sugar

In ihc days of our forcfalitcrs tlic juicc from sugar caiic cxíractcd in Ihis criídc manncr

ready for shipment. The molasses Avhich fell from the dripping rack into suitable tanks was placed in market ready for sale.

to 1 per cent.

The ])lant was introduced in Puerto Rico during the first quarter of the sixteentli century, from Santo Do mingo, where it had been grown for a short time previously. .\ccording to the late historian, Dr. Cayetani) Coll y Tosté, the sugar industry in I'uerto Rico had its real start in the year 1530, when the first three

milis went into operation for the manufacture of molasses, although no sugar was produced until 1548.

Oíd Method (Muscovado Sugar) The extraction of juice from sugar cañe has been accomplished from most remote times by crushing.

New Method (Centrifugal Sugar) At the factory the cañe is put into carriers which take it through the lirst operation—leveling or cutting by means of revolving knives. After it has been thus prepared for the mili, two coarse grooved crusher rolls ijreak up and crush the outer libre of the cañe, at

the same time extracting some juice. From these rolls the cañe goes through the mili proper, consisting of from nine to ilfteen rolls, varying in size but usually about thirty-four inches in diameter and seventy-eight inches in length. These are arranged in sets of three —one top roll and two side rolls. pressure of from

from a movable beam to the stone or wooden mortar

four hundred to ñve hundred tons is applied to the top rolls b}- means of hydraulic rams. The pressure

in which the cañe was ground by means of a \vooden pcstlc moved by oxen or mules, to the vertical and

iisually is from three thousand to four thousand ¡Dounds per square inch.

The crushing mili evolved through various stages

latcr horizontal double rollers of wood or stone moved

Water is added to the crushed cañe before the last

by cattle or water power, and fmally to the iron mili

grinding, and the resulting diluted juice is applied to

moved by steam, motor or electricity. With the hoiizontal roller mili the cañe passed through two rolls only, resulting in the waste of a large percentage of

the bagasse before it enters the proceeding mili. In most modern milis of twelve or more rolls this practice of applying the diluted juice to the proceeding

the juice which remained in the "bagasse," as the resi-

mili is used on all milis of the tándem, but the first

due is called.

and second juices of these two go to the boiling house

Evaporation was the next important operation and it requircd the services of a skilled "azucarero" (sugar

together with that expressed by the crushers. Extractions of sugar in the cañe of 94 per cent and better

boiler) as the operation con.sisted of boiling the cañe juice as nearly dry as possible. The boiling was done

are obtained. The juice is caught in troughs under the mili and is scrcened in order to remove as manv

particles of bagasse as possible before going to the boiling house. The fibre or bagasse, wirich' remains

in open iron 'pots and during the process_ the sugar boiler was constantly employed in skimming off the scum—the only cffor't made to purify the juices. IMilk

after the treatment of the cañe in the last set of rolls

of lime was addcd to the juice to neuralize acidity.

or mili, is fairly dry and is conveyed to the boilers,

The boiling fmished, "the product was placed in

where it is burned as fuel,

Most centráis havc suffi-

wooden vats where it was stirred with evooden paddles and allovved to cool and crystalliz.e. The crystal-

cient bagasse to generate steam necessary to drive all the machincry, thus eliminating the expense of fuel.

lized sugar was then gathered into large hogsheads and placed on the dripping rack. The hogsheads had a number of large boles bored in one end through

and before it undergoes any concentratiím it is neu-

which the molasses, which was mixed with the sugar,

the juice is hcated. and these two treatments cause

was allowed to drain off. After dripping was com-

impurities to be precipitated. The precipitate, called

pleted the hogsheads were opened, the wet sugar re-

"mud.' is disiiosccl of by allowing- the juicc to settle in defacateis, or is put through a long continuous

The raw juice as it comes to the milis is cjuite acid tralizcd by the addition of milk of lime. After liming

m<o"ed from the bottom ancl the casks refilled with dry sugar. The hoo-sheads were stopped up and stored

scttlct. The clcar juice then goes to the ewqKirators 31

boiling is impurtant, to allow the sug.ir grains in the syrup to grow tu tha desirad size without the formation of any othar grain, callad falsa grain. On complation of this process tha \acuuin is brokan and tha mixtura is dropjjcd from tha bottum of tha jian into tha cr3'stalizars. Tha svruii has now bacome a hcavN" mass, almost black, and is callad "niassacuite," containing about sc\ant3'-ii\a par cent sugar. The cr^'stalizer with its slowlv rcNoh ing arnis or paddles cools tha mixtura, theraby stirring it until aa ímplate graining is obtained.

Wdicn the massecuite lea\es the cr\ stalizer it con

tains a ccrtain ¡iroportion of li'juid in the form of a

haa^'3- molasscs which is sejiarated from the mass b\' the centrifugáis.

Tha mixture is dropjied from the

cr}-stalizer troughs diracth' into centrifugáis which Modern machinery, electrically driven, supplaats the ox pozccr of an earlicr age. Forty-inch centrifugáis—Central Guamaní

ravolva at about 1,200 rewdutions per minute. Tha molasses is carriad through the lina screen of the can-

for concentration and the mud goes to filter presses, where soma remaining juica is axprassad and raturned

from tha bottom.

to tha claar juica straam. Tha mud which ramains on tha filtar prass platas is ramovad and usad as fartilizar

awa}^ raady for marketing.

trifugal baskats, whila tha dried sugar i.s removed

in tha cana fialds. The precipitata from tha sattling tanks is carriad back to tha mili and mixad with the

bagassa, tha rasidua finally going to tha boilar furnaca. Tha claar juica than antars what is probably tha rnost afficiant piece of apparatus in the mili—tha múl tipla aft'act avaporator. This consists of three or mora

The sugar as wall as tha molasses is now stored From tha amount of cana ground ;it a mili there has bcan alwavs soma belonging to inda])endent farm-

ars (colonos) which is processed on a basis of participation of tha sugar rendiment. The oíd "muscovado" mili had a rendiment no higher than se\"en

pounds of sugar of about S9 degraes jiolarization per hundrad jiounds of cana and the colono jiarticiiiation

calis or units in which the juica is boilad continuously undar vacuum. Exhaust staam from tha prima movers, at about ten pounds gauga prassura, antars the steam balt of tha first avaporator boiling the juica. Tha vapor from this juica is lad to tha staam balt of

was usually ona-half. Tha new mili, considering the various sizes and capabilitv of the machiner_\-, ])roduces an averaga of ele\en and one-half jiouiids of sugar of ovar 96 degraes ])olarization jier hundrcd

the next avaporator under approximataly O pound gauga prassura. Due to tha higher vacuum in this cali

saven to eight and one-half ]iounds on the stamlard basis of 96 dagrces jiolarization. Therefore the oíd

tha vapor boils the juica in tha second avaporator, tha rasulting vapor being usad in the third avaporator, and

usad to out of his own cana, without the in\ estment

pounds of cañe and the colono jiarticipates in from mili owner hacendado is getting toda\- more than he

so on. A vacuum of from twanty-six to twanty-eight

of capital to arect the mili and without the manufac-

inches must be maintained in the last avaporator for afficiant functioning. This is accomplishad by means of a baromatric condensar which condenses tííe vapor

turing cxnensas.

from tha last cali, tha non-condansabla gasas baing removed by a vacuum pump. The múltiple affact evaporator henea, by the usa of low prassura staam

and of but ona cali, is abia to boil the juice in several calis, concentrating it to about sixty per cent solids, of -which aighty-fiva par cent ara sugar. Tha product of this treatment is callad .syrup. From this point on mora careful concentration is

naces.sary. Phe syrup is lad to a \'acuum pan which

IS similar to the first cali of the e-\aporator. P.oiling is done with 10 pounds of staam or higher, as befora,

a high vacuum licing- maintained inside the pan. Tf

1

this vacuum were not maintained continuously, the rata r)f boiling would lia diminished and tha tempcra-

tuia of the syrup raised to a noint whcra tha sugar would be destroyed, and the efficiency of tha mili would be lowered to a point whera it would become necassary to Inirn mora fuel.

Tha boiling in tha -i'acuum jians takes from two to six hours for tha S}'rup to become what i.s known as supar-saturated; that is, the syrup can no longer hold all tha sugar it contains. Haré is wharc the art of

^ín iiiírrior iiezc of tlfr rdic suf/'if' 32

( nitnjl I-imndi*

■ --

>w

San Juan harbor

Lower platform of El Morro castle rríiich for centurks has giiardcd the mtrance ta

■:*

*¿ *

-'^r

,., J - r>..r.

1

Electricity and the Sugar Industry By L. L. Lindstrom Interuational General Electn'c Company of Pnerto Rico

The applicatiun dí clcctricit}- in the sugar indus try has progressod steadily. Long bcfore the advantages uf electricity in sugar manufacture were known, steam was uscd as the main motive power. Before mili owncrs and opcrators would con-

sider the general use of electricity in their milis, they required some experiencc. The lirst adaptation of electricity in sugar milis was in the form of small D.C. gencrators, dri\ en by rcciprocating steam engines for elcctric lighting.

Pumps and other mili machinery were driven indi-

vidually or in groups by steam engines. This required long steam lincs from boilers to prime movers. These lincs were costly to install and maintain. 1 bey had to be well insulated to reduce heat losses and

required frequcnt attention to cióse leaks. Steam engines were costly and required relatively heavy and expensive foundations and required regular attend-

Gtiicial Elíitiic 1500 K.U' turbine generator, largcst clec-

ance while in service. Expansión of operation was costly. Eventually mili owners and operators saw

advantages in electric motor drive. Motors were rel atively low in cost and required light and incxpensive foundations. Electric power lines from generator to motors were much lower in cost and more readily installed than steam lines.

Electric motors did not re-

tncal sugar will unit in Puerto Rico, Central Guanica

would be as short as possible. As steam at low pressure and 111 appreciable amounts was required for the process ot sugar manufacture, it was feasible and econom-

ical to install an eleetric plant having sufficient power

quire regular attendance while in service, an occasional inspection being sufticient. Expansión of operation was simiple and relatively inexpensive. Steam engines driving small or médium size gen-

íor the general motor drives in the mili and consider

erators were installed to furnish electric power for a

The introduction of the steam turbine-generator in the sugar mili tollowed and this brought new advan tages and econoniies. The turbine-generator was íound lower in cost than the engine-generator. Elimi-

limited number of motors.

A mili would have several

generator units located at several different points, one unir for lighting only and others for power. Eater, the advantage of a centralized electric power plant was seen and installation was made so steam lines from boilers to generator prime mor-er

the steam engine driviiig the generator as a sort of pressure reducing vah e between boiler and processing cquipmeiit.

nation of lubricating oil from the exhaust steam, made possible b\ the turbine, had a beneticial eft'ect on the efticiencc and maintenaiice of boiling equipment usina steam coils.

The accompanying illustrations show a modern

centralized turbine-generator power plant. This plant furnishes electric power to the raw-house and rehnerv

of the Porto Rican .Vmerican Sugar Rcfinerv, Inc'., Ronce, 1 . R. It also furnishes electric power to motordriven irrigation pumps in the fields.

T-üday, application of electricity in the sugar industry l.iegins in the cañe helds where motor-driven irri

gation pumps aid cultivation. Cañe cars arriving at the mili ale moved into unhiailing' p()situ)n bv meaiis

of motor-driven winches. Unloading of cañe cars is

done by electric hoists or by motor-driven car-tipping dcviies. Cañe is fed to the crushers bv^ motor-driven

convcyors after having ivissed through cañe knives drivcn by electric motor. There are\nanv tándem^

completely driven hy electric motors. Bagásse is fed to the boilers by convcyors driven bv electric motors.

\\ atei. vane juKe>. inolasses, etc., are handled by mi >¡'niK i-r

toi-di i\ en pumps. Centrifugáis are driven bv ilirect

at Central Mcrecdita. slioieiiig tieo (t-l: i exlrartinii Ív/T turiniic-gciicratorx

couplcd motors. O.')

34

Boletín Oficial

Electric valves have found a varied ai)i)lication in sugar milis. They can be used tt)r steam. water, oil,

juices, air, etc.. and are e.^pecialK' suited for inacces.sible locations. Any number of electric vah es in various

locations m.ay be controlled from one point. Electric welding has come to íill a A crv important place in the sugar industry. Portable electric welding sets enable repairs to be made anywhere in the mili

and a\"()id the necessity (jf trans])orting hea\ v ])arts to machine shops for repairs. The photo-electric relay may soon he ])ut to good use in sugar milis. By means of this and the electric counter, sugar bags may be automatically counted, giving a perfect check without possibility of error. Wdierever smoke is a nuisancc, the photo-electric relay may

be installed to give an immediate indication and alarm, General Electric motors, driving {'umps, etc., sliouñng modern type of instalíation. Central Guanianí

The use of electricity in the sugar mili provides a simple and accurate method of measuring and recording power required and consumed by the various pieces of motor-driven equipment. Electric motors having built-in reduction gear units have found ready acceptance. These are especially suited for slow speed drives such as conveyors, crystallizers, hoists, etc.

to boiler tenders, of the condition of combustión. Electric magnets for removing trami) iron from

cañe may soon find a broader ap])lication. Actual installations have saved considerable damage tf) mili rolls.

Automatic control of sugar boiling by means of electrical instruments is also rccei^•ing much consideration by mili owners. New electrical devices are

constantly under develo])ment and in years to come electricity is bound to find a still l)roader application in the sugar industry.

Constant attention is paid to cañe culture. Iniproxáng x'aricties, eliminating and resisting plaiit diseascs. This experimental xvork is of prime importance and carricd uut in a thorough, scientific manncr

á 'dÉ.tá

35

Boletín Oficial

Scientific Use of Fertilizer Aids Sugar Production THE remarkable increase in sugar production in Puerto Rico during the past ten or fifteen years

strides in fertilizer application were made until some >mars after the American occupation. In 1901 mixed

is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant achieve-

fertilizers were introduced from the United States and

ments in modern agriculture. This has been accom-

shortly afterward importations from Europe began. The consumption of soil conditioning materials in

plished, it should be notcd, not by increasing the number of acres i)lanted to cañe—which has remained ap-

proximately constant—ñor by a happy thrust of luck, but by hard and steady work, by a careful study of

creased in a few years to such an extent that it became necessary to establish fertilizer factories in the Island itself. The first one to be built was the Porto

all the factors and conditions which influence cañe

Rico Fertilizer Company, established in the c-ear 1913.

growth and by the application of the methods of scien

Several years later a number of other establishments followed, the most important of which were the Ochoa

tific agriculture which ha\"e caused a veritable revolution in cañe culture. Oíd cañe varieties susceptible to

Fertilizer Company, the Nitrate Agencies Company,

disease have been discarded and replaced by superior and more resistant varieties. Knowledge of cañe diseases has been "widened and methods of control have

and the Armour Fertilizer Works.

been greatly im])roved. The acreage under irrigation

has been markedlv incrcased, better methods of culti-

vation have been employed, and more intelligent fertilization practised.

Commercial fertilizers alone have played no small

part in producing a grcater sugar crop in Puerto Rico

and sugar ¡¡lajduction and fertilizer consumption have increased in almost direct proportion during the past

ten 3'ears. At the present time over KX),000 tons of

These factories are splendidly equipped with up-todate machinerj'- for the preparation of mixed fertilizers

and have excellent facilities for shipment by rail, truck, or water, their capacities ranging from 25,000 to 45,000 tons per year, at the present time.

The potash salts for the preparation of mixed fer

tilizers are imported directly from Germanv, the ni trate of soda from Chile, and the sulphate of ammonia, calcium cyanamide, calcium superphosphate, and other fertilizer materials from the United States. Some sul

commercial fertilizers are consumed annuallj- in the

phate of ammunia is also imported from Furo¡)e.

to cañe lamí.

The fertilizer factories t)f Puerto Rico have competent staffs of chemical engineers and chemists, with modern laboratories for routine analvses and research

Island, the greater part of the tonnage being applied

The outstanding feature of the c.ine feitilizcr research and scientilic de\ elopment has not been so much the cletermination of the e.xtra iirolit which has fol-

lowed the use of larger ([uantities per acre of fertilizer

as the increased yield of cañe and the increased sucrose content of "the juice which ha\e lieen lirought about by a closer stmív of the ]>roper ratio or balance

work in soils and fertilizers. and, with their highlv trained statfs of salesmen. descree the highest ]u-ais"e for the excellent work which they have done in i)roviding farmers with valuable information about soils.

fertilizers, and crop.^. As only the highest qualitv of

between the princi])al plant food elements used in the

íertilizing materials is used. they are able to turn'out

|)re])aration of the fertilizer.

a product of the highest grade—well mixed. well cured.

W hde ex])eriments with chemnal fcitdizeis have been carried cm in the Island since about ISbO, no great

thoroughly pulverized. and fully up to the guaranteed analyses.

Boletix Oficial

36

VK

.

.—i—.

m

Tzc'o Oliver 3-18 inch share ploií's pulled 12 iiiclics dcep on hcavy soil, sccoiid gcar, by lilis Caterpillar Diesel Sixty-fiz'c

Motorizing the Field Equipment The use of motorized equipment by sugar planters in Puerto Rico is a development, which

though it does not date far back, has progressed with extraordinary rapidity.

More and more cañe

growers have been turning to the use of tractors for hauling plowing equipment, for trucking cañe from the fields to the railroad lines which connect with the

centráis, and for other work. Likewise, there has been a trend toward self-contained motorized plowing units

which complete several of the operations incident to cañe planting, at one time. Because of the peculiar topography of certain sections of the Island, it will be many years before the ox team is entirely supplanted by the mechanically

Up until a few years age a majority of Puerto Rican planters employed the oíd system of turning the soil by animal drawn equipment. With the introduction of motorized equipment into the Island howevcr, it did not take these planters long to realize that the ability of mechanical eciuipment to dig into the subsoil was of utmost valué to them. Xaturally, too, the speed with which motorized eciuipment worked made it an asset which could not be neglected. Many planters immediately swung over to the use of power equipment, with attendant better cultivation of their lands and resultant better yields of cañe.

It was not long before planters also found, in many cases, that it was to their advantage to emjdoy tractors

driven plow, but in all moderately level fields, animal

for cañe hauling, as well as plowing, and at the present

power is rapidly being displaced.

time these machines are being used not cmly for cañe

field work but for pumping, roadwork, etc. Hotii gasoline and Diesel ecjuipment is a\ailal)le in the Island, manufacturers of several ty])es of eíjuiinnent hacing representatives in Puerto Rico. The results obtained with mottmized farm machin-

ery in Puerto Rico has fully justified its use in e^■ery case where it has been employed.

.\ further develop

ment due to power plowing ecjuipment has been the steadily increasing conversión of pasture land to sugar nianting', because of the comi)arati\e ease with which

%

the land may be prepared by mechanical means. There is an economic side to this also.

Pasture land is

asscssed at rather high rates. and land owners lu-n e

found it more profitable to convert their hold.ings to sugar growing haciendas which gi\'e a better return

.'i ,Aij-'V '.V-j

ju'r dollar in\"ested. Puerto Rico is fortúnate in ha\ing a mimlier of

tractor and machinery suppK' hrms in tiie Island itself

which are in a jjosition to pro\ ide. without del<i\ , almost any type of farm jirocessing e(|ui])ment desiied. Without exception. these firms numljer among their

A Cídmc 80 iiscd in makin/j irriíjatiun ur drainage diiches parallel io rotes of gruteing canc. The ditchcs are 20 fcet apar!. 24 inchcs dcep, 12 inchcs teidc a! lite bolloin iind 30 inchcs teide at the lup

technical staffs men of h.ng ex])erience witli Puerto

Rican agricultural conditions. and in a ])osition to

analyze the indi\"idual ])roblems ot planters and pro\ide the f)ro])er e(|ui])ment for their solution.

37

Boletix Oficial

k

^

'.^;n

:'c.a

TIu- Fozi.'lcr Gyrolillcr, iiii'cnlcd hy A'. C. Slorcy, fonncrly comicctcd lí-illi Central Aguirre. coinplclely ¡'repares ihc soil, incíuding fiirrozeing, iii one operation

Soil Preparation by Gyrotiller N the preparation of land for planting crops the übject primarily aimed at is to form a suitable seed bed by breaking up the ground and making it more porous and permeable to moisture and plant roots; also

I

to facilitate the decomposition of the vegetable and mineral elcments which supply the growing plants with food. In ordinary cultivation practice these ob-

jects are attained by a series of operations plowing, cross-plowing, sub-soiling, harrowing, etc. Advantages both in labor and expense, however, obviously

follow from any improvement in mechanical means of tillage which permits the number of sepárate opera tions to be reduced, as is done by the well known Fowler gyrotiller. This implement, the invention of N. C. Storey, a practical sugar cañe agriculturist, ^yho for several years was connected with Central Aquirre

and conducted many of his experiments while in Puer to Rico, is designed to combine in one operation the tasks of plowing, cross-plowing and harrowing, and to leave the soil ready to receive the cañe seed pieces, or other seed material.

The principie of the gyrotiller is^ famdiar from repeated descrijjtion. It is a self-contained power driyen cultivating machine fitted with scts of revolving discs

carrying knives which pulverize and crumble the soil to any desired depth from 12 to 19 inches, and with ridging bíjclies or other attachments which complete the task of forming a fully prcj^arcd seed bed in a single o])eration. The labor saving thus etfected scarcely needs to be detailed. As regards expense, data from actual opcrating conditions show the cost ol prcparing

land with the gyrotiller to be much less than that of the ordinary niethod. Ifs])ecially this the case since the substitution of Diesel for ordinal y gasolmejtower

in the ojieration of the machine. \\ ith a laO h.p.

Diesel engine replacing the 225 h.p. gasolme engine

formerl}- used, fuel consum])tion has been leduced Irom

about LSO gallons of gasoline to 50 gallons of Diesel oil per 10-hour day. The following tabulation shows approximate com])arati\e fuel costs ]>cr ame of ojieration by the two forms of power:

Countrv

Cuba ..." Santo Domingo

Gasoline

Diesel

power

power

$2.64-4.80 4.95-5.94

32-39c

Puerto Rico Trinidad ..

38-53c 30-33c

Alore detailed data on the operating costs of the gyrotiller in Puerto Rico are given in a report by A. F. Bell of Oueensland on operations obser^■ed by him at Central Aguirre. A Diesel powered gyrotiller there prepares 8 acres of land in a day, or as much as two sets of steam plows can cover, and in a period of eight months' operation the cost of land preparation averaged about $2.25 per acre as against $17 per acre for the sepárate operations of plowing, knifing, harrowing twice, and drilling. Figures of operating details and costs supplied by the accounting department of Central Aguirre are quoted as follows: Hours worked

'

-Area prepared, acres Acres per working hour Gallons fuel per acre Time lost—

Cleaning and greasing Repairs Refueling

176.65 0.746 5.37 Flours

18.5 25.5 5.5

Preparing for work 6.75 Moving from ñeld to fi eld 13.5 Damage by stum])s and rocks. . 10.25 Total 80.0 Gosts— Total

AA'ages Diesel oil, 1344 gal Cylinder oil, 3(i gal Alotor oil, 30 gal llandling oil, etc Alaterials from store Alachine shoj) work

Total

236.75

Per Cent

5.84 8.05 1.74 2.13 4.2h 3.24 25.26 Per .Acre

$1()8.34

$0.95

102.10 1(,.12 16.12 3 59 32.24 25.06

0.58 0.09 0.09 (po? 0.18 0.14

$.163.57

$2.05

Central San Vicente

Central Constancia-Toa Baja

Central Juncos

The Qentrals of Puerto Rico SUGAR production in Puerto Rico did not attain figures of any real significance until the amalga-

centráis. In a few cases the centráis own but a very

small percentage of their cañe lands, the majority of it being leased. Reference to the map included in these pages will show that the majority of the centráis in Puerto Rico are located on or near the coast, in fact encircling

rnation of the small ingenios (crude plantation

grinding milis), into larger units, took place. Up to the year 1878 there were no large sugar centráis* on the Island and by the year 1880 only five central milis

had been built. At the time of the American occupation there were some twenty-two milis operating in Puerto Rico and still over 240 inefficient ingenios.

practically all of the coastal sections of the Island. Some twelve are located at a considerable distance

from the sea.

Today there are forty centráis in active operation and no ingenios whatever. If ene includes the Central

to be found in this group.

Playa Grande, on the island of Vieques which is part

While it is obviously impractical in the space avail-

of Puerto Rico, there are forty-one centráis at present producing Puerto Rican sugar. These centráis range in size from a grinding capacity of 100 to 7,000 tons of cañe per 24 hours. With the exception of Central Mercedita, which is a raw sugar factory and Suchar refinery combined, all the centráis are raw sugar pro-

able to give a complete description of all of the forty centráis operating in the Island, we will present in the following pages a brief resume of the various milis, followed by a more detailed discussion of a few of the larger centráis, whose organization and methods are more or less representati^'e of the entire sugar industry

ducers. Many of these centráis are small but the

in the Island.

quality of their production leaves nothing to be desired and many are "model" sugar factories in the true sense of the word, and are just as well equipped and

The central with the greatest grinding capacity in the Island is Guanica, near Ensenada, on Guanica Bay.

This factory, owned by the South Porto Rico Sugar Company of Puerto Rico, was once the largest sugar factory in the world and handles some 7,500 tons of cañe per day. It is a huge factory and produces, in addition to raw sugar, white granulated sugar for local

just as efficiently operated as the largest plants in the world.

While several of the centráis in the Island are pri

va e y and individually owned, the majority are owne and operated as corporations representing

consumption.

In the general vicinity of Guanica are two other

fca^^'''can. Rican, and Spanish capital. cen s eep Puerto their identity, however, even thoughAllmany

milis of much smalier capacity.

e group-owned. Several of the centráis have been

municipality of Guayanilla. San Francisco, which is owned by Arturo Lluberas y Sobrinos, has a grinding capacity of up to 425 tons per day. Central Rufina, owned by Marifi Mercado e Hijos, has a cajiacity of

years and in many cases cañe lands have

wise been owned by ene family for generations. sunnlvln^"ín^

\irln-iM'-

greater part of the cañe lands

^ mdls of the Island are owned bv indi-

centrals'^fnr!^^-"a-'^"'"""^ who jjring their crop'to the

the Ir'isis of sucrose contonf ''^"^1 who paid, as on basis o, ó. are cañe. Thea rule, colonos

W(jrk from year to year on a contract system with the

These are Central

San Francisco and Central Rufina, both near the

wne and operated by single families over periods of - zurces of cañe handled in these centráis vary. bv cases a majority of the cañe lands are owned

The south coast centráis predomínate

in number, and most of the really large factories are

over 1,500 tons of cañe and ohtains o\er 95 per cent extraction.

Several milis are loc.ated in the región around Ponce. Two of thcm, Central Mercedita, and Central

Boca Chica, are under the same ownership, that of ■Sucn. [. Serrallés. Central Mercedita is one of the

m(j,st enterprising sugar factories in the Island and has

zvork, lee use the''tlrm ^ f'Urof itronounced cen-traal) in this

district, the ineetinci place of all people in the región and the focal point of practically all actiz'ity. Origtnally the terjn nicant

oVit^ea^ P, and cune fields as a unit. of any community. It u the canter of tife and indnstry in its

tneretv the central grinding milis to lehich indimduat sinall planta

the c/rindina ¡nill^ luif "/

sense and speak not only of

tion üieners zeent zeilh their crops, having no grinding facilities of their ozen.

38

39

Boletín Oficial

a remarkable record for operating; cfficiency over a periocl of years. In conjunction with the raw sugar factory Mcrcedita has a reñnery (the only one on the Island) whicli turns mit hundreds of thousands of bags of higliest (|uality sugar per year. Boca Chica is a 1,000 ton factory -udiich has recently been mod-

Juan) and is largely electrified, It has a grinding ca pacity of 1,000 tons,

Caribe, near Salinas, is the youngest of the centráis in Puerto Rico, and like Guamani, was constructed en-

tirely by a Puerto Rican firm of engineers (Porto Rico Iron W orks of Ponce). This central is up to date in

every respect, and in its first year (1931-32) obtained

ernized.

Not far from Alercedita is anotlier smaller central—

Constancia-J'(¡nce. This central, under ownership of Corp. -Azucarera Sauri y Subirá, produces 10,000 tons of sugar, all of rvhich goes to the reíinery at Aler-

the highest yield for the Island—13.22 jier cent. In the eastern inland sections of the Island five centráis are under one ownership and management.

These are the Central Cayey, Central Defensa, Ceiitral

Juncos, Central Santa Juana, and Central Pasto A iejo.

ccdita.

Inland from Ib mee are three more centráis, one of which is the smallest in the Island.

These are Santa

Barbara, I'cllajas, and Herminia, Santa Barbara is owned by the Jayuya iJevelopment Company and while small, is the nujst completely modern miniature factory in Puerto Rico. Pellajas, under the ownership of Sucn. 1-ucas P. A'aldix ieso, is the smallest central,

having a grinding capacity of 100 tons per day. .All the cañe comes from land owned by the central. Plerminia, just north of A'illalba, is owned by Herminia Colon, A-'da. de Semidey, and has a capacity of some 150 tons.

Along the south coast, cast of Ponce, are a num-

ber cjf centráis, including Central Aguirre, Central Machete, Lafayettc, Guamani, Caribe, and Cortada. Centráis Aguirre, Cortada, and Machete are all under the same ownership—the Central Aguirre Sugar Company. Central Aguirre is the second largest mili in Puerto Rico, grinding up to 4,000 tons of cañe per day. Aguirre is also one of the most efficient plants

in operation and in the jiast ten years has raised its tonnage per acre over 110 per cent. Cortada, which was taken over, in a rundown condition, in the year

1924, has been developed into a 21,500 ton producer of the first class, handling 1,400 tons of cañe daily. The third central under -Aguirre ownership—Machete—is a 1,000 ton mili.

Central Lafayettc is owned by Sucs, C. & J, Fantauzzi. It has modern equipment, including the larg est fourteen-roller mili on the Island.

Central Guamani is next to the youngest factory on the Island, having been built in 1929-30. It is the first central completely designed and built by a Puerto Rican construction company (Sucs, de Abarca of San

-All are owned bv the East Puertc) Rico Sugar Com

pany

Central

Pasto

Abejo,

which

is

con-

has been practicallv made over in the last four A'cars.

Central Defensa, near Caguas, is a 1,100 ton central which has undergone many improvements. Its mili work is above average, Railway equipment joins the cañe growing' resources of the Defensa estáte with three of the company's other factories.

Central Santa Juana, another of the group owned by the East P, R. Sugar Company, enjoys the best yield of the five centráis under this ownership. Juncos, nearby, is a cióse second to Central Pasto A'iejo in efficiency and is the scene of mucli progressive experi mental work.

This central was the first in Puerto

Rico to go in for pre-evaporation, in 1926. Central Cayey, the fifth central in the E.P.R. group,

is well inland", near the municipalit}^ for which it is named. This central, closed for some years previous to 1928, was reopened at that time and has since then doubled its capacity and is now turning out over 8,000 tons of sugar per crop, South and east of the above group are two more centráis, both of which are owned by the Yabucoa Sugar Company. Central Roig, the larger of the two,

is completely electrified, except for the milis, and has a capacity of over 2,500 tons of cañe per day. Central El Ejemplo, under the same ownership, is like Roig, a factory with extremely high efficiency. Its sucrosa e.xtraction has averaged over 97 jrer cent for some vears past.

Evaporators in the crysialliánp housc

Motor dri-ocn gcncrators íntpplying poiocr and light

of

sidered the best of the group, is a 1,800 ton mili. It

40

Boletix Oficial

them one is known as Constancia-Toa Baja, and the other Constancia-Ponce. Constancia-Toa Baja has undergone many alterations and improvements in the past ten \ ears and has been transformed from an oíd

plant with wooden Innldings, into a modern factory

housed in an all-steel building with the latest equipment.

About ten miles west of Constancia, just beyond the town of Vega Alta, is Central Carmen, another cen

tral which has made many improvements and which has increased its capacity in recent years from 790 to 1,350 tons of cañe per day. Xorthwest of Central Carmen is still another fac

tor}-—Central San Vicente, at Vega Baja.

Central

.San Vicente is owned by Rubert Hnos. and has a

capacity of 2,000 tons of cañe per day, being one of Central Roig, near Vabitcoa

the larger faetones in the northern district. Between Vega Baja and Arecibo are three centráis. These are Central Monscrratc, Central Plazuela, and

Central Cambalache. Central Alonserrate, while small,

The most easterly of the centráis in the Island of

is efficient and has increased its capacity considerably in recent years. Plazuela has a cainicity of 1,800 tons

rate experimental station and has an excellent effi-

sugar production for over 100 years, part of the first mili being used as a chemical laboratory by the pres-

Puerto Rico is Central Fajardo, one of the largest fae tones and one of the most progressive. Fajardo grinds over 3,600 tons of cañe per day. It maintains an elabó ciency record. This central has been in operation smce 1906. Central Canóvanas, some distance north

per day. The site of this central has been devoted to ent organization.

Central Cambalache, just outside the city of Are

of Fajardo, has been owned by the latter central for

cibo, is the largest central in the northern section of

the past several years.

the Island, and handles over 2,600 tons of cañe per

Two centráis which are in the neighborhood of

day with the largest tándem in Puerto Rico. One-third

San Juan, on the eastern side, are Central Victoria and

of the cañe crop is transported in trucks and much of the cañe cut in the morning can be turned into sugar in bags by the middle of the same afternoon.

Central Vannina. The latter has a capacity of some 800 tons of cañe, while Victoria can handle over 1,000 tons. Both centráis have undergone many modern improvements in the past fevir years. The central nearest to the capital city of San Juan is Central Juanita, located at Bayamón. This factory grinds about 1,000 tons of cañe per day and produces around 13,000 tons of sugar per crop. It is partially electrified.

Just west of Juanita is Central Constancia. There are two Constancias in Puerto Rico, one at Toa Baja and the other near Ponce. In diíferentiating between

South of Cambalache, about one mile, is located Central Los Caños, under the same ownership as Cen tral Plazuela, the Plazuela Sugar Company. Los Caños, with a grinding capacity of over 800 tons of cañe, is exceptionally well located to obtain cañe from interior fields.

In the northwestern región of the Island, well inland, are two centráis taking carc of a district producing 10,000 tons of cañe. These are Central Soller and Central Plata.

After the hurricane of 1928 Cen-

JmrM.

Central Giiainani,—designcd and crcctcd by Siiex. de Abaren.—(me of Puerto Rieo's leadiiiíj foiindrie.f

41

Boletín Oficial

Central Caribe, one of llie ina.ft niodern sngar in¡IL\- in Puerto Rieo, designed, hnilt and ereeted hy Porto Riean Iron ll'orks, in 1930. Totally clcctrificd tral Soller underwcnt some modernization.

It has a

Two more centráis located on the west coast are

capacity of 300 tons of cañe. Central Plata employs

Central Igualdad and Central Rochelaise. Central Igualdad is quite modern for its size and type of equipment and grinds about 700 tons of cañe daily.

two sets of re\olving cañe knives, having been installed to increase its grinding capacity from 500 to 650 tons per day.

Central Rochelaise was the first factorv in Puerto

Rico to install modern revohdng cañe knives before

West of Central Plata, on the coast, is located Cen tral Coloso. This is the largest central in the western

the crusher.

district, grinding 2,000 tons of cañe per day. It is

the entire Island and within a half dozen years ninety

These knives aroused the enthusiasm of

located in an excellent cañe zone, with great expan

per cent of the centráis had installed them. Rochelaise

sión possibilities. The factory, constrncted of steel,

has a capacity of 500 tons, and is owned bv the Mayaguez Sugar Company. Ten miles south of Mayaguez will be found Central Eureka, a striking example of the oíd adage—"Where there is a will, there's a way." Ten years ago Eureka

brick and concrete, is onc of the most substantial in the Island.

was facing ruin as a result of mosaic disease and decreased yield of sugar due to poor varieties of cañe. To meet the situation entirely new cañe varieties were introduced, more efficient equipment was acquired and rigid economy was practiced during the rehabilitation jieriod. In the past few years the central has grown and has become a profitable investment once more. It grinds today over 900 tons of cañe per dav.

l itis plwtogralh of Central Defensa is fu tlished throngh the eourtesy of M>'- Ramón ■ ■ Pía, of San .luán, telw furnished lo'O of n existing steel buildings. the erystallmoi atid hoiler hoiisc. aeeording to design o¡ ginia Pridge A ¡ron t (Dnpany

ii-

Tieelre-roll Fiílton Mili installation at Central Caribe

O RINCON

Alto Sano

caborojo

San

lajas

^

Germán

HOBMiGUBROs

CAMOY

Natioml Forest

MARiCAO

San Sebastian

QUe&RAOlULAS

UTUAOO

RECIBO

©Adjuntas

GUAVANILL

o HATILLO

Yauco

UANICA

-x;B*na Grande

MARI CAO

LAS Marías

Añasco

MAYAGUEZ

Aguada

MOCA

AGuaoilla

ISABELAO

^JuaNA

VILLALBa®

AVUYA

¿lP '»

■ SuGAR MillS

.<V

GUAVAMA V

Cidra

Carolina

Mau NABO

Yabucoa

©Patillas

LAS PIEORAS

LOIIA

rf AioGaANob

HUMACAO

S^^Lorenzo

G urabo

Alto

Trujillc

PIEDIU3

Juan

AGuas^ubnas

Baya

^ataí^o(5'

<0^'

Aibonito

o Leading Cities

Legend

^

Santa Isabe

Barranquitas

CCMftR

Naranjito

Wtoa b<

(5/

MILUS

V£Ca Alta

©OROCCVI»

moRovis

manatí

BAnCHLONETA

SUCjAR

ShOWING THE LEADINGr CITIES OFTHE ISLAND ANO THE LOCATION OP

MAP OF PUERTO RICO

NACUABO

CeiBA©

L-UQUillO natiohal FORfsr

l/qUiLLO

ISABEL

r

n

-F-

20,32.t 7,198

4,907 23,301

1,301 15,696 2,4.i6

.Mario Mercado e Hijos .Arturo Lluberas & Sobrinos

.Central San Afigttel, Inc .Rubert Hnos

.Jayuya Dcveloirntent Company .East Porto Rican .Sugar Co. of P. R .Sóller .Silgar Co

San Francisco—Guavan illa

14,707 872,.3.30

.Central Victoria, Inc

\ annina—Rio Piedras ..

\'ictoria—Carolina

787,795

3,279 22,798 2,247 9,461 3,727 (c) II,606 14,249

992,4.32

11,223

12,104 74,522 130,387 13,568 1,655 10,0.32 14,773 28,780 .37,106 15,482 25,287 .38,6.32 12,071 41,789 1,170 8,062 9,043 28,348 11,2.36 .31,780 24,251 6,574 (c) .32,056 2,57.3 14,751 4,314 (c) 15,298 20,802

6,788 34,966 9,277 18,351 15,771 15,432 1.3,766 10,956 54,335 95,290 7,607 1,359 7,945 12,502 22,810 .30,943 I.3,704 22,783 27,742 10,308 29,488 1,010 6,534 8,117 17,9.59 9,354 .31,069 19,.384 6,226

8.34,.309

1,305 11,298 7,847 14,657 .36,478 I.3,676 22,694 41,632 9,207 23,373 1,301 8,211 6,172 20,164 II,417 28,957 26,200 6,825 (d) 25,969 2,857 6,127 4,927 (c) 10,792 11,056

140,183 15,336

39,716

72,955 18,632 33,765 18,425 7,689 13,894 3,857 28,635 9,208 17,520 25,430 12,514 12,185

73,188 18,0.31 40,974 36,311 6,412 18,808 6,130 .36,162 9,152 24,416 24,864 16,605 14,933

66,136 1.5,319 ,30,352 24,216 6,785 15,844

1932-33

1931-32

1930-31

duction of Puerto Rico.

The 193.3-34 sugar crop has bren estimated at 1,0.37,000 sbort tons, that can be considercd as lite normal atmital pro-

Tito East Puerto Rico .Sugar formcrly the United Puerto Rico .Sugar Company.

Rcmarks.—(a) P.uilt in 19.31; (b) formcrly "Central JULIANA"; (c) did not grind; (d) destroycd by the 1932 liurricanc.

^^>3

14,691

.Garzot 8¿ Fuertes

.Central Vannina, Inc

.San Miguel—Puquillo .. .San Vicente—Vega Raja. , .Santa Rárbara—Jayitya .. Santa Juana—Cagttas ... .Sóllcr—Camuy Triunfo—.Vaguabo

r'lazuela—l'arceloncta

Playa Grande—Vicciues ...

Rochelaise—Mayaguez .... Roig—Yabucoa Rufina—Guayanilla

916

7,1-44 18,100 8,63.t 28,10,3

.Plata Sugar Company

ÍiÍT

il,zü»

37,143

. East Porto Rican Sugar Co. of P. R .Sucn. Lucas P. Valdivieso

37,673

.Siten. J. Serrallés .Jaime y bederico Calaf Collazo

o-'cn

.Renitez Sugar Comitany .Plazuela Sugar Co .Mayaguez Sugar Companv .Yabucoa Sugar Co

Plata—San Sebastián

Pasto Viejo—Humacao ... . Pellejas—Adjuntas

iMereedita—Ponce Aíonserrate—Manatí

.Plazuela Sugar Co .Central Aguirre Sugar Co

Machete—Guayama

8,004 22,502 20,302 18,892 14,816 9,462 58,078 119,650 9,530 1,-308 8,088

.Corp. Azucarera Sauri y Subirá ..Compañía .Azucarera del Toa ..Central Aguirre Sugar Company ..East Porto Rican Sugar Co. of P. R ..Compañía Azucarera El Ejemplo ..Central Eureka, Inc ..The I'Yijardo Sugar Co. of Porto Rico ..The South Porto Rico Sugar Co. of P. R ..Sucs. de José González ..Herminia Colón, Vela, de Semidey ..Central Igualdad, Inc

I.os Caños—Arecibo

16,.s08 8,230 29,.S40

.Carmen Céntrale, Inc • F.ast Porto Rican Sugar Co. of P. R •Central Coloso, Inc

.Central Juanita, Inc .East Porto Rican Sugar Co. of P. R .Sucs. C. & J. l'b'mtauzzi ■

27,912 (a)

.Loiza Sugar Co .Godreau, Godreau & Company

Guarnanf—Guayama Herminia—Villalba (b) ... Igualdad—Mayaguez Juanita-Ilayamón juncos—Juncos l.afayette—Arroyo

Guánica—Guánica

1 Icfensa—Cagnas K1 Ejemplo—Humacao .. . Eiireka—Hormigueros b'ajardo—Fajardo

Corlada—Santa Isabel

Constancia—Toa Raja

Constancia—Ponce

Coloso—Aguada

Carmen—Vega Alta Cayey—Cayey

Cambalache—Arecibo Caiióvanas—Loiza Caribe—Salinas

14,826 29,398

.Central Roca Chica, Inc .Central Cambalache, Inc.

1929-30

79,13cS

Ownership

ts issued by the A.ssociation of Sugar Prodiicers of Puerto Rico.

.Central .Vguirre Sugar Comiiany

repor

.\giiirre-Salinas líoca Chica—Juana l)ia.x ...

iMimicipaiity

Xanic of Mili and

Silgar üutput of Puerto Rico, r;a\v valué, in short tons (2000 Ibs.), for the 1929-.1(), 1930-31, 1931-32 and 1932-33 crops, as per

td

oo

4^

r

>

o

O 2

H

r (71

o

The mili of lile Soiitli Porto Rico Sugar Company ovcrlooking Gitanica Bay; onc of tlic fincst land-lockcd liarhors iii thc -zoorld

Central Guanlca The Targest Sugar Property in Puerto Rico

OFPuerto ALL Ric(j,Central the forty sugar milis in the Island of Guanica,on the south coast. is by far the largest. Guanica, which at one time was the largest sugar mili in the entire world, was one of the first milis to be established in Puerto Rico after

the American Occupation. Guanica today is exceeded in capacity by only a few

Cuban milis and represents a development extending back to 1903. Four years after its inception, Guanica had increased its ca])acity to 3700 and by degrees it has

tically all of the cañe hauled and handled at the milis is done mechanically and thc equipment of the milis is thoroughly modern in every respect. The company maintains a large well equii^ped foundry, in connection with its machine shojj department and work undcrtaken in these shops includes casting and ñnishing of rolls, not only for the Guanica milis but for their subsidiarles—Romana and

ueen enlarged to its present grind of 7500 tons of cañe per day, handled in four mili tándems.

This plant, located on Guanica Bay, near Ensenada,

is so situated that most of its local cañe supply may be carned direct to the grinding milis over the American

Santa Fe—

which are located in Santo Domingcu Central Guanica, being the largest sugar property in the Island, means a great deal to Puerto Rico. Through its very size, it affords emjiloyment for thousands of Puerto Rico's citizens and has done much

towards improving living conditions in and around its particular section. Every effort is made to assure the well-being of all who are dependent on thc Central, with modern workmen's houses, a well equi]i])ed hos pital, company stores and other features of the Guanica

Radroad Line, being hauled jointly by this public car-

iier and the company's own rolling stfjck. The Cenra also has wharf facilities through which cañe deluenes m.ay be made by water.

establisbment, mark it as one ol thc most progressive in the sugar industry and a valuable asset to all of the

c; is owned and ofoperated by and the South Portofjuanica Rico Sugar Comjjany Porto Rico T s aiif 'ind is Cfjutinuallyfh'aiding the most pr<jgressi\ e in the certain im]jro\'ement.s m methods of pianting, fertilization and cultivati(jn by

Island of Puerto Ric(j.

Aside from the benefits indi\ idual citizens and families derive from Central Guanica, the Federal, Muni

cipal and Insular Go\'ernments share in Guanica's tremendous tax assessments. The management contributes cheerfully to many Insular charities aml

1 s co onos, by whom experimental work on an exten-

sn c scale is being carried rm constantly, with a \ iew to improving the yield from the cañe fields, cióse atten-

tion bcing given to the adaptation of improved new cañe vaiieties which are likely tf) gi\'e l)etter results

projects and wbat Guanica has reall\^ done for Puerto

Rico can ne\er be gauged in ligures. as it studiously a\'oid,s ostentation whcn taking part in public wcifare work and its ñame is ke]it in tbe backgr(iund. b\' the management, with all contributions to wortb\- causes.

and larger tonnage ])er acre.

fn the Guanica district wheeled tractors are largelv

used. in «iddition to large and small crawler tv])e. Prac44

45

Boletix Oficial

Central .-¡(iiiirre. nnc af Ihc firsi largc modcrn iiiills coiislnicled aflcr Ihc Anicricaii Oii-iitalion. and largcst of thc llircc ozened by thc Central Agiiirrc Sugar Coinpany

Central ^guirre Central AGLTRRE, locatecl on the south coast of Puerto Rico, at Jobos, is ene of the most substantial and conservativo sugar establishmcnts in

the West Indios. It was organized shortly after the American occupation by a group of Boston business

men in conjunction with Island interests, under the ñame of the Central Aguirre Sugar Company.

The hrst crop, taken off in 1901, consisted of 66,000 tons of cano. Two years later a new mili was

few years .Aguirre's average extraction has been over 96 per cent, and other operations are on the same plañe of efllciency.

Aguirre has two tándems that grind up to 4.000 tons of cañe per day. In recent years its tonnage per acre has increased well over 110 per cent. In 1920 -Aguirre acquired Central Aláchete, lying a short distance east, and four years later Central Cor tada, about an ec|ual distance to the westward, was

erected and the quantitv of cañe ground rose to

purchased. The three milis are served by the Ponce

136,000 tons.

and Guayama Railroad, connecting with docks at the port of Jobos where sugar can lie transferred directly for ocean shipment. From its beginning the company has followed a progressive policy in field and factory management. -Although its soils are of great natural fertility it has

From this mt)dest beginning Central Aguirre has grown, through judicious management, to the point

where it now grinds a greater quantity of Puerto Rican grown canes than any othor company in the Island.

Less than a decade ago the company introduced radical changos which enabled it to bag $160,000 worth of sugar that had bitherto appeared unobtainable, and

raise its recovery from 83 to 88 per cent. In the past

been a consistent user of íarge cjuantities of commercial fertilizer with the result that its yields are among the highest in the Island. -Aguirre was a pioneer in the adoption of irrigation. This was conducted on a limited scale in 1914.

On

September 1 of that yoar the Insular Government opened its first extensive irrigation project, since expanded to include the reservoirs at Patillas, Carite, Coamo, and Guayabal, serc ing a largo agricultural section in the southern ])art of tbe Islaml.

W hile Cen

tral -Aguirre draws irrigation water from tbese sources. to supplement tbe sometimes deficient rainfall in its territory, it has also added to this sup])ly an extensic e series of wells to mcet its increasing neeils for water

and has ini'ested oc er $1,25O.tX)0.0t) in pum|)ing equipment.

A,

shozAng reeently eonstniited Áer and shil^f'ng faeillties

.Aguirre toi.)k a ])rominent iiart in tbe introduction of new varieties vvbich re\olvitionizetl the can industry of Puerto Rico, and as a result of tbese actix ities its

46

Boletín Oficial

t

rawÁi-A m

!

Central Cortada, ene of the tliree sugar milis ozoiied and ofcrated by the Central Agiiirrc Sugar Cumfany

increase in tonnage of sugar to the acre has been notable. At present the greater part of its fields are planted to BH-10(12) which has been found to be well suited to the soil conditions of its district. The com-

pany, and its work for the impro\-ement of li\"ing conditions throughout the entire community in which it is located. Aguirre supplics living quarters for all its employees rent free. A thirty-two bed hosi^ital and

pany maintains an experiment station for the testing

medical staíf is maintained for free medical and sur-

of cañe varieties, fertilizer experiments, and other re-

gical attention. Seventeen retail stores are operated which sell commodities, practically at cost, t(j workmen. The purpose of the hospital, which has e\'ery modern facility any institution of its size can boast, is not solely to attend to accident cases. A grcat many cases are treated which have no connection

search work for the purpose of increasing yieids. As part of a program for improving milling equipment and general operating efficiency at Central Aguirre, Puerto Rico, a 48 inch Morgan cañe disinte-

grator was installed in 1933, before the beginning of grinding operations on the 1933-34 crop last December. The apparatus was installed directly ahead of the No. 2 tándem, which comprises a 12-roller mili, 34" x

whatever with the work of the central.

Even "out-

78", and a crusher, 32" x 78". This tándem is operated

patient" service is given. In the matter of living quarters for workmen Aguirre maintains high standards and sjjecial care is

on the Petree-Dorr system, in which the mud from the

taken to provide proper drainage and sanitary arrange-

Dorr defecators is returned to the mili and is there

ments. A milk station is maintained at which pasteurized milk may be bought at very modest cost. From its very foundation the company has assumed

absorbed by the bagasse.

A conservative financial policy has governed Cen tral Aguirre throughout its existence and all of its extensive improvements havc been financed out of earnings.

One of the noteworthy features of the operations at Central Aguirre is the unusual amount of attention

given to the well-being of the employees of the com-

a moral responsibility towards its workmen which far exceeds any legal obligation. To be sure, this ])olic}' has been quite a factor in keeping Aguirre reasonably free of any labor troubles, but a great deal of well are work has been carried out, not with anv tlujiight of gain in the minds of the directors and management,

but becausc of a sincere desire to be as helpful as possible to the people of Puerto Rico with which -Aguirre comes in contact.

A scrtiun uj the C. E. szoitchhoard at Central Aguirre.

This

mili is practically WO per cent clectrified

The cañe harrest is carted from the fields lo railroad sidings for ■'T delii-ery at the grinding mili

47

Boletín Oficial

Mr. Jorge Bird I.roii, oiw of thc foiiiidcrs

Mr. Jorge Bird Arias, ■:dee-l^resident and

Thc Late Mr. Fredriek S. Annstrong

general nianager

Central Fajardo THE Fajardo Sugar Company carne into being approximatelv twenty-nine years age, when a

group of enterprising merchants and fi nanciers crcctcd a sugar mili, known as Central Fajardo, on the eastern coast of the Island of Puerto Rico.

This

group was com])osed of Mr. Charles P. Armstrong, Mr. Jorge Ilird Lcon, Mr. Jorge Bird Arias, and a few others. Mr. .Armstrong was at that time sénior member of L. W. & P. Armstrong, one of the ojdest fi rms of sugar merchants. and pioncers in thc M est Indian trade.

Mr. Bird and son werc prominent land-owners

and merchants in Puerto Rico.

.At the time when the Fajardo project was initiated

the sugar industry of Puerto Rico was stdl in a more or Icss ])rimitive statc. Lew modein factoiies had been erected and the production of sugar was still conducted larg'cly by muscovado milis obtaining low recoveries and turning out an inferior grade^ of sugar. The ])rojectors f)f the ncw company deteimincd. howcver, to makc it a thoroughly up-to-date and complete

organization, including besides canc lands. an exten-

Gene i

sive transportation system, and a thoroughly modern mili.

AVork on the construction of Central Fajardo began in the summer of 1905 and by rushing the work in

day and night shifts it was completed early in 1906 in time to grind the crop of that season. From that early beginning the mili has been gradually expanded to handle the increasing quantities of cañe grown

from year to year. The mili now has a grlnding capacity of over 4.000 tons of cañe daily. Development of the cañe supply has been carried on by a subsidiary company, the Fajardo Sugar Growers .Association, which owns 15.000 acres of land and

controls 12,000 acres additional through lease and long term contracts. Another subsidiary, the Fajardo De velopment Company, owns and operates 80 miles of railroad and other utilities. In 1925 Fajardo purchased the Loiza Sugar Company owning valuable cañe lands adjoining those of thc Fajardo Company together with Central Canovanas. a modern mili with an annual pro duction of over 25.000 tons of sugar. This has been

lí -'ie-e at Faiardo. .■¡liOíCing the e.i-Icnsive modern sugar ¡nill of C cutral ha/ardo, surronnded hy fertile eane fields

48

Boletix Oficial

increased since its acquisition by Fajardo and the com-

bined output of the two milis is now in excess of 90,000 tons of sugar annually.

In the twenty-five years of its existence Fajardo has achieved a well established reputation as one of the best managed sugar properties in Puerto Rico and one of the Island's most successful enterprises. In the effort to obtain higher yields of cañe and

better field results, not onl}- on the lands controlled by the company through the Fajardo Sugar Growers'

Association, but also among the colonos of its territory, Fajardo, in 1911, took the important step of establishing its own agricultural experiment station. In order to avoid overlapping the work of the Insular Ex periment Station the activities at Fajardo were di-

rected especially to practical experiments relating to the development and testing of new cañe varieties, to lime and fertilizer tests, and to improvements in methods of soil preparation and cañe cultivation. Since that time the work of the Fajardo experiment station has been steadily maintained and expanded and the

station has achieved results of great valué to the sugar industry of the whole Island as well as to the cañe growers supplying the company's mili. When the mosaic disease spread throughout the Island's cañe fields and threatened the complete destruction of the sugar industry the Fajardo experi ment station was able to render an important service to Puerto Rican sugar growers. It was at Fajardo that the practice of roguing as a means of halting the spread of infection was introduced and the knowledge acquired through previous field experiments was helpful in assisting the shift to new varieties. In accomplishing its primary object of improving yields in its own immediate territory the Fajardo experiment station has been highly successful. At the time of its establishment the average tonnage of cañe

Binfloyces' lioiiics coiislntctcd by the Fajiirdo Siiíjar Cmn/^aiiy. of reitiforccd concrete loith sanitary and eleetric installations

edge of the requirements of thcir lands and the stejjs necessary to make them still more producti\"e.

Another direction in which the Fajardo Sugar Com pany has followed a progressive ¡iolicy. liighly beneficial to the community in which its acti\ ities are centered. is in the matter of social work. The primiti\e and unsanitary native huts which originaliy sheltered the laboring population have been replaced by attractive homes of reinforced concrete erected by the com pany. Each of these houses contains a lixfing room, two bedrooms, kitchen and bath, and is ecjuijjped with running water and electric light. The company also has erected a schcjol for the children

of tlie com

munity and maintains a hospital. A clubhousc. swimming pool, bowling alley and pLaygrtmnds provide rec-

rcational facilities for the members of the community.

have given yields averaging from 35 to over 60 tons per acre. The extensive soil studies conducted by the

Plots of ground are assigned free to workers who wish to cultivate gardens and many of the employees have taken advantage of this oppurtunity to provide part of their food requirements. In these and many other ways the comjjany has contributed to improving the material condition of the people within the sphere of its influence and has made itself an important factor in the i)rogress of I'uerto Rico toward a higher standard of li\ ing and greater prosperit}'. .'\t the present time i\Tr. John Rass, with offices at 99 Wall Street, New York City, is jiresident of the Eajardo Sugar Co., and Mr. Jorge Bird .\rias is \ ;ce]5resident and general manager (jf the com])anv's opera-

station have given the field managers an exact knowl-

tion in Puerto Rico.

harvested per acre was about 14 tons, including both the administration cañe grown on the company's lands and that purchased from colonos. By 1928 this had risen to 25.25 tons while many of the Company's fields

A!¡ sugar cañe is hand-planted. Three cuttings ni-any times resulting from one planting

Cutting gran cultura sugar cañe in the fields at Fajardo

Boletín Oficial

49

e

m

H'í

SPARRIFINERYIkc. "*«=

W '410} '$Koyi

WHITE

1

Thc oiily sugar rcfincry in Puerto Rieo, localcd iicar Poiiec; rcfincrs of Siiozo Whitc siigcir

Central Mercedita and Rejinery ONEizcdof sugar thc largest and most thoroughly modern propertics on the south coast o

of

l'uertu Rico is Central Mercedita, near Ponce.

Central Mercedita has been developcd through a consolidation of several haciendas—or sugar plantations—

cesión J. Serralles and have continued in ownership and operation up to the present time. E^nder the direction of this partnership the Central was further improved until today it owns and operates its own re-

1859 to 1896 and from the efficient management of his

finery and has been making records in operating eíTciency and the management has always been ready to adopt ncw methods and install new ec]uipment wheii

successors.

any opportunity for improving their Central appeared.

The history of this plant is really a history of the progress of sugar manufacturing, from the days of ojjen kettle hrown sugar to the reíined white sugar of today. Originally each hacienda, in the district, had

Mercedita was sent to the Enited States to be refined. For several years after the ^^'orld War. Atlantic

acquired hy ]3on Juan Serrallos during the years from

Prior to 1925 all raw sugar manufactured at Central

Coast rehneries did a considerable export business.

its own small mifl, operated by ox-i)ower or steam for the extraction of the juices in the sugar cañe. The juices so extracted were boiled in a series of open

The raw sugar refined for export was of foreign pro-

kettles, producing brown or muscavado sugar.

product in competition at world ])rices. The Lhiited States Treasury regulations in forcé at tliat time re-

Beginning with 1888 the grinding of the cañe from the c'arious surrounding ¡¡lantations was concentrated at Hacienda Mercedita and. from that date on. the

duction because the refiner could obtain a dr'awback of the duty paid on foreign raws and sell the refined

quired the refiner to eliminate all domestic sugar from the jirocess before beginning work on exjiort sugars

ñame Central Mercedita has been applied to the cen

on which drawback was to be claimeil.

tral factorv and the ])roperty surrounding. Shortly

considerable exiiense in liipiidating the sugar house

This meant

ized. railroads were constructed for transporting cañe

every time a shift was made from domestic to exiiort sugar—and to offset this expense the refiner paid a iower iirice for Puerto Rico raws—usually about 16

from thc fields. imjiroved evaptiration and centrifugal

cents lowcr than the equivalent of Cuban." dutv paid.

machiner\' was installed and the plant became one of

T o eliminate this unju.st discrimination was one of the principal reasons lor the est.iblishment of a re-

after Central Mercedita took over jhe grinding for the

many surrounding haciendas, thc factory was modern-

the most modern and efhcient sugar centráis in the Islán d.

finery in Puerto Rico and brought about the construc-

Following the death of H<>n J"''" f^erralles in 1896. his heirs formed a jiartnership undcr the ñame of Su

tion of the refinery at Central Mercedita in 1925.

Howc\ er. it is to be admitted that the refining of sugar

Boletix Oficial

50

at the Central so that it would enter the raw mili as

cañe and emerge as refined granulated sugar is a logical and efficient method of operation. To begin the manufacture of a commodity in one part of the world and then to ship it several thousand miles to be made into a finished product is on the face of it economically unsound. This procedure involves not only double handling and double bagging, but also serious mechanical losses in transit.

The refinery constructed at Central Mercedita was the first in Puerto Rico and the second of its kind in

the world. The refined sugar is made by the SUCHAR PROCESS and consists of the following operations : 1. The raw sugar is washed and melted. 2. The melt is mixed with from 1 to 2% of the activated carbón Suchar.

3. The melt is filtered through an automatic filter. 4. The fíltrate is boiled to grain in vacuum pans. 5. The Massecuite is centrifuged, dried and bagged. 6. The exhausted carbón is washed free from sugar and passed through a dryer and revivifier. 7. The reactivated carbón is returned to the incom-

ing melt. Simplicity is the outstanding virtue of the Suchar

Process of refining sugar, and granulated sugars produced by this process have been oitered in various markets since 1923. They have invariably commanded the highest prices in competition with all other sugars. Because of their high purity SUCPIAR granulated sugars have been in great demand among preservers

Bauging refined "Siioie Jl'lii/c" sugar

and canners.

The refinery at Central Mercedita operates as the Puerto Rican American Sugar Refinery, Inc., and all stock is held by the Serralles family, fuU fledged .Amer ican citizens; and the supplies such as fertilizers, trac-

tors, coal, fuel oil, carbón, bags for sugar. machinery, etc., are purchased from United States manufactures

and any articles imported from abroad pay full United States tarifif duties.

Refiucd sugar is made at Mercedita by the Suchar Pruccss—This interior Tueie shmes fis e .luto I-iltcrs hanng a ca/Hic ity 250 tons of refined sugar fer tzoenty-four hours

Boletín Oficial

51

isbed product, ready for use on tbe breakfast tabla or in various industries.

Louisiana dees tbe same with

tbeir cañe sugars, and no one suggests tbat tbis be not allowed, but it is contended tbat Territorial Puerto Rico and our 1.500,000 American citizens should be

i

l'rrpariiHi cauc srcd for ¡^laiitiiig

Puerto Rico has been subjcct to tbc criticism of American refiners and unjust prejudicial statements bave been niade. It is clear tbat "Snow Wbite Sugar"

refined in Puerto Rico from raw sugar produced in Puerto Rico, is a 100% American product and is entitled to a sbare in tbe American markets on equal terms witb sugar ])roduced from beets, or refined in

any state in tbe Unión. It would be equally unjust to require tbat tbe steel milis of Pennsylvania send tbeir raw i^roduct to üregon to be made into a finisbcd article as to require raw sugar manufactured in Puerto Rico be scnt tu tbe .Vtlantic Coast for refining. Beet sugar states ]:>ut tbeir sugars on tbe market as a fin-

deprived of tbe same rights. A furtber expansión of tbe Alercedita plant carne in Marcb, 1933, when tbe stock and properties of Cen tral Boca Chica, Inc., were accjuired. With tbe acquisition of tbis Central, wbicb is located near by, reconstruction of tbe entire factory took place. Tbe capacity was enlarged, additional vacuum pans and centrifugáis were installed and new steel buildings constructed. Tbe grinding capacity was increased to 1,500 tons of cañe per daj- and all of tbe raw sugar goes to tbe refinery at Mercedita. Tbe growtb of Central Mercedita. tbe refinery, and otber properties has led to tbe building of a large jdantation village bousing most of tbe field and factory employees. Mucb tbought is given to tbe welfare of tbeir workers and a commissary is operated to supply wbolesome food at very reasonable prices. A resident pbysician is in constant attendance. and tbree nurses give employees borne instructions in bygiene and attend to sicíí calis. Tbat Central Mercedita is an important factor in tbe región surrounding and has meant a great deal to tbe municipalitv of Ponce and all of Puerto Rico canñot be denied. Mercedita purcbases an average of $45,000 wortb of supplies montblv from local mercbants and wbarfage cbarges paid to tbe City of Ponce amount to more tban $50,000 a year. Tbe Sucesión Serralles pay approximately $125.000 a year in taxes to tbe Insular and Municipal Governments.

C'ari/o of ".VaoTc ¡riiilr" gramilatcd sugar. rcfiucd hy tlir l'iirrto Riran rliinviraii Ri-finrry. arriiñug lii Xrro \'ork liarlutr

Boletín Oficial

52

A z'iezv of Central El Ejeniflo, une of tíw niany snceessfiil dez'cluf'incnis uf tíie late Anliiniu Ruin

Antonio Roig—Pioneer and Industrialist THE industrial development of the rich fertile acres lying- in the districts of Humacao, Juncos

in 1926 as "Ferríjcarriles Del Este" and a new Une

was laid connecting Humacao and Xaguabo, again ])ro-

and Yabucoa can justly be attributed to the pioneering of the late Antonio Roig. Established in the city of Humacao in 1886 as a general merchant and exporter of sugar and molasses, the year 1897 saw an extensión of his sugar business

viding an outlet for these rich cañe lands. This railroad is now (jperated in connection with The Fajardo Developing Co. and the American Railroad Co., pro viding a daily freight and passenger service between

by the purchase of a small sugar mili then known as "Hacienda Providencia." Soon after the purchase the

Antonio Roig not only devoted his attention to the sugar business but also went into banking, creating an organization which has greatly aided in the develop

mili was modernized so as to manufacture what was

Humacao and San Juan.

then known as centrifugal sugar, and the ñame was changed to Central El Ejemplo. After two years of

ment of this district.

successful operation the San Ciríaco hurricane of

August 1899, destroyed the mili completely. Don Antonio was not discouraged by this loss, however. Equipped with photographs he hastened to San Juan to show his creditors what had happened. Here it is," said he, "it is yours, but I think I can

later on opening branches in Juncos and Río Piedras. This new enterprisc, under his leadershij). was likewise very successful, and it has i:)assed through the present depression unscathed. In 1926 Mr. Roig expanded his activities towards the Yabucoa valley purchasing outright Central Mer-

A few days later he came back to Humacao with

bucoa Sugar Company, renaming it Central Roig, and

renewed credit, to continué the fight. Since its reconstruction Central El Ejemplo has gradually expanded from a production of 16,000 bags of sugar to its present capacity of 125,000 bags, weathering all adversities and n^intaming its reputation of being one of the most

at the same time selling his interests in Central Juncos. Bad luck overtook him this time however. and on

rebuild it in time for the next crop."

efficient plants in the Island.

n 1906 Mr. Roig and Mr. Jules Gay organized a

.sugar partnership, forming what was later known as

Central Juncos, for the development of sugar produclon in the valleys of Juncos and Curabo and also

the htgher lands of Las Piedras. i he early growth of Central Juncos was attended yy senous obstacles as this district was well known

Through his efforts the Roig

Commercial Bank was established in Plumacao in 1922,

cedita (not Centrcál Mercedita of Ponce) of the Ya

September 13, 1928, Central Roig and its crop were partially destroyed by the hurricane of San Felipe. The plant was rebuilt immediately and today Central Roig has modern, steel, hurricane proof buildings and a production of twice that of the former mili. It is admitted that Antonio Roig was a pioneer in

the sugar business and was ever a progressivc factor. It was through his effort.s that Humacao saw the íii .st

electric lamp in the form of one small bulb lighted by a set of battcries. It was through his efforts and at

his expense that the first telej)hone line was installed

as a to Jdccf) center and the invasión of cañe into this

in Humacao between the city and its ])ort, known as

looked upen with skepticism by many o the land owners. Nevertheless success was finally

"La Plava." He was well known for his coolness in

ac levcd aml today .Antonio Roig's foresight and leadership are fully appreciated.

few years after the founding of Central Juncos a railroad was laid. connecting the twf) milis, giving access to all these hill regions and providing Central Juncos with a direct outlet to the seacoast. This rail-

road, taking in the port of Humacao. was incor])oratcd

the face'of adversity and the success of his \-arious enterprises is adcr|uate jjroof of his business acumen. His death in fuly of 1933 was a blow to his business associatcs and friends and his leadership and sounu

counsels are greatly missed by .all. 1 he m<an\- entei prises left by Don .Antonio are now being' ()])eT<ate(l b\ his two sons. who had been associated with him since

their grafluation froni Americ.an colleges.

Boletín Oficial

JLamborn &

Company^ Inc. WALL ST.

Suga?' Brokers

ANA.ML", which has l)ccn synonymous with sugar since ISSQ is LAAIBORX. TÍie House of Lam-

LAMBORN

l)i)rn X y"()in[)anv, Inc.. lias hacl a constant ancl steady gniwth through thc years as a result of the unusual and uni(|ue ser\ice they havc rendercd their

])rinci])als and clicnts.

With hcadquarters in Xew

York and offices and agents at strategic points throngiiout the world, they l^a^■e had sources of information of a rare ciiaracter, and with an unusual

degree of liberality have disseminated their sugar literaturc.

This house is the largest distributor of sugar in the l'nited States.

Their contacts, growing out of

reiationslTÍps tjf nianv years with all of the refiners and sugar buyers, have given them a cross section

vicw of the sugar l)usiness of the Lbiited States without jiarallel. Y'ith their eight offices and their approximately 200 lwokers on the American continent, thev are in intiniate contact with every new develop-

ment in sugar.

In addition to their headquarters

which is maintained at 99 W all Street, Xew \ ork, they have branch offices at Philadelphia, Savannah, New

Orleans, Chicago, Detroit. Saginaw, and Toledo. Prominent in raw sugar, their raw sugar _ depart-

ment since its incepti<5n has shown a constant increase in x'olume.

.\s ciiartcr inembers of the Sugar Futures

división of the Xew York Coffee and Sugar Exchange,

they hace always been outstanding in that field. Since white sugars have been made in the tropics

and exi)orted to the mainland, Lamborn's Import Department has done an extensivo business in this class (jf sugar and has, through its network of refined sugar sales offices, done an estimable job of merchandising. I>amborn's statistical library is probably the most

com])lete in the world, their records going back many decades.

.\ fundamental policy of the company has

always l)een to give to their principáis and clients all the available facts on sugar.

.As a result, the reputa-

tion that was built up foi" reiiahility on sugar informa-

to all of the individuáis or their organization, one of

their cardinal jirinciples procdding against such action. As a result, their principáis and clients know alwac-s

that their agent w-ould not directly or indirectly bccome a competitor of theirs and that their information

is unprejudiced.

In addition to this the compan\' has

no interest, directly or indirectly, in any sugar producing or refining company, their idea being that thev

are the servant of their c'lientele, and that their purpose and function should be to conduct their business

tion and statistics has made their statistical depart-

only on a stricth^ commission basis in all dcpartments.

seeking correct and unhiased information.

Puerto Rican raws, being \ery ablv represented in Puerto Rico liy Alr. .\ugusto T. Ortiz, of .San luán, lueito Rico. I hrough the hourlv. dady exchange of

ment \irtuaiiy a ATecca for those in the sugar world

In this

connection it is interesting ti> observe that evcry im-

portant sugar jiuhlication in the world constantly quotes Lamborn X Company on sugar.

()ne of the reasons that the Lamborn Company has had the unbounded coiffidcnce of those with whom it (loes Ijusiness is because they religiously abstain

from buving or selling sugar for their own account

either in reíined, raws. or futures.

I his rule .applies

Lamborn have been a ])rime factor in tiie sale of

cables by IMi . (Irtiz and Lamborn, each is intimatelx' posted on all developments in tbe market. In addition

to their actiiúties as lirokers for i'uerto Rican sugars. Lamborn h,i\ e acted in a similar cajiacitv on raw sugar bags. and hac e etlected substantial s;i\ ings for their clients in Puerto Rico.

54

Boletín Oficial

The citrtis fruit for export is loaded directly from the prc-coolincj plant into thc rcfrigcratcd sfcamcrs of the Neiu York and Porto Rico Line for dclk'cry iii Neto York

The Islandés Fruit Industry For many years Puerto Rico has been a fruit producing centcr of importance. The climate and soil conditions in certain sections of the Island

are favorable to the growth of a variety of citrus and °i crops, butthegrapefruit, pineapp es have received greatest oranges, attention and because of the^r commercial importance. The greater part oí Puerto Rico's fruit is raised for

export and the traffic in oranges, grapefruit, and pineapples has reached the million dollar mark in reccnt

years. The quality of the citrus production in the s and matches that fif any other citrus section of the 'Uited States and Puerto Rico has one distinct ad-

vantage over other fruit producing centers. It is fa\ ored with climatic conditions which enal)le it to pro

duce out-of-season fruit and henee is in a ]:)()sititm to supply northern markets with a higli cjuality i)roduct when prices are at ¡)eak. While the orange antedates the grapefruit in Puerto Rico, the superior hardincss cjf thc latter lias Icd to its more e.xtensi\"e cultiw'ition, with the result that the

grapefruit is the more imijortant of the two. comI)arati\"ely recent de\-elo])ment, howcner, has l)een the

great increase in production of ])inea])ides. tids fruit ntjt ha\'ing exjjerienced the setliacks which ]ia\ e been the fate of citrus lately. Kx])orts of ))inea])])les are holding up exceptionally well, and conditions are such. at the ¡¡resent time, as to make ])inea])])les the niost important fruit product of the Island, from a commer cial standpoint.

Development Uatesfrom Ametñcan Occupcition ing m

^^'^niercial develo])ment of citrus fruit growuertü Rico dates from the time cjf the Ameri-

can occupation. The fruit industry is a "child of free -''■'y

time when the Island became a

for col'fee bushes. and the fruit ])roduced by thesc shade trees was wild and had no uniformity of iiualitN' .

The first citrus gro\e set out as a commercial undertaking was ]danted in the tear l<Sd9 in Río Piedras by Alajor fohn .\. W'ilson. The trees in this

+1 ^*^1 -States it was \ irtuall\- none.xistent. ,limes, . " and le lemons atei days the S]janish oranges, were(jfgrown to some rcgime extent for home consumiition, but m, fruit was exported and no ste]is weu' t.dven to im])ro\e the (|uality of the jjroduct.

grove originated from ])lantings of the sour orange (Naranja) seed budded with orange budwood brought

ttrange growing was incidental to the cultivation of

suitable to the raising of citrus trees.

tolfee in that orange trees were largely used as shade

to the Island from hdorida.

The grove was short-

li\ed as the soil in the location selected was not at all

Incidentally. it

might be mentioned here that all the early jilanters

Boletín Oficial

suftered mucli from thc mistaken idea that the soil

of Puerto Rico was so rich and fertile that it was only necessary to set out trees and watch thcm grow. The success of tiie fruit industry in Puerto Rico has not

been realized in any such simple manner. Throuííhout the cutiré course of thc srowth of thc fruit industry it has i)ccn ncccssary to cm])loy thc most carcful cultivation mcthods, includiny tiie use of grcat quantities of fertilizer.

A sccond gro\ c \vas plantcd a short time aftcr this Ijy Mr. (iustaxd Prcston, in Xaguabo. ^'oung trees of high quality werc set out in this case and the grove was \-cry succcssful. It is still in existence and thriving.

Following thc planting at Xaguabo, a third grovc was started in Toa Baja. This was initiated by Mr.

William .Alien, an cxpcrienced Florida citrus growcr, and Mr. Holmes, a Xcw Yorker. This partnership operatcd thc grove for ycars with signal success and

today it is onc of thc íargcst in Puerto Rico. At thc prescnt time it is owned by a corporation known as

1.a Isabela Ürovc Company, headcd by Mr. G. H. Wildman.

Thc fourth pioneer in citrus growing as a commercial undertaking was a Mr. Minor, who started at about the same time with a grovc in Bayamón, later

purchasing additional property in Dorado. This grove is also still thriving, and is owned at the present time by Dr. Caul.

From these early steps the citrus industry in Puerto Rico has grown to the point where it occupies, together with the rest of the fruit industry, a position of con

siderable importance in the agricultural altairs of the

Island. The scene of its opera'tions covers quite a larga arca on the northern coast, between Carolina and Are-

cibo, with some groves located in N^aguabo, Aguada Añasco and Penuelas. The introduction of the indus

try has put under cultivation an apprcciable pcrcent-

age of land, which, prior to the .American occupation was kmjwn as "dead land," and was thought suitable

for nothing hut pasturage, and in some cases not even

that. .Although the industry is controlled almost entirely bv continental .Americans it ]u-ovidcs employmcnt for several thousaml inhabitants of Puerto Rico

55

and through the efforts of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Alayaguez. Through the disastrous eft'ects of the hurricanes of 1928, 1931 and 1932, however, the citrus industrx" has

experienced a bad blow, and the courage displayed by growers in the face of adyersit}' has been most ad mirable. Immediately following the storms of 1928 and 1932 growers reset their trees, straightened them, and salyaged such portions of crops as were at all marketable and dex'oted all their attentions to the rehabili-

tation of their groves. A'^ery shortly after the hurricane of 1928 the Fruit Growers' Cooperative Credit Association was formed. the common stock of which was taken by fruit grow ers, the capital stock being taken by business houses and steamship companies who were engaged in rendering service to the citrus industr}-. This association financed borrower-members through the médium of the Federal Intermedíate Credit Bank.

The growers were, generally speaking, successful in rehabilitating their groves after the 1928 hurricane

and well on the road, in spite of the depression, to recovery, when the hurricane of 1932 swept through the Island with almost a total loss of the citrus crop. Many of the crops thus lost had been financed under crop lien contracts and, because of the fact that

most growers were unable to raise funds for the purpose of covering these crops with hurricane crop insurance, no recovery was possible and the growers

found themselves in a difficult position for refinancing. However, the attitude of the creditors of the industry was one of complete helpfulness and eventually.

through the médium of the Federal Intermedíate

Credit Bank of Baltimore and the Regional Agricul tural Credit Corporation of Baltimore, Maryland, financing for the 1933-34 crop was obtained. The grow ers of Puerto Rico are today producing marketable citrus crops at a mínimum cost. Throughout the historx'- of the Puerto Rican fruit

industry the Island growers have been verv progressive and have lost no opportunity to extend their markets. For example. Puerto Rican growers were the

first to develop the export market in the United Kingdom, for grapefruit, and Puerto Rico has been an im-

and indirectly influences the Uves of additional thousands. Working conditions in the fruit industry of

portant factor in continuing the development t)f this

the Island are cxcellent. .A well established canning

able for transportation of fruit from the Island direct to the ports of the P'nited Kingdom.

industry, which owes its existence to fruit growing, likewi.se (jffers a means of li\'elihood foi man\ thou-

sands of Puerto Rico's people.

While the fruit industry of Puerto Rico is a major one today, it is not to be assumcd that it has grown

to it.s jiresent ])ro]iortions without a struggle, or that it encounters no difliculties today. The fruit industry

European market. Modern refrigerated ships are avail-

Grapefruit Early orange plantings in Puerto Rico consisted largely of buddings on sour-orange stock, but difficultv was found in securing a combination that would thrive

in the light sandy soil. Un the other hand. grai>efruit

today, with the exce])tion of luneajiiile growing, is just emerging from a rather jirecarious iiosition, as a result of the damage done l)v hurricanes in the past seven years, and the cumulative elTects of the woPd-widc (kqiression. In the earlier years of the truit industry great damage was done by iiests and many losses were incurred through lack of jiroper eiiuipment and ignorance of projier iilanting methods. These conditions

idantings generaíly turned out good trees regardless of tile stock on which the fruit sli])s were budded. giving

have been oxercome or iilaced under control in late

June. 1 he \arieties of grapefruit and methods of growing i)ractically corres]iond with those of other

years through the untiring et'forts of ])lanters, with the

grapefruit a preterence among growers and a conse"^ quent predominance in citrus itlantings. Grapefruit ripens in Puerto Rico the ycar around,

with jieaks of ]U"oduction occurring ordinarily in the periods September through Uctolier. and December

through January, and at times again in .A]mil. May. and

aid of the United States Department cif Agriculture

grapefruit ])roducing sections ol the L'nited States.

through its Plant ()uarantine Seixice in Puerto Rico,

The Duncan and Alarsh Seedless \ arieties predomínate.

56

Boletín Oficial

Grapefruit trees in the Island grow considerably faster than those in Florida. A five-year-old tree in Puerto Rico is about as larga as Florida's six to seven-year-old trees. The yield per tree in comparison with a tree of corresponding size in Florida is about twenty-five per cent less. Prior to the American occupation grapefruit was practically unknown in Puerto Rico, while today there are over 6,000 acres devoted to grapefruit trees.

Orang^es

acre, though the average production is somewhat lower.

The Red Spanish variety is grown almost exclusiveiy, although there are small plantings of the Cabezona.

It is interesting to note that the pineapple industry has grown from practically a "sidelinc" to a major planting business. In the cultivation of grapefruit it is necessary to place the individual trees rather far.

apart, and to put the inter\ening land to some ])ractical use, grapefruit growers began the practico of planting the comparatively low and small ])incap])le "trees" between the largor citrus trees. .\s time went

on, the growing of pineapjile has become more ])rolitThe bulk of the oranges grown in Puerto Rico are known as "mountain fruit," developed originally from seedlings of orange trees which were plantad as shade for coífee. The naval and king oranges and tangerinas are also plantad over comparatively small acreage. The cultivated oranges (a late Valencia type) grown in the Island compare favorably with those grown in the southern United States, and much of the mountain

orange crop equals cultivated fruit in quality when properly handled and packed.

The orange is not indigenous to Puerto Rico, early Spanish settlers having introduced a number of varieties grown in the Mediterranean región. Commercial orange growers in later years cultivated some of the better types of oranges which they found in the Island, and also brought from continental United States such

able than the cultivation of grajiefruit, and manv grow ers have turned to developing gro\ es of Red S])anish exclusiveiy. The pineapple crop of Puerto Rico is well ])ackeil and graded and compares favorably with the ])inea])]')le grown in any other center. The crop is consumcd principally in the metropfditan area of Xew York, though some fruit gcjos as far west as St. l.ouis, into the eastern part of Ganada, and certain scctions of the southern states.

Packing Methods Most citrus fruit in Puerto Rico is jnicked on the

premises or in nearby packing houses and is hauled by truck or train to San Juan, where it is transshipped to

varieties as Pineapple, Ruby, Valencia, etc. In addition to such citrus fruits as the above men-

tioned grapefruit and oranges, limes are grown commercially in Puerto Rico, though on a small scale.

Pineapples

I

The pineapple has been produced in Puerto Rico, for home consumption, for centuries, the principal early varieties having been the Pan de Azúcar and the Cabe zona.

With the advent in Puerto Rico of American

planters from the States, the Red Spanish variety of pineapple was introduced from Florida and grown for export. The popularity of this variety on the mainland has led to a flourishing commercial pineapple in-

ti, -y-íJ' I

dustry on the Island, and at the present time the grow-

ing of pineapple is by far the most profitable side of the fruit business. A well-cultivated Puerto Rican pine

apple grove will produce as high as 350 crates to the Pre-cooling plüntf Nci\: )ork-Porfo Rico Piuc

continental United States and Eurojjean ])orts.

Gen

eral boat capacities range from 5.000 to 35.000 boxes. with a minimum shij)]jing cajtacity of about 35,000 boxes a week.

In the sjjring of 1931 a large ])ercentag"e of growers

began ])acking to the United .States (irades. This ])ractice has been continued until at ]jresent a])])roximately

<S5 per cent of the fruit shi])ped meets those standards and approximatelV the same amount of truit is ship-

ping-point-inspected by the b. S. Ueiiartment of .\griculture under a coo])erati\ e agreement with the Fruit Growers Coojjerative Credit .Association of San Juan. Puerto Ric(j.

Plowever, the basic methods of growing and i)ack-

ing citrus fruit in Puerto Rico have been develop>ed ¡'iticnpple jicld

through the resourcefulness of the growers themseh es.

57

Boletín Oficial

The packin^ houses on the Island are well equipped with modern machinery and modern packing methods

Coconuts

are available to all growers. Also, a modern pre-cooling- plant is available at San Juan and refrigerated ships

The growing of coconuts for exports is also an industry of some importance in Puerto Rico, and Island

are in ser\'¡ce between Puerto Rico and New \ork. There are two fruit associations in Puerto Rico

coconuts are famed for their size and meat yield, Coco-

which include in their membcrship most of the fruit growers in the Island as well as packers and shippers not directly engaged in producing fruit. One of these

the Island because of the trees' susceptibility to dam-

associations, the l'orto Rico Fruit Exchange, Inc., with

headcpiartcrs in San Juan, is a fruit cooperative organized princi])all\- for the marketing of the products of its members. The exchange maintains a branch office in New York. The other association, the Porto Rico

Fruit Unión, also with headquarters in San Juan, was

organized by a number of prominent fruit and vege table growers and incorporated under the laws of •Puerto Rico in 1917, The Unión annually handles a

large percentage of the fruit and vegetables shipped from Puerto Rico, amounting, in normal years, to

nearly 2,000,000 packages, Its activities are devoted chicfly to the forwarding of shi])ments to markets in the United States and Europe, serving not only its own members but also indepcndent shippers.

Canning of Fruit Early in the development of the commercial freshfruit industrv in Puerto Rico there aróse the need for an outlet for fruit which could not be marketed profit-

ably in a fresh state because of its poor appearance,

maturing at an inopportune time, etc. This led to the establishment of canning plants, At the beginning of the World War there were two pineapple canning

plants in oi)eration in Puerto Rico; one at Mayaguez, the other near Manatí, These original plants have since been closed,

At the present time there are six fruit canning factories in Puerto Rico, These canneries are well

equipped with modern machinery and confine their operations almost exclusively to the canning of grape-

fruit and pineapple, All of them are located on highways which traverse the fresh-fruit regions and afford easy access to the city of San Juan, Some of these canneries are also served by the railroad, having spur

tracks running from the main line to their doors,

In the spring of 1929 a group of eleven fruit grow ers in the Bayamón district formed the Porto Rico Fruit Urowers' Cooperative and bought the property

nut growing has had a somewhat checkered career in age by the more or less frequent violent storms which cross the Island, but despite the recent hurricanes this product is again coming inte its own, The yield for

the year 1934 promises to be from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 nuts,

In the years 1927 and 1928 there were 25,000,000 or more coconuts on the palms of Puerto Rico, and some 22,000,000 were exported, Then carne the ccmlonic hurricane of September, 1928, which pulled and twisted the palms; tore them from their roots ; bore them to the ground and robbed them of their crop, The production in 1929 was inconsiderable and in 1932 as the palms once more began to bear fruitful crops, came the storm of that September, It was not

so widespread in its destruction yet it crossed through some of the Island's most productive coconut groves, Generous rain in the succeeding year has aided to a more rapid recovery than after the storm of 1928, henee there are brighter prospects for 1934,

In 1905 coconut groves of Puerto Rico were principally concentrated around Mayaguez and the sections to the north towards Aguadilla, The total production in that year is reported at less than 5,000,0()0, Thereafter the planting of palms was more widespread and again in less than ten years the production of the districts around Rio Grande and Loiza became the center

of greater yield of this product, The peak of nut production in 1927 and 1928 does not, however, coincide with its greatest valué as an export,

The largest sum received for exports of coconuts was in the year 1920 when, owing to the scarcity of fats and oils, originated by the World War, the coco nut had its greatest demand and highest valúes, The exports from Puerto Rico in 1920 were valued at $1,142,412, Without diminution of production, their valué fell in 1921 to $690,895 and in 1927 to $628,196, The cocoiiut palm is said bv some historians to

have originated in India and to have been propagated in the West Indies by floating nuts washed by the currents of the ocean landing on the shore of this Island, Other students claim that it was brnupht herc

by the early voyagers, but Columbus reported the pres-

of the Ba\'amón Canning Company, which that corpor-

ence of coconut palms in Cuba on occasion of bis first trip to that island and it is well known that in the

ation had'operated for four years, The four members of the coqjoration remained members of the Coopera

coconut palms,

tive, The factory had been destroycd by the hurricane of September 13,' 1928, and rcplaced with concrete and timber construction, l)ut lacked ecpiipnient, This equip-

ment was installed in time to handle the^ 1929-30 croji and the two following crops, The 19.i2-33 season lurnished no fruit on account of the hurricane of Septem ber 20. Work has now commenced on the present crop.

There are from 250,000 to 320,000 cases of fruit

16th century Puerto Rico had a generous idanting of The meat of the coconut is eatcn bv man, beasts,

and birds, Its water is drunk. Its sheíl, its husk, its branches, and its trunk all are utilized. From its meat

are made pies, cake, camly, aml oil. The oil becomes

soap, shampoo, lubricating oil, and cooking oil. The copra meal, free of oil, is an animal food. Its milk or

water gives a refreshing drink with medicinal qnalities. From the shell come ciqis, s])oons, ornaments and charcoal. The charcoal i.s utdized tor gas masks and dr\' batteries. From its husk is extracted coir libre, from which are made mats, l)rushes, ropes, .and cables. The

canned in Puerto Rico yearly. Most of the canned fruit is ship])etl from San juan and is fmwarded to its vari-

])r,anches are utilized for rootin.g by the ]ioor .and for

ous destinations via New York C ity.

ornament by the more well-to-do.

Fruit Exports Exportation of Grapefruit from Puerto Rico in the Years 1921-1933=^= Exportation to Years 1921-1933

Exportation to U. S. (Boxes) (Valué)

(Boxes)

(Ave. per year)

582,081.80

Minimum)

215,337

529.627.00

(1929)

(1929)

978,330

3,621.700.00

75.741

(1930) (1930) *Information compiled from the Custom-housc figures.

(1932)

Máximum

Total Ex])ortation

Forei^n Countrie.s

$1,809,141.60

(Valué)

7,367.23 $19,187.77 No exportation from

(Boxe.s) 589,449.03 215..337

(1929)

1927 to 1931

187,559.00

(19.32)

978.3.30

(19.30)

(\"aluc) $1.828.329.37 529.627.00

(1929) .3.621.700.00

(1930)

Januarj' 2, 1934.

Exportation of Oranges from Puerto Rico in the years 1921-1933* Years

Exportation to Foreign Countries (Boxes) (Valué)

Jixportation to U. S..

1921-1933

(Ave. per year) Minimum Máximum

(Boxes)

(Valué)

271,305.30 13,548 (1933) 732,973 (1923)

$ 671,499.46 38,778.00 (1933) 1,749,378.00 (1923)

468.46 $1,077.00 No exports from 1927 to 1931

1,240.00

3,013.00

(1933)

(1924)

Total Exportati(>n (Boxes) 271,773.76 14,788 (1933) 733,199

(1923)

^formation compiled from the Custom-housc figures,

(Valué) $ 672,576.46 40,.381.00

(1933)

1,7.50,641.00 (1923)

üecember 23, 1933.

Exportation of Pineapples from Puerto Rico in the Years 1921-1933* Years

1921-1933

Exportation to U. S.

(Grates)

Exportation to Foreign Countries (Grates ) (Valué)

(Value)

(Ave. per year) 417,857.10 $1,260,113.20 Minimum

172,800

574,640.00

Maxi mum

(1921) 703,280 (1931)

(1921) 2,278,449,00 (1931)

Total Exportations (Grates) (Valué)

425.4 $1,250.78 No exports in 1921, 1924, 1927,

418,282.50

$1,261,363.98

172,880.00

1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931 4,212 12,567.00

(1921)

574,640.00 (1921)

♦Information compiled from the Custom-house figures. Üecember 23, 1933.

(1933)

(1933)

1932) 1933)

in the Years 1921-1933*

Expf)rtation to U.S.

(Ave. per year)

(thousands)

(Valué)

10,808.00 6,5.52

(19.30)

$ 46,916.00 152,055.00 (1933)

23,286

709,853.00

Maxi mum

(1927) (1925) *Jnformalinn compiled from the Custom-hou.sc figures, Dccciriher 26, 1933.

58

(1931)

Not over 4,000 crates each year.

Exportation of Coconuts in the Shell from Puerto Rico

Minimum

703,280.00

2,278.449.00

(1931)

f:

Tobáceo

Culture

WITH the ])hysical condition of its soil unsurpasscd and with a climate particularly favorable for i)lant growth, Puerto Rico has long been

famed for the exccllence of its tobáceos tobáceos which ha\'c. in turn, bcen resiionsible for the interna-

tional popularity of many of the woilds most widely-

S(jid cigars.

Puerto Rico mainly produces tobáceo tor hllei jnir-

])oses because the Iicart of the cigar requires the _fra-

grance, exc|uisito mihlness, aud fine burning cjualities for which the Island leaf is known. The cigars thus

fashioncd ciuickly became cdebrated in the American rsiarkets, and thús was deyeloped a tobáceo growing and stri])ping Inisiness which came to be the sccond largest Puerto Rican industry. ^ Sug.ir alone surpassed

manufacture of 5c cigars; and though conditions are

improving, it is probable that the cheaper cigar will continué to be served. Since all the tobáceos go to the United States duty free, makers are enabled to turn out a fine "smoke'' at modérate prices.

Most striking has been the growth of the industry during the years of development. Whereas in 1906— fully twenty-eight ycars ago—the Puerto Rican to

báceo crop was some 12,000,000 Ibs., in 1930 it approximated fully 32,438,000 Ibs.! With most of this leaf exported to the United States, the favor in which the

American holds his Puerto Rican blended cigar is trulv

attested, The avcrage yearly valué of leaf exports for the five fiscal years cnding June 30, 1931, was

$15,055,970. The best year of these five was 1927'when the exports attained a valué of $20,580,287.

the Tsland's tobáceo industry in impoitance. Puerto Rico is divided into several tobáceo districts.

Though most of the leaf leaves the Island as stripped filler, the money ]iaid for it remains in Puerto

and the tviie of tobáceo ])roduced vanes from región

Rico. In fact, nearly all of the money from the tobáceo

to región." The liest leaf comes trom plots in the inte

industry is circulated in the Island, where a large proportion of the population is engaged in the in'dustrj^ Some 25,000 womcn laborers alone are cmidoyed, with

rior of the Island aloiig the cool foothills and mountain

slopes, while, as one appn>aches the coastal plain, Icat of lesser (nialitv is found. Thus, 1 uerto Rican tobáceo

alTords many selections of

approximately $3,500,000 normally spent each vear in the stripifing process in which thcy are engaged" When this figure is added to the valué of the niirmal annual

'""t' l'lcnduig leaf suit-

<ible for the manv smoking iiroducts desiied. The market fo"r Puerto Rican tobáceo is exclusively

crop—$10,000,000—the business alreadc" attains, exclu sive of othcr considerations, a valué of" $13,500,000. It is obvious that the total sum of monev invohed is

the market of the continental Ihuted ^tates. with the greater ])art of the product utilized m blends of cigars retailing- at lOc and .T'up. Today, , . .. however, with the world stil] suffering from (kqnession, more and more

of the greatest importance to the economic W(.dl-Leing

of the Island leaf has come to be employed in the

of Puerto Rico.

59

60

Boletix Oficial

Puerto Rican tobáceo had no identity until 189S, date of the American occupation, although its excellence was well known as far back as 1614. Indeed,

prior to the Spanish-American War, a large portion of the Island's treasure in tobáceo was shipped to Cuba and sold on the open market as Cuban tobáceo!

With the turn of the centur}^, however, the oíd Porto Rican Leaf Tobáceo Company, a merger of sev era! smaller units and therefore known as "La Colec

tiva,' was organized to purehase leaf directly from the growers and likewise to grow its own tobáceo. Thís staunch company—a handler of leaf and maker of

cigars and cigarettes—quiekly became the largest firm in the business. Moreover, it began the praetiee of refaccioning" the tobáceo growers—that is to say, it advaneed money to farmers to finance their erops. In the span of years that followed, various Ameri can and Puerto Rican tobáceo firms were established,

great quantities of tobáceo being bought, prepared, and

shipped north for manufacture. And then, following 1923, many important manufacturers of the States—■

General, Consolidated, P. Lorillard, the American To

báceo Company, and others—instituted direct branches

of their business in the Island so that very few of the

large users of Puerto Rican leaf have failed, today, to open their own Island offices and warehouses.

With the Island s fine soil naturally free from harsh ^ orines, yet rich in needed magnesia, the tobáceo farmer is truly endowed. Institution of efficiently developed methods of cultivation—attaining the high plañe of the most advaneed tobáceo producing counserved to bring forth unparagoned leaf.

lo the aforementioned Porto Rican Leaf Tobáceo

Company goes credit for the early advances in cultivaion, seed selection, and curing praetiee. This group's ong study and experimentation, later supplemented by the supervisión and endeavors of both the U. S. and

uerto Rican Departments of Agriculture, has resulted m modern and proven methods throughout. Ñor has e study and testing been terminated.

The various

governmental and private agencies continué their work o development of new varieties of leaf, improved seed

selection crop rotation, and fertilization. e nsular Experiment Station of the Department o griculture and Commerce has been working on

tobáceo problems for severa! years, e.s])ecially those questions pertaining to fertilization. The development by this Station of the "Virginia No. 9" and "U-X-1" tobáceo plants has been cspecially successful. Both

varieties afford large yields per acre and have jiroved to be exceptionalh" good for fi ller purposes. A summary of the major steps of the work is pertinent: First, the soil of the fertile fíats and rolling land is carefully ploughed, harrowed, and ditched for drainage in preparation for ¡danting. Next, with the seedlings sown on the lay-out plots and the fi rst shoots

up, oíd cheese cloth strips are employed to cover and protect the young plants.

When the new plants have attained the right height and initial strength, they are transplanted to the extcnsive tobáceo fi elds. The long period of careful culti

vation of the plants follows, with pruning, hoeing, spraying, etc., as required.

Finally, when the stalks have matured, harvesting begins.

Here we fi nd the tobáceo divided into two

classes—primed and stalk tobáceo.

Primed tobáceo is

that which is picked, leaf by leaf, from the plants in the fi elds and hung up to dry in the barns.

Stalk to

báceo, on the other hand, is that harvested by cutting down the entire plant with the leaves still remaining on the stalk.

Generally, the primed tobáceo is milder

than the stalk tobáceo.

The demand for cach class

depends upon the type of cigars the manufacturer desires to make.

Following the drying in the farmers' sheds, the to báceo is fi rst assorted and then removed to the pur-

chasers' warehouses. Flere, the tobáceo goes through a further gauntlet of classification, selection, and assortment. Then comes the exacting processes of cur ing and fermentation, and fi nally the stalk tobáceo is stripped of its stems in preparation for exportation or direct domestic manufacture as the case may be. One of the strongest factors in the progress of the Island's tobáceo industry has been the development during the last decade of the various tobáceo growers' cooperatives. On the other hand, the active ".Asocia ción de Comerciantes y Industriales de Toliaco de Puerto Rico" has likewise preved of decided importancc since it has served to unite the buying and processing portion of the business.

-ir

m

á ■ I /yf'ti al I'urrio Rit o /^/iniUilioii—xiiii groioii toharco

61

Boletín Oficial

Tlioiísands of acres, iit thc interior of the Island, produce Puerto Rieo's rast tobáceo crop

Tlie drivc to orjíanizc farmers into cooperati\ es, a movement first launched in 1925, has been sympathet-

icallv aided by the Commission for the rrotcction of

Rico). This organization has held considerable quantities of tobáceos, to dispose (.)f them later at more acceptable prices.

Puerto Rican Tobáceo. The success of the cooperative

plan is reílccted by the gains already achieved b} se\eral of the local groups—especially those iinder the banner of the "Tobacaleros de Puerto Ricao, Inc. (To

báceo (jrowers" Cooperative Association of Puerto

All cooperatives are owned and controlled by agricultural producers. They are operated on a cost basis, the project providing for service at cost for members. Savings made, therefore, benefit individual farmers.

Tobáceo Leaf Exports. Mean, Máximum and Mínimum Exportations of the 1921-33 Period* Years

Exportation

Valué of

to U. S.

Exportation

(Lbs.)

to U. S.

Exportation to Valué of Foreign Exportation to Countries

Foreign

(Lbs.)

Countries

Total

Total Valué

Exportation (Lbs.)

Exportation

22,847,123.70

$11,983,680.23

of

1921-33

(Ave. per year) Mínimum

Máximum

22,780,986 12,928,034 (1933) 30,730,028 (1927)

$11,975,184.77

$8,495.46 No exports in 1926

66,137.70

4,403,233

(1933)

12,930,640

(1933)

20,580,287

(1927)

236,303

32,485.00

30.781,946

(1925)

(1925)

(1927)

4,403,615.00 (1933) 20.587.484.00

(1927)

*Informat¡on compiled from thc Custom-house figures. Janiiary 3, 1934.

Cigar Exports in 1921-33*

h'e.ars

F,x])ortation

A'alue of

Total

Ex])ortation

Exportation to Foreign

Valué of

to IL S.

Exportation to

Exportation

(tltousands)

to IL S.

Countries

Foreign

(th( lusands)

(thousands)

Countries

12.23

$415.70

Total A'alue

ot 15x]iortation

1921-33

(.Ave. i)cr year) ATinimum

15(),3()4.70 (i3.044

(19.33) Máximum

214.546

(1926)

$4.903,075.77 1.284.289.00

Xo exitorts from 192(> to 1933

(19.33) 8,101.028.00

(1921)

*Informatini, c.aiipikd Inuii thc rusPim-housc figures. January 2, 19.34.

15(),37(1.93 03,044

(19.33) 47

1.973.00

(1922)

(1921)

214.,34o (192(.)

$4.9(44.091.47 1.284.289.00

(19.33) 8.103,001.00

(1921)

Boletín Oficial

62

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¡C,¡GA¡REf

V't

The Mayaguez factory of Infanzón y Rodríguez, nianufactnring only Ihc fíncst Iiand-made cigars

Infanzón y Rodríguez Begun as a co-partnership in 1890, Infanzón y Rodriguez enjoys distinction as the oldest established tobáceo firm in Puerto Rico today. Activities of the

company are confined tu the manufacture of cigars and general dealing in leaf tobáceo.

Félix Infanzón and Angel Rodriguez were the two who founded the organization early in now retired, however.

With the inclusión of Cesar Rodriguez and Carlos Mantaras in the fi rm, three able leaders today ctjnduct the entire Puerto Rican portion of this prominent house.

_ Prior to the American occupation. Infanzón y Rodnguez furnished the majority of the cigars caring for

this trade, which mirrors the industry's dev'clopment in this keystone land. In the export lield, the fi rm's large output of cigars and leaf is wholly handled through the Rlew York office at 151 Water Street. Distribution in the Statcs is cared for by an able body of salcsmen co\ering all portions of the country. Infanzón y Rodriguez's huge cigar-making factory is located in Mayaguez. It occupies an entire city block. Packing house and leaf operations of the con cern are conducted in Caguas, where the leaf is cured, strip])ed, and jiaclced for shi])ment. Infanzón y Rodriguez owns many plantations and in addition buys considerable f|uantities of tobáceo from other growcrs,

Puerto Rican consumption while its leaf went to Cub;i.

with superv isión exercised over all leaf accepted. Recently, the company was indeed fortúnate in re-

hrm has sold and today crmtinues to sell—great rjuan-

taining the scrvices of Ilarrison Johnson as director of operations in the United States. l'ecause of Mr.

ic'oo'' as througlujut Habanera, a the brand famed.Statcs, since 890 and widely sold United Furope, and .South América. The company's Imporico

Johnson's many years of experience, his association assures an integral strengthening of the lirni. Mr. Johnson is the oldest in point of service of any .American in the Puerto Rico toiiacco industiyv. lie came to the Island initially in 1898, subsequently organizing the Cayey-Caguas Tobáceo ("oni])anv, which

n the years which have since clapsed, this stauncli

cigars hri\ e likewise won a foremost reputation. The.s'e two aie the best known of Infanzón y Kodriguez's

twe ve trade-marked brands. The concern continúes to

manutacture the best hand-made cigars, utilizing only

the fi nest I uerto Rican fi ller and domestic wrapper. At present, 90 per cent of Puerto Rican cigars consunic d (ju the Islarid cire mB.dc hy this cfinipany. 'Pruc.

the Island consumption is comijaratively small. but

there is neiertheless a great imjiortance attached to

operated from 1991 to 1918.

Alr. Johnson's business-

like and far-sighted flirection is indicated in the fact that the Cayev-C aguas com]jan_v was (uie oí the iargest

and

strongest

Puertfj Rico.

indejiendent

tol)acco

conpianies

in

Thc ahoz'c z'irzc shiizcs tobáceo grozzot undcr shadc i¡i thc fcrtilc La Flaita Vallcy—tobáceo shcds of the Porto Rieaii Leaf Tobáceo Co¡ii¡^ai¡y tu thc forcgroiind

The Porto Rican Leaf Tobáceo Company TME l'orto Rican Ecaf Tobáceo Comjjany—long the f()renn)st tol)acco organization in the Island— continúes today as perhaps the largest factor in leaf tobáceo operaticjns in Puerto Rico. The concern is now a su])sidiary of the Amcrican Tobáceo Com

pany, one of the "Rig Four." Complete control was assumed in 1930.

The Porto Rican Company's plant lay-out is exten-

Tobáceo Company's famed Lucky Strike cigarette. All money from Luck\' Strike sales, moreover, remains in the Island, circulating in payrolls. taxes, materials, and supplies. Indeed, the ñrm has a hard and fast rule calling for the purchase of supplies, whenever physically possible, in Puerto Rico, thus further contributing to the country's economic betterment. With the exception of two officers, all those asso-

sive, with a total of sixteen large concrete warehouses

ciated

in operation, located at Caguas, Gurabo, Cayey, Comerio, Bayamon, and Utuado. Serving the key regions of the leading tobáceo arcas, these warehouses

Ricans. E. S. Steele, vice-president and treasurer, has been with the Amcrican Tobáceo Company for thirty-

have a capacity of fully 12,000,000 Ibs. of tobáceo. Por the full range of the production schedule storing, strip])ing, fermentation, and handling and packing for shipment—the ñrm calis into action its strategicallyplaced and cxj^ertly-managed plants. Employment is afl'orded. in this first-rank organi zation, for from 5,000 to 6,000 pcrsons, varying as the

tobaccf) crop warrants. The payroll of the Porto Rican Leaf Tobáceo Companv has, therefore, amounted to more than $1,000,000 anñuall}—thus comprising an im-

portant economic factor in the Island. Conducting its opcrations in the cigar tobáceo field

for its own factories in the States. the ñrm does not act as broker or dealer in leaf. 1 he concern ships the

with the Porto Rican

Leaf firm

are Puerto

two years, twenty-six of which ha\-e been spent in Puerto Rico. Mr. Steele's thorough knowledge of all

pirases of the tobáceo industry, and especially of Puerto Rican operations, has brought him recognition as one of the leading tobáceo experts. He has contributed in great part to the continued progress of the Porto Rican Leaf Tobáceo Company.

Likewise in the forerank of Iris industry- is Frederick R. Tonton, thc firm's vice-president in charge of all field and plant operations. A thoroughly practical man, known for Iris business judgment, Mr. Tonton has been with the company since 1910. His meaningful

span of years with the concern brought him his vicepresidency in 1930 when the .Vmerican Tobáceo Com pany assumed control of the Porto Rican concern.

where it is distributed for manufacture. Among the

Éfficiently organized and directed. an ever-brighter future is rig'htlv prophesied for the Porto Rican Leaf

cigars into which thc leaf is fashioned are some of the

Tobáceo Company—a future pnmiising nruch for the

better known .Xmerican brands Cierno, C hancellor, El

advancemcnt of Puerto Rico.

bulk of its fullv-])rei)ared produce to Norfolk, Va., from

Roi-Tan, and others.

In addition, the Porto Rican company nn]iorts cer-

tain foreign tobáceos, h'ollowing the jiobcy of having this tobáceo come to Puerto Rieo in bond—in order that the Insular (¡oNernment may benelit from the ac-

conpianying custom revenue—this leaf is stripped and rc-shi])])ed ti ) thc Enited States.

E,s])eciall\' im])ortant, too, is the com]iany s designation ;is seÜing .agent in Puerto Rico foi the .\merican One of the inany iiiodeni eonerete zearehoiíses 1 I)/ the P<>rto Rieaii Leaf Tobáceo i. itinbany ¿V'J;

TJie Caguax li'arelwiise of thc General Cigar Coin/^aiiy, Inc. Stripping and packing departments

General Cigar Co., Inc. Operations in T^uerto Rico

MAKER of such famous brands of cigars as the Robert Burns, White Owl, Van Dyck, and Wil-

farmer's premises. Later, when the tobáceo reaches the General warehouse to which it is consigned, fur

liam Penn, the General Cigar Company, with mam ofhce at 119 West 40th Street, New York City, is

ther, and more detailed assortments precede the important curing process which must be directed with utmost care, according to the type and quality of the tobáceo.

a fí^emost tobáceo organization of Puerto Rico.

The General firm conducts a comprehensive tobáceo

In this curing, or fermentation process, the General staffmen place the tobáceo in bulles, each of which ranges in weight from 20,000 to 25,000 Ibs. of leaf.

uying and conditioning business in the Island, mainaining an extensive series of plants. It is notable that

its personnel is nearly entirely composed of natixe

Then, when fermentation—which serves to remove the

i uerto^ Ricans—men who have been in the business

gum from the tobáceo—is completed, the leaf is ready

all their Uves.

, e^concern total of^inseven great warehouses are operated by the tobáceo distriets. These centers,

for stripping. In the event that it will not be stripped directly, the tobáceo is packed in bales, averaging 150

aítording a storage capacity of some 11,000,000 Ibs. of

ness, against the day when it will be further processed.

Ibs. each, to be kept, without loss of aroma or sweet-

eat are located at Caguas, San Lorenzo, J uncos,

The General Cigar Company likewise places the full weight of its experience and technical knowledge

Manatí, and other tobáceo centers of the Island. With

a full range of modern stripping, conditioning, and t,rinn"^ warehouses JOO to 4,000 persons, depending upon theemploy season.from uring the growing season, General's buyers are

in the stripping process, which is an extrcmely important phase. The tobáceo is ñrst cased in clean water,

the percentage of water given dejiending upon the grade of leaf. Ncxt, the stems are removed and the leaves laid out in small pads of about iifty each. These

contmually ¡n the field. Men who know toliacco farm-

ing thoroughly, these expjerts continué their judgment o tobáceo quality even after the leaf is finally taken

pads, arranged in ])iles cfmijirising seceral thousand ])ounds of tobáceo, are alhiwed to undergo final L'rmentation—the conditioning phase re(|uiring greatest

down from the drying barns. Moreover, General's

trained huymg department keeps fui! tal) upon weather

care in order that full ílavor and mildness of leal m

conditions—especially those relating to rainfall—in order to determine which arcas will produce the lietter

retaincfl.

crops Visits by company representatives to the farmers elicits further pertinent crop iníormation and lilce-

which time the inferior tobáceos are rejected. the leal

■Subjected to a last assnrtment and selection, at

is finally dried and packed for shiinnent to the General

wise serves to keep the grower in trmch with his

factories. The excellent cigars resulting bear witness to the minute care and super\ ision exercised by the

market.

Grading the tobáceo according to size, quality, and texture. classihcation of the leaf bcgins initialiy on the

General Cigar Company through its efhcient l'uerto K i c a n organization. 64

long existenca

Gate of San Juan, a Uying rcminder of ihe glamour and romance of tUe p'

^ -74?. V y^-.:«.. *$53"-"»^ - ' -

^

^

Porto Rican ^merican

Tobáceo

Company Mam office and oiic of tlic inanufacturiiuj iiiiits of thc Porto Rican Amcrican

OW'XIXG tlie largest aiul hest-equipped cigar and cigarette factorios in Puerto Rico, the Porto Rican .Amcrican Tobáceo Company has been foremost in the use of ethcicnt and modern methods

of manufacture. Whereas in the past the firm operated handmade cigar making plants, packing houses,

Tobáceo Conibaiiy al San Juan

The plant of the Porto Rican .American Tobáceo Com¡)any at San Juan comprises thrce huge concrete manufacturing buildings as well as an up-to-date box factory. The structures are located at the harbor front and at Puerta de Tierra, adjacent to Aluñoz Rivera

stemmeries, and the like, in various towns of the

Park. Fitted with the most modern machinery. these

Island, toda}' the concern has concentrated its manu facture in San Juan. Known especially for its famous Ricoro brand cigar,

the Turkish blended Tótem cigarette, the company also

factories are kept spotlessly clean. The .Auto Rolling and cigar, little cigar, and cigarette making equipment is continually kept in the best of conditicm by the comliany's expert staff. In addition. a complete air conditioning svstem has been installcd to provide the fincst working conditions and to further preser\"e the cpialities of the tobáceo in process of manufacture. This first-rank concern initially launched its busi ness in 1898. In the period cvhich has since elapsed it has proved its business foresight by giving cióse obseri ance to industrial trends and in adopting, as thev have been introduced. various imjiroved methods botíi

makes

of manufacture and distribution.

the Porto Rico .American Tobáceo Com]jany is also maker of such fa\-orite cigars and little cigars as Por tilla, ].a Restina, El Toro, Recollection, Plétora, Nurica, and Poreco. Moreover, wide interest has been created by the hrm's recent production of an American-

type cigarette of Turkish blend, a product which is selling wcll. Thus far, however, distribution of this Ítem has been confined to the local market.

El Toro, Colectiia, Casino, and

Resides

A'ioletas

cigarcttes. Demand in the United States for the firm's ])opular brands continúes to increase. The high quality, fine workmanshi]! and packing of these cigars and cigarettes has led to a strengthening of its business, reflected in the expanding appreciation of Puerto Rican tobáceos ])v discriminating smokers.

The Porto Rican .American Tobáceo Companv's firm belief in the spirit of the XR.A is indicated bv its

institution of the five-day cveek with an accompanving 25 per cent increase in wages. The company deserved-

ly has won recognition as a leading factor in the progressive march toward better economic conditions in the Ishind of Puerto Rico.

li lí

1!

11

The first of thc ¡nodcrn factories erected in Puerto Rico by the Porto Rican Anit Tobáceo C oinfauy

65

66

Boletín Oficial

Jerome TValler and

Company, Inc. OiS!^ of the largest and most active firms in the Puerto Rican tobáceo market is Jerome Waller Co Inc., organized in 1927 as&successors to e oídj established house of Rosenstadt Waller, Inc.

Q

n a comparatively few years this firm has attained a

position of prommence. Witness the fact that their recent months have amounted to about

pounds, or nearly one-sixth of the entire J.yoo-o4 tobáceo crop.

The firm deals exclusively in leaf tobáceo and connnes its operations solely to customer accounts. The

í

Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, as R. G. Dun, San

ner rp T

°

^ubonet, is their principal client and 90 Prirchases are for this account.

a Drartirnl t of the

since 1887, Mr. Waller is ^^Perienced in every phase

Rico are nnde^Vt,

technical operations in Puerto

his assnriai-p M ® of Mr Wnllé ' r

^"d personal supervisión of while the greater part

frenuení l

United States his

formation n i v P^rierto Rico give him first hand inThm 1 ^"°^^ledge of local conditions. warehouses Cag-uas and P

f

operates two large concrete tobáceo district in

from that henií^'" o Rican operations are carried on

Mr. Jerome Waller

pert super\ision. Jerome \\'aller & Co., Inc., do not grow any tobáceo of their own but make cash advances to the farmers in the form of cro]) loans.

While the greater part of Jerome Waller & Co., Inc., operations are for the Bernard Swartz Cigar Corpora tion considei'able amounts are purchased for the ac

counts of other leading manufacturers. Parchases in

hou^es thev onÍT ^'j ^o these wareManati P ra e under lease several in Juncos and

1933 amounted to well over $2,200,000 and their clients

and packed packed^i^n°th^ stripped, graded, m theircured, own establishments and fumigated under ex-

Inc., to be always properly treated, .strip])ed. graded

have found tobáceos shipped by Jerome Waller & Co., and packed.

Puerto Rican Leaf and Scrap Tobáceo Exports —1907 to Fiscal Year

Fiscal

Pounds

Valué

1908

4,344,659

$1,232,058

Year

1921

1909

8,402,286

1,996,055

1922

1910

4,539,320

1,250,237

1923

1911 1912

4,176,172 4,450,012

1,258,317 1,554,783

^924 ^^25

1913 1914

5,456,751 8,536,776

2,320,130 3,188,227

1915 ..." 1915 1917 1910 ,qig

?,244,490 9,285,333 8,084,914 9,408,723 17,196,323

3,206,610 3,204,423 3,033,149 3,850,670 8,982,130

20,-507,565

13,416,388

Yff

1933

17,859,559

8,420,583

Pounds

Valué

14,667,932 22,452,588 19,911,979 23,343,048 22,957,569 24,521,085 30,781,946 34,331,904

13,568,249 9,002,767 9,647,063 13,142,136 9,870,076 13,944,891 20,587,484 17,061,521 12,799,286 12,044,856 13,165,247 6,713,892 4,393,233

1^29 1930 , 1931 .

27,468,851

1932

25,180,135 17,035,212

1933

12.928,034

26,413,861

Boletín Oficial

67

Rudolph F. Fels WITH twenty-five years of experience in the to báceo business in the United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, Rudolph F. Fels is one of the

Island's largest purchasers, as agent and broker, of Puerto Rican leaf tobáceo.

Mr. Fels' front rank

position in the Puerto Rican industry is likewisc reílected in liis unremitting devotion to the cause of the Island's growers and dealers. He has been President of the Asociación de Comerciantes de

Industriales de Tobaco de Puerto Rico (Tobáceo Mer-

chants Association) since its inception, and during 1933 this Association became a section of the Chamber

of Commerce, Mr. Fels continuing as President of the

Though principalH importers of all classes of this

commodity, the fi rm also does considerable exporting. Included in the various tobáceos brought into the Island are those grown in Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, and Connecticut— a Irighly representative selection. Exports, on the other hand, are of bulk shipments of leaf tobáceo to New York and Philadelphia. Donato Vigil y Cia. has been active in the promotion of the Island's industry. The fi rm has niembership in the various chambers; and, in their connection with the Asociación de Comerciantes y Industriales de Tobaco de Puerto Rico, Donato Vigil y Cia. has played an important part in the general efl'ort for improvement. The company nrakes its headquarters at San Juan.

section and also a director of the Chamber of Com merce.

CabÍ7iet of Cigars Presentad to

Conducting bis business from headquarters in San

Juan and operating a large and modern warehouse in Caguas, heart of tíie tobáceo producing section of the Island, Mr. Fels rcprescnts the Consolidated Cigar

President Roose'velt

Corporation and serves several other important inter-

ests on a brokerage basis. During the year 1933. Con solidated purchased and processed about $2,000,000 worth of Puerto Rican tobáceo, while S. and Benja-

niin I.. Grabosky, of Philadelphia, also bought, through Mr. Fels' rcprcsentation, some $1,000,000 in Puerto Rican leaf during the same period. By maintaining his residcnce here, Mr. Fels is able to givc his personal attention to his clients throughout

the year. All purchascs for his various accounts are made undcr his jiersonal supervisión. Mr. Fels also closcly supcrintcnds the leaf tobacco_ stripping process in order that all shipments may arrive in the United States in full readiness for mamFacture.

The capable organization which surrounds Mi. Fels ■—an organization thoroughly familiar with all pirases of the tobáceo business—has been developed by \ irtue

of his long years of experience in Pueito Rico. Mr. Fel.s íirst camc to the Island in 1917, when he became

vice-]rrcsident of the Porto-Cuba Corporation In 1923,

he retired from this position to become resident buyer

in Puerto Rico for the G. H. P. Cigar Company, of Philadehrhia a concern headed b}^ Mr.^ tirabosky. Mr. Fels continued in this capacity until 1926,

serving the Consolidated Cigar Corporation (A which the G. H P fi nir became a subsidiary m 1926. His

representation of the Consolidated company as agent

while serving other iirterests on a biokerage basis dates to 1932.

,

,

Resides his interest in tobáceo, Mr. Fels has also

aided the Department of Agncrilturc as a consultant on vegetable o-rowing and coconut culture.

Don Angel Rodrigue:: niakcs prcscnlaiion When President Roosevelt arrir ed in Puerto Rico

at the port of Mayaguez, he was greeted by a reception committee composed of the leading- citizeirs of the Island, including Don Angel Rodríguez, of Infanzón & Rodríguez. Mr. Rodríguez presented the President with an

elabórate cigar cabinet made of fi ne mahoganv and

other native wood with a silver engravecí ñame' píate and cc:>ntaining 200 fi ne handmade cigars made especially for the occasion. The President was greatlv

interestcd in this work of art and was very jirofuse

with his expressions of apprcciation.

Donato Figíly Cía.

He seemed very nuich interested in the progress of

the cigar nulustry of Puerto Rico and coiigiartulated. Mr. Rodríguez for the hne wi irkuiansbi]) and appearanee of his product.

D

ONATO VIGIP M CIA. stands lorth as the oldest tobáceo importing organization in Puerto

A similar cabinet was prepiared and iiresented to King Alfonzo of Spain some years ago and more re-

inception by three able brothers Donato Vigil, José

centlv 1 lesident Zamora ol Sjiain was likevvise pre sented with a cabinet, made up specially for him, hav-

average of $70.000 worth of tobáceo each year.

manv

Rico.

Founded in 1920 and diiected since its

Vigil. and Fernando \Tgil—tire company inrports an

ing been a consumer of the compan\-'s brands for vears.

Caguas U'arehouse

Caguas W'arcliouse

Number One

Kniuhcr Tzvo

^4

»íMf íí;.'.>fSííáí<"->

A scction of lite strippiiig dcpartiiicnl in Caguas U'archuusc Nuuihcr Oue

Durlach Brothers, Inc. To" ^Milton, Henry firm ofandDurlach NathanBrothers, Durlach,consistin.sí has been 1

During recent years, and due to the present world economic conditions, nearly all tobáceo grown in Puerto Rico is filler class, however, it is worth noting

field for nearly forty vears

''"tuTu'' with that\businessAmerican in Puerto firm Rico.to become identified

that Durlach Brothers grew and ship])ed fourteen consecutive crops of shacle grown wra])per in formcr

- .1 usn e y m ])ast thirty-five years thev ha\'e exc Puerto Rican leaf tobáceo and dealt have

vears.

While Durlach Brothers operations in Puerto Rico

small ])art in the development of the Island's

are those of yjackers and shi])])ers yet thec' extend linan-

vast tobáceo industry. sxperienced tobáceo experts, under the

cial assistance to the growers in the torm of crop ad-

. rostcffui, conduct the firm's operations in Puerto Rico

they have assisted the farmer with his íinancial ])rob-

^■ances or refacciones.

capable direction of their resident manager, Mr. Félix

For more tiian thirty ycai s

lems and todav we fi nd many growers who have dealt

and ,L!;i\e tlie niost careful supervisión to all tobáceo e.xported to the United States and sold to the firm's

exclusively with Durlach Brothers for o\er a quarter

chents heannfí the D. B. stamp.

of a centurv.

Mr. Milton I. Durlach visits Puerto Rico several

The operations in Puerto Rico—the strijiping— in their own large modern concrete warehouses located

times each year and has taken an acti\e part in Island tobáceo problems. Flis experience and connections in

in the heart of the tobáceo district in Caguas. They

continental United States brings a closer understand-

aiso have warehouses in ("iales, Morovis and L'tuadó. During normal times employment is aíTorded to over

his aid has been of inestimable valué to the farmers

luniigating grading—curing—packing are carried out

ing Vietween growing and marketing C( inditions and of Puerto Rico.

lixc hundred workers.

68

Garda Grande Cigar Co.^ Inc. Active in the Tuerto Rican Tobáceo Market for more tha7i Twenty-five Years

FOR more than twenty-five vears the rich niellow tobáceos of Puerto Rico have been used in the i)rocluction of Garcia Grande Cigars. The firm,

founded lyv Mr. Julius Klorfein more than thirty-two vears ago and enjoying a market today whicfi extends

to'every city, town and village in the United Statés and many fóreign countries, has widely advanced the Puerto Rico tobáceo industry.

Seven vears after the orgamzation of the Company

Afr^ Klorfein bccame interested in Puerto Rico. At Óne time 14 plants were located on the Island making millions of Garcia Grande cigars yearly. The experiment of Mr- Klorfein proved that a choice cigar could be made by blending Puerto Rico filler tobáceo with 1 1-iva'na or'other domestic tobáceos, a fact which has been most bencficial to the Island, as conditions ex1 .tino- since 1129 caused the market for wrapper type

tol.acco to practically disappear^

Prior to 1929 most ot the Puerto Rican tobáceo for wrapper. Due to the depression the market

fo'r^-i hi'^her priced cigar was curtailed and the manu-

factm-cimvas confronted with the problem of producing blend within the means of the smoker. It was at his time Garcia Grande offered their famous five-cent

-igar which was made entirely with Puerto Rican filler

toba^cco^ia

central office and warehouses in

the Island are located at Caguas. Its extensive Puerto

Rican 'plant engaged in the stripping and curing of o T-vr Icaf at present employs approximately 3,000 perGarcia Grande's large organization in Puerto

rico for handling and curing tobáceo is ably directcd bv• Mr Fortuno, resident general manager of the firm. company's cxecutive offices in New York City -e at 141-147 Fifth Avenue. Other officers of this Ic-ulin"" cigar company are Jerome Klorfein, \fice-president :md Sidney Klorfein, \ ice-president in chargc of i)roduction.

Itecausc he has been pnmardy instrumental in help-

'ni'- Puerto Rico to become bettcr known in the States,

lidius Klorfein has won the confidence and friendshi]) of the iieople of the Island. Freiiuently visiting Puerto Rico he likewise has been generous in bis financial aid. Pesides assisting many tobáceo growers in financing their crops through advanccs (-if funds over a ])eriod of a quarter of a century, he has also contributed unstintingly to hurricane relief funds. 69

Mr. .1 itliii.-: Klorfein

70

Boletix Oficial

Hamburger Bros. & Co., Joseph D. Galindo Inc. DRAWING upon a thorough experience in the tobáceo business dating back to 1913—a period TOtionseveryone acquainted with leaf tobáceo opera approximating a quarter of a century—Joseph in Puerto Rico and the United States, Ham D. Galindo is today one of Puerto Rico's leading

growers and packers. Full knowledge of all phases

burger Bros. & Co. of 191 Water Street, New

of growing, stripping, packing, and the like, is the

York, are known.

foundation upon which Mr. Galindo has built a busi

They are large handlers of the better grades of Puerto Rican tobáceo and because they supply factories having vmry exacting requirements, Hamburger Bros. & Co. are unusually particular in purchasing and handling leaf. The company owns and operates modern ware houses in the tobáceo districts of Caguas where every operation in the treatment and jiacking is conducted under expert supervisión. Grading, stripping, fumigating, curing and packing is carried out in the most

ness assuring the utmost satisfaction of the personal requirements of the manufacturers in the States whom

he serves. The most harmonious and friendly of trade relations have resulted.

Mr. Galindo s facilities in the Island are of the best.

esides a well-equipped main office and vvarehouse at Caguas, he also operates modern warehouses at the

two important tobáceo centers, Juncos and San Lorenzo.

In the past, Mr. Galindo has been associated vvith

some of the largest cigar manufacturing companies in he United States. He began, early in the 'teens, with Tobáceo Gorporation in New itv. Then, in 1921, he was sent to the Puerto

orv

ican branch of the firm, continuing in this capacity 1922, at which time he transferred to

efficient manner.

In purchasing, they jñck and choose, inaking selections with scrupulous care, confining their buying to

only the highest grade and choice tobáceos. The company has operatcd in Puerto Rico for the

past 16 years and is under the capalile direction of Mr. Ben Hamburger. Plis frequcnt trips to the Island,

the Consolidated Cigar Gorporation in New York City,

coupled with an expert organization operating under

assumnig charge of Puerto Rican operations. n 1923 Mr. Galindo launched forth "on his own,"

the direction of Alr. Antonio Sierra, residcnt manager, has made Hamburger Bros. & Co. an important factor in the tobáceo industry of Puerto Rico.

opemng a brokerage office with the Consolidated Cigar orporation as his principal account. His distinctive

success írought him, in 1926-1927, to expand his activiles int(j t le field of growing and packing, and it was no ong t ereafter that he projected a plan of full coperatum with the represcntative growers, advancing rop oans to finance their output of cxcellent tobáceos. Galindo has served his friends in

^ strippcd Yorkand on ready an ever-growing scale, offerg tobáceo for manufacture. Ex-

meth'^T^i

'^"niplete satisfaction with his goods and accompanied the numerous repeat orders

lave ne has ^ won.

narC

San Juan, Mr. Galindo thoroughly He is a memlier of^Jusiness and civic life of theand Island. the Chamber of Commerce has likewise

*

various committees active in Insular

1 ^'^'"ning a ñame as one of the most foresighterl fripn industry. His host of ir ends admire him as i" a man "muy simpático" to his

ado]ited countr}-.

firnf

n

Y^ars with the A merican-.Sumatra

but tod^ I

1 '1

friemErn'^'' •

s

,

^^^In-iquct of "Littlc Joe";

is a mature family man boastlng

henee his many Puerto Rican

1*^ hall him "Joselito", the Island

equ valent ot the aidK-llation.

f' GGalindo prides himself on his reiiutation personal attention to every ref|uirement of his customers. ,\t all times his full experience and wide faeihties are available to the trade

Ueadquarters itf Ramón Moran and Coml'any are loeaíed in Juncos. One of llie ¡cadiiifj groieers and of Puerto Rican tobáceo

Coffee For j-cars prior to the American occupation cof fee was tire principal agriciiltural crop of Puerto Rico; tt)da}-, ln)\vever, it lias been superseded b}'

immediate attention and help and a plan has been worked out to aid this industry and restore the planta tions into production.

sugar and toljacco.

Puerto Ric¿in coífee was accepted in Europe and

Coffee Exports From 1870 to 1933* Price per

Cuba as the highest quality of coffee grown in the world and a ready and favorable markct awaited all the Island could produce. In 1898 over 5/,000,000 pounds was exported, but the years following the American Occupation saw a gradual dccrease in the cultivation of coffee.

Exportation

1870-1879 (Ave. per yr.)

A'alue of

ExpL>rted

Exportation

Lb.

21,062,637.8

1880-1889

The 160,000 acres of coffee plantations suffcred severely from the hurricane of 1928.

Year

(Ave. per yr.)

Crops were nót

only destroyed but half of the producing trees as well

1890-1900

as a large percentage of shade trees were lost. Thís led to a drop of 18.500,000 pounds in annual production as com])ared with the crop of 26,300,000 pounds a

(Ave. per yr.)

36,034.993.9 38,390,588.9

1901-1910

(-\ve. per yr.)

few years earlier.

30,155,307.8 $3,676.333.80 $0.1219

1911-1920

Before the industrv completelv regained the dam-

(Ave. per yr.)

age done in 1928. a .second hurricane, in 1932, again

39,734,771.6

6,708,162.60

0.1688

13.150,446.9

3.144.817.00

0.2391

1921-1933

destroyed a great number of trees and production

(Ave. per yr.)

dropped to a'very low Icvel. Many of the planters

1870-1933

were left in such a cripplcd financial condition that plantations were entirely abandoncd. A strange con

(Ave. per yr.)

dition existcd in 1933. when Puerto Rico, a country

Minimum

producing the highest qualitv of coffee in the world, importcd nearly $1,000.000 wórth of this commodity. The accom])anving" statistics will show the exporta-

Máximum

433.901

124.558.00

0 1120

(1930)

(19.33)

(1903)

57,961.291

9.034.028.00

(1898)

tion and importation'and valué over a period of c ears. The Insular Gnvernmcnt realizes that the chaotic

29,111,396.1

(1920)

0.3600

(1929)

* Inlormation compilcd from fi.mircs of Cafeteros de Puerto Rico and the Ctistom-hoiisc.

conditions existing with the coffee planters demands

January 3, 1934.

Cotton COTTON has been one of the chief money crops exports of .ginned cotton were available for onlv the of a few sections on the Island where conditions jmars 1921-1933.

are unfavorable to the other crops like sugar cañe, citrus fruit, coffee and tobáceo. Sections lying between

The máximum exportation was 1,742,385 pounds in the year 1931 with a valué of almost three-quarters of

Arecilto and Aguadilla have been devoted to cotton for a numlter of years and a Acry high quality known as Sea Island" is grown. „ 4 he entire croit is cxpcírtcd to the United States and

a million dollars, The lowest export figure was in 1933 when the crop sold was valued at $81,701. This vear makes a turning point in cotton culture in Puerto Rico.

Europe and the statistics included herein setting forth

after a market is reasonably assured for the ]n-oduct. At the present time steps are being taken by the Insu lar Govcrnment for the rehabilitation of this" industrv

exportíition figures may be also taken as representing

production for any particular year or penod. Data on

Planting had been discontinued but will be resumed

Exportation of Cotton (Unmanufactured) From Puerto Rico Between the Years of 1921 Years

Exi)ortation to U. S.

1921-33

(Ave. per year) Minimum Máximum

V alué of

Exportation

\"alue of

Exportation

Total

to Foreign

to U. S.

E.xportation

Countries

Exportation to Foreign Countries

(Ibs.)

(Ibs.)

(Ibs.) 493,í)14 167,164 (1933) 1,015.940

(1931)

$215,7.58.70 45,086.00

(1933)

227,434 $79,565.80 N( exports in 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1928 and 1929

418,471.00

937,647

316,646.00

(1931)

(1932)

(19.32)

Inforniation compilcd from the Cuslom-hou?e fi,5ures. January 3, 19,34.

71

and 1933*

I otal A'alue of

Exportation 721,048 282,737

(1922) 1.742,.385 (1931)

$295,324.50 81,701.00 (1933) 713..342.00 (1931)

Boletín Oficial

72

3^ wm

El Morro castle and grounds ivilli the capital city tn the background

The Political History and Fresent Government ofPuerto Rico The Island, discovered by Christopher Columbus on bis secíjnd xoyage to the Indies, Novemljer 19, 1493, was claimed in the ñame of his Royal Patrons and named San Juan Bautista. Subsequently the flualificatiftn "de Puerto Rico" was added.

Eittle progresa and colonization was made until the

year 1505 when the Ring of Spain commissioned Ca])tain Vicente Yanez Pinzón "to conquer and colonize" the Island. Pinzón was not successful and the task

fcdl to Juan P(jnce de León who, under the authority

of the Governor of Hisjjaniola (Santo Domingo), led a colonizing expedition to the eastern end of the Island.

These colonists first founded Villa de Caparra, a lew

miles south of the ])resent cajútal city of San Juan, to which site the initial settlement was remm'ed in 150<S.

l nder the (jo\ ernorships of Ponce de León and Juan ( eron, resjjectively, the S])anish settlements

colonial government was supported by allotments from

the Mexican treasury. During this epoch the only practical valué of Puerto Rico to the mother country was its strategic location.

In the ISth century an increased pnlitical-economic activity became apparent as Spain, now deprived of her continental colonies, turned her attention to her Insu

lar ]jossessions. Puerto Rican population was sweiled by numbers of Spanish loyalists who emigrated from tlie now independent Latin .\merican nations and the estímate of more than 150,000 inhabitants in 1800 in

creased to about 953,000 at the turn of the century.

Ports were gradually opened to the trade of the world ; the heretofore excluded foreigners of the Catholic faith, under the "Schedule of (jrace" of August, 1815, were allowed tf) settle on the Island. In 1809 Puerto Rico

was restored to representatif)n in the .S]:)anish cortes

spread along the coastal región. The Island develo])ed slowly ; the attention of the S]:)anish Crown centered on the riches of the .\ztec and Inca Kmjjires. The only píditical event of importance was the se]jaration of the

and the vear 1873 saw the alxdition of slavery without

Island from the rule of Hispaniola, from which time,

bitter struggle between opposing factions for some form of autonomv, until it was hnally won in a modi-

until the jjeriod of .South .\merican emancipation, the

bloodshcd. The change of government of 1874 in the

mother country usurjjed the pfditical pri\dlege.s that had been gained by Puerto Ricans and there ensued a

73

Boletín Oficial

fied form in 189/, undcr the Icadership oí Luis !Muñoz Rivera and other patriots.

Puerto Rico had scarcely begun to adapt itself to the reformcd gt)vernment when the Spanish American War disturbed the jieace of the Island. Admiral Sampson by sea and Alajor-Cieneral Xelson A. Aliles by land brought the war to its sln)res on Alay 12 and July 25, 1898, respectively. The armistice of August 12 between Spain and tlie L'nited States, however, halted the campaign for the capture ol the Island. Formal possession was assumed bv the Americans on October 18, 1898,

and by a treaty provisión Spain was compensated lor public imi)rovements eifected. As San Juan was e\ ae-

uated the Spanish Empire lost its last foothold in the New World.

During the administration of President AIcKinley in the United States a military government was inaugurated for Puerto Rico with General John C. Brooke as Governor and for a time the Puerto Rican

cabinet officers retained their respective positions. General Brooke was succeeded by General Guy Y. Henry who in turn was followed by General George W, Davis. The year and a half of military govern ment was a period of rapid transition, many improve-

ments and new institutions being grafted on a Spanish foundation. Steps were taken for providing a postal system, a local pólice forcé, improved sanitary regulations, judicial amelioration, free public schools, and financial stability. Civil government came on April 12, 1900, when the United States Congress passed the Foraker Act, But many political restrictions remained for consideration.

Poncc de Leoii's statue aiid baria! piaec al San Juan

ment of civil government, was granted in 1917 by the

passage of the Jones Act, This placed the responsibilities and opportunities of a more liberal government

President McKinley appointed Charles W, Alien as the

in the hands of the new citizens.

first civil Governor of the Island, The Executive Coun-

Legislature, and most of the heads of departments

cil composcd of cabinet members organized on June 28, while the lower Flouse delegates were first chosen by general election November 6, 1900, and held their first session December 3 of the same year. The Island's growth since the establishment of cirál government has been ra])id and constant. Develop-

ment in every line is apparent, Legislation both in the Island and at Washington has been designed to meet changing conditions. The demand for American citi-

zenship, which had been growing since the establish-

An elective Senate

took the place of the appointive upper House of the were made appointees of the Governor, rather than of the President of the United States. Government

Puerto Rico is governed in accordance with an Act

of Congress of the United States of Alarch 2, 1917, and subsequent amendments, Under this law, known as the jones Act, Puerto Rico became an organized territory, with the possibility of statehood; American citizenship was conferred collectively upon its citizens.

The Act is prefaced by a bilí of rights similar to that of state constitutions and outlines the functions

of the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Unless expressly excepted, all statutory acts of the United States, nationally applicable, are also enforced in Puerto Rico.

The Executive Department is headcd by a Gover nor appointed by the President of the United States. at whose pleasure he holds office. The appointee must be confirmed by the United States Senate. The Gov ernor has the veto power over the Insular Legislature,

is in command of the militia, and holds certain appoin-

ti\e iiowers subject, however, to approval of the insu lar Senate, and has the ]:)ower to grant pardons and remit fines for offenses agninst the government. He is required to report annually to the President of the l'nited States.

The Jones Act was passed and came into forcé dur

Church of Si. Joscth, Amcncas .^rcond üldcst roligious cdifo c

ing the Governorship of Plon. .\rthur Yager, who had taken office X'ovember 6. 1913. Gox ernor A'ag-er continued as the Island's Chief Executive throughout the lieriod of the Y'orld Y'ar and until May 15. 1921. On Alay 16th of that year Ilon. E. Montgoniery Reilv became Governor for a short term. being succeeded

74

Boletín Oficial

April 2, 1923, by Hon. Horace M. Towner. Illness

obliged Governor Towner to resign and bis position became vacant October 1, 1929. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt followed and took the

oath of office on October 7, 1929. He resigned to become Governor General of the Philippines and was succeeded by James R. Beverlej', Attorney General, on January 30, 1932. Governor Beverley remaining in

office until July 3, 1933, and Robert H. Gore taldng bis oatb of office on July 4, 1933, being an appointee of tbe Democratic Administration.

Governor Gore

taxes, custody of public funds, supervisicjn of banking and insurance, ñnancial assistance to municipalities, and loans. He also issues licenses to foreign corporations.

The Gomaiissioner of Interior supervises all official

works, sucb as public buildings, bigbways, public lands, barbors, telegrapbs, irrigation, water power, parks, and automobile traffic.

The Co>rMi.ssioNER oe Health is cbarged witb promoting tbe bealtb of tbe Island tbrougb tbe studv of

remained in office for only a few montbs and resigned due to illness. Major General Blanton Winsbip, re-

disease and tbe enforcement of sanitary regulations, and witb tbe appointment of officers. lie sujicrviscs

tired, is tbe Island's present Governor. Tbe President of tbe United States, witb tbe advice and consent of tbe Senate, appoints, for a term of four years, two of tbe seven beads of executive departments, tbe Attorney-General and tbe Commissioner of Education. He also appoints tbe Auditor witbout Senate confirmation. Tbe Governor appoints tbe Treasurer,

food and drug insp.ection, discase control, maintenance of bospitals. insane asjdums, cbarity scbools. and scbools

and tbe Commissioners of Agriculture and Gommerce,

for tbe blind.

The Auditor has charge of auditing and accounting and is responsible to botb tbe Federal and Insular

Governments. It is bis exclusive dutj^ to see tbat pub lic monies are expended as dirccted by tbe Legislature, but at tbe same time be may bring to tbe attention of the proper administrative officers expenditures wbicb

he believes to be irregular, unnecessary or extravagant. He has tbe power to issue subpoenas and en forcé tbe attendance of witnesses.

The Executive Secretary, in addition to acting as tbe Governor's executive officer, performs tbe duties usually devolving upon tbe Secretary of State of a State or Territory. He has control and srpiervision

of tbe Bureaus of Weigbts and Measures and Supplies, Printing and Transportation. Pie prints and distributes tbe laws of tbe Island, and has important duties to perform in connection witb elections. Plis office also acts as a clearing bouse for government business, or a general burean of information. The Chief of Pólice, altbougb not providcd for by tbe Organic Act, is an executive officer. Tbe Insular Pólice forcé exercises tbe functions of botb state and All roads lead lo La Fortaleza

town pólice tbrougbout the Island. Tbis corjis is considered one of tbe most efficient in tbe world.

Interior, Labor, and Healtb, as well as tbe Execu

tive Secretarj^ witb tbe approval f)f the Insular Senate.

Tbe seven beads oí departments compose tbe Governor's Executive Council.

The Judicial Power is vestcd in Insular Supreme. District, Municipal, and Justice of the Peace Courts and a United States District Court. The Supreme Court is

the court of last appeal in Puerto Rico. It is composed

The Attorney General is tbe chief executive officer

of tbe Department of Justice. He represents tbe pecjple of Puerto Rico in all suits to whicb tbe Government is a party, is tbe administrative officer of tbe Insular

courts, and furnishes legal ad\'ice to government officials.

The CoMMi.ssit).\-EK Qp I'.di'c.ation has supervisión ovei the public school systeni. He examines candi-

ates, issues licenses and makes appointments for jachéis, supervisors and srqjerintendents. He is also

President of the Board of Trustees of the Unix ersity

«iritti

OI Puerto Kico.

Thk COMMlSSiO.NER OF AoKICT-l.TLRE AND Go.MMKRCE

ha.s charge of the operation of experiment stations, demonstrat.on íarms, íann bureaus and similar agricultural work : mspection ot lertilizers and seeds, and forest conservalion service.

The 1 reasi rer is head of the Department of Finanre. and has charge of assessment and collection of

•¡¡rA í --íit

¡íutrauee to El Morro ¡astle

75

Boletín Oficial

of ñve judges appointod by the Prcsident of the United States, and possesscs general appellate jurisdiction. Writs of errtir and appeals írom final dccisions of this court may be taken, in certain cases, to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The Uistrict Courts have original jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters. They may hear cases appealed to them from municipal courts and justices of the peace. .■\pi)eals lie to the Supreme Court from the fi nal dccisions of the District Courts.

The Island is

divided into cight judicial districts with a District Court in each. District Judges are appointed by the Governor for a term of ten j-ears subject to the approval of the Insular Senatc. Municipal Courts are composcd of a justice, a sec-

retary, and a marshal, all of whom are appointed by the Governor for four-year terms, subject to the approval of the Insular Senate. The expenses of these courts are paid by the Insular Government, and most of the

fi nes go to the Insular treasury. Their jurisdiction usually covers the territory of two or thrce municipalities as fi xed bv statute.

La Fortaleza, the Govenior's offieial rcsidencc

The Island.

Congress has, for the most part, restricted

its measures to Organic Acts, while the Insular Legislature has exercised its jurisdiction by inaugurating a com plete and modern system of laws. These laws have been especiall}" devoted to the vari-

ous labor problems—the enactment of the eight-hour law, the mínimum wage for women, regulation of women and children's work, guarantees of hygiene and protection while at work, and similar beneficial legislation.

Also

standing forth among the progressive moves are the accident compensation measure. conciliation legislation for strikes and lockouts, and the home-building loan project

for workingmen.

Neverthcless, thousands of Puerto

Ricans lacked the necessities of life prior to the depres-

sion, and today the number of these unfortunates has been sadly augmented. All told, however, the great strides under the Amer ican fl ag have been truly remarkable. with extraordinary economic and commercial progress achieved, with illiter-

acy lowered from 90 to the neighborhood of 40 per cent, and with the mortality rate—which was 41 per thousand in 1898—reduced by well over one-half. "The people of Puerto Rico." said ex-President Hoo-

ver after bis visit to the Island in 1931, "have made magA glimpsc of .'^aii Juan from- ¡hr battlcinciüs of fort San Cristóbal

The Justice of the Peace Courts are found onl}' in the small towns and in some of the cities and their

nificent progress in self-government." Today. Puerto Ricans are rightly striving to maintain the strong foot-

hold for which the}^ ha\'e so unremittinglv fought. They ask America's cooperation in these W(3rthy and human advances.

functions correspond to those of pólice courts in the United States. Their jurisdiction is limited to criminal cases involving fi nes of not over $15.00, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, and violations of municiind ordinances. There is also a United States District Court in

Puerto Rico, with functions similar to that of Federal District Courts in the Continent.

The leading political i)arties of the Island are the Liberal and the Laiion-Republican. Outstanding in the program of the former is a platform calling for the creation of a Frce Associated State of Puerto Rico;

the latter party, on the other hand, strives for full American statehood, rather than the dissociated autcjnomy. Aiso active in Puerto Rico is a Socialist party. In summary. Puerto Rican laws are enacted by the Congress of the United States and by the Legislature of

El Morro gnards the eiitraiiee to the harhor

Insular and Municipal Government Financial Data Assessed Valuation, Budgetary Appropriations and Total Kxpendttures of the Insular Government 1900 to 1933 Total Kxj)endiFiscal Year 1900-01

Assessed Valuation

1901-02

$97,000,966

1902-03 1903-04 1904-05 1905-06 1906-07 1907-08 1908-09

93,870,957 94,246,645 90,252,629

1909-10

94,237,302 90,641,248 108,297,396

117,616,625 121,866,149

1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19

133,200,357 162,299,172 178,275,130 182,662,585 172,981,609 180,776,142 182,789,303 243,930,612 254,174,382

¡g?"21 gfg

264,514,176

1923-24

Jootlr

286,415,516 304,297,564 301,802,296 312,384,305

315,962,283

315,962,283 338,089,889

iogiS ínSin

341,370,654 344,865,104 330,274,020

ÍqIVÍo

331,683,530

PoF-á ^^■^'^'53

324,309,117 312,488,770

tures Insular Go\ernment—■

All Purposes (1) $2,074,894.85

Rcfa^iihir Budg'etary Apprnpriations

2,660,026.05 2,766,848.97 2,836,483.07 2,445,666.18 2,418,809.24

3,046,585.57 3.794.253.07 4,622,717.60 3,946,148.02 4.772.490.08 6.675.919.91 7.863.315.92 6.765.772.96 6,554,705.59 4.681.370.97

$91,000.00 2,001 ,.302.21 2,202,326.80 2,214,874.40 2,378,211.05 2,336,754.05

2,512,618.18 2,992,253.00 3,173,295.41

2,99.3,2.34.00 3,260,828.36 3,427,85.3.62 3,99.3,848.86 5,2.32,091.0.3 3,972,981.06

5,463,050.91

3,683,.322.68 4,230,648.00

8,251,845.67

4,747,156.77

8,437,198.23 10,483,201.18 12,611,591.55 13,012,144.21 12,865,051.58 17,244,494.49 18,891,185.08 18,653,552.15 18,556,125.04 19,127,506.52 19,747,378.61 20,632,797.57 21,286,481 .26 20,106,015.30 18,336,192.48

5,326,299.40

7,067,412.15 8,079,252.15 9,935,387.50 9,935,387.50 11,841,249.90 11,735,139.90 10,417,389.75 10,450,000.00 10,440,000.00 10,968,000.00 10,499,000.00 10,174,1.54.01 11.285,245.17 10,287,835.83

Perccntag;e Budp;ct to Valuation .0206 .0234

.0235 .0263 .0247

.0277 .0276 .0269 .0245 .0244 .0211 .0224 .028() .0229 .020.3 .0231 .0194 .0209 .0267 .0282 .032(1 .0329 .0379 .0371 .0329 .0309 .0305 .0318 .0317 .0.306 .0347 .0322

(1) Notes:

. (a)^From 1900-01 to 1925-26 dislmrsemcnts on accounl of : .Municipal¡tÍL's Ta.x Account.s ; SavinRS aml Loan Fund and Tcachcrs' ension Fund, have not been considercd strictly .spcakinR, thcy do not rcprcscnt activities of the ' l^nt, from y^o-¿/ on, hesirlnc '

1926-27 on, I,e.sidc.s the fundrment7on¿dr ' othér"fúm^^^ anXIpéc'iaV'línuls which in no way rcpTescnt govennncntal actix ities have also

been cxcluded.

Advances and transfer.s made have not been considered as cxpcnditnrcs when snch transactions took iilace, lint vvhen the cxpmditnrcs werc actually incurred.

Main Sources of Revenue Ineome Tax

}q!5Í5 5" ^ i g^17-18

$ 410,107.52 136,353.26 566 831 93

1924-25

1, 656,535.24 093,092.97 1, 759,299.52 3

1925-2Í) 1926-27 1927-28

1 468,.394.18

i ^20-21

2.458,575.63 1,663,816.59

1928-29

2, .385.220.60

1921-22 1922-23 1923-24

4.163.197.84 2.444.105..50 2.518,477.37

1929-30

1, 539,339.67 1 407..3.30..34 1 479.994..30

802:123.80

19.30-31 1931-.32

76

//

Boletín Oficial

Excise Tax

Property Tox 1915-1(3

$2,2b3,205.57

1916-17 ::: 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20

3,05:5,169.11 3,322,751.79 3,750,620.49

1970-71

4,01/,002.02

1921-22 1922-23

4,790,208.59 4,917,451.52

923 24

5,453,554.11

1924-25

5,692,076.58

1925-26

1926-27 027 28

/,0o/,0/4.16 7,567,669.07

928".29

6,427,159.64

9.031

6,371,483.49

^2

6,294,946.72

1929-30

6,469,649.71

1^32^33

1915-10 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920-21

$2,677,613.02 2,890,986.95 2,114,875.64 2,391,808.23 2,959,308.63 3,233,964.40

1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32

2,781,998.49 2,433,826.14 3,227,699.09 3,346,631.69 5,153,521.53 6,150,472.67 7,333,661.54 6,369,812.09 6,246,729.16 6,869,430.39 8.047,537.47

1932-33

4.978.915.56

Gas O Une Tax

5,293,082.48

1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26

2I0 Sales Tax

1927-28

7§'586 69

1928-29

/62,586.69

1929-30

93¿31 ■ ■ ■ ■ '.

633,016.26

^^■^23,

464,739.01

621,792.64

031 32 ■ ■ ■

546,531.98

$

1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30

279,467.53 619,651.08 651.727.50 668,377.34

1930-31 1931-32 1932-33

1,115.111.68 2,259,724.44 1,248.015.95

rnM<?nT TDATED COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS

AND EXPENDITURES OF ALL

MUNICIPALITIES por fiscal YEARS 1931 -32 Receipts

Propcrly laxes Othcr ta.Kcs

__ _

Opcration ot pubhc utiiuies. - Use of municipal property

Othcr receipts

Vece'ipts

1931-32

1932-33

Decrease

$4,672,928.28

352,257.59 1 p 123 23

354,930.40 769,535.37 311,191.66 103,142.77

$ 45,404.88 36,623.00

391,.LS3.40 760,276.75

10,739.85 $6,222,468.33

$151,888.25

1931-32

1932-33

Decrease

$1,411,966.84

$1,418,920.54

2ü',353.83

$ 9,258.62

Expenditures

General Governmcnt . . . • • ■ •

78 800.77

Public Order and Secunty

Highways and

Sanitation Chanty

73,106.88 374,126.31 437,748.60 858,828.97 81,886.03 841,579.60 48,923.19

$ '5,"69'3".89

l,57o!l65.23

444,427.10 92,588.03 1,545,479.40

156,208.39 41,244.79

$6,365,097.96

$6,217,614.65

$235,139.33

$3,716,042.65

$3,615,778.09

$100,264.56

5,857.94

985,171.28 1,545,603.71 65,700.00 5,361.57

12,988.85 23,773.19 9,960.34

$6,365,097.96

$6,217.614.65

$147.483.31

413'?59 4( ;

F.ducation

Increase

$ 9,258.62 51,065.93 9,180.46 9,613.98

$6,365,097.96

Corrcction

AND 1932-33

$4,718,333.16

Incidental and niiscellaueo . Total

7,680.31 1,245.44 29,754.63 49.182.05 177,813.28

,7Vnent improvements

824',770.85

87,476.02

841 424.91

50,639.63

Construction and permancm.

l.oan indebtedness;

600,635.49

Ordinarv fiinds

l?l'8P8?

Scbool funds

Increase

$ 6,953.70 24,000.34 22,489.17

34,058.12 5,589.99 154.69

1,716.44

24,685.83

.Special taxcs Total

Recapitulation:

flrdinary funds

Scbool funds

Special taxes

Special scbool taxes . ■ ' ", • ' ^ )

Trust Fund (Municipal cliaiuyt Total

gpg 160.13

1,569',376.90

75,660.34

496.37

$87,656.02

78

Boletín Oficial

INSULAR OPERATING REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDINO JUNE 30, 1933 Excise Taxes

<t

Income Taxes Customs

Per Cent 51.46 15.05 21.87 2.27 1.51

i iQQ7nn'?T

1,399,790.33

Property Taxes

U. S. Internal Revenues

^

?ln7nl-9

Inheritance Taxes

Interest on Bank Balances

yniii i^

.33

Telegraph and Telephone Receipts

11230^07

1.22

Miscellaneous Detall of Miscellaneous:

ian 400.337.43

1.20 4.34

Registration of Documents

Fees and Fines, Insular Courts

.75

22 693 33

Six Per C^nt Sanitation Fund

61 603 61

.25 .67

:::: .' Rent of Government Property.... Miscellaneous Incidental Income !!! Royalties on Franchises Miscellaneous Fees .... Foreign Corporation License Fees Canons on Mines

Interest on

Baseball ParkTees ..

^'^.°I'Sage Loans

7 377:S2 40 598 50 6 970 66 Wi9-nn 3 423 00

1.78

67.00

.05

.53

.08 .44

.08 .04

709 aA

7'777777777

777

^4 43977

.37

.05

$9,301,541.05

100.00

LIQUIDATION of insular government FINANCIAL PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 1932-1933 Used for;

Amount

cTr"y

Cash Balance Ju^ 30 m"33

Sí

®

including transfers

Per Cent

$10,922,504.14 1,858,206.92

PPropriation Liabilities over Resources

4.71 1.35 8.48

=

1,083,263.28

Detail of Disbursements-

85.46

$12,780,711.06

Legislative Judicial

$

100.00

421,389.80

Insular Pólice

335,509.60

Bureau of SuppYies

810,483.54

3.30 4.86 27.92 7.89 7.05 2.67 5.22 2.61 6.34

483,082.15

5.87 3.78

Department of Edúcatioii Department of Heahh Department of thrinteHo; Department of A¿icu tur/ a" 4 "r Office of the Tr7f[úr7 Commerce Office of the AttornI/ r f

621,133.24 3,568,613.67 1,008,347.31 900,917.67 340,178.96 666,312.23

.98

Transfers

$10,031,120.86 891,383.28

78.49 6.97

$10,922,504.14

85.46

Total .

detail of EXCESS taxes BY ARTICLES FOR FISCAL

YEARS 1931-32, 1932-33

Item No.

1

2 3 4

5

6 7

8

9

Percentage

Gasolina ...

Cigarettes Sugar .. Sales Tax Automobile

Article

546,531.98

Occupational Lice„ses

^15,421.54

Motor Vehicles

317,495.88

Notarial Instrum'ents

Horse races, pools n..;;

Vi

( igars ' Matches Eubricating Oils and

14

Use and Oonsumption Art,"Vi

16

Other Items

15

$2,259,724.44 1,879,630.30 820,146.18

10 11 12

13

1931-32

Kerosene /

Court Fees

and admission tax

Creases

286,3.59.98

281,713.21

169.537.96 157,915.45 136,608.09

80,000.66

'/ó''''■

Articles (Section 16-A)

64,127.01

61,525.15 60,048.78 321,072.71

+Increase 1932-33

$1,744,980.72 639,509.63 464,739.01 504,759.05 298,613.51 179,859.34 224,931.09 105,662.44 132,564.92 113,033.98 35,301.03 84,947.95 66,091.79 56,660.26 327,260.84

Totals

* Revenues derived from Gasoline r ■ Trust ■ ■ ■ ■ Fund ?7,957,859..32 asoime wVrV were coveredj into in 1932-33.

—Decrease

*

$4,978,915.56

—

7.16

— —

22.02 14.97

— — — — — — — —

2.07 5.95 37.19 20.16 37.68 16.05 17.26 55.87

+ +

32.47 7.42

+

5.64 1.93

Fital Statistics POPULATION BY YEARS

Year 1915 1915

Year 1994 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

Estimatcd Population 1,206,180 1,224,906 1,243,632 1,262,358 1,281,084 1,229,809 1,323,624 1,347,439 1,371,254

1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923

Estimated Population 1,395,069 1,418,884 1,442,699 • 1,466,514 1,490,329 1,514,144 1,537,959 1,562,518 1,596,215

1933

1,620,233

BIRTH RATE, DEATH RATE AND NATURAL INCREASE OF POPULATION Death

Year

Birth Rate

Rate

Natural increase

1922

37.4

21.8

15,6

1923 1924

37.0

19.6

17,4

38,3

19,4

18,9

1925

37,1

23.4

15.6

1926

39,0

22.6

16.4

Year 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932

Birth Rate o4.o

37.7 34.4 35.2 45.2 41.5

PlTye.4s

44.222

::::

5_9Lars 10—Uvears

15-9ÍSís

;

2o-24Íears: 30-34 yeaís 45

54 venri;

::::::

^ ^

21,882 93,412 113,681 101,389 105,302 76,730

JULY Ist, 1932 W'hite

Colored

1,190,191 32,582 138,387 168,865 153,469

407,309 11,640 49,609

206,204

104,815

100,591

48,2a4

52,337

98,368

48,728

49,640

74,838

84.477

55,421

50,214 27,639

128,458 79,774

93,996 86.212

58,711 27,081

31,072 13,316

222

100

122

100.0 2-8 H-^ 14-4 12-? 12-5 9.6 O.o

100.0 2.8 11 14.() 13.1 11-8 9./ 6.0

100.0 2.74 11.69 14.23 12.()9 13.18 9.()0 6.55 6.21

35—44 years

10-'

16.8

10.57

45—54 vears 55—64'vears

0.6 5.7

6.9 3.9

6.28

6.5—74 years

1-7

1-7

3.46 1.72

.75 and

0-9

0.8

0.99

75 andoMr?:

16,6 24.8 19,2

116,688

105,6oa

sLSíeaís 65_^íerr,

18.6

230,369

199,298

25 29 vears

22,340

5t.5S4

Natural Increase 13.7 14.1 9.1

20.4 22.3

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION OF PUERTO RICO AS OF Fe nía le ^ Total Male 798,522 Aii 1,597,500 798,978

U„derlY¿r

Death Rate 20.6 23.6 25.3

14.™

Unknown

6.2^

13,765 7,932

147,778

114,219 75,808

44,774 20,751

61,504

52,735 51,520 39,687 24,783 23,530 42,231 25,861 13,937

6,330

10,360 128

3,848

100.0 2.73 11.62 14.18 12.80 12.41 9.59 6.36 (t.28 10.79 6.70 3.76 1.74 0.87

100.0 2.9 12.2 15.1 12.9 12.6 9.7

94

Per Cent

All Ages Undcr 1 year 1— 4 years 5— 9 years 10-14 years 15—19 years 20-24 years 25—29 years

,

30—34 years

0-1

¡?-l

"Motr Thcrc i,'; a ililTerciiyo bctwocn thc total estimatcd population and thc total of to differcnt forms of computation. 79

til e various groitps

.hich

6.1

5.8 10.4 6.3

3.4 1.6 0.9 due

80

Boletín Oficial

M

í£:m'

Baldorioty de Castro Arts and Crafts School in San Juan

/..í"

í

f

/' •

.T. -

*

> ' -'íí'V^u éV . V •»!'?><

^

\/^ívi ía

i.-'fj< \.;.\. ■! ' -I' ■.;' X "■> ■•■ ' ..»..i7í *JLlEki i«

±■ : w

.

®fSÍi A st'clion of San Juan froni tlic air, looking dozan froni ahoz-c El Morro castle

The Municipal Government PUKRTC) RRXJ is (lividecí into scventy-six munici- ofsenttheofvaritheousMunicipal municipalAssembly, departments, with the conpalities which have an autonomous government, and they in turn

within the limits prescribed bv the Organic Act and the "Municipal Law" of April 28, 1928. "The mu-

appoint the personnel of their respective offices. Local legislative power is vested in a Municipal Assembly

third clas.s in accordancc wi'th their population, import-

or seven members according to the class of the munici-

nicipalities are classiñed by law as iirst, second, and

elected by the people and consisting of eleven, nine,

ance, etc. The chief executive ofñcer and representative

pality. The principal share of revenue is derived from

of the municiiKditv loefore the courts and the Insular

a proportion of the general property tax of the Island,

Government is the Alcalde or Mayor. The Mayor is

fi >^ed by statute and varying according to the class of

elected bv popular vote. He also appoints the heads

municipality.

Population of Principal Cities and Towns^ The following summary shows the population at each of the last three census and the percentage of increase:

Citv or Town

Population 1930

Per Cent of Increase

1920

1910

1920 to 1930

1910 to 1920

Total Aeuadilla Xrecibo

347,234 10,952 . 12.863

239,197 8,035 10,039

187,658 6,135 9.612

45.2 36.3 28.1

27.5 31.0 4.4

C-muas CMiño

. 19,791 7,044

12,149 6,602

10,354 4,786

62.9 6.7

17.3 37.9

6.183

5.1.39

28,4

19.8

Bayamon . . . 12.986

Cavev " ' Coarno " " Fajardo' Guavama

.. .. .. ..

Tunc.i

' . -'^•297

ITunvrcao

10,411

• . . 7,322 ■ 19.9-^2 " .

5,243 4,259 6,571 8,924

7.937

M-iiviti"" . 7.449 Mnv-io-ue'z " 27.060 Ponce 23,430 Rio Piedras , 13.408 San Germán, ,

5.(x36

YaiK-o

^8.607

San Juan , . .114.715

5,272

4,498 3,869 6,116 8,321

4,263

'

4,141

6.147 19.124

4.439 l6.,563

41.912 5,820

35.005 3,084

5.019

4.999

71.443

48.716

7,053

6,.589

24.7

13.5 36.9 11.4 22,7

24,3

21,2 93,8

27,5 130,4

12,3

60,6

22,0

97.5

l6.b 10.1 7,4 7,2

2,9

38,5 15,5

19,7 88,7

*Fifteenth Census of the United States. 1930, Lbiited States Census Burean, 81

0,4

4tv7

7,0

82

Boletín Oficial

San Juan

Capital of Puerto Rico

FIRST city of Puerto Rico and its capital, San Juan has today grown to a thriving community of 125,000 population. This key center is fulfilling the prophecy of a great and beautiful city—a city still retaining the stamp of past glories, while new highways, building and transportation bear witness to its

commercial strides. From a population of 71,000 in 1920 it has risen to nearly 115,000 in 1930 and but a few }'ears will be required to see its ¡íost-war total doubled.

San Juan has been built on the eastern ]iortion of

the north coast.

t<t>

Situated on an island adjacent to

-rife;

ti r(

">u

Boletín Oficial

83

the mainland, it ctmimands Puerto Rico's fincst har-

bor; and, laved on the nortli by the Atlantic Ocean and on the south by the waters of the Carribean, It enjoys the most equable climate in all Puerto Rico. Boasting a rich liistory, San'Juan, which was founded in I5I9, has jnit aside its ancient militari.sm of the

conquistador days in exchange for the commercial enterprise oí the twentieth century. And yet San Juan

has not lost the charm of its past. Extensi\ c portions

I The Carribean Dizñsion hcadquartcrs of the Pan American Ainvays are maintaincd at San Juan

The natural sccnic bcauty of P'iicrto Rico affords a splcndid sctting for the inany attractivc homes

of the oíd city fortifications—staunch bulwarks many feet thick which repelled the invader—still stand; visi ble explanation of the fact the city was never captured or seized by pirate or foreign power. Many picturesque structures remain as mute evidence of the centuries; historie

fortresses—formidable

San

Cristóbal

and

frowning El Morro—are age cid sentinels of the city; and then, within the walls, are the manorial Casa Blanca, the "White Plouse" built for Ponce de León

more than 4(J0 years ago, still used today; and historie La Forteleza, the seat of government during the cen

turies of Spanish rule, the home and executive offices of the Governor since the American occupation; then, too, there is America's oldest structure, the ancient cathedral of San Juan Bautista, wherein lie the remains of Ponce de León.

Beside these time-worn keeps stand, today, numerous imposing structures characterizing the new San Juan: the Island's Capitol, a massive structure of gleaming white Georgia marble, erected at a cost of over $4,C)00,000, housing both branches of the legislature and the Supreme Court; the Federal Building, which houses the Federal Court. the Post Office and

the Immigration Department: many fine business and bank edifices ; the Carnegie Library ; the Ateneo ; mod-

ern school buildings; attractive hotels (notable among

the latter being the Condado) and the newly erected Custom-house.

The city of San Juan, which was founded over a

century before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth

Rock, is today as modern, while still retaining its trop ical glamour, as many to be found in continental United States. It aííords the comfort and facilities demanded by the tourist and thousands come to the Island yearly. Adequate hotel accommodations. modern theatres showing feature attractions (often before released in

New York City), a sporty nine-hole golf course but a few minutes' ride from San Juan proper. the novel Escambron Beach Club and two racing tracks afford sufficient amusement to occupy the leisure moments of tourist and Islanders.

Direct transportation facilities from New York and

Baltimore are aA'ailable and the large modern steamers of the New York and Porto Rico Line. the Bull

Insular Line and the Red D Line maintain weekly schcduled sailings. The Waterman Line from Tampa and Mobile, the Lykes Line from Houston and the

Gulf ports, the Williams and McCormick Line from the Pacific Coast link the Island with all sections of

the Lbiited States. Puerto Rico is an integral part of the vast system of the Pan-American Airways and San Juan is an important división of Carribean'operations. School, chiirch, canent and rectory of the Redemptorists Fathers, San Juan

Three ships a week—both north and south

bound—link Puerto Rico with all of South AVmerica and have brought the Island within twelve hours of Miami and twenty-four to New York.

An air zieza of port uf thc city of Poncc—ranking second io San Juan in siAr, populalion and connncrcial iinporlancc

Ponce Second Largest City in Puerto Rico XOWN to Puerto Ricans as "The Pcarl of the

K

Ponce, like San Juan, is showino- a steady increase in

South," Píjnce, the Island's second city, com-

population bespeakini?; its commercial importance, hav- j(

mands the southern coast. Founded about 1692,

ing" risen froni 4-2,000 mhabitants in 1920 to nearly 60,000 today. This is one of the niost Spanish cities in Puerto Rico.

The population of l'once and adjacent rural communities is about 300,000, or about one-fifth of the

í,

])opulation of thc entire Island. Ponce is served by six banks, threc domestic and three foreign,^ with aggre^^'ate resf)urces of til.)(mt íli2o,()00,0(Xl. llie \ alua-

tion of private and corporate property is well over $50,000,000.

The Playa de Poncc, directly ipion the Caribbean seacoast, is the center of thc wholesale l)usiness enter-

prises, while the city proper lies a few miles inland. i lere at the Phn a, are located the imj)ortant commer

cial establishments and great warehouscs of hcr lead-

ing industries. Mere, too, is the fine mumciiuil picr caring for the trade centering in Ponce tlarl)or—a focal point of first rank in the shipping routes to Panama and the south. Manv improvements of the ])ast decade havo served to augmcnt the i-art this port l'l=kvs.

The principal imports for whulesale and retad distribution are textiles, clothes. shoes, prov.sions ot al'

Slatuc of Morel Campos ereArd in Piasa Gonzalcs, Ponce,

kinds, crude ])ctri)leum. furniture, medicinal prepara-

honoring a palriot and slaicsman

84

i

Boletín Oficial

85

tions, hardware and machinery. The principal expi)rts consist of sipyar, cottee, cii^arettes, fruits, embroidery, drawnwork and inulasses.

The manufacturing" activities are confined to the making of sugar, cigars and cigarettes, hats, soap, preserved frnits, emliroidery goods and iron work. The raw ¡rroducts necessarv for these industries are raised in the immediate \icinity, the others being imported froni the l'nited States or from ftireign countries.

Tiiere are no industries of any extent in any of the smaller towns, lying withiir the country adjacent to Ponce, ñor, for that matter at any other place along the South coast of Puerto Rico, of which Ponce is the largest and most important centcr in commercial as well as industrial and educational institutions.

The coastal plain along the South coast, which is alniost entirely under sugar cañe cultivation, has an arca of ap])roximately ?>7S square miles. The coffee exportation from Ponce harbor amounts

on an average to forty jier cent of all tiie coitec exported from Puerto Rico. In the year 1919 nearly 12,000,000 pounds, valued at over $2,000,000 was shipped from Ponce but during rccent years the quantity has been greatly reduced. The coffee producing centers near

Another z'iczc of Poncc, "The Pcarl of the South," shozcing the century oíd El Castillo, nozo occuhied hy the Ponce District Court; the athlefic field in the foreground

Ponce suífered severe set-backs by the hurricanes of 1928 and 1932.

Two squares—the Plaza de Gonzales, named for a famed son of Ponce, and the Plaza de IMunoz Rivera,

honoring a great Puerto Rican patriot—contribute to the beauty of the city. These parks lie on either side of the inspiring church de la Guadalupe. Ponce, too, has gone far in the planning of distinctive suburbs, such as that of New Belgium and of the Oliver suburb

with its beautiful Hostos Avenue. The Parque Mirimar and Donaire x\venue are two picturesque spots in the Playa de Ponce.

Ponce, likewise, has built many fine schools, both of the arts and of practical training. "The Pearl of the South" continúes to be a leader in culture as well as The Suferior High School—Poncc

in industrv.

Guayama GUAYAIM.V, located in the easterly portion of the

Tobáceo, coitec, and corn, are, in addition to the

southern Puerto Rican coast, was a progressive

sugar cañe, further important crops of Guayama's

communitv cven before the day, far back in 1736,

fertile slopes and of the rich soil of her Guamaní River

when it was ofíicially named a city a title granted her bv tbe Si)anish Government tiirough Tdeutenant

banks.

Colonei Alalias A1)adía, tben govcrnor of the Island.

beautiful buildings. a handsome plaza, and numerous

In the city c)f Guayama proper are lound manv

ama is the focal point of a rich sugar cañe country. To

recreational retreats. The city's Cathedral, especially noted for its striking fa(;ade, is widely recognized as

the north of the city one finds the mountains of the Cordillera Central and the Cape of Mala Pascua, but

an outstanding moilel of truc Spanish arclntecture. This fine structure was completed in 1873.

to the west a great green carpet of cañe stretchcs away as far as the ove can see. Easterly and southerly, at a shnrt distance, lies the coast, washed by the bine

t.uayama likewise ]ioints with pride to her City Plall, another pleasing edifice. Her Iligh School, welíconstructed loribio hospital, and attracti\ e Primavera

waters of the Caribbcan.

and Campoamor theatres are further examples of her

A center of a])in'oximately 12,000 inhabitants, Guay

The attractive Pla^a at Giiayaina—the Iieart of ¡he business district

progress, as are also her many fine residences. The

city's enchanting social centers—the Casino Español, Club Puertorriqueño, and the Casino de Guayama—are dedicated to happy festivals and to dancing, the latter being a recreation of which its people are specially fond.

The city of Guayama is also rightly proud of its educational advantages, with its present complement of schools numbering more than threc score. Guayama has given Puerto Rico many of its most distinguished civic leaders, poets, and teachers.

Arecibo ATHRIVING city of more than 13,000 inhabitants, ^ Arecibo is the nucleus of a ñourishing sugar cañe country—a spreading community of over 50,-

000 population. Like San Juan, Arecibo is a key city of the northern coast; but whereas San Juan lies to the east, Arecibo serves the western portion of the coast, its fertile soil bounded on three sides by moun-

tains and bathed upon the north by the broad Atlantic. About the city v^^aves a veritable sea of sugar cañe crossed at intervals by the silvery Tanamá River and its tributaries. It is this wealth in cañe which sup-

plies Arecibc) s two modern sugar centráis, of 200,000 and 75,000 bags capacity, respectively. The city itself, served by a surrounding highway system considered to be one of the best in the Island,

^presses the visitor with its forward-looking spirit. Banks, busy stores, industrial establishments, and various small manufacturing enterprises mirror its progress. An especially strong factor in Arccibo's

developrnent, moreover, has been its worthy education al facilities, therc being well over 100 schools in the community. More than one-third of these institutirms

are graded, while the majority of the remainder are mcxlern rural schools.

In the rich history of Arecibo is recorded the deeds

of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent men. The oty s iliustrious leaders have included famed poets. journalists, dramatists, musicians, philanthropists, and professional men. Phe extraordinary educational opportunities of which this foremost city rightly boasts are destined to produce equally worthy men and women to strengthen Arecibo's place in the sun as I'uerto Rico continúes its climb toward betterment. Momtment erected at Agitada commemorating the historie 7/isit of Christopher Columbus in quest ef a stipply of fresh ivater

«v-

1' :

(i

P»* w r w w ^^ ^ w ^

w,

*

'J'he friiu if'al /^/íi-íJ d MnyoO'"'- -llic civic aiid social ccntcr—loit-h thc municipal bnilding iii thc forcground

Mayaguez ATT shore THE X xxi^ foot iuuL OIüf tne the mountain range on — the western i• j of the Island, stands Mayaguez, the third largest city. In hardly more than a decade, this community has more than doubled its population, wit i

The Mayaguez people are noted for their enterprise. They have entirely remodeled this center, once a minor town, constructing new public buildings, churches, schools, attractive houses, and numerous industrial and commercial structures. A severe earthquake failed to shake the faith of this people; they built anew. Fine

its present proportions a far cry from^its -niodest ex

iLs presenL piuportions a icu

tent at the cióse of the World \Var. Ihe Mayaguez

theatres, parks, and hospitable social centers indícate their spirit of progress. As the site of the Farragut

of those days had less than 19,000

it has some 45,000, and it is estimated that

oüü,00ü

School, first educational institution erected under the

inhabitants are dependent upon the port of Mayaguez for the receiving and shipping of suppHes.

American sovereignty, Mayaguez is distinguished.

Here is conccntrated the famed Pueito Kican em-

broidery and fancy needlework industr^ second only

to sugar in cxport valué and wagcs paid. This skdl-

demanding craft eniploys in the neighborhood of

50,000 workers—often many more—in its nft-y facto-

ries. The Paris Exposition grand prizc went to Puerto Rican needle handwork.

In addition to the needlework industry the manu factures consist of unreñned sugar, cigars, shirts, cloth-

ing, chocolate, floor tile, soap, furniture and macaroni. Many of the products for doinestic consumption and others for expnrt to the United Statcs.

The surrounding country produces coffee, sugar cañe, fruits, vegetables, honey, hides and tobáceo. The imports consist chiefly of general^ merchandise, food stuffs, lum bcr. machincry and building materials.

The ex])orts—coffee, sugar, truits, straw hats, cigars, and needlework.

Mayaguez is also one of thc Island s chief seaports. Moteworthy in tlie promotion of its trade has been the new Mayaguez Shipping Terminal, a harbor improvement which has givcn modern docking facilities to this strategic outlet for the products of the rich región. Cargoes are now handled with cxpedition.

Just outside the city are tiie Fedcn-al Agricultural

Kxperiment .Station ancí the College of Agriculture and

Historie chapel of Porta Ccli {Gafe of Mearen) built h,

Mechanic ,'\rts, two institutions which have been fore-

San Germán about 1530. One of the oldesl structures in

iTifjst in Puerto Rican adxanccment.

all the Americas

87

Boletín Oficial

88

I.tcnt^ní

mm Eíürance to ihe Central Iligh School, San Juan

The School System of Puerto Rico The school system of Puerto Ric(j is a highly centralized organization. The Insular Department

central office is organized into two main divisions, with the bureaus and personnel stated below:

of Education, headed by a commissioner appointed by the President of the United States, does not corrcspond, as regards functions, to the state department of

education in the United States. Its powers and jurisdiction in regard to all the schools of Puerto Rico—

rural as well as urban—are comparable to the yjowers ot a city superintendent and staff in the schools (jf a

city. The Puerto Rican Department of Education is still more independent in its functioning, since it is not responsible to a board of education as is a city

superintendent in the United States. Organization of the Central Office

All the services (jf the department have becn classified into two main gr(jups; First, technical, with direct reference to the instructional work; and, second, administrative. Corres])onding to these two groups, the

Technical División

Assistant Commissioner—Chief. (a)

Burean of Supervisión—Personnel:^ 1—Director General of Secondary Schools. 2 Director General of Urban Elementary Schools.

3 Director General of Rural Schools. (1') Burean of Health and I'hysical Training.

(c) Burean of l'ublications. id) Burean of Technical Investigations.

(e) Burean of Examinations and Eree Studies. Duties assigned to the technical di\ ision . l^General supervisión.

2—Courses of stud\- -construction and reconstruction.

3 Organization

. ..

.

school districts.

89 Boletín Oficial

Baldorioty Industrial

Labra Gradcd Scliool

Scliool

Josc J. cíeosla Gradad Srlwol

4 Study of selection, nomination, transfer, and dismissal of personnel.

In addition to the superintendent of schools, every

town has a local school director appointed by the toAvu

5—Traininj^l' of personnel in ser\ ice.

mayor. This local school officer represents an evolu-

6—Rating teachers.

tion of the former town school boards.

7—Research.

8—Publicity and publications. 9—Correspondcnce.

División of Administration Assistant Commissioner and Secietar) Chief. (a) Burean of Records.

, . n- •

(b) Bureau of Municipal School Aftairs. (c) Bureau of Property and Accounts. (d) Miscellaneous Office Forcé. Duties assigncd to this división. dence.

2—Certiíication of teachers.

3_Approval of minor financial transactions 4—Receiving and organ.zing teachers apphcations. ^ , 5—Notifying appointment to teachers. f>-Apprüval of nominations ot teachers made by School Directors.

- , i

j.

7—Records and diplomas ot students. .

i

system, and, in cooperation with the superintendent of schools of the district, selects the elementary school teachers in accordance with the rules to the effect prepared by the Commissioner of Education. Organization of the Schools As regards the organization of the schools. Puerto Rico follows the 8-4 plan in common use in the United States. In the rural zone, a differentiation between the

1—Filing and custody of records and correspcm-

8—Comijlaints.

The school

director acts as business manager for the local school

i

9—Directing investigation ot charges and preparing results for hnal action by the Com missioner.

School Districts

Besides the staff included in the central ofiice there

are forty-tRe district superintcndents ot schools m charge of the school districts. The sui)envdondents are

api.ointed directly by the Commissnnier who has ,Knver to transfer them from district to c is ric as le neet s

uf the service may dictate. 1 he school distncts range in size from \'ie'.|ues-Culebra with torty-one teach ers, to San Tuan. the capital ctv, w.th a teachmg corps of 380, exclusive of private and parochial schools.

primary and the intermediate schools is being started with the organization of the rural second unit. This tyjm of school organization will probably develop into a rural júnior high school with a vocational character. Secondary Schools The Island supports twenty-four four-year high schools, one of them partly paid from municipal funds,

one paid Iry the L'niversity of Puerto Rico, and twentvtwo paid by the Department of Education from insular funds. The total enrollment in these schools (exclud-

ing the University High School) for 1933 was 7.295. Thev were served by 201 high school teachers and loO continuation school teachers.

Two different curricula are offered by the public high schools of the Island: the general or scientific and the commercial.

The estimated total xalue of these

schools including sites, buildings and equi]mient. is $l,781,857.(r6. Elementary Urban Schools In 1933 there were 282 elementary urban schools.

They were housed in 39(i buildings ha\'ing 2,303 classrooms. These schools were served by 1,822 elementary school teachers. They enrolled 101,833 pupils. The curriculum of these schools comprises the tradititnial common school subjects. and includes manual

90

Boletín Oficial

arts, home economics, agriculture, and physical educa-

tion. The médium of instruction up to the íourth grade is Spanish, with English taught as a subject. In grades above the fifth English is the médium of instruction with Spanish taught as a subject. The estimated total

total estimated valué, including sites, buildings and equipment, is $2,185,631.67. They spent $367,455.16 during the year 1932-33. Fiscal Aspects .

valué of these schools, including sites, buildings and equipment, is $6,954,644.03. First Unit Rural Schools

The rural school system of Puerto Rico comprises at present two distinct organizations; grades one to six constitute what has come to be known as the rural

first unit; a second organization known as the second rural schools enrolls pupils who have completed

The total expenditures for educational purposes from insular funds during the year 1932-33 were $4,098,470.08. In addition to this amount the municipalities disbursed $1,160,941.31 from their own school funds, thus making the total expenditures for educa

tional purposes from all sources amount to $5,259,411.-

39. The per capita expenditure for all purposes was $22.53 per pupil enrolled.

the courses prescribed for the first unit.

In 1933 there were 1,401 elementary rural schools of the first unit. They were housed in 1,577 buildings having 2,125 schoolrooms. These schools were served

,7,2,387 elementary school teachers. They enrolled 117,833 pupils. The curriculum of these schools and the media of

instruction are the same as for the elementary urban

Statistics

(Fiscal Year 1932-33) 1.

(a) Insular (b) Municipal

(a) Insular (b) Municipal

39927^"^ sites, buildings and equipment, is $2,328,The second unit rural schools are consolidated

schools of a vocational type. Their organization has come as a result of the recognition that the academic

education offered our rural children was not fitting them for an efficient and productivo life. These schools were started in the year 1928 with the establishment

of five centers in strategic points of the Island. In the year 1933 there were 39 of these schools with an en-

rollment of 6,496 pupils. The total estimated valué of these schools, includt)uildings and equipment, is $463,754.39.

(Note: Number of teachers and buildings of the

schools were included in the figures given for first unit rural schools.)

$4,098,470.08 1,160,941.31

Total $5,259,411.39 2. Per capita expenditures based on enrollment:

schools. The estimated total valué of these schools, Second Unit Rural Schools

Total expenditures for educational purposes:

3. 4.

$17.56 4.97

Total Per cent of the total Insular budget for education Salaries of teachers: la) Principáis (elementary schools)....

(b) Teachers of English (c) Elenientary urban teachers—

(1) Lowest (2) Highcst

(d) Rural teachers—•

(1) Lowest (2) Highest

There are forty-one prívate accredited schools in the Island with 369 teachers and 7,304 pupils. They are housed in 60 buildings with 341 schorjlrooms. Their

$40.37

$950.00 950.00

631.75 812.25

552.90 812.25

(e) Supcrintendents of schools—

(1) Lowest (2) Highest

1,354.70 1,691.00

5. Total estimated valué of school property:

(a) Property of the government (b) Prívate rented property Total

Prívate Accredited Schools

$22.53

$10,777,351.51 751,303.84 $11,528,655.35

6. Number of teaching positions:

(a) Insular

4,448

(b) Municipal Total

4,638

11 i

Over one thonsand slndenls (illciul rlaxscs daily ni llw Imn Juan Central I/il/h Sehooi

Boletín Oficial

91

7. Numbcr of loachers by catCROrics: (a) (b) (c) (d)

14.

Sccondary scliool tcachers Priiicijials ElemciUary urban teacbcrs Elcmonlary rural teaciiers

361 52 1,822 2,387

Total

4,622

8. Numbcr of tcachers by sex and color; (*) (a) White 932 2,903

(b) Colorcd (1) Male (2) Ecmalc

287 517

804

(a) For urban schools

Enrollment by catcgorics of schools: (a) Sccondary schools

16.

1,577 1,973

Numbcr of classrooms:

(a) In urban schools (b) In rural schools Total

7,295

(b) Elcmcntary urban schools (c) Elcmcntary rural schools (d) Sccond unit rural schools

396

(b) For rural schools Total

(*) Note; Onc eiiterttency teacher added.

9.

23 282 1,401 39 1,745

15. Numbcr of buildings:

3,835

(1) Male (2) Ecmalc

Numbcr of schools (í) (a) High schools (b) Elementary urban (c) Elementary rural (d) Sccond units Total

101,833 117,833 6,496

2,303 2,125 4,428

17. Numbcr of towns having private accrcdited schools

18.

14

Numbcr of prívate accrcdited schools

41

(+) Note: ,\iiy one-rooiii Ituildinfí em|íloyiny t)ut oiie teaelier. or a

builditig or ttroup of buildiiists haviitií a itrincipal or teacher in citarge. Total

10.

19.

125,860 107,597

20. Enrollment in private accrcdited schools.. 21. Estimated valué of school property in prí

(b) Girls

88.68 83.37 90.54

schools

Niimber of orpani/cd lunchrooms: (a) In urban schools

(b) In rural schools Total

i

10 8 4 8 3

24. 498

1,404

992 244 168

(t) Note: Bnsed oii avera^e daily attendance.

13.

(c) Parochial (d) Commercial (e) Prison

7

367,455.16

Non-accredited private schools: (a) Kindergarten (b) Elementary

7,088

(b) Hifth School (n Public schools (2) Burean of extensión... (3) Private accrcdited

$2,185,631.67

during the ycar

23.

7,593

(a) Common school

(3) l'ri\ato accrcdited schools

7,304

22. Amount spent by prívate accrcdited schools

(b) Elcmcntary rural schools (c) Sccond unit rtiral schools Numbcr of diplomas ftrantcd:

(2) llnrcan of extensión

369

vate accrcdited schools

233,457

Total

11. Per cent of promotion: (f) (a) F.lcmcntary urban schools

(1) Public schools

Numbcr of tcachers in the private accrcdited schools

(al Piovs

12.

233,457

Enrollment by sex:

Loss in school property due to the San Ciprián Hnrricane of Sejitember 26. 1932: (a) Numbcr of rooms totally destroyed (b) Numbcr of rooms partially destroyed (c) Numbcr of room cquipinents de stroyed (d) Estimated loss in tcrms of money 25. Average numbcr of days schools were in

343 550 219 $622,119.75

session:

131

639 770

(a) (b) (el (d)

High schools Elementary urban schools Elcmcntary rural schools Sccond unit rural schools

1

c

188.34 181.07 180.43 180.48

The l/nwersity

of Puerto Rico A Seat of Culture in the Tropics i ii

;

By Gildo Massó Deán of Administration

The L niversity of Puerto Rico, founded in 1903, is only thirty-one years oíd, but in spite of its youth, it represents the highest expression of the

culture of this Island. The University carries on the major part of its activities in the largest metropolitan

area of Puerto Rico, cióse to the capital city. The Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Educaticjn, Law,

Stahl Sciencc Hall

Pharrnacy, and Business Administration are located at Río Piedras, at a distance of eleven kilometers and a

U'hcre fature sciciitisls rcccirc thcir baste iraiiiiiig

^If (a little more than seven miles) from San Juan. Juan on the main boulevard connecting the oíd with the new city. It stands on one side of the small park which surrounds the new capitol, while the rear of the buildings overlooks the sea, less than three hundred

3. To cultiw'ite and maintain intímate cooperation with all go\ernmental and jiriwite agencies concerned with the accumulation of knowledge and with its dissemination among the pe(j])le. 4. To play an active role, through its representatives, in raising the intellectual, social, and moral standards of the community in which it is located and

íeet away.

of other communities.

Here the university owns a tract of land comprising

about 165 acres.

The School of Tropical ¡Medicine is located at San

The College of Agriculture and Mechanic .Arts is

5. To serve as the principal focal point for the Spanish and English cultures which meet here and to

located at Mayaguez, in the western part of the Island. 1 he grounds at Mayaguez comprise a campus of thirty

contribute to the preservation and interpretation of

acres and an experimental farm, of about one hundred

both.

acres, a short distance from the campus.

*(A Sar-c'cv of the Public Educational Systcni of P'uerto Rico, t-

Functions of the University

/.)

Training for several ]3rofessions is offered in the various colleges of the university, as their ñames indicate. Even in the College of -Arts and Sciences. which is chiefly intended to give ad\ anced academic training, there are two types of students : those jireparing" to

The Uni\-ersity is a state institution, chicfly suj)ported by government funds and under the control

and direction of a board of trustees. It serves as the ceystone of a system of public education which con-

tains no other institution devoted to higher instruction

enter the professional schools of law and medicine, and those pursuing non-specializ.ed courses. Alany of the

and research.

In 1925 the Legislative Assembly of Puertf) Rico provided ftjr an exhaustivo study of the educational

younger leaders in the ^■arious fields of human cndeavor haA'e receixed their training" in the insular uni

Island by the International Institute of

versity—judges and lawyers, jmblicists and journalists.

leachers College of Columbia University. The sur\ ey committee judged the fídlowing to be the pnjper func tions of the University of Puerto Rico:

educators, engineers, business men, agronomists, g<n"-

ernment officials, jjharmacists, etc. ()thers recei\eil their basic college education at this institution, en;ibling them to launch upon more advanced studies

1. l o furnish to the citizens of Puerto Rico those

forms of professional training for which thcre is the

abroad.

largest demand and which can be given most appropriately and most economically at home. 2. To crmduct research bearing upon the major

AVith the solé exccption of its School of Tropical

Medicine, the University of Puerto Rico is a teaching

institution and therefore has jilaced emphasis thus fai on formal instruction rather than on research and publication. Ileavv teaching loads, the conpjosition of the

physical. econijmic, social, and educational problems ')f the Island.

92

93 Boletín Oficial

student IjdcIv, and lack ol facilities ancl resource^ mili-

tate against rescarch and scln)larly production. Iii of these handicaps the iacts rclating to productu it}, indícate marked progrcss in recent ycars. 1 ke actu i-

in its report (page 412) the following inspiring and signiñcant statement: "The university is almost in the centcr of the Americas. Both North and South

Iiecome tributary to it in the measure in which it de-

ties of Gur medical scientists in the School ot Tropical Medicine have raised l'uerto Rico to leadci^hip in the

serves their consideration. i\Iorco\'er, this is the only institution rvhere Latín América and English-speaking Xorth América meet on terms of complete equalit},

of the univer.-^ity have been the monumental ' bibiio-

of communication and instruction, vvhere consistent effort is made to harmonize and interpret to _one an-

field of tropical medicine. Notable research and indilication projects conn)leted recently in other dÍMMon.-~ grafia Puertorri(pieña, 149d-I9dO , an analy^i^ ot our tax system, an analysis of btinkruptcies in 1 uerto vico, and sevcral courses of study for the iniblic sc loo s. The universitv as a whole and members of its tac-

ulty individuallv' cooperate constantly with other mstitutions in iirojects of common interest. Larticulai l\ cióse and active is the ct)Operation ^\lth i^ln

cultural, professional and athletic a.ssociations._ More and more are the members of the admmistrative and teaching staffs bcing called upon to giye talks on a

great varietv of subjects both to umvcrsity and extra

mural audiences. the institution thus using the lee ure as a means for the diffusion ot kmnvledge. Furthcr-

more, a Imreau of publicity is manitamed through which information about the un.versity and contnbutions by its members are released to the press ot the

Island and other countrics.

,

j

where both Sptinish and English are the current media

other these two great cultures so diverse in origin and so prone to mutual misunderstandings. That contacts between these two cultures throughout the .-Vmericas

must multiplv is inevitable. The L niversity of Puerto Rico is strategicallv placed to promote these contacts and tu render them increasingly fruitful. Indexes of Progress

The progress achieved by the university during the last eight years has been due above all to the L niver sity Reorganization Act of 1925, a veritable

magna

charta" of the institution and an eloquent and generous

proof of the faith of the people of Puerto Rico and of their elected representatives in the work and future of the universitv. The said law includes, among others,

the following concessions, all of them of capital importance for the proper development of the university :

It is obvious that through the activities already enumerated the university contriUites considerably to raise the intellectual, social, and moral standards ot

(1) administrati\"e independence for the institution

in the Island, the university faculty enjoys great pres-

Board of Trustees. to direct the work of the institution in all its departments. including the appointment of the administrative and teaching personnel; and (3) provi

the people that it serves. Among mstitut.onal groups

tige. This center of learning is rccogmzed as a stand

ard bearer of culture by all classcs ot Rierto Ricans. Henee the great ambition for a college education

shown'by the youth of all sections of the country trom well-to-do and from impecumpus famihes al.ke In regard to the function ot the I mversity ot 1 uer to Rico ts a cultural link between the two Amencas

the Educational Survey Comnnssion ot 192.s mcluded

through the powers granted to its Board of Trustees;

(2) authoritv given to the chancellor. as executive head of the universitv and subject to the approval of the

sión for the annual levy of a two-mill tax on all real

and personal property in the Island. the proceeds^ of this tax to be used for the support of the university. Let US now consider four indexes of the progress

of the L'niversity of Puerto Rico during the last dec ade; (1) the expenditures for opcration and mainte-

feEÉIHiti

R.O.T.C. rom/'aiiirs and Janer Hall, homc of the Colleijcs of Lazo and I-insiness Adininisiration

94

Boletín Oficial TABLE II—DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES GRANTED BY THE UNIV ERSITY OF PUERTO RICO. 1924-33. Normal School Certifícate 860

Secretarial Certifícate Pharmaceutical Chemist Bachelor Bachelor Bachelor Bachelor Bachelor

85 79

of Arts of Science of Arts in Education of Science in Education of Law

127 96 305 30 149

Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts

294

Bachelor of Science in Pharinacy Bachelor of Business Administration Bachelor of Science in Commcrcial Ifducatioii Alaster of Arts Certifícate in Tropical Aledicine EVGEMO MARIA

14 43 3 13 8

The Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, Agriculture, and Mechanic .Arts were the first to oft'er the bachelor's degrce in their respective fields. Until

D Horror

1932 the College of Phartnacy had granted only the degree of pharmaceutical chetnist, on cotnpletion of a three-year curriculum. In that year it bogan to grant

the regular bachelor's degree ;ind the three-year curri culum was discontinued.

The year 1926 saw the inauguration of the College of Business Administraticm, with one curriculum for the bachelor's degree and another for the secretarial certifícate, and of the School of Tropical Medicine, a branch of the university maintained in cooperation with Columbia Uni\'ersity. The master's degree was

Montiinent to Eugenio M. de Hostos, erectcd on tlie L'niversily Cainftis

granted for the first time in 1929. .Vnother sign of progress is the certifícate in tropical medicine offered by the corresponding faculty and g'ranted for research and advanced studies that require as indispensable prerequisite the doctórate in medicine.

nance; (2) the registration for the academic year; (3) the classification and number of degrees and certificates granted: and (4) the preparation and classification of the teaching staff. Expenditures and Registration TABLE I—EXPENDITURES FOR OPERATION AND MAJNTENANCE AND REGISTRATION FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR—UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO.

1923-24 rO 1932-33.

Expenditures Re.aristration for for Opcration

the Academic

Year

and Maintenance

Year

1924

$328,164

337,901

984

926 |927 928

396,321 497.280 557,991

1,232 1,103 1,339

950 951 952 '955

578.8,S6 555,259 572,854 660,264 655,802

1,650 1,485 1,722 2,308 2,633

}925

923

Fhe outstanding f;ict in this talde is the gradual increase hoth in e.x])enditurc'S and registration. It is the unifcrsity w(juld ha\"e had to face a

I cult situtition if the great increase in its student regís ration had not been acconpianied by a corre-

spont ing increase in its inconie. hrom the figures ere guen it may be safely inferred that the cost per U( en tas not \ aried considerabiy during all these years. n othei^ words, registration and expenditures a\e increased in similar ¡u-oportions. Degrees and Certificates Granted

4 he facts that appear in Table II regarding the de-

groes and certificates granted bv the University of I uerto IHco during the last decade are also significant.

m A faculty grouf

The staff of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts

The Faculty

The Educational Sur\"cy Commission of 1925 included among the rccf)mmendations for the impro\"Cment of the uni\-ersity one to the elTect that the teach ing staff of this institution should be increased in num ber and improved in f)ualitv as fast as ])o,s.sii)le. It was

shown that at that time only about fortv-tvvo ])er cent of the entire staff of the unix ersity jxissessed what are

judged to jje the appropriate <pialifications for a uni versity api)ointment—those qualifications re])resented by the ])f)sses.sion of the master's degree. Three-quarters of the staff had taught in no other collegiate insti tution, and more than rmc-third were new a])pointces. Indeed, so few had Iieen acti\-e in .scholarl\' ])roduction

that no attemi)t was made to tabúlate their piiblications.

Boletín Oficial

95

A comparison of the two tables presented here

discloses several interesting and encouraging facts. The cjuantitative increase in the faculty amounts to 70 per cent. \\ hile in 1925-26 there were only 30 faculty members who held the master's degree, or an equivalent or higher degree, the numbcr had increased seven years later to 77, an increase from 42 per cent to 62.6 per cent in the pcrsonnel of the faculty who meet the

standard jirofessional qualihcations for a university position. Only four faculty members remain who lack the bachelor's degree or its etjuiwilent. Obviously there has been a notable titlvance during the se\'en-year period in the qualihctitions of the fac ulty of the L'niversity of Puerto Rico. Gradúate work, research, travel for study and recretition, sabbatical

fi

leaves, scholarly production, and inde^iendent study irwín,:- •. - ■^r^1twHK•y - •

t—'

.

are the means to which the university teachers resort

-

in order to inijirove their professional equipment.

Class of Diisiiirss Aclnnnislralúni, 19.y\ Dr. J. B. Oríic, iciitcr, .■ícntcd group

Table III sliows the academic training and classification of íItc mcnihors of thc Faculty for 1925-26. TARLl'

III—ACAUFMIC TRAINTNG AND CLASSIFICA-

TION OF TMK FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, 1925-26. Acadcmic Rank .\ssistant Associate

Academic

Traiiiing Doctor Profcssioiial Mastcr Bachclor Nonc

Total

Profcssor Profcssor Proíessor Instructor . .

Total

() 2 9 5

. . . . 3 1

2 . . 4 13

. . . . 4 5

8 2 20 24

2

. .

2

14

18

24

4

21

23

72

Table I\' pre.seiit.-s the academic training' aiid classifi cation of the faculty for 1932-33, exclusive of the School of Trojiical Medicine, which was opencd in 1926 and whose fticulty consists almost wholly of holders of the professional degree of Doctor of Medicine.

B

IB

TABLE IV—ACADEMIC TRAINING AND CLA.SSIFICATION OF THE FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF

• -V :

¿

PUERTO RICO, 1932-33.

Thc Normal Building, oldcst building ou thc Camfns,

.-Academic Rank

Academic Training Doctor Professional Master Bachelor

.\ssociate Assistant Profcssor Proíessor Profcssor Instructor 4 4 3 2 . . 2 1 2 1 9 6 19 24 3

None Total

18

ercctcd in 1903

Total

. .

9

30

. .

1

3

13 6 58 42 4

11

34

60

123

In Conclusión

After the preceding account

of

the

¡¡rogress

achieved and the services rendered by the Unii ersitv

of Puerto Rico, we might well proceed, should spac'e permit, to a discussion of several urgent jiroblems now confronting this institution. These prolilenis are as follows : (1) improvemcnt of the eiutility of the instruc-

tion system; (2) guidance of students and ])lacement of graduates: (3) extensión of faculty research and

sclu)larly production ; (4) extensión and imiirovement of material facilities; and (5)

increase of fi nancial

resources.

This mere enumeration suffices to indicate the ini-

mcdiate ]iroblcms of thc I^niversity of I'uerto Rico. The institution is proud of its past record, but it has not surrendered to the vain sjúrit of complaeencv. Its

friends, its students and alumni, its faculty and' trus-

tees know that thcy are still far from having develo]ied the university of their dreams. Thev are keenly aware of the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead of the university and fully realize that its held of ser¡lome líioiiumir .Ktudenis ¡retariiig for scndec íi.c ¡eaelwr.';, dietitiaiis and .■toeial ivorkcrs

vice may lie, not only in Puertt) Rico, but far bej'ond the shores of their beloved Island.

Boletix Oficial

96

^

■"* "j - "

Thc I'rcsidcnt of thc Puerto Rico chaptcr

Stiident project—A Hampshire sonj aiid litter from a Vocational Agriciilture School

of thc Futiire Fanncr of .■huerica doing huid prcparation in his indizudual projcct

Vocational Agriculture students in thc

construction of a class rooni

\)ocational ^grícultural Educatíon 'By Antonio Texidor Supervisor of \)ocational Agriculture

AS^ aeducation, result of three years of vocational agricultura] Puerto Rico now has a well organ

hn'e for farming occu])ati( .ms íind leadership, essentials in the solving of rural problems.

training. The primary objective is the development of

Evening classes for farmers are arranged in unit courses for crop studies. Studcnt farmers selected are those actually growing, or prcjposing to grow, the par

structors teaching in forty-seven schools with an en-

ticular crop discussed. Thc method used calis for con ferences. These are informal gatherings in which organized discussion between the students prevails;

izad nucleus established in the fi eid of rural

Island farmers who will be skillful and technically proficient. This nucleus today comprises fi fty-four inrollment of 5,000 students in day, evening, and parttime classes.

The teaching staff, composed of men thoroughly trained for four years in the Insular Agricultura! Col-

lege, is continuously being improved in the perform

ance of this work. Progress achieved recently includes

the study of agricultura] methods in summer courses ; group and sectional conferences for the discussion of

actual prf)blems ; and the y:)rogram of continuous su

pervisión of teaching and project development by the supervisory and teacher-training stafif. As a laboratory for each school, a sufficiently large farm is provided, where the students may perform, under the instructor's supervisión, project work on the crops studied in class. Similar individual projects are

carried out by the students on their home farms. These

and this results in decisions which, as a rule, involve improvements in farming methods. The enterpnse being studied is subdivided inte the ^■arious steps com-

posing the endeavor. These steps are taken up in class at the time most seasonally suited for ])ractical demonstrations in the fi eld.

Part-time classes for young men out of school be

tween the ages of sixteen and twenty are held with the

primary idea of fi tting them practically and mentally for the profession of farming and thus securing their stability in that work.

It is entirely a learning-by-doing process in which the students are agriculturally educated in lines of mental analysis and development as well as in the attainment of efficiency in the actual performance of

last necessitate careful planning and exact accfmnting by the novice in standard project record books under

an agricultura] job.

the su]jer\'ision of his teacher.

pelled the directors of this work to aim toward the

A course of study well adapted to each ccjmmunity is carefully prepared by each teacher based on a detailed survey fjf representative farms to determine the

kind and e.xtent of crops and animals produced, as well

The present depressed state of markets has com-

eventual development of farmers who will gianv most

of the commodities they need and use, while securing sufficient income to care for the ])urchase of jnmducts they cannot produce.

as the iJcrcentage of income from each and also the

The ra]nd disa])i)earancc of the small land owner

potential j^er cent from crops and animals not grown

which has menaced the future hap])iness of Puerto Rico—has been curbed in those districts where the

organized the Insular Chajjter of the Future Farmers

agricultura! schools have been established to serve the people. An increase in the number of these schools would strengthcn the foundations for a brighter futuie and wtjuld undoubtedly instill the Islanders with a

but which could prrifitably be ex]doited. The agricultura! students in the day classes ha\e of .Amei'ica, afíiliated with the Xational .Association.

The main objecti\e ol this association is to de\ehjp a

ncw

criurage.

,'V '\ ■. . ■ ■ iV

V'.VYí'í « ** f i

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■■ yi'omf, KU-''.

Tlie Devil's Sentry Box at the foot of Fort San Cristóbal, San Juan

Boletín Oficial

CL

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< 0 01

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2 < Q

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97

******

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The hospital for mental diseases; a recent Instilar project, designed and erected tiiider thc supervisión of the Deparlment pf the Interior

^orks

Puerto Picos Progress THOSE who travel through Puerto Rico have surely admirad the Island's matchless system of

lie ones, and by laying out industrial railroad routes opening up new valleys to the sugar industry. Irriga-

highways, its handsome bridges thrown across swift streams, the public and school buildings that

are under process of extensión.

tion systems are built and many towns have been and

No really adequate apprcciation of what has been

seem to humble other structures in the cities and vil-

lages, and the fine public squares whose fountains indicate the presence of modern water supply systems ; while at night the traveler will hardiy see a town not lighted by electricity. It may be said that public works in Puerto Rico progress from day to day. Private initiative con tributes greatly toward such progress in the fields and towns by constructing gof)d roads adjoining the pub-

accomplished in the field of public works in Puerto

Rico can be had by one unfamiliar with the difificulties encountered in the earlier days of I'uerto Rico's de-

velopment. During the Spanish regime in the Island comparatively little was accomplished in public works as limited sums were granted by the government of Spain for such work and the Island itself was not

prosperous. Then, too, during the period of reorganization, after the Island changed from the sovereignty of Spain to that of the United States, comparatively

little was done, and progress was made up until about 1907, in two directions only—roads and school build

ings. Henee the greatest progress in public works in the Island has taken place in the last twenty-five years or so.

It should be mentioned, however, that while little work was d(me in thc earlier days, that which was

accomplished was of the finest workmanship, well con-

ceived, well engineered, and wcll executed. .\s an example, we have the famous Military Highway, built across the Island between .San Juan and Ih)nce in thc

seventeenth century. It is the oldest highway in all the Americas and is even today one of the fi nest in

The San Juan fíasehall Park, eonstructed by the Department of Inicrior, Jws sfionilatcd popular inierest in all sports

Puerto Rico.

98

"á-

Puerto Rico is travcrsed by a fine system of highways, there being more than 1,088 miles of hard sur-

faced roads and another 500 miles of graded dirt roads passable for motor vchicles in dry weather; several

thousand miles of trails are used by less modern means of trans])ortation. The highways provide more than one mile of paved road for every 3.4 square miles of

the country's area. There are about 15,000 motor vehicles on the Island. In the earh" vears of American control more than

$5,000,000 Averc spent on construction or im])rovement

Adininistration bnilding of the hosfital for mental diseascs, Río Piedras

división are best illustrated by the statistics which are given elsewhere in this article. At the time of the creation of the División of

Municipal Works a few of the municipalities of the Island were provided with a water works system, electric lighting, or sewerage svstems. but today ninetjper cent of the towns are provided with all these conveniences. In 1898 there was not a single school bnild

ing built for that purpose owned bj' the government. In this branch of Puerto Rico's public works results have been astonishing. In addition to the municipal public works the Divi

sión of Municipal Works is in charge of all Insular projects which require special technical study. The Alany difficult construction f^roblcms havc becn ovcrcomc by

most important project of this kind in recent years

tile cnginccrs of the Defartincnt of the Interior. Bridgc and

was the construction of the beautiful Muñoz Rivera

roadxvay constructcd ox'cr the Villalba Dam

of highways. In the year 1916 an Economy Commission prepared and adopted a road plan of connecting all the towns of the Island as well as the most fertile

and productive regions. This plan has been carried out gradually and in more recent years many additional millions of dollars have been expended on roads. Today, the Puerto Rican highways represent an ex-

penditure of probably more than $25,(X)0,000. Naturally such an extensive road campaign has encouraged passenger and commercial motor transportation, and many tf)urists now enjoy these facilities for becoming

Park, constructed in the municipality of San Juan, and the athletic field for the P'niversity of Puerto Rico. The DiA'ision of Public Buildings is in charge of the design, construction, and maintenance of all build

ings belonging to the people of Puerto Rico. A few projects undertaken by the department in recent years are the Capitol Building, San Juan; the baseball park, San Juan; the new school of Arts and Trades located on the campus of the University of Puerto Rico; the

penitentiary, and the modern insane asylum in Río Piedras.

Public utility corporations in Puerto Rico have also done much to further the material development

acquainted with the beauties of the Island. Impetus to public works enterprises was given in

of the Island, and evidence of their remarkable work

1911 when the Office of Municipal Works (now the

municipalities.

Burean of Public Works) was organized as a división

is to be seen on every hand, particularly in the larger

of the Department of Interior of the Insular Govern-

ment. This stcp initiated an era of elficient development of Insular and municipal public works. The Burean of Public Works has charge of work

pertaining to survey, design, construction, and maintenance of all roads and bridges, and, when so requested by municiindities, supervises the work done un municipal roads. The accomplishments of this

II il II 11 11 fl ti il It II

fi I) u II II 114 ii

lili

i I I

Miles of leell eonstrueted higineays link the eoast leith the interior and eonneet eaeh of the l.xland's munieit^alities

The correctional institntion at Rio Piedras is one of the fincst

examfles of a fiiblie xeorks f^rojcet in the .Intille.';

99

100

Boletín Oficial

Roads Co7istructed from 1900 to 1933 Í7i K771S. by Yeai's 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917

69.2

67.0 72.2 81.0 69.0 82.9 38.0 30.7 103.7 92.3 4.9 16.1 67.4 7.7 45.1 28.1 12.6 15.7

10.7

1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

41.3 31.4 38.1 34.1 26.7 65.1

110.95 44.7 91.65 32.1 80.4 13.5 10.77 12.3

Total

1822.37 Kms.

ValuatioTi of Property Owned hy The Gover7t77ie77t of Puerto Rico 1915-1933 Year o

Total $21,217,367.06 21,398,860.98 21,473,872.35 21,438,622.30 22,181,794.87 23,172,624.00

Zll

24,792,074.87

yyy,

26,156,179.70 26,446,798.81

Year

Total

1924 1925

29,664,531.96 33,470,777.83

1926 . 1927 1928

37,378,220.50 40,112,637.30 43,035,972.52 45,843,349.60 48,351,687.05 49,691,062.59 49,951,186.11 49,852,153.53

1929

1930 1931 1932

1933

Valuati07t of Puhlic BmldÍ77gs Ow77ed hy The Gover7í777e7ít of Puerto Rico Í7i 1933 Alien Alien Alien Alien Asilo

No. 1, San Juan No. 2, San Juan No. 3, San Juan No. 5, San Juan de Ciegos, Ponce

Asilo de Niñas, Santurce Asilo de Niños, Santurce Audiencia, San Juan

Biblioteca Carnegie, San Juan.'.'.'.'.'.'.'

Capitanía de Puerto, Mayagucz Capitania de Puerto, Ponce

Capitolio Insular, San Juan.........

Cárcel de Distrito, Aguadilla CtccI de Distrito, Arecibo Cárcel de Distrito, Guayama Cárcel de Distrito, Plumacao Corte de Distrito, Aguadilla Corte de Üistrito, Arecibo

Corte de Distrito, Bayamón . Corte de Distrito, Guayama Corte de Distrito, Humacao

Corte y Cárcel de Distrito, Ponce...! (^misión Industrial, San Juan Cuarentenario, San Juan

Departamento de .Sanidad, San Juan. Departamento del Trabajo, .San Juan Diputción

Valué

$ 20,000.00 30,000.00 100,000.00 80,000.00 1(X),000.00

170,000.00 150,000.00 60,000.00 50,000.00 4,000.00 10,000.00 2,250,000.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 15,000.00 30,000.00 50,000.00 15,000.00

15,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 150,000.00 25,000.00 75,000.00 250,000.00 20,000.00 120,000.00

Valué

Edificio Insular, Culebra Edificio Insular, Humacao Escuela Reformatoria, Mayagucz... Estación Experimental, Río I'iedras..

Estación Naval, San Juan Granja Avícola, Guaynabo Hospital de Distrito, Ponce Hospital de Distrito, San Juan Instituto de Niños Ciegos, Santurce. Intendencia, San Juan Leprocomio, Trujillo Alto Manicomio Insular, Rio Piedras....

Paliellón, San Juan Penitenciaría, Rio Piedras

Policía Insular, Rio Piedras Policía Insular, San liian Presidio Viejo, San Juan

8anTorio Insular, Río Piedras Telégrafo Insular, Aguadilla Telégrafo Insular, Caguas 1 elégrafo Insular, Ceiba Telégrafo Insular, Mayaguez Telégrafo Insular, Ponce Telégrafo Insular, San Eorenzo .... Telégrafo Insular, Vieques Total

5,000.00 4,000.00 300,000.00 120,000.00 130,000.00 3,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 50,000.00 225,000.00 loo.om.oo

,000,000.00 8,000.00

800,000.00 3,000.00 40,000.00 150,000.00 500,000.00 5,000.00 15,000.00 1,000.00 3,000.00 6,000.00 5,000.00 1,000.00

$7,593,000.00

Boletín Oficial

101

General upsircani viczv of Guayabal Dam

Irrigation on the South Coast By Antonio Lucchetti, C. E. Director aud Chief Engineer; Utilization of Water Resources

THOSE not acquainted with agricultural conditions which prevailed on the south coast of Puerto Rico previous to the year 1915, may not fully appreciate the changes brought about by the Public Irrigation System of the South Coast. For a long time sugar cultivation has been the principal industry in the southern and eastern scctions of the Island. The lay of the land and the character of the soil are particularly suitable for gTowing cañe, but the región is conspicuous for a deficiency in rainfall, the recurrence of long droughts being a regular event every year. As sugar cañe cannot develop withGut a generous water supply the development of a system of irrigation, with conveniently large storage reservoirs, has been necessary.

The practice of land irrigation in this part of the Island began with the first attempts to grow sugar cañe. There were small isolated systems, some supplied by diverting by gravity the flow of streams and others by pumping from surface waters and from deep wells. By the middle of the last century water con-

cessions for irrigation purposes began to be granted by the Crown of Spain and a great number of these concessions were in use when the idea of a general system crystalized to the point of proceeding with the construction of the Public Irrigation project. These isolated systems were inefficient, as there were no im-

])ounding reservoirs and the water supply promptly became exhausted when there was no rainfall.

Engineering studies for the project were begun in the year 1908 and its construction was started in the year 1910 and completed in 1914. It has now been in operation eighteen years, meeting successfullv the

requirements for which it was intended and desi'gned. Essentially the system is composed of three main storage reservoirs fed with the run-off from three diffcrent watershcds; about 98 miles of main canals and

distribution laterals; two generating- hydro-electric ])lants which came into existence as a by-product of the Irrigation System. and electric transmission and

distribution lines consisting of 210 miles of high and low tensión lines.

The Irrigation System is formed by three sepárate systems of reservoirs and canals which reccive their water supply from three different sources and which

do not bcar any physical relations among themselves. namcly: The system which irrigates the lands situated hctween the Patillas and the Salinas rivers and which consists of the Patillas reservoir and the Patillas canal; the system formed by the Carite reservoir and the Cuamani canals which irrígate tiie lands located abovc the Patillas canal bctween Guavama and Sali Interior i'ieie of Corile Hydro-lileetrie Planl Xo. 1. Slioieiiu/ in the Joregronnd I nil Xo. 4 of 2]ttO-KVA caf^aeHy, installed during /V/

nas; and the system originally formed by the Toro Negro diversión, (mayabal reser\-oir. Coamo reservoir .ind the Juana IMaz can.al. 1 his canal rims in an

102

Boletín Oficial

easterly direction from Juana Díaz towards Salinas and irrígales all the lands lying between the Jacaguas

River and the Rio Jueyes near Salinas. This latter system has been enlarged with the addition of the Guiñeo and the Matruilas reservoirs.

Each one of

these three systems funciions independently of either one of the other two, that is, the irrigation waters,

with the exception of the minor relation existing be tween the Guamani canal and the Melania reservoir,

do not meet at any place but they flow through sepa rata canals located at different elevations and they irrígate sepárate sections of the district.

The total acreage under irrigation in this project amounts to approximately 51,000 acres, of which 33,000 acres receive water by gravity from the Irrigation

System and 18,000 are irrigated by pumps supplied from deep wells and operated with electricity served from the hydro-electric system. Of the 33,000 acres irrigated from the Irrigation System, 12,800 acres re ceive water from the Patillas canal, the Guamani canal commands 4.950 acres and the Juana Díaz canal takes care of 15,250 acres. The amount of irrigation water fixed by the Public

Irrigation Law as appurtenant to the land is four acre-

feet per acre per year, which is equivalent approxi mately to an application of four inches of water each

The Carite I!ydro-lílectric l'laut .Yo. 1

month to the land under irrigation. This is the amount that was estimated as necessary to supply the deficiency in the rainfall occurring ih the district. The Irrigation System has been delivering water at this rate unifc)rm]y throughout the year. The methods and the sequence followed in the cultivation of sugar cañe in the district requires that irrigation be

practiced continuously the year round. To enable the planters to use the water to best

advantage the practice authorized by the Public Irri gation Law is to allow each one to group and use all the water he is entitled to as appurtenant to all the

land under his control under each of the three sys tems of canals and to deliver him this water in the

amounts and through the outlets requested.

This method of delivery makes possible the appli cation of water to the fields in the most economic man-

ner for the planters as regards both cost of labor involved and getting the greatest beneht out of the water, as they are thus able to apply it by rotation

to their various tracts of land using it in quantities and a number of times during the month best suited to their needs.

The Irrigation Service measures and delivers the water to the planters through outlets which have been

ccnveniently located to irrígate by gravity all of the land served by those outlets. Each outlet consists of a gate and an orífice píate arranged as to space and elevation so as to secure an accurate measurc and an

Top portiun of the (jiiiueo Dani, pari of the reservoir and lip of spilhoay shaft

103

Boletín Oficial

proved insufficient to satisf}- requirements and Carite power plant No. 2 was built in the j^ear 1922, furnishing an additional capacity of 800 K.V.A. More additions and remodellings of the Carite No. 1 plant have been made and at the present time its installed

capacity amounts to 4,200 horsepower. This malees a total combined capacity for the Carite plants of 5,000 horsepower.

All of the production of these two plants is distributed in the Irrigation Service district. about 85 per cent of it being used for driving irrigation pumps and a small number of industrial motors and the balance

goes to supply requirements for lighting and domestic

purposes in tiíe rural zone and in the towns of Maunabo. Patillas, .Arroyo, Gua\-ama, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Coamo, Juana Diaz and Villalba. Such has been the expansión of the hc'dro-electric Patillas S/^ilhi'ay Dam Protcctiúii U'ork-s—Passiiig ovcrfloia aflcr floods

system that at present it plays a role of major importance as a source of revenues as compared to what the water tax contributes to the running expenses of the service.

uninterrupted ílow of water into the ficld ditches pre parad by the planters.

The quantity of water delivered each month is onetwelfth of the amount appurtenant for the year. When owing to shortage in the water supply it becomes impracticable to deliver the full amount appurtenant

for the month, thcn the planters are allowed a time extensión of eleven months within which the shortage

will be delivered to them, provided the supply becoming available is sufficient to cover first the regular monthly deliveries and then the shortage. The cjuantlty of four acre-feet per acre per year

has proved sufficient for a good part of the land included in the irrigation district but for porous sandy

The total of irrigation taxes assessed

this last fiscal year u])on the planters amounts to $201,196.06, while the sales of electric power in the district are estimated at $400,000. Results Obtained in the Irrigation District—The

land under irrigation is all planted to sugar cañe. The

yearly average crop in the lands within the irrigatioii district during the seven years from 1909 to 1915, that is, just previous to the operation of the Irrigation System, was approximately 54,000 tons of sugar. The crop for the last j-ear was 212,000 tons of sugar and the yearly average for the last eighteen j'ears amounts to 125,000 tons. The rapid increase in the annual ^deld of the last eight years is not, of course, wholU^ attributable to irrigation, the improvement in cañe varieties

soils which abound in this zone it falls short of meet-

having been also responsible to a large extent for that

ing the irrigation requirements. To supply the deficiency the planters avail themselves of underground water which thcy bring to the surface by means of tubular wells and pumps, this source of supply being constantly reijlenished by the same irrigation water supplied by the gravity system which is applied to the

increase, but, of course, such improvement would not have been possible without irrigation. The increase of 71,000 tons of sugar in the average annual yield of the last eighteen years represents an increase in the valué of the crop produced each year in the Irrigation District amounting to not less than $4,550,000. The total annual cost of the irrigation project to the sugar cañe industry in the district amounts to

surface, a great part of which percolated into the

lower strata.

There are a large number of pumping installations scattered over this area and with rare exceptions they

are all driven by electric motors. For this purpose electric power service at low rates is neccied and the

hydro-elcctric system, which came into existence as a by-product of the Irrigation System, has been progressively dcveloped to supply this need. Although a secondarv fcature in the beginning, the h3ffiro-electric sc^stem soon showed eyidence of its be ing an important factor in the physical and financial

approximateU' $550,000. The increase in average incomc to the industrj' ot^er and above this cost, thereforc, has been at least $4,000,000 per t-ear.

dcvel<)]mient of the projcct.

The 1,105 foot fall available from the outlet of the Carite tunnel to the foot of the mountain at the head

of the (iuamaní River was utilized to devel(|i) hydroelectric jxiwer with the water drawn for irrigation purposes from the Carite reservoir.

The Carite Jlydro-electric Plant No. l^was built and ])laced in operation in the^ year 1915 with an installed generating capacity of 7fX) K.\ .A. 1 he demand for electric power in the irrigation distriet increased quite rapidly and another unit of 700 K.V.A capacity was shortly afterwards installed. This

Irriijatiun Dam :-ietvfd from l'illalba

The

Isabela Irrigation and

Hydro-Electric System By R. A. González Chief Rngineer

>>V-.

G'A" -xifV^

Field of groimng sugar canc sltotving mclliod of irrigation. Water is bciug admití froin the small ditch ta the ¡ozvcst furroiv

The success of the irrigation system on the south coast, described elsewhere in this publication, led land-owners in the northwest section of the

Island to demand from the Government the construc-

tion of a similar project for their district, as rainfall

short time in which the system has been operating. The area in cañe, which is the chief crop, has increased from 2,300 acres in 1928, to 5,800 acres at the present time. The tonnage has increased at a much faster rate, as will be seen in the following figures:

was far from suíhcient for successful cañe growing on a large scale.

Crop

1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33

Preliminary surveys for the Isabela Project, as the northwest development was called, were made by the

Department of the Interior in the years 1916-1918. The Legislature authorized construction in the year 1919, subject to a referendum to the land-owners af-

Tons

32,000 35,600 76,000 121,000 154,000 138,000

Construction was started in 1924 and the

The decrease noted in the last crop as compared

project was completed in 1928. The most important features of the system are:

with the previous one was no doubt due to the eft'ects of the storm of September 26, 1932. The tonnage per acre has increased from an average of 15 tons of cañe to 30 tons per acre and yields of 40, 50, and 60 tons are frequcnt. Other crops, such as tobáceo and cotton, although irrigated to a smaller extent, show also greater yields. The increase already obtained in the cañe crop has a valué, at present prices, of at least $500,000.00 a vear but much greater benefits are expected in the

fected.

the Guajataca Dam, the Diversión Canal, the distribution system of canals, and the hydro-electric system as a "by-product" of the irrigation system. The area which at present may receive irrigation amounts to about 11,000 acres, but because of benefits already

demonstrated, the system is-being expanded to serve not less than 13,000 acres.

Very satisfactory results have been obtained in the región under irrigation, even in the comparatively

future.

Guajataca Dam and gate tovjer as secn from lite rcseriuir

104

A

105

Boletín Oficial

The Hydro-EIectric System As in the case of the south coast irrigation project

the development of electric power has gene hand in hand with irrigation operations. The territory served comprises the municipalities of Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, Aguadilla, Moca, Aguada, Rincón, and Añasco. The hydro-electric system is making feasible for the first time, through pumping, the irriga tion of several hundred acres of highlands, and also

the drainage of large areas of wet lands located near

the coast betwecn Aguadilla and Añasco. The use of electricity in the homes of farmers within reach of the transmission lines has also been made possible.

Power is developed at the end of the diversión canal, where a fall of 110 feet makes available an aver-

age of 800 hp. Current is generated at 2,300 \olts and stepped up to 38,000 volts for transmission to Agua dilla where it connects with the lines of Utilization of the Water Resources which come from the south coast by way of Izares and San Sebastián. There are two

substations, one at Aguadilla, and one at Moca, near Isabela.

The Irrigation Service delivers power directly to the consumers of the rural zones and to those within

the towns of Hatillo, Camuy, and Ouebradillas, where it also owns the local distributing systems. The mu nicipal governments of the remaining towns hold franchises for the distribution within their urban zones,

and to them power is delivered at the outer boundaries of the towns.

The hydro-electric system, although built and owned by the Isabela Irrigation Service, is now oper-

ated by Utilization of the Water Resources, in conjunction with its power system. However, income derived from its operations is turned over to the Irri gation Service, after deducting operating and maintenance expenses.

There are two other sites within the district ca-

pable of yielding a combined output of 600 hp., which the Service exnects to utilize in the near future.

.-s-

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UA

"T'■vfncft-» J-'

ÍX ;- rrí '1 ■> .«I , '

i m

Icft: Concrete hcnch flume and spilkvay in one of tlic larger canals of the distribution system. Abo-ce:

'J'zvo 1,000 h.p. ttirbines and generators of the power plant

Tunncl in the diversión canal

Hydro-Electric System of Utihzation of ^á^ater Resources

PROMPTED and guided by the expcrience had in the operation of the Carite hydro-electric system,

Toro Negro River bclow the dam. The increase in the electric power demand of the district has been such during the last few years that this i)lant is already operating to capacity. For the distributicjn of this ])uwer from the Toro Negro plant the Government extended its lines westward from the Jacaguas River to the Sábana Grande River, through the Municipalities of I^once, Peñuelas, Guayanilla, Yauco, Guánica, and part of Sábana

and moved by the desirability of developing to a greater measure the water resources of the country in order to extend the use of cheap electric power as an incentive to encourage industries, and to increase the well-being of the people in cities and in farms, the Insular Government decided, in the year 1925, to work on a plan for enlarging its hydro-electric enterprise. To that end an Act was passed creating a working fund with the proceeds of a special tax of one-tenth of one per cent (1/10 of 1 per cent) levied for that purpose on the assessed valué of all real and personal property for the five years from 1925 to 1930, and authorizing the surveys, construction and operation of hydro-electric plants. This Act was widened in its scope in the year 1927. Pursuant to the provisions of that Act the Toro Negro Water Power Project has been developed. This project comprises the Guiñeo dam and reservoir, the Matrullas dam, Matrullas reservoir and

Grande.

Another transmission line was Ijuilt from the

plant to Jayuya, Utuado, Lares, San Sebastián and Aguadilla, with a spur line from Utuado to Arecibo. At Aguadilla this line connects with the lines of the

Isabela System and at Arccibo it is i)repared to interconnect with the Arecibo hydro-electric plant. Interconnections have been carricd out with the

system of other public service companies and with private industrial plants, which bring together into one common system some 40,000 h.¡). of generating capacity. This pooling of resources achicved through interconnections makes available enough reser\-e ca pacity to take care of the load of anv one of the component system should any emergenc}' arise in any one

Matrullas

canal, and the Toro Negro hydro-electric plant. The Toro Negro hydro-electric plant has an in-

stalled capacity of 6,000 horsepower formed by three

of them.

water-wheels and direct connected generators. It was the first feature of this project that was built. It was completed in the year 1929 and it has been in opera tion since then, having been run at first with just the flow of the Toro Negro River and later, after comple-

With the additions and extensions carried out by utilization of the water resfjurces the transmission and

tion of the Guiñeo dam. with the waters of the Guiñeo

distribution system of the Insular Government has grown to cover a territory which extends from the southeastern córner of the Island, westward over the

reservoir and the additional flow of the portion of the

south coast to the town of Sábana Clrande, across the

MAP OF THE ISLAND BY

THE

SHOWINC

EXTENT OF

INTERCONNECTED

UTILIZATION

SYSTEM

TERRITORY OPERATED

OF THE WATER

SERVED BY

RESOURCES

V. t J

106

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ii'l

^ p5

-

lE

The Toro Negro HydroElcctric Plant and Off-Take Toioer

interior of the Island to the towns of Juyuya and Utuadü, and thence north to the city of Areciljo and west to the city of Aguadilla. It also extends from the Carite No. 1 plant to the Cayey hydro-electric plant where it interconnects with that plant and with the system of the I'uerto Rico Railway Light and Power Company, which operates over the northeast

nilla, Yauco, Guánica, part of Sábana Grande, Villalba, Jayuya, Utuado, Lares and San Sebastián. Utilization of the Water Resources also operates the Isabela Sys tem which serves the municipalities of Añasco, Rin cón, Aguada, Moca, Aguadilla, Isabela, Ouebradillas,

portion of the Island.

power was 31,804,210 kilowatt hours.

High tensión transmission lines of an aggregate

length of 187.7 miles of single circuit and 36 miles of double circuit, or a total of 223.7 miles, and distribution and branch lines aggregating 267 miles, compose at present the net of power lines operated by Utilization of the Water Resources.

The territory now comprises the municipalities of Maunabo, Patillas, Arroyo, Guayama, Salinas, Santa

Isabel, Coamo, Juana Díaz, Ponce, Peñuclas, Guaya-

Interior Vicio of Toro Negro Idydro-Electric Plant

Camuy and Hatillo.

During the last fiscal year production of electric Present rates for electric power for industrial pur-

poses average about 1.8 cents per kilowatt hour and those for lighting and domestic purposes in the rural districts and in towns begin with 10 cents per kilowatt hour for the fi rst ten kilowatt hours and decrease

by blocks to 2 cents ])er kilowatt hour for all consumption above month.

two

hundred

kilowatt

hours

per

Public Utilities In Puerto Pico Classification and Location of the %Jarious Public Utilities In Operation at the Cióse of 1933 Waterworks Systems: 68, owned and operated by

the respective municipalities and serving the following

towns: Adjuntas, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito,

Añasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Caguas, Camuy, Carolina Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Fa

jardo, Guayama, Guaynabo, Guánica, Guayanilla, Gurabo. Hatillo, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Díaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marías, Las Piedras, Loíza, Luquillo, Manatí, Maricao, Mayaguez, Maunabo, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Patillas, PeñueHs, Ponce, Río Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San Germán, Santa Isabel, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San

Sebastián, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco.

Klectric Light and Power: 18 plants; hydro-electric: 11; steam and internal combustión: 7.

Municipal Distributing Systems of electricity for light and power: 20, deriving electricity from the Government owned and operated plants of the Service of Utilization of the Water Resources and serving the following towns: Aguada, Aguadilla, Arroyo, Añasco, Camuy, Lares, Guayama, Hatillo, Jayuya, Isabela,

Maunabo, Moca, Patillas, Ouebradillas, Rincón, Sa

linas, Santa Isabel, Villalba, Coamo, Juana Díaz. Docks, piers and wharfs doing a public service:

18 concerns operating as follows: Seven in San Juan; one in Arecibo; one in Ponce; two in Mayaguez; one in Ensenada; two in Arroyo; one in Palmas Altas; one

in Santa Isabel; one in Guayanilla; one in Fajardo. Railroads: 6, as follows: American Railroad Co., from Carolina on the North following the coast line around the West side to Ponce on the South ; Ponce

and Guayama Railroad, from Ponce to Guayama; Fa

jardo Development Co., from Carolina to Naguabo; Porto Rico Railway Light & Power Co., from Río Piedras to Caguas; Compañía de los Ferrocarriles del Este, from Naguabo to Humacao and Juncos; Altosano Railroad Co., from Añasco to Altosano.

Bus Operators: 65 concerns maintaining daily and regular service practically over all the road systems of the Island.

Lighterage Services: 17, operating in the follow ing ports: Aguadilla, Arroyo, Arecibo, Plumacao, San

Juan, Fajardo, Naguabo, Ponce, Mayaguez, Jobos, Yabucoa.

Tahle Showing the Amount ofElectricity Generated by the Various Steam and Hydro-Electric Plants Kilowatt-hours Generated

Hydro-electric

Arecibo, Municipio de Balasquide Gabino, Peñuelas Cayey, Municipio de

1,856,390

50,000(2)

125,000(2) 93,744

Del Río José, Orocovis

52,000(2)

!!!!!!

76,778(1) 100,000(2)

Martínez & Co., Utuado Mayaguez Light & Power Ice Co... Ponce Electric Company

64,830

Porto Rico Railway Light & Power Company.

San Sebasti""

163,189

163,189

Isabel H (Vieques), Municipio de..

33,719,370

• • • Municipio de . . ..

5,410,630 10,193,459 4,731,370

100,000(2)

Utilización de Fuentes Flu\iales

20,961,450

Total

58,159,108

(1) Kilowatt hours bought from South Porto

Company

(2) No information. Estimated.

Total

1,856,390 50,000 973,135 125,000 93,744 52,000

973,135

Compañía de Luz y Fuerza de Lares Delgado Primo, Adjuntas

Filardi Juan, Yauco Guánica, Municipio de

Steam

76,778 100,000 63,830 5,410,630

10,193,459 38,450,740 100,000

2,570,880(1 )

23,083,117

23,532,230

81,242,225

1,636,000 914,700 20,180

2,570,880 kilowatt hours 108

109

Boletín Oficial

^ Modern

i Public Utilify m

Puerto Rico Admiiiistrative offices and maintcnanca dcpartmcut of Ihc Porto Rico Railu.'ay Liglit and Pozaer Co.

THE largest public utility in Puerto Rico is the Porto Rico Railway Light and Power Company, which traces its history back to 1878. In that

year Don Pablo Ubarri, Count of San José de Santurce, obtained a tramway concession from His Majesty the King of Spain for the operation of a narrow gauge steam railroad between San Juan and Río Piedras. The

railroad was opened for service^ during the latter part of the year 1881 and continued in operation until after the war with Spain, in 1898, when the Island was ceded by Spain to the United States as a result of the War. Various company formations haye taken place since the original acquisition of the LTbarri franchise by Wm. H. Thitchener, of New York. These have been the San Juan and Río Piedras Railroad Company, San Juan Light and Transit Company, Porto Rico Power and Light Company, Sociedad Anónima Luz Eléctrica, Caguas Tramway Company, all of which have been merged into the present Porto Rico Railway I.ight and Power Company, organized under the laws of Puerto Rico.

.

The history of the Porto Rico Railway Light and Power Company is the history of the development and gradual evolution of that part of the Island which it

Industry also began to look into the convenience

of electric drive; towns outside of San Juan wanted to have the benefits of good electric service and the company, year by year, extended its lines out of San Juan Hito the interior of the Island, until at present it serves

thirt3'--four municipalities which cover the most thickiy populated section and the industrial heart of the Island.

The compan3^'s liberal attitude as to rates has had a marked effect on its expansión. A wholesale power rate at present in forcé, known as "Schedule 15," pro

vides electricity for industry at block rates down to

lp2 cents per kilowatt hour. In the home, electricity can be had for domestic appliances for as low as 2p2 cents per kilowatt hour.

Practically every industry of an^- importance in

the territory served by the Porto Rico Railway Light and Power Company is electriñed. Ice plants, refrig eración plants, fruit packing, canneries, clothing factories, button factories, broom factories, trunk facto-

ries, box factories, printing shops, newspapers, cotton ginneries, gas industries, dairies, tobáceo factories, bakeries, etc., are all served by electricity. The importance of the electric light and power in

dustry was very forcibly brought home to the people

serves. At the time of the acquisitmn of the Ubarri

of the northern part of the Island for the first time in

franchise by American interests, San Juan was a walled city and Santurce and Puerta de Therra, as they are today, were practically non-existent. The inaugura-

1928, after the disastrous hurricane of September 13th of that 3'ear, locally known as the "San Felipe" hurri

tion of electric street car service and the gradual ex

Everything was paralyzed the day after the C3^clone.

cane, from the saint on the calendar for that dav.

tensión of its tracks resulted in t e expansión of the

No newspapers, no bread and no milk were to "be had

cit}^ towards Santurce, to such a degree that today San

Juan proper is practically the business s^ction of Great-

and there was no work in the factories and shops. Energetic action on the part of the company's man

Couplcd to this improvement m transportation facilities the public was at the same getting the first taste of the "new wonder," electncity, as the source of

ager, Mr. Frederick Krug, ably seconded by his staff. reestablished service in a comparatively short time and the essentials of life were obtainable in San Juan two days after the hurricane. The public appreciated this speedy return to normal life and many letters were sent to Mr. Krug praising his public spírit and that of

er San Juan, the residential section being Santurce, untold ease and comfort in the

1

elec-

tricity for lighting grew with marked rapidity, and the people became accustomed, throug i pioneeimg work done by the company, to the use o e ectrical applianees in the home.

his men.

The Porto Rico Railway Ifight and Power Com pany has been responsible for the introduction in the

Island of almost all modern eléctrica! conveniences, thereby helping to improve the standard of living. The electric iron, electric refrigeration, curling iron, heating pad, water heater, radio and electrola are commonplace in the homes of the middie class and of the well-

to-do in Puerto Rico. In the poorer homes out in the

rural districts, electric lamps throw their cheerful glow amid very poor surroundings. This has been made possible by what is known as "Schedule No. 7," a rate with a very low fíat charge per month per lamp. The

pioneering spirit of the company is exemplified by Schedule No. 7, which banished the smoky and inefficient oil lamp from the homes of the poor and put them on a par with the most wealthy as far as good dependable lighting is concerned. Three hydro-electric plants, two at Comerío Falls, Comerlo, and one at Río Blanco, Naguabo, form the

backbone of the company's system with a stand-by steam plant in Santurce. A modern transmission network, covering many miles of territory, carries electricity at 37,000 volts in some sections and at 22,000 volts in others.

This current is distributed at 4400

and 2300 volts and stepped down to 115-230 volts for the home. Service is alternating current, one and three phase. The location of the hydro-electric plants at Co merlo is a place of entrancing natural beauty. At Co merío Falls the company has erected a clubhouse for student engineers, young men, graduates of the Island's high schools, who are given an opportuníty to study eléctrica! engineering both theoretically and practically, at the company's expense. From the verandah of the clubhouse which overhangs the "Falls" a very fine view may be had, and the spot is often visited by tourists. At Río Blanco, likewise, the scenery is attractive. The numerous Indian pictographs on the

Comerío Dani in flood. This dam is 125 fcct high and has a

360 foot spilhvay. Pozver is gencralcd herc for the industrial and agricíiltural nccds of a largc part of the Island

rocks at Río Blanco make it a particular point of interest. The company welcomes visitors at both of these locations and is always, as they say in Spanish, "A Sus Ordenes" (At your service).

An Ulterior of the slandby steam plant of the Turto Rico Railzvay I.icjht and l'oiecr Company at Santurce 110

111

Boletín Oficial

Ponce's

Largest Public Utility The Po?ice Eleciric

Com'pa?iy

Administratk'c offices of the Ponce Electric Com(<an\

PÜNCE, metrópolis of the southern half of the Island, a city of 87,000, numbers among the indus trial concerns which have contributed to its de-

try on the Island. The cooperative coft'ee marketing agency for Tuerto Rico, which is a member of the Intermediate Federal Credit Bank of Baltimore, is lo-

velopment, the Ponce Electric Company. Founded in

cated here. In the mountains northerlv of Ponce con

1902, by American capital, this public utility has steadily grown along with the city and district which it

siderable manganese is mined and shipped through Ponce to northern ports. To adequately handle this export and import business with American ports, Ponce is equipped with modern wharfage facilities complementing excellent rail and motor truck service. Ponce Electric Company has always been solicitous of the commercial and industrial development of the

serves.

The city is surrounded by the rich sugar growing región of the Island, comprised of the fertile coastal plain extending many miles on either side. Ponce is also the center of the important cofifee growing indus-

city and has assisted in its expansión regularly. The irrigation of cañe lands has been a factor of importance in giving the Ponce district a highest average cañe yield. Liberal electric rates for irrigation pumping have encouraged this increasingly important part of cultivation no little extent. The increased use of labor

saving electrical equipment in the home, promoted by this company, has made the greatest comforts avaiíable to all. Ponce contains a greater number of mechanical refrigerators, in proportion, than many North American cities.

Its use of the other electrical ser-

vices is in comparison, with the result that general use of electricity has afforded many rate reductions to the low rates at present.

Ponce Electric Company was onc of the pioneers in establishing an interchange of power so advantageously employed among many northern utilities. The

company has a steam plant that compares favorably with plants of its size in the United States as regards eflñcicncy and modern practice. For many years this generating plant has relayed the production facilities

of the go\ ernment operated water power systcm. In

rcturn the company receives the available surplus power from the government systcm that can be used.

This is a substantial bcnefit to the Island as the fiinds ordinarily incident to the purchase of fuel are retained IVarehouse and garage of the Mainten-ance Dehartmcní

here.

112

Boletín Oficial

Ca

The power plant—located ivithin the Mtinicipality of Mayagiiez

Mayaguez Light^ Power As ITS ñame implies, the Mayaguez Light, Power and Ice Company is a public utility engaged in the generation and distribution of electric power and the manufacture of artificial ice.

Until 1930, this company employed one steam elec tric generating station of 1687 KVA capacity, designed for 200 Ibs. per square inch gauge pressure and for a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Through the facilities offered to its customers, in

dustries in every town served by the company were able to increase their production, this bringing a demand for more power. To meet these new requirements, a modern steam electric station of 2500 KVA

capacity, which afforded room for additional units, was erected in 1930. Since its completion, this station has

Ice Coínpany

been in continuous operation, offering a first class service. This plant has several features which differen-

tiate it from other plants in Puerto Rico. It is the only high pressure and high temperature steam plant in the Island, being designed for 400 Ibs. per square

inch gauge pressure and a temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Its main turbine, a "G.E.," 10-stage con-

densing unit of 2000 KW rating, is considered the largest steam unit in Puerto Rico.

For condensing purposes, sea water is used, and a vacuum of 28 inches of mercury is always maintained, this requiring little expense in power, since the water discharge pipes are sealed under sea level. All pumps and auxiliary equipment were installed in duplicate to

assure continuous operation of the station. The boiler feed-water system functions automaticalp" and is so designed that a constant water level is kept in the

boiler at all times independent of load variations. Excess water in the system is stored in surge tanks and is automatically used when needed. Power is gencrated at 2300 volts and stepped to 22,000 volts for transmission to the several sub-stations from which it is distril)uted at the lower tensión.

Agricultural statistics show a marked increase in

sugar cañe production in the Lajas district, a develop-

ment made possible by the extensión of the company's electric distribution lines to the cañe farms to meet

irrigation needs. Moreover, the Mayaguez Light, Power & Ice Company, through its service in the power field, has been instrumental in the advance of the im-

i

portant needlework industry in western Puerto Rico. The utility firm's policy is, "The Public Comes First," and its adherence to this motto is evidenced by

the enterprise it has exhibited in the promotion and The latest type of modern niachinery adds to the operating efficiency of this ptiblic tctility

extensión of public welfare through industrial advancement.

Communications THE foreign and domcstic communication facil-

also available by means of a direct circuit taking in the

ities of the Island of Puerto Rico leave little to be

South Porto Rico Sugar Company's station at En

desired. Two commercial cable companies and

senada.

a radio system keep the Island in touch with the rest

The equipment of the RCA station in Puerto Rico is modern in every respect. In addition to three com plete transmitting and four receiving units the station

of the world and an efficient Insular telegraph and

telephone system provides rapid communication with

has, as part of its installation, a gas engine driven

all parts of the interior.

electrical generating plant, capable of supplying sufficient power to maintain normal service under any conceivable operating conditions.

hidia

One cable company operating in the Island is the

Burean of Insular Telegraph

West India and Panama Telegraph Company, Ltd. The first cable from Puerto Rico was opened in 1877 by the West India and Panama Company. The com

The telegraphic communication sj-stem of the Island

pany received permission from the crown of Spain in May, 1869, to lay a cable between Cuba and Puerto Rico, to join with the cable between Cuba and the United States, which, in turn, had connection with

is operated by a unit of the Department of the Interior

the cable from the United States to Europe, establishing communication with Spain. The first instruments used were the Mirror signal-

throughout the Island and the telephonic service of

of the Government of Puerto Rico—known as the Bureau of Insular Telegraph.

The

ling apparatus, with hand keys. Recorders were used

in their place by 1900 and automatic sending apparatus with long distance recorders was used after 1922. In

burean

controls

the

telegraphic

service

twelve towns of the interior which are the following: Caguas, Cayey, Aibonito, Aguas Buenas, San Lorenzo, Gurabo, Juncos, Cidra, Villalba, Las Piedras, Guaynabo and Loíza Aldea. These stations use 537 pieces of telephone apparatus and extend over a net of Unes

1931 the present re-generator system was introduced, working direct to New York with a service of two minutes to New York, four to Chicago, and eight to

phone calis put through fluctuates between 33,000 and 40,000 during the year, providing an income of between

San Francisco.

$36,000 and $40,000.

covering 2,669 kilometers. The average of the tele

The Burean has 1,768 kilometers of Une connecting 82 telegraphic stations throughout the Island, and

All América All América Cables, Inc., opened a branch line

through them the cable and radio-telegraphic services are transmitted. The most important offices, such as

company has three offices in the Island and two dúplex

San Juan, Ponce, Mayaguez, etc., work continuously from 8:00 to 11:00, except on holidays, when they clos'e

cables connecting with New York from San offering very fast and up-to-date service to all parts of

give service continuously during the day and night.

from New York to Puerto Rico in 1921. Today the

the world. All América has greatly increased its range

at 11 :00 and re-open at 6:30. The telephone exchanges

The diñ'erent kinds of telegrams and rafes put

of activity in the past thirteen years and now has direct Unes all through the West Indies and in South

through by the telegraph service are : Commercial tel

América.

The latter are limited to 10 cents for each message

egrams, night letters, oíficial telegrams of the govern ment, press, múltiple and special service for Christmas. with special congratulatory texts.

RCA

An average of 400,000 telegrams is transmitted annually with an average income of $360,000.

As in all other parts of the world, modern business

The Burean has also established a telegraphic

men in Puerto Rico are relying more and more on direct radio communication to keep in contact with foreign commercial activities.

money order system which is rapid and efficient. A small fee is charged for the transmission and deliverv

This is accomplished through the services offered

of the telegraphic money orders. This activity bring's to the burean an income between $6.000 to $8,000

by the RCA Communications, Inc., system which reaches more than thirty foreign countries diiectly and

annually.

covers practically er^ery part of the world. RCA has operated a branch in the Island since 1927,

at Ceiba and the other at Vieques; also two heliogra-

offering fast and accurate service to all commercial

These are used for the transmission of telegraphic

centers via New York, New Orleans and Santo Do

communications between these islands and Puerto

mingo. Rapid communication with vessels at sea is

Rico.

The Burean has two radio-telegraphic stations, one phic stations, one at Vieques and one at Culebra.

113

Boletín Oficial

114

Porto Rico

Telephone Company ALIMITED system of telephone communication was in existence in Puerto Rico prior to the year 1889, but no considerable progress was madc until 1911, when the Porto Rico General Telephone Company was established. This company, a predecessor to the present Porto Rico Telephone Company, started an ambitious program of expansión and re-

habilitation and in two years strung an elabórate network of Unes over a large part of the Island. At the turn of the last century telephone exchanges for local service existed in San Juan, Ponce and Mayaguez, and only 35 miles of Une were in service, exclu sive of those operated by the Insular Telegraph sys tem. During 1912 and the early part of 1913, shortly after the Porto Rico General had taken hold, the foílowing improvements were made: New San Juan tele phone building, new central ofUce equipment in same building, new building and equipment in Santurce, new central office equipment at Mayaguez and Arecibo, and the establishment of some 340 kilometers of toll Unes.

The new central office equipment installed was of the central battery type and superseded the outmoded magneto ecjuipment.

Porto Rico Telef>hoiic Building, ¡wadguartrrs for the Com pany, and onc of the Isíand's inany ¡nodern office hitildings

The year 1913 saw considerably more improvement before it had run its course. Central offices were

opened at Lu(iuillo, Ceiba, Fajardo, Rio Grande, Ma meyes, Maunabo, Humacao, Yabucoa, Patillas, and X'aguabo. A new common battery plant was estab lished in Ponce, with two company buildings of mod-

ru

ern construction. Many other smaller exchanges were

rcconstructed and the battery system installed. From 1916 to 1918 still more extensi\'e improve

ments were undertaken in the ])lants at San Juan, San turce, Mayaguez, Aguirre, and other towns; new ex

changes were opened at Coamo and LTuado, and long distance Unes were completcd between se\'eral important points.

All througb the years the Porto Rico Telephone Comi)any has kept pace with the ])rogrcss of the Island, ex])anding and impro\-ing its ser\ icc in accordance with the needs of modern times,

hitteen years

ago the comjjany had 4,426 tele])hones connccted to the system. Today there are o\er 11,500 distributed among 68 exchanges, giving tele])hone communication

■

to ninety cities, towns and A'illages. During the yeai 19.32 the average daily number of local connections was 88,819 and the average daily number of long dis The Santurce Exchange

tance calis was 1,138.

Boletín Oficial

115

One of thc broadcasting studios at station 1VKAQ—locatcd in the Porto Rico Telephone Building, San Juan

—The

otee of Puerto Rico

Modern Broadcasting Station is Excellent Pubhcity Médium for Island

STATION WKAO, at San Juan, and its sister sta tion PWX,now known as CMC,of Habana, Cuba, werc the iirst radio transmitting stations established in the Antilles.

The Island's ñrst station was officially opened on

the third of December, 1922, and in the nionth of

ical location, was always the same when the powerful stations of the north went off the air.

But at any rate, the transmitter, which in 1922 was the best to be obtained, was not up to date and failed to complv with the requirements of the Federal Radio

August of that year word was received that during the

Commission. It became necessary to put this station out of business, or to set up a modern station. This

triáis of the installation of WKAQ the voice of Puerto Rico crossed the seas and was heard for more than

came at a time when oíd WKAO had for nearly ten years been sustaining losses, which certainly did not

2,000 miles, even with the more or less crude apparatus

serve as a stimulus to the installation of'new and

costly apparatus. But when the day approached upon

of that time.

Wdien this marvelous discovery was hardly out of

the laboratory stage, the now antiquated 500 watt

which WKAO had to cease its operations. and it had

been decided to abolish the station, the public began

transmitter was a wonderful ajíparatus, inasmuch as

to show interest, aftcr ten years of indifference

it combined all the progress realized by human in-

change on the part of the ])ublic, coinciding with nu-

genuity up to that time over a period of 3'ears of ex-

])eriment and investigation in the art of wireless transmission.

For a 1( ng' time station

RAO ^^as alde to main-

tain the liveíy interest aroused ten years ago on the part of its foreign audience, and thus became a power-

ful means of publicity for Puerto Rico. .And e\-en

though it be true thát the increase in number and

This

merous reciuests received from official centers and

from friends and acquaintances, recommending that

Puerto Rico not allow its radio station to disappeaV.

stimulated the Radio Corporation of Puerto Rico to take steps, installing the new RCOO watt transmitter

the latest model of the Western F.lectric Companv' which now ojierates WKAO. Transmitting on a'fre-

])otentiality of the transmitting stations in the United

quency of 1.240 kilocycles. WKAO broadcasts everv

States moderated in sonie degi ee the Island s relations with its friemis of the continent. it is only a few months since that it was amply demonstrated that the

has been (luadruplcd. representing an inervase of eiglíl;

range of the oíd \\'KAO, due perhaps to its geograph-

times the range of the oíd transmitter.

day from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from (1 to lOalO p.ni .As a result of this installation the power of AVK AO

American Railroad

The

An Kfficient 'Transportation System Serving the E7itire Island

I

A SPr «ir

"" •"i'

íllllllflí bOff1fMtiltSá

San Juan Terminal and General Ojfices

The american railroad, which circles approximately three-quarters of the Island of

The beginnings of the system can be traced back some forty-six years. On April 15th, 1888, the Government of Spain, by Royal Decree, granted to the

Puerto Rico, is the principal road in the Island and constitutes the backbone of its domestic trans

Spanish engineer, Don Ivo Bosch y Puig, a concession

portation system. A thoroughly modern and efficient

for the construction and operation of a railroad in the Island of Puerto Rico. Another Royal Decree, dated June 8th, 1888, approved the transfcr of the concession

freight and passenger service is maintained along the north, west, and south coasts, the total mileage being 359 kilometers, or approximately 222.5 miles. The

from Mr. Bosch to the "Compañía de los Ferrocarriles

main line frorn San Juan to Ponce and from Martín Peña to Carolina totals 286 kilometers or 177 miles

and there are 46 kilometers or 28.5 miles of secondary

de Puerto Rico." This company was organized in

Madrid, Spain, and began work in the Island on Oc-

hne between Cabo Rojo-Boquerón-Lajas and Sabana

tober I5th, 1888.

&ande. In addition there are 17 kilometers or about 10.5 miles of spurs.

fever, which caused the death of many of the skilled

The company operates also a regular freight and passenger service over the Unes of the Fortuna Rail

Lack of local technical personnel and the ycljow

laborers who came from Europe, delayed the construc tion of the Une and not until March 8th, 1891, was the

company able to inaugúrate its service in the section

road Company and the Ponce and Guayama Railroad the Ponce & Guayama Line. In

addition, it operates over the Unes of the Fajardo Development Company and "Compañía de los Ferro carriles del Este," from Carolina to Humacao. The

railroad service of the American Railroad Company

from San Juan to Arecibo. When the United States declared war on Spain, the following disconnected tions were constructed: San Juan-Carolina-Arecibo,

124.5 kilometers (about 83 miles) ; Aguadilla-Hormigueros, 55 kilometers (34 miles) ; Ponce-Yauco, 34.a kilometers (21 miles).

a so extends to the Unes of the Porto Rico Railway

When the Island severed its official relations with

Light and Power Company, which operates a railway service between Río Piedras and Caguas.

Spain, the company obtained a new franchise from

Since its inauguration the railroad has been the

the Executive Council of Puerto Rico and also finan-

undamental factor in the development of agricuiture and industry in the Island and is especiallv identified with the progress of the sugar industry, the Ufe blood

the Island. In 1904, the section between Hormigueros

cial aid to proceed on the work of construction. en couraged bv the prospects of increased prospenty m

TI Almost all adjacent the sugarto milis in the Island naveRico. been established the railroad Une as it has been their principal means of communication between the producing lands and the sea ports.

and Aguadilla, and in 1906 the section between Camuy and Aguadilla, were completed. In this way the rail road from Ponce to San Juan was ready to serve the

public as one unit, beginning December .31st,

116

">•

Boletín Oficial

117

In I92ü the "Compañía Ferroviaria de Circunvala ción de Puerto Rico" was organized and acquired the control of the "Compañía de los Ferrocarriles de Puerto Rico" and of the American Railroad Company of Porto Rico, which opcrates the Une of the former, in that way obtaining" from foreigners the ownership of the Island's fundamental and most important rail road systcni. Since 1920 the company has been under the man

agement of i\Ir. E. S. Jiménez, assisted by a Puerto Rican staff. During this period important imi)rovements havc been carried out on the line, buildings, structures, bridges, rolling stock and shops, modernizing the system in such a way that it can be advantageously comparcd with any road of its size. The management has spared neither effort ñor expense to bring the road up to its present standard of efficienc}'. All the locomotives have been rehttcd to burn fuel oil instead of coal; oíd bridges have been remodelled and reconstructed, and 60 pound American rails have been substituted for the cid European rails of 40 pounds. A good many of the oíd wooden stations of yesterday are now fine concrete structures; fuel oil stations and water reservoirs, as well as ma-

chinery in the shops, have been electrified. Public sidings for the beneíit of shippers have been constructed along the line, and comfortable autocars and steel cars have been added for passenger service.

The following figures will give an indication of the progress of the line during the last twenty years, by ten-year periods:

Year 1910 1920 1930

Tons Hauled 1,244,341 1,535,674 1,740,306

Passengers Transported 309,900 668.478 359,758

tf

The American Railroad eiteireles ihe catire 1stand

Notwithstanding the physical improvements made to the line and the efficienc}" of the service the un-

rcgulated keen competition of the motor vehicles is a serious problem with which the company has had to deal, a condition which all the railroads of the world are facing at present. Eike most other public utilities in the world, the company gives great attention to the w"elfare of its employees, maintaining a perfect organization and medical staff to take care of accidents and assist sick

employees. Annual vacations with pay, pensions after long years of service and a group life insurance policy are also features of this social welfare policy.

The "Cail" ¡ocoinoti^r tiscd in the inauguration of the railroad of Puerto Rico, March Sth, 1S91. ¡n October, 1929, the General Manager of the American Rail road Company, Mr, C. S. .liménec, donatcd this locomotive to Mr. Ilcnry Ford,

same being e.rhibitcd at Mr. Ford's Industrial Muscum at Dcarborn, Michigan

Boletix Oficial

118

P*.«i

is- ra 1^ /,

H jB 'B "f

ktn

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sasvgiis Ovcr tií'cnty-two million passengers are írausporled ycarly by llic IVhile Slar Bus Liar

ff^hite Star Bus Bine THOSE unfamiliar with Puerto Rico may be surprised to learn that the City of San Juan and vicinity is served by a system of bus transporta-

tion which is equal to that of many cities in the United States. Twenty-two million passengers a year are carried by this system, which, on certain occasions has

served over one hundred thousand patrons in a single day.

This transportation service, known as the White Star Bus Line, Inc., has an exclusive franchise for

motor bus operation between San Juan and Río Pie dras (seven miles distant). A fl eet of some one hun dred and twenty-five buses maintains, over this route,

a strict schedule which, at periods of peak traffic, calis

Beginning January Ist, 1927, the cumpany undertook to work out an orderly and comprehensivo system designed particularly to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding community. Patterning their service after the best transportation systems operated in the larger cities of the States, White Star officials studied routes, laid out schedules, trained a stafif of starters, inspectors

and mechanics, developed a crew of skillful drivers, and instituted a bonus system for employees who turned in good records. How well the White Star staff functioned is indicated by the fact that the number of street accidents dropped 90 per cent in one year.

But it was only through tireless and unremitting

one considers that San Juan, because of its topography,

effort that all this was accomplished. The White Star Bus Line was tremendously handicapped at the outset. Under its franchise agreement, the company had to purchase all the buses formerly operated by independ-

is no cross-town traffic.

in oíd and worn-out vehiclcs of various makes.

for one bus a minute.

The service thus ofifered is truly remarkable when

offers a rather peculiar transportation problem. There

From San Juan Plaza to Sun-

oco, a distance of four and three-quarters miles, most

of the traffic is along a single highway and the narrow streets in downtown San Juan and in Río Piedras make

.^^"^''ísrable difficulty in motor transportation. the inauguration of the White Star Line the busBefore situation in San Juan and vicinity presented a pie-

ture of chaos.

More than two hundred independent

jitney owners ran unregulated in the streets.

Cut-

throat competition was rife. Drivers engaged in races or fares, and major accidents were almost daily occurrences.

Conditions fi nally necessitated government inter ven tion. Casting about for a suitable solution to the proldem, the authorities ultimately requested the White Star Bus Line to take over an exclusive fran

ents, necessitating an investment of more than $600,000 The

franchise also called for the employment of the drivers

of these independable machines—men untrained in

providing organized public service. The White Star Túne lost no time in whipping this

organization into shape.

Tntelligent personnel man

agement soon produced a crew of dri\-ers which could be depended upon to work efficiently. and as time went

on the Cfjmpany acciuired new "rolling stock," gradually replacing the inferior buses with wliich they had been saddled originally.

In seven short years the transportation picture in San Juan has und'ergone grcat change. _ Today the White Star Bus T.ine owns its own terminal garages,

an extensi^'e series of sheds. all concrete and steel, with

spacc for more than two hundred buses. The majority

chise for motor transportation in the metrópolis and

nf these buse.s are Oeneral Motors coache.s. the firm

environs.

having found, after a series of triáis, that these give

Boletín Oficial

119

which has a large number of units in constant operation. White Star has given this problem due considcration and has taken advantage of the service ofifered

by the U. S. Rubber Export Company, Ltd., on U. S. Royal Tires. All tires are card indexed at the adminis tración offices and a constant check on their period of service is fiad.

Provisión is made in this card index

for notations explaining in detail the life of the tire and when the tire is finally discarded a definite record is on hand of the actual mileage service. Newlv manufactured stocks are carried continu-

ously and the best available service and technical advice is maintained by the U. S. Rubber Export Co., Ltd., through their office in San Juan for the White Star Bus Line and the consuming public. Throughout the development of the White Star Slio/^s of thc Auto Rody Corforation, a siibsidiary of ihe

Bus Line officials have been on the constant lookout

for new ideas and possibilities for improvement of ser

U'hilc Star Bus l.inc

vice. From time to time traffic experts from the United excellent scrvico. The buses used are similar to those

used in all largc bus systems in the United States and have a capacity of twenty-five persons each. Not only has the White Star Line its own garages, but also includes in its plant specially built paint shops, and repair depots. A subsidiary company, the Auto Bodj'' Corporation, now builds all of the bus bodies, it having been the practice for the past several years to import only the General Motors chassis, as complete bodies can be built locally. The Auto Body Corpora tion has facilities for turning out over 45 complete bod ies a year, and they are of a style and workmanship fully ec[ual to anything produced in the United States. Out of a total of 600 employees in the White Star Bus system, at least seventy are regularly employed in the body plant. The question of tire service is one which is of con siderable importance to a transportation company

States are retained to study the system and make suggestions. Rafael Arcelay, the president and general manager, on one occasion spent a year in the United

States studying traffic problems, and visiting automotive plants with the idea of improving his knowledge of construction and repair methods. While outside traffic men have been occasionally retained, the real credit for developing the s^'stem must

be given to officials and emplo3'ees of the White Star Line itself. The cooperation that the line has had from employees has been the fullest since the beginning, and this is, no doubt, largely due to the policy which offi cials have pursued throughout the line's existence. Every attention has been paid to the welfare of em

ployees. As in many another public utility, inter-department athletics is encouraged and other activities are sponsored. As might be expected, the company maintains group insurance and similar benefits for all employees.

B

'mas»aaK«9

Oiic of the (jaracies—ui'cr 200 busos can be houscd at oiic timo

The Pleasant Clímate of Puerto Pico "By F. E. Hartwell, Meteo7^ologist U. S.

eather Burean

The inclemencies of northern winters invariably drive the residents of rigorous climates to seek

succession; but statements to the eítect that "it rains

surcease of discomfort. The lure of the tropics is therefore very strong during winter months, particularly after the "holidays," "when the days begin

exaggerations.

to lengthen and the cold begins to strengthen." TÍiis oíd jingle is well founded in fact, due to the lag of weather conditions following the solstices. But the devotee of the tropics has much to choose from, and choosing unwisely, is sure to be disappointed. If he goes too far south he arrives at the doldrums, where the heat is almost insupportable. If he is too

every afternoon and you can almost set j'our watch by the time the daily rain begins" are unjustifiable Being within the trade-wind zone, a daily breeze may be expected in Puerto Rico, causing rapid evaporation (records indícate a total of some seven feet of water per year evaporated from an open surface of fresh water exposed to wind and sun)! This saving grace mitigates the effect of the tropical sun and makes Puerto Rico a pleasant place even in the summer

near the continent, his retreat is often visited by

months—a pleasant place to gain rest from the strains of business, to learn something of the problcms and

"northers," so that an "unusual season" leaves him

hopes of this verdant Island, to take a course in sum

wishing he had stayed at home, where he knows that the weather will be uncomfortable, and where he will be prepared for it.

mer school, or simply to "loaf." Breeze and shade, always available, make visits to Puerto Rico enjoyable even in the warmest months.

distance from the continent to insure a "marine" or

equable climate, a tropical latitude within the tradewind zone (18 degrees north), and variations of ele-

The Warm Months

vation ideal as a winter resort. The "northers" never

affect Puerto Rico unpleasantly, as reference to temperature statistics readily shows;

San Juan (north coast) Average daily máximum Average daily mínimum Highest recorded I.owest recorded

The Cocí Months

San Juan (north coast)

January February March 80.0 69.7 88

80.3 69.4 90

80.7 69.8 91

Average daily máximum Average daily mínimum Plighest recorded

Lowest recorded

63

62

63

Lowest recorded

Lowest recorded

77.0 58.8 89

77.7 58.0 88

78.9 58.4 89

43

43

40

85.3

85.4

86.1

Average daily mínimum

65.5

65.3

66.0

Ponce (south coast) Average daily máximum Average daily mínimum Highest recorded Lowest recorded

Aug.

84.9 75.0

85.4 75.4

85.8 75.0

91

93

70

68

94 69

83.5 65.3

84.1 65.5

90 52

90 52

89.8 72.3 95 58

90.7 72.5 96 64

84.3 63.9 90 51 90.3

72.3 98 68

In Puerto Rico, the days are usually brilliant and sparkling, while the nights are conducive to sleep. Rain usually is in the form of sharp showers. Indeed, many

Ponce (south coast) Average daily máximum

Sept

Juiy

Aibonito (mountains)

Average daily máximum Average daily mínimum Highest recorded

Aibonito (mountains) Average daily máximum Average daily mínimum Highest recorded

And these months—as

the following table shows—are not as hot as the stranger to the tropics is inclined to believe.

Puerto Rico combines the advantages of sufhcient

whose work is indoors do not even own raincoats or

Highest recorded 90 90 91 Lowest recorded 57 55 58 These extremes of the coolest months mean much

rubbers.

to the cold-weary mortal. They mean that "wraps" may be stowed away in moth-proof bags and forgotten.

They mean sun and fresh air throughout one's stay. They mean open doors and freedom from the dry harshness of artificial heat. They mean verdure at all seasons, which is restful and charming.

_ In addition to these salubrious temperatures, the rainfall in the winter months is at its lowest ebb, thus it is a rare occasion indeed when one must stay indoors

The briefest study of the climate of our "Isle of Lnchantment" would be misleading and incomi)lete without mention of the dreaded hurricane.

The de-

structive area of the average storm of this type is probably a degree of latitude or less in width. The zone where these storms form and move is perhaps

12 degrees or 15 degrees widc. Puerto Rico's width exposed to the direction whence they come is scarcely more than half a degree. Plalf or more of the storms origínate farther west, and, traveling westward, are never a menace to Puerto Rico. The other half or less

all day,

may be in a position to cause uneasiness and occasional modérate to heavy damage here, but the zone of hurri

The annual amounts of rain are comparable on the north coast with parts C)f New Lngland; in the mountains, with the coast of Washington and Oregon

cane activity is so broad and Puerto Rico so narrow

that anxiety usually ends in a long drawn sigh of relief. For example, the season of 1933 was one of the

or parts of the Gulf coast; and on the sf)uth coast, with the Middle West oí the United States where the rain-

most active on record, nearly twenty disturbances having been recorded during the four and a half months

fall is more seasonal and where irrigation is often advantageous.

Much of the rainfall of Puerto Rico is conventional, recurring at nearly the same hour for some days in

ending the first week of November. Yet not one of these affected Puerto Rico except in the furnishing of rain for crops!

120

121

Boletín Oficial

San Juan air viezu shoivitig Munoa Rivera Park, npper left; Base Ball Park, ccntcr; Escambron Bcach Club, riglil, aiid San Gerónimo Castle in tbe forcground

Isle of Enchanfmenf for fhe Tourist PUERTO RICO, the Isle of Enchantment, possesses evcn today much of the virgin tropical

season, has an average temperatura of 76 degrees, a rainfall of 77 inches and at all seasons of the year the

charm that was hers over four hundred years ago

trade winds and frequent showers (of short duration)

when Columbus first viewed the Island.

While she

cool and freshen the air.

offers, for the tourist's comfort, all that modern civil-

More variation in scenic beauty is not to be found

ization demands, yet she still presents her great nat ural charms over land and seascape just as when the Great Navigator and Ronce de León originally set

in any other Island in the Caribbean. Mountains, plains, and luxuriant valleys, all are to be found in Puerto Rico. From the Island's palm-fringed shores

foot 011 her verdant shores.

to the towering mountain peak. El Yunque, soaring 5,000 feet into the sapphire skies, there are ever chang-

The Island is blessed with a uniformity of climate, yet one free from monotony. It knows no wet or dry

ing vistas, rivalling those of any country in the world. A

network

of

marvellously

constructed

roads

traverses the Island conveniently connecting every one

of the seventy-six municipalities. Included in the system of roads are highways built centuries ago, and the Military Highway rivals the Appian Way of the Caesars. The wonderful panoramas revealed to the traveler from these excellent mountain roads have gaincd the Island the soubriquet, "The Switzerland of .\merica."

Rich in haunting associations of a noble past, vital with the energy and purpose of modern life, adorned with the lure of tropical loveliness. Puerto Rico, the Rich Port of the fabled Spanish Main, makes a vivid ap]ieal to the imagination of visitors. San Juan's for-

tresses, full of historie lore, will greatly repav the traveler's visit to thcm. Tiicn there is La Fortaleza, the

borne of the Governor, flanked on one side bj- the oíd San Juan Gate, and on the other by the San Cristo A scction of the century oíd fortifications vhich ai one time eoinpletely enrireled San Juan

Cdiapel, the smallcst church in the world, built as a shrine in the days of Ponce de León. Then too there

122

Boletín Oficial

cuisine, nota])ly the famcnis Condado in San Juan and the Melia, in Ponce, are e\-er read}' to make the visitor comfíjrtable.

E.xcellent restaurants, fashionable clubs,

gay resorts, all combine to assure the tourist the utmost in pleasure and relaxation. Transi)ortation to and from Puerto Rico, and in the Island itself is fre(juent, con\ enient and efficient. The Porto Rico Line maintains a swift weckly express steamer service from and to Xew York, while the Bull

Insular and the Red D Lines ha\e passenger and freight steamers making weekly trips to and from Puerto Rico. The Bull Insular Line maintains a pas senger and freight ser\ ice from Philadel])hia, Xorfolk, A driz'e throngh the interior rez'cals scenic beauly unsurfiassed in the Nezo lí'orld

is the oidest cathedral on American soil where the

remains of the visionary first governor of the Island, this same Ponce de León, lie. Everywhere in the capital city are the shrines of saint, explorer and hero. On the south coast lies Ponce, La Perla del Sur,

and Baltimf)re. From the Gulf ports the Wkiterman Line covers the Tampa, Mobile, and X"ew Orleans area

in a ten-day passenger and freight service. The Porto Rico Line and the Lykes Line maintain a X'^ew Orleans and other Gulf ports service. Those who are air-minded will fi nd the regular network of airlines of the Pan .American Airways, and

a city of 90,000 retaining more of its oíd Spanish atmosphere than any other city in the Island. At quaint Coamo Springs, between Ponce and Barranquitas, one may learn of the legend of Ponce de Leon's search for the Fountain of Youth. As he travels, the visitor will hear that he can find no more charming land than that in the hill country of Villalba, Jayuaya, Adjuntas, and Lares.

At Hormigueros, on the western side of the Island, is one of the most famous of all churches, and at San Germán is the oldest Christian edifice in the entire

Western Hemisphere, still in a fine state of preservation. One of the outstanding shrines in the West Indies is Trujillo Alto., and further inland is Aguas Buenas, where some of the popular caves are located—

the scene of extensive archeological research. In Puerto Rico all sports may be indulged in the entire year around. Golf, tennis, swimming, sailing, fishing, horse races, and in fact, any form of diversión is always in season. Sea bathing may be enjoyed any month in the year at the beautiful "Riviera of Amér

One is reniinded of the glories of an ancient past—the century oíd proinenade of Juan Ponce de León

ica," the Escambron Beach Club, where visitors are

always welcome. Plotels, modern and with excellent

there is a tri-weekly service between Miami and Puerto Rico. The Sikorsky planes of the Pan American take but twelve hours fiying time from Miami. On the Island there are all modern types of transportation. San Juan has an electric trolley s^'stem and excellent bus ser\ ice.

The .American Railroad Com-

pany lines practically encircle the Island. Other lands have their climatic attractions, and

other islands in tropic seas have their charm, but there are none that can be reached in such short space of

time as can Puerto Rico, and which oliícr the advaantages to the tourist which are to be had in this gem of the .Antilles.

"See .América First" is a slogan which includes Puerto Rico as much as it does Colorado or California.

Thirty years of cióse association and the sharing of

national citizenship ha\'e cemented the relationships of the Island community and the mainland. In Puerto Rico the visitor from the United .States is in his own San (jeroninto—hiit one of the inany ancient fortifieations zehich ZL'ill interext the tourist

home and the people of the Island stand ready to extend tf) him a sincere welcome.

123

Boletín Oficial

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Cooled by tlie cvcr preiwlinq Trade ll'iiids—t/ie Condado Hotel—hy thc Sea, zvith its swimming pool, tennis courts, dance pavílion and beautiful gardens affords every facility for comfort and plcasnre to the tourist and traveler

The Condado Hotel INboasts ITS amagnificent Condado Hotel, Puerto Rico hosteiry ranking with the foremost re-

water swimming pool, one of the best of its kind. This

this "Isle of Enchantment."

natatorium, measuring 75 feet by 35 feet and with depths ranging from 4^ feet to feet, cost $75,000 to build. It has won the high praise of Miss Aileen Riggin, noted swimmer and fancy diver, and of Miss Gertrude Ederle, conqueror of the English Channel.

Built on a narrow península in a fashionable residential suburb of San Juan, the Condado, a striking

The former initially dedicated it, while the latter conducted a swimming class at the pool during the winter

sorts of the world's premier spas. The famed Condado offers a type of service and accommodations

befitting the delightful climate and natural beauty of

edifice representing an investment of nearly $2,000,000,

overlooks the Atlantic Ocean on one prospect and

pretty Condado Bay on the other. It is easily reached from downtown San Juan by either trolley or motor.

season of 1931.

A luxurious, verdure-banked cabaret offers dining and dancing amid brilliant surroundings, and a cool

beer garden is a further enticement. There is nightly

The hotel, staunchly constructed of reinforced con crete, embodies the simi)le and tasteful lines of carlv

entertainment for guests ; and those who wish t('> slip

This fi ne structurc—a modern .American hostelry in all its facilities—contains more than 100 bedrooms,

hotel accommodations for the traveler

Spanish Mission style. With whitc e.Kterior walls and Spanish tile roofing, it is, moreover, entirely fi rcproof.

each with ])rivate bath. Its rooms, furnished for true comfort, may lie had singly or in suites. Brices nevertheless are modérate.

.Sjiort and entertainment facilities at the hotel have earned it a wide reputation. Bathing is aíforded, not

onlv at the beach, but also in the large, open air. salt-

away for langourous canoeing will fi nd craft to accom-

mod.ate them on calm Condado Bay.

In all its principal cities, Pucrto'Rico has adequate and tourist.

There are several fi rst-class hotels in San Juan i)roi)er

offering all modern conveniences, notably the Hotel

Palace. This ccnter, located in the heart of the city near all banks, theatres, govcrnment buildings, and business houses, affords from its ipiper stories a splen-

did panorama of the capítol and of beautiful San Juan

Harbor bevond.

124

Boletix Oficial

For over 40 years "The Melia" has been known throughout the West Indics

Hotel Melia SYNONYMOUS with Ponce is The Melia, outstanding hosteiry of the "Pearl of the South," long famed both here and abroad. The Melia, a modern

where lodgings were provided on the upper floor, but this makeshift arrangement soon gave way to the present fine hotel structure. It has been pointed out, inci-

structure erected in 1916, was the ñrst in Puerto Rico

dentally, that the Hotel Melia was never officially

to provide bath and telephone in every room. From year to year, it continúes to increase its patronage and

named—but there was no need for such titling, since

reputation for service.

Comprising a triple institution—a store, a restau

rant, and a hotel—the Melia today occupies the same location on Ponce's charming Plaza as when Don Bar tolomé Melia, its proprietor, first started in business in

1895, nearly forty years ago. The Melia has enjoyed a rich history in this span of years. Don Bartolomé first came to Ponce from Mallorca

to establish a "colmado," or grocery store. It was not long before the fine foods and delicious wines he im-

ported from Spain, France, Italy, and Germany won him numerous customers; and then a restaurant in connection with his store was demanded, for the pa-

trons were cjuick to insist upon a cafe where they

might be served such delicacies directly on the premises.

the ñame has always been one and inse])arable with this popular center. If the Melia food is far famed, so has been its oíd

mahogany bar. Idle and dust covered for fifteen years, it has nevertheless been well preserved and its restoration is now complete, prohibition having been re-

pealed. The delightul Melia patio, under spreading grape vines and banked by rose bushes, also demands mention. Here, in fair weather, breakfast and dinner are served.

"The Melia and Mike" are forcmost in the recollections of the thousands of travelers who ha\'e come

to Ponce from all corners of the globe. "Mike' has been associated with Mr. Melia for ftilly thirty-five

years, a period of service in which he has risen from bus boy to manager. Flis true ñame is Miguel Aguilo —but few know it. "Mike" is simply "Mike," just as

third step in this logical growth was the Flotel

the world knows Oscar of the Waldorf without know-

cuisme, constituted a large clientele needing a head-

ing his súmame. Presidents, generáis, senators, famed artists, and leading business men have responded to "Mike's" cheery welcome and solicitous "adiós, and

Mena itself. Travelers, enticed by Df)n Bartolome's quarters during both their business and pleasure trip.s

to 1 once. Initially, an adjoining l)uild;ng was ac(|uired

"Mike" has never been known to forgct a namc.

.-It Codillo .S'h''iii;j.i, dii inti'i-cslino ta'ü-

hoiir dri-c'c from San ./lian, one fiiids the "foniitain of youth" of Foncc de León. The hcalth gii-ing propertics of the natural hot sitiphnr hatlis attract

ilioiisands yearly.

equipped

A

modern locll

hotel, hcautiful gardens,

ainii.ieineiit facilities, add lo the de\-lrahilily of Canino Springs for a rrst or z-aealion

'The Escambron Beach Club MODELLED aftcr thc famous spas of Europe, thc Escambron Beach Club oí San Juan is the only (lc\'elopmcnt of its kind in the

est In-

dies. Its widespread popularity has been won by virtue of its natural sea bathing- beach completely set off from

the ocean pro])er by a specially-constructed protective iron screen design by the Escambron's owner anu builder, Benítez Rexach.

Tía

A positive safeguard against all dangerous fish, the screen, nevertheless, allows the regular inward flow of the cool ocean water. Prior to this important development, beach bathers of Puerto Rico and the adjacent

Antilles had no such protection. Beach swimmine was a hazardous sport.

In making the Escambron the leading attraction

The bathing beach at Escambron, zeith part of thc cabanas

that it is—a foremost Riviera—Mr. Rexach has spared

neithcr time ñor money. Opened to the public since August, 1932, the plant is not yet entirely complete, though more than $165,000 has been expended to date in its construction. AVhen finally finished, the Escam bron will represent a total investment of fully $2/a,000.

in the background

season, moreover, prominent orchestras, artists, and

other attractions from both the States and Europe are rctained by the club. The Escambron is widely reputed, likewise, for the excellence of the food served in its modern, tastefully

designed restaurant. Both day and night, this service is open to its guests. In short, the Escambron Beach Club ably filis all the needs of rest and recreation. The club proper is spacious, easily accommodating five hundred guests at one time; and thus this res(.)rt center has quickl}^ beconie the focal point of manj^ of the Island's social activities, attracting the better class of Puerto Ricans and tourists.

The famous Escambron promcnadc; a comfortable sctliiig in zí'hich to zi'hilc azoay a Icisure hoiir

Finally, in accordance with the thorough plans laid out by Mr. Rexach, the Escambron has become a firstclass resort hostelry. Fifty three-room apartments were recently completed for its patrons; and these accommodations. moreover, will shortly be doubled, when fifty additional apartments, now in the course of con struction, are open to the club's clientele. The new facilities are meeting the insistent demands on the part of travelers and Islanders, alike, who have long en-

joyed the de luxe service and recreational opportunities Bathing facilities at this enticing resort are espc-

of the Escambron Beach Club.

cially complete, this beautiful beach-bordered pool be-

ing able to accommodate more than 5,000 bathers at one time, covering as it does fully twelve acres. Along the shore stand several hundred cabanas-—comfortable bath houses—each ñtted with its own individual show-

er.

Fnr swimmcr, and novice surf-bather alikc, the

club oñ'ers everything that may be desired. The cxjrert finds rafts, diving boards, and diving tower; for thc beginncr, on the other hmid. swimming belts and proficient instructors are available at all times. Over the retaining screen enclosing the pool, a board walk has lieen constructed—a popuku" prome-

nadc on moonlight nights. The walk also aft'ords hshermen a convcnient si)ot to indulge in theii sport. Of varied entertaininent, there is plentv at thc Es cambron Beach Club. A casino, similai to those at

celebrated Europcan resorts, is open fiom noon until dawn ; and a cabaret with two orchestras entertains thc

Onc of thc magnificcntíy decorated cabarets, featuring a

guests each evening. Iluring the "winter and tourist

specially designed glass jioor

125

Boletín Oficial

126

Treasure Island

Camps Air z-ievj of Trcastirc Island Cainf>s

TRULY alluring are the Treasure Island Camps in the Cidra district of Puerto Rico, thirty-five miles by road from San Juan, where one may go

Sports, games, and outdoor recreation i)lay a leading part in the Treasure Island program. Tennis, swimming, and horseback riding are offered, and an

for either healthful rest or varied recreation.

excellent athletic field has been laid out for baseball

Ensconced in the midst of an enchanting country of forests, fields, and streams, this resort is attractively cool, for it lies at an elevation of 1,500 feet on the Island's central platean. The haven attained, one looks down over the famed Treasure Island fruit plantations,

and similar sports. There have been several hard fought ball games between the English and American colonies, and tennis tourneys are frequent. Moonlight dances in this romantic setting are bright occasions of

beyond to the wooded landscape, then afar to the blue

This spring a golf course was completed, and other attractions are planned to further augment the list of activities. Mention, too, must be made of the boys' camp división instituted last summer—an important endeavor in the promotion of outdoor life and the camp

mountains in the distance.

The Treasure Island Camps are directed by their founder, E. M. Ellsworth. Arriving from Massachu-

the evening.

idea.

Wholesome home cooking describes the cuisine. Many of the foods, such as peas, beans, potatoes, strawberries, and fresh fruit, are supplied by the Treasure Island plantations. Tourists taking advantage of the scenic Puerto Rico "loop trip" will note that this enticing retreat lies half way along their route. They are invited to arrange for a stay in order to derive full cnjoyment from its nat ural beauty and delightful mountain climate.

A novel develü¡^ment—the tourist loill find rest, recreation and comfort

setts fifteen years ago, Mr. Ellsworth quickly realized the need for a resort in the cool, interior heights of the

I.sland, and in the summer of 1931 he finally brought

r.-íí?

his dream to fruition when Treasure Island was initi-

r.

ally opened with an inaugural party attended by the Governor and other Puerto Rican leaders.

Ellsworth plant consists of a spacious main lodge, a smaller prívate lodge, and a groujj of cight cabins—picturcsque structures of modified native de-

^gn, fashioned, wherever possible, of native materials. Each cabin, moreover, includes all modern conven-

V-

-i-ífevA..¿V..M.;V* :iV A'*-...

.yíJi'-'VÍ I- •

lences. The camp site, located far enough awav from the public highway to insure the privacy and seclusion essential in a resort of this kind, is reached by a good private road.

The children rniov the many atlracfions al Treasure Island

i

Casino de

Puerto Rico

Casino de Puerto Rico in San Juan—onc of the leading social clubs in ihe Island

THE "Casino de Puerto Rico" carne to life as a social center on June 24, 1917, being the brilliant

Mr. Juan de Guzmán Benitez was appointed in his stead.

outcome of the endeavor of a group of noted pa-

The Administrative Board of the "Casino de Puer

triots who for a long time yearned for the establish-

to Rico" was appointed thus: In the meeting of the incorporators held on January 23, 1911, the first board was appointed and the same met on February the lOth, 1912, to choose its officers. The following gentlemen were elected: Mr. Juan Hernández López, President; Mr. Pedro de Aldrey, Vice-president; Mr. Ramón Aboy Benitez, Treasurer; Mr. José Ruiz Soler, Secretary, and as Directors: Messrs. Eduardo Giorgetti, Ramón

ment of a Puerto Rican center of amusement which

could be in harmony with the importance and general progress of the city of San Juan. Its inauguration was a gaudy event of lasting remembrance.

The first organizing ccmmission was established in the year 1910 under the presidency of Dr. Francisco del Valle y\tiles. Esq., with the purpose of drawing up a project of the statutes of the borning society. In

H. Delgado, Rafael Balseiro, José Gómez Brioso, Juan

March of the same year the joint resolution No. 11 of

de Guzmán Benitez, Francis H. Dexter, Rafael Vélez

the Eegislature of Puerto Rico granted a lot of 5,696

López and Luis H. Toro. Since then Don Juan Her

meters to the end of cooperating with the construction

nández López remained as President till the inaugura

and maintenance in the city of San Juan of a "casino"

tion of the Society, on June 24, 1917, and from that moment on till March of 1921, where Mr. Salvador

(social center), that would respond to the social necessities and the development of general culture.

Mestre was elected President for the term of two years,

The statutes of the "Casino de Puerto Rico," al-

at the expiration of which Mr. Juan Hernández López

though approved bythe organizing commission of 1910,

was reelected and stayed in the Presidencv till the 31 st of March, 1930. On that date, Dr. I. González Martínez

were not registere'd in the office of the Secretary of Puerto Rico until after the incorporation of the two associations that intervened in the construction of the

was elected President, and by successive renominations has remained in the Presidencj- ever since.

these two corporations were named "Asociación Con

Mr. Ramón .\bov Benitez, Mr. Federico Calaf, Mr. Jaime Calaf, Mr. Fernando Calimano Villodas, Mr. Eduardo Giorgetti, Mr. Eduardo J. González, Mr. Man

building and the organization of the social center;

structora del Edificio del Casino de Puerto Rico" and Asociación Casino de Puerto Rico."

uel González, Mr. A. J. Griff. Mr. .^rturo Lluberas, Mr. H. A. G. McCormick, Mr. Mario Mercado, the

The incorporators of the first of these two associa tions were the following; Messrs. Juan Hernández López, T.uis Toro, Ramón H. Del.gado, Pedro de Al-

Valdés family, Mr. Clotilde Santiago Rivera and Mr.

drey, I.uis Sánchez Morales, Juan de Guzrnán Benitez,

of money to make possibíe the erection of the splendid

Rafael Balseiro, Manuel F. Ros.sy, Jo.se Gómez Brioso

Santiago Veve, generously contributed with large sums building which is now the propertv of the "Casino de Puerto Rico." These gentlemen were invested with

and José Ruiz Soler. On Novcmber 26, 1910, the first

board of directors was ap]^oirited, being its Pre.sident

Mr. Eduardo Giorgetti, Esq., Juan Hernández López, Vice-]iresident; Mr. T- P- Silva, Treasurer; Mr. José Ruiz Soler, Secretaré, and as Directors: Messrs.'Ra-

mém Aboy Benitez, Ramón H. Delgado, Pedro de Al-

the title of Protecting Members (Socios Protectores). The construction of the Iniilding of the "Casino de Puerto Rico" cost the sum of $90.693.33 and its furniture and equipment amounted to $22.379.96.

The "Casino de Puerto Rico," in spite of the downfall which it experienced after the cvclone of San

drey, Rafael Balseiro, Luis Sánchez Morales, J. de

Guzmán Benitez, T.uis Toro, Valentín Morales, Manuel

Felipe, and in s]úte of the deep depression which was

F. Rossy and Jaime Calaf.

world-wide, developed splendidly, and during the past

By the resignation of Messrs. Giorgetti and Silva from their respective offices of 1 resident and Treas urer, Mr. Luis Sánchez Morales was appointed President and Mr. Francisco Soto Gras, Tieasurer, on Jan-

two years has been functioning as in its best times. In addition to its glamorous Carnival Balls, fcstivals and

entertainments are held every Friday evening. The

uary the lOth, 1914; and Mr. José Ruiz Soler, having

Inlliard hall, the reading room, the bar and the res

resigned bis position as Secretary of the organization.

taurant are constantly opencd to the members.

127

128

Boletín Oficial

Boy Scouts •r-

in Puerto Rico PUERTO RICO had a scouting program as early as 1910—the selfsame year that the Boy Scout

.TU ir:A

a:

movement was launched in the United States.

Today, following a significant period of growth, the Island boasts no less than fifty-four active troops totaling some 1,500 scouts. Indicative of the progress of the program, as well as of the abilities of the Island's youth, is the fact that many of the Puerto Rican boys

-r

have attained the coveted Eagle Scout rank.

^

A summary of Puerto Rican scouting reflects the

trends of its development: The movement, having taken hold in the 'teens—especially in Mayaguez, San Juan, and Ponce, where troops had quickly sprung up

—continued to gain strength. Real progress became evident in 1924 when C. W. Reed, able chairman of the Rotary Club's Boys' Work Committee in San Juan, was named president of the San Juan Council, Boy Scouts of América.

Under Mr. Reed's direction, a

comprehensive boys' work program was instituted, a high light being the Island's first Boy Scout Camp. Then, as scouting developed vigor in the Río

Piedras región, there was organized, in 1927, the San Juan-Río Piedras Second Class Council, with Dr. J. A.

McAllister occupying the presidency. Shortly thereafter, Scout Executive A. S. Macfarlane, of National

Headquarters, New York City, arrived in Puerto Rico and subsequently effected an extensión of the group's activities to cover representation of the entire Island as a First Class Council. Dr. McAllister was again selected as president, with Dr. J. Gómez and C. W. Reed as vice presidents, C. B. Bailey as treasurer, and E. J. Simmonds, José P. Gorbea, A. Plard, Manuel Bueno, and Mr. Miner as members of the Council.

At this time there were troops actively representing such centers as San Juan, Bayamón, Guayanilla, Cag-

Stiidying zcoodcraft oii a hike up "El Yunque" MountainLuquillo Federal Forest

uas, and Mayaguez; but with the ímpetus of Mr. Macfarlane's efficient drive, many new troops began to spring up in various parts of the Island. Among the first of these were the Maricao Troop and Troops Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, in the capital city. The year 1929 saw the advance of the organization

to a total complement of twenty-eight troops comprising a sccjut roll cali rapidly ap]3roaching its initial thousand members. Then, in 1930, Scout Executive Mac

farlane, who had come to Puerto Rico solely for the

purpose of guiding the development of the organization in its first stages, was succeeded by Scout Executive I. F. Wiltse, of National Pleadcjuarters. Dr. McAllis ter, who with unremitting devotion had played a foremost role in advancing Puerto Rican scouting, was again persuaded to head the Council.

In 1930, scouting was extended to include fortyseven communities, and in 1931 an important milestone was passed when the first Eagle Scout award was con-

ferred. Dr. José Padín was clected, in the lattcr year,

t(j the Council presidency. He i)roceeded to win the

i

wholehearted admiration of Puerto Rico for his untir-

ing assistance and guidance of the scout movement

during the dcpression years that followed,. Through his work, Dr. Padín made possible the continuation of the scout program through the years of stress.

Today, the Boy Scout movement is staunchly ensconced in Puerto Rico, and a continued success is A district rally

foreseen for its important projects and endeavors.

The soniber silhouette of El Morro adds gíamour lo tlie tropical sunset

1

J

129

Boletín Oficial

mnrmrmmmnttfc».

i

Front z'icw and cntraucc Bcrtídnd Clubhousc, one of Ihe finest golf clubs iu the Jl'cst Judies

'The Berwind Country Club BOASTING an excellent nine-hole golf course, the Berwind Country Club—nanied for the late John E. Berwind, of New York—is located in the Sa bana Llana section, a half hour's pleasant drive from San Juan along the Carolina Road.

The course, initially laid out ñfteen years ago by Seth Reyburn, one of the best known American designers, oceupies a beautiful 80-acre tract of naturally rolling land extending from the Carolina Road nearly to the San José lagoon. It was long known as the Condado Golf Club, having originally been built for Mr. Berwind's Hotel Condado; but in 1930, following Mr. Berwind's death, when the property was to be disposed of by the estáte, a group interested in maintain-

Launched with 150 charter shareholding members,

the Berwind Country Club has not only continued to

promote interest in the game of golf in Puerto Rico, but it has likewise been a center of many social ac-

tivities. Guests and tourists, incidentally, are always welcome at Berwind. Visitors arriving for short stays

may make arrangements through their steamship companies. G. F. Gonzales, president during 1933, ably carried through the building program and instituted new activities made possible by the augmented accommoda-

tions. J. C. Hitchman was the initial president of the

group, following which F. L. Dorothy took office. It was during the latter's administration that plans for

ing and developing the course organized the Berwind Country Club and acquired the land.

the new clubhouse were made and construction begun.

Plans were soon completed for the erection of a modern clubhouse. Begun in 1932 and opened early

19.34.

Mr. William Lee was elected president for the year

in 1933, the new structure is a two-story concrete

building of charming Spanish style, containing all country club comforts and conveniences.

From its

broad upper balcony overlooking the first tee and the ninth hole, the entire course may be seen with the broad expanse of the Atlantic in the background.

Many improvements have been made to the club

grounds in the past three years, including cxtensive landscaping and installation of an adequate drainage system for the entire course. During past winter sea-

sons a professional has been retained; and now, with the completion of the new clubhouse, James Rew, for-

mer assistant to James Golden, at \\ ee Burn, Noroton, Conn., has become associated with the Berwind Club on a full-time basis.

There are frequent tournaments among members

and also inter-club matches. For many year^ there have been annual matches with the Caracas Country

Club, of Venezuela, played alternately at Berwind and the Venezuelen course. Berwind has also sent teams to play at Santo Domingo City.

The sjacious baleouy, extending fnll leidth of Clubhouse overlooks fairzeays one, three, four and nine

The Spanish Casino graphs of all illustrious personages who ha\'e passcd through San Juan.

•tM iil ■ij

Rightly proud of the glorious Christian inception of this Island communit}', the Casino coojierated with the Governmcnt and with the church authorities in

removing the remains of the great Juan Ponce de

León, fi rst Governor of Puerto Rico and .Adelantado

of Florida, from the parochial church of San José to the Cathedral. There they rest today in an artistic mausoleum fi nanced by the Casino and erected by the famed Spanish Sculptor, Miguel Blay. During the Fourth Centenary of the Christian Colonization, an exposition in memory of Ponce de León took place m the The buildiag occupied by the Spanish Casino—-

halls

of the

Casino.

Prizes,

moreover,

were

awarded ín the fi elds of literature, science, and art, and a beautifullj'-wrought edition of Don Ouixote was

San Juan

presented to the Puerto Rican Atheneum, for distn-

FOUNDED for recreational and beneficent purposes involving the highest expression of mutual

bution among scholars and libraries, on the occasion

cordiality amongst Spaniards and Puerto Ricans, the Spanish Casino has been one of the most progressive-spirited endeavors in the Island of Puerto Rico. This celebrated institution dates to the year 1871 when Messrs. Francisco B. Barceló, Pablo Ubarri, and

José García Polavieja, addressing themselves to the Superior Civil Governor through the Corregidor of San Juan, obtained a permit for the founding of the important society. The by-laws having been approved,

in November of that year, the Spanish Casino's fi rst board of directors was elected for the year 1872. The society is especially famous for the Mardi Gras festivities in Puerto Rico and even more so for its great contribution to Island culture as evidenced

in its publication of literary works, its literary contest endeavors, and its award of prizes to various institutions of the Island.

The present board of directors of the Spanish

Casino are: President Secundino Lozana Cepa; VicePresidents Carlos Conde Casariego and José María del

Valle; Auditor, Anselmo Soroeta; Treasurer, Manuel Gómez; Assistant Auditor, Don Luis Fernández Blanco; Assistant Treasurer, Antonio I^ueso; Secre-

taries, José Pérez Lozada, and I.eopfddo Martínez Ochoa; and Directors Romualdo Real, Manuel Alvarez Santos, Enric|ue García Cadórniga, Narciso García Martínez, José Alvarez Otero, y\pelio Felices Portilla, Angel Hernaiz, José Rullán Mayo!, Manuel Martínez

Casano\a, Manuel B. Soto, José Suarez Alvarez, Ri

of the Third Centenary of the publication of this im mortal work.

The Casino also presented the gold crown awarded

to Don Manuel Fernández Juncos in the literary con

test held in his honor by the Atheneum of Puerto Rico. Through the society's initiativc and generosity a memorial tablet has been affixed in the church of San

Felipe Neri, in the city of Cádiz, as a tribute to the renowned Puerto Rican, Ramón Power, who was one

of the vice-presidents of the Spanish Cortes.

now hanging in the Iconographic Museum of the Andalusian capital.

Throughout its long span of sixty-thrce years, the

Spanish Casino has furthered the ideáis set forth by

its founders, henee it is only fi tting that the ñames of those who first guided it be repeated. The inítial board of directors of 1872 was composed of the follovcing able men:

President, the Most Excellent Sir

Marques de la Esperanza (The Marquis of the Hope) ;

Vice-President, Pedro Diez Romero; Treasurer, An

tonio Arsuaga, and Substituto Eduardo Palau ; Auditor, Francisco Bastón, and Substituto Pedro de Menchaca; Secretarios, Francisco Larroca and Bartolomé García;

Directors, Manuel Cortés, Baltazar lApez Sánchez, Most Excellent Sir Bartolomé Borrás, Most Excellent Sir Pablo Ubarri, and Francisco B. Barceló; Substitutes, Sabino Gámir, Francisco Martínez Y Martínez.

Antonio Carbonell, Pedro Arana, Francisco García Soto, and Joaquín Peña.

cardo Reglero, Gabriel .Abraham, Rodrigo I.eón. Cus todio Costa Cfinde, Jesús Vilches, Manuel .Sieres, and

A -z'iezv of the Social Hall.

In the fore-

groitnd, a portrait of the first president uf the Spanish Republie, Mr. Siecto

Marcelino Rodríguez y\nte.

Since the cessation fjf the Spanish régimé, the Casinf) has Cfintinued to uphold its fine traditifjns, alw.iys prr)moting friendship tovcard the MOthcr Coun-

Aléala Zaniura

try and maintaining a meaningful fellowship with its Jiotners, the Puerto Ricans.

Funds,

too, were furnished for the fi ne portrait of Mr. Power

The Casino likewise

places its unalloyed confidence in the iiresent gcnernment ot the Island.

Indicati\e of its sponsorshi]) of jirogress, it is note-

worthy that the Spanish Casino was the first building

m ] uertí) Rico to install eléctrica! illumination. Tn the halls of this edifice ha\"e been celebrated manv rif

the Island s leading lestive occasions. llere. too, is lound the society s great álbum containing the auto-

la

Fox Delicias Theatre

Thc Fox Delicias Theatre, at Ponce, is considered the niost inodcrn and bcautiful construction of its kind in the Antilles

THE Fox Delicias Theatre, iii Ponce, is not only looked upon as the finest structure of its kind

atre, which has a seating capacity of 850, an unusual

beaut3^ The lighting equipment was specially designed by the General Electric Company. The Delicias also has full stage equipment for legitimate productions, and it is freciuentU^ used for con-

in Puerto Rico, but it is aiso considered by many to be the most attractive edifice of its type in the Antilles. Lovers of the cinema delight in its first-class

cert purposes as well. Since its dedication in Februariq 1932, many artists have appeared, notabh^ the singers José Mojica and José Bohr, the fornier a IMexican star of the Chicago Civic Opera Company, and the latter a leading Argentinian. Jesús Maria Sanroma, Puerta Rican artist and concert pianist of the Boston S\'mphoni^ Orchestra, offered a program at the Delicias last summer. Both for pictures and concerts, the acoustics of the theatre are unparagoned. For its regulated cool temperature, which is main-

entertainment.

Ponce's original Delicias, the oldest theatre in the city entirely devoted to motion pictures, was found to be inade(|uate with the coming of sound presentations. Even so, its fine selcction of films continued

to retain a large patronage until, to afford Ponce the best in amuscment ccnters, Pedro Juan Serralles purchased the oíd structure and erected the present Fox Delicias.

The best RCA sound equipment obtainable is

utilized in the Delicias, and each night pictures produced by the Icading companies are presented. De-

tained by an eíficient low-pressure refrigeration si'stem,

signed by Mr. Serralles, who liad the plans prepared by Porata Doria, well-known Ponce architect, the the atre is Román in style. Entrance is through a cool and

leather upholstered and are both cool and comfortable.

the Fox Delicias is especiall_v well-known. Moreover,

the detached opera seats offered to its patrons are Their ampie size obviates all crowding. To tourists as well as to the jieople of Ponce, the

restful patio. The interior decorations are of staincd

glass, and the walls are panelled with wood. Revolv-

Delicias offers a refreshing evening replete with pleas-

ing colored Hghts, constantly changing, give the the-

ant entertainment.

The Club Deportivo de Ponce WIDELY known as one of the most attractive social and recreational ccnters of Puerto Rico, the Club Deportivo de Ponce aff'ords divertisement and phj'sical development for its many members in tbe varied fields of sport. A cordial invitation to cnjoy its facilities is likewise extended by the Club to

tourists visiting in the southern^ reaches of the Island. Organized and incorporated in 1915 undcr the laws of Puerto Rico, the Club Deportivo today is exceedingly well equipped. It has foui regulation tennis courts, a baseball field, a bowling allev, and various other recreational accessories, with modern lockcr rooms and showers for the men.

Two fine dance halls, one of which easiU" accommodates three hundred couples, are also included, whiie

a spacious ladies' pavilion, comprising a large hall, stage, shower and dressing rooms. and an additional

pavilion fitted as a reading and rest room, complete the club's extensive plant.

The activities of the Club Deportivo, which at pres ent has a mcmbershi]) of about 325, are guided bv nine directors, each electcd t\)r a term of a year. There are

three categoiies of members; shareholding members, who own one or more of the $100 shares in the organization and who pay $3 monthly dues ; regular members, who pay a $10 entrance fee and $3 monthlv dues, and non-resident members, who luiv the entrance fee and

a ycarly assessment of $12. Each sharcholder, irrespective of the number of shares hehl. has the right to une vote in the election of directors.

For nineteen years an active factor in the life of the Ponce región, the Club Deportivo is one of the most alluring social simts of Puerto Rico 131

Spanish Mutual Aid and Beneficent Society THE Spanish Mutual Aid and Beneñcent Society of Puerto Rico has just rounded the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation. Its commemoration

brings to mind the unremitting efforts and indomitable spirit of a group of men who disinterestedly and with

Then carne "the great oíd man," no less courageous and devoted to the ideal than his predecessors, but

whose visión and energy molded the present institu tion. It was really a dream, expanding well beyon practica! possibilities, but Don Avelino Vicente was

courage fixed their thoughts on a humane and altru-

not a man to waiver once his mind was set on a de

istic purpose—the well-being of their fellow men—and set in motion the machinery that was to move the

nite course. With fearlessness he proceeded cautious-

ly but firmly to carry out his policy of expansión whic i

project.

culminated in the construction of the handsome an

Modestly organized in 1883, this institution grew eyer stronger year after year.

The ñames of such

modern buildings which today are the pride of

Set in a particularly healthy spot and surrounded

pioneers as Enrique Vijande, Ricardo Alonso, Avelino

Vicente, the Gonzalez's, Hernais, Fonts, Candaras,

Gaviños, Troncosos, Bolivar, Guerreros, and many others whose high conception of beneficent love and unparalleled modesty, bound to a keen sense of patriot-

ism, made the project possible through persevering

by ampie acreage with a gorgeous landscape for background, the Sanatorium, far from the noise an

turmoil of modern civilization, is truly a haven of peace and a restful paradise for those whosc misfortunes make them its guests.

sacrifice.

By 1898 the Institution was already assured economic independence and a flourishing existence. However, the change of nationality after the war with Spain

^

Society and of Puerto Rico.

It has been shown by experience that sanitary an hygienic conditions alone do not make for promp

shook its foundations. The return to Spain of a large

recovery of patients; cheerful and exhilarating sur roundings with proper hospitalization plus adequatp

number of its members of Spanish citizenship brought a natural decline in membership that for a time threat-

The "Mutual-Aid," as the Society is popularly known,

ened the financia! stability of the Society. Income was reduced to low levels, and membership dropped to such appalling figures that for a time its income cov-

ered but a third of its expenses.

But 1898 saw the turning point. Freeing the Infrom many obstacles, Don Ricardo Alonso,

with courage and visión unprecedented, surrounded himself with a cluster of aggressive and enthusiastic

and competent medical attention are irnportant con

tributive factors to any normal restoration of healt i. boasts of these prerequisites.

Its statistics show remarkable cures in the treat

ment of serious physical disorders, including the rnos

challenging ailments. Bronchial pneumonía,_ gastro intestinal disorders, gastropatitis, intense miasma ic and paludic infection, anemia, blood diseases, and many

others. Equally successful have been the cases where major surgical operations have been necessary, keep-

young men and tackled the job of reconstruction. Piecing together the scattered remnants of the institu-

ing in mind the attendant treatment of renowned spe-

Ricardo overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, such as only the most convinced optimist

lay nurses, it is nevertheless a comfort for some peo

would nave dared to brave, and succeeded in rebuilding

te i^ble Institution which not even the ravages of San Ciriaco couid destroy. The history of the Spanish Mutual .Aid and Benefi cent Society is the story of the faith and courage of a group of men whose high sense of duty and manifest ove and sympathy for the ailments of their fellow-

men instilied them with bold and chivalrous prowess

cialists. Without disparaging the merits and credit due pie to know that Sisters of Charity, duly accredited as professional nurses, tenderly look after the sick wit that abnegation characteristic of their creed.

The Spanish Mutual Aid and Beneficent Society of Puerto Rico will survive. Those rallying to its sup-

port will succeed each other with the same firm de cisión and with the same persevering faith, moulding

to carry on to the finish. The spirit of the pioneers

its destiny into an ideal bespeaking to posterity en^ir-

was handed like a symbol from one to another as the

ing loyalty and staunch devotion to a noble cause.

origináis jiassed on ; and so the Society followed the ascending line to success.

Mutual-Aid is today a symbol, a mild symbol of the •Spain that was. 132

Boletín Oficial

133

"í

E B! EL^ II I ii III

ti lii lirti

Hcadquorfcrs of ihc Club Náutico de San Juan

Puerto Rico's Foremost Yacht Club FIRST institution of its kind in Puerto Rico, the Club Náutico de San Juan has, in the three years since its inception, achieved a remarkable record

in the sea sport field. The Island's enviable climate permits boating the year 'round, and the lovers of water activities have been quick to realize their yacht

ing advantages. _ Today, the Club Náutico's spacious building in the mid-section of Miramar, a picturesque location on the northern shore of Puerto Rico, is the gathering spot of the Island's amateur seamen. Indeed, the club—■

which has extensive grounds at its disposal—sponsors various shore activities as well; tennis, basket ball,

fi eld hockey, football, baseball, volley ball, shooting,

and horseback riding. Several outstanding teams have

been developed. Dances, concerts, conferences, and the like, are also included in the programs.

Nautical sports, however, attract the real spotlight,

which centers upon the fine fleet of power and sailing

boats fl ying the Club Náutico burgee. Abetted by the

prevailing trade winds, the club's regular yacht races are true spectacles. Several cruises along the coast, moreover, have been made by club members. The clubhouse, erected upon heavy concrete piles directly in the water at the Miramar shore, has sheltered accommodations for 12 to 20 motor boats. Among other facilities, the structure contains a capacious dance hall, a ladies' room, bar, lockers, and baths.

At present, the club has some 200 selected members ■—leading sportsmen from San Juan and several of the neighboring towns. The current group of officers is as follows: Carlos A. Gual, commodore; Ernest Yeates and Roberto Colón, vice-commodores; Manuel Palés,

treasurer; Hermán Agostini Hau, secretary, and Isidro Galguera, Paco Bueso, F. López Prado, and F. Gon zalos Filippi, júnior officers. The Club Náutico de San Juan has come through its formative years with fl ying colors. and an even brighter future is rightly prophesied for this integral organization.

The Carden of Neptune PUERTO RICO'S attractions do not end at its shores! Beautiful gardens of the sea lie beneath

and starfish—denizens of the abundantly foliaged ma

fascinating new world which may ^be seen from the

the utmost in safety.

famed observation boat, "Neptuno.

Specially constructed with two large sections of its bottom of staunch píate glass, the Neptuno regularly journeys over the mirror-like sea in the vicinity of Punta de Congrejos to enable its passengers to peer through its revealing floor upon the delightful sub

fl ooring break, these compartments will fill in such

marino panorama.

maintain offices both in San Juan and in Santurce. Prior to initial revelation, few realize the unusual beauties of the submarino regions. The "Garden of

the clear, blue waters which lave the Island a

And what a variety of beautics are to be seen! Profound sub-sea caverns, submeiged craters and long-

dead volcanoes brilliantly festooned in coral, and myriads of vari-colored tropical fi sh, fantastic crustaceans,

rine sphere. Passengers aboard the "Neptuno" are assured of

Fmergency compartments are

built into the hull; thus, should any portion of the glass manner as to offset outside pressure and stress and

obviate all chance of the vessel sinking.

The "Neptuno" operates from Boca de Congrejos, which may be reached by the new road connecting

with Santurce and Foiza. "Neptuno" representativos

Neptune ' is truly a spectacle of a lifetime—one of the marvels of Puerto Rico.

Pier No. 1

York

&

Porto

Concrete, earth fill

General shipping

Fertilizer Co.

Bull Insular Line and Armoiir

City Fire Department Ves

American

Fire protection

Electric lighting

Railway connections

American Railroad Co.

Railway connections

In addition to these commercial

Yes

Electric lighting

City mains

City mains

20 feet

Height between floors

City Fire Department

One

Number of floors

Water supply

20 feet

830 by 35 feet

Transit sheds on pier: Length and width

American Railroad Co.

Yes

City Fire Department

City mains

18 feet

One

472 by 33 feet

Concrete

San Antonio Dock

American Railroad Co.

Yes

City Fire Department

City mains

18 feet

One

288 by 256 feet

earth fill

Sheet pile bulkhead,

General freight

do

San Antonio Dock Co.

Foot of Valdi Street

Porto Rico Coal Co.

American

Yes

Railroad

Co.

City Fdre Department

City mains

One

fill

Coal storage and bunkering Concrete bulkhead, earth

do

Porto Rico Coal Co.

Street

East of foot of Valdi

The Public Hcalth Service and United States Engineer Corps.

Four

Matias

American Railroad Co.

Yes

City Fire Department

City mains

20 feet

One

397 by 64 feet

Concrete

General shiiiping

do

Pyramid Dock Co.

Ledesma Street

East of foot of

Pyramid Dock Co.

wcst of building B. One surface track 540 feet long on lowcr side of string piece.

running íhrough B and one

facililies there are two which are owned by the ünited States Government and operated by the Burean of Lighthouses,

American Railroad Co.

Yus

City Fire Department

One

328 by 65.60 feet

Concrete

Concrete

Type of construction

General shipping

General shipping

Purpose for wbich used

General shipping

San }uím Harbor Board

Red "D" Line

San Juan Harbor Board

Operated by

San Juan Dock Company

Insular Government

desma Street

Insular Government

Fire protection

west

of foot of Matias Le-

Channel

East of Insular Bulkhead

Antonio

San Juan Dock Company

Along north side of San

Railroad Co.

surface tracks 700 feet long, one on upper side string piece, one running tlirough buildings. B and C, one

American

Co.

surface track on string piece

Railroad

American

transit shed

One

and one surface track inside

Co.

track inside

Railroad

Yes

Yes

City Fire Department

City mains

City mains City Fire Department

One 21 feet

One

22 feet to truss garden

surface track on each side of the transit shed and one

San Antonio Channel

Insular Bulkhead at

inside of transit shed

surface track 380 feet long

American

Yes

Yes

Co.

City Fire Department

City Fire Department

Railroad

City mains

City mains

American

Two

21 feet

One

20 feet to truss garden

Owned by

harbor

Along nortU side of

Insular Bulkhead

one track inside

Company

City mains

Water supply

Railroad

One

18 feet to truss garden

Section B 243 hy 312 feet Section C 229 by 75 feet

Number of floors

Exact location

we.^t of foot of Valdi Street

F. Benitez Rexach, Inc.

440 by 70 feet

One

of

450 by 120 feet including its idatforms

Co.

380 by 100 feet

Pile and timber

Pile and timber

do

Pile and timber

Porto Rico

General shipping

do.

Railroad

"C" Street

American

Passengers and freight

One

Piers 2 and 5

Bull Insular Line

Passeiigers and freight

do

Bull Insular Line

of Tanca Street

Pier No. 6

Northwestern part of harbor,

Pier No. 5

North side of harbor, east of

Pier No. 3

North side of harbor between

Pier No. 2

North side of harbor east foot

4S5 by 98 feet

Height between floors

Length and width

Transit sheds on pier;

concrete filled

Pile platforni, steel columns,

Type of construcíion

Rico

Pa.ssengers and freight

do.

íStcainsliip Conipany

New

of Tanca Street

North side of harbor at foot

Purpose for wiiicli used

Operated by

Owned by

Kxact location

PIERS AND WHARVES AT THE PORT OF SAN JUAN

U)

r

>

t—i

O

o

H

r H

o

w

-P

51^5 tVíínm

Aerial T'iVzc of San Juan sJion'ing proiccicd harhor

Port Facilities of Puerto Rico PUERTO RICO, an island, is dependent for its

American occupation.

Since that time the southern

Prac-

and eastern parts of the Marina have experienced great

tically everything which is consumed in the Island is brought írom points outside, and the majority of Island products are exported, only a small

and piers, one of which is the only double-decker in the entire West Indies.

portion being consumed locally. The Island has three ports of importance, and a

The first pier to be built by a private concern was Pier No. 1, constructed by the New York Porto Rico

economic life on water-borne commerce.

number of smaller ports which handle commerce to a lesser degree. San Juan is, of course, the principal port of entry in the Island, with Ronce and Mayaguez ranking second and third, in point of volume of com merce. Statistics show that approximately fifty per cent of the Island commerce passes through the port

changes and today there is a network of modern docks

Steamship Company. This was followed in 1906 bv

Pier No. 2 of the Insular Dock Companv. Others have followed, and the most recent addition is the double-decked pier (No. 3) mentioned aboye, con structed by the San Juan Dock Company and leased to the Bul! Insular Lines.

of San Juan.

The War Department of the United States Government has retained control over all of the rivers

/Mthough the harbor at San Juan has bcen used bv vessels for over three hundred years. it was not

and harbors in Puerto Rico and has suiier\iscd and

until the late RSRO's that any movement for i^ort de-

Antillian." had a small pier, but the work of building

assisted with inpwovements. The harbor of San Juan is at present dredged to a dejjth of 35 feet and aftYrds safe enti anee and anchí^rag'e facilities ftw e\'eTi the

docks and piers did not really bcgin until aftcr the

largest transatlantic liners.

velopment was started. In the year^l887 Puerto Rico's first steamship company. "Comi)añía Puertorriqueñ;i 135

136

Boletín Oficial

Altogether there are six piers with aggregate berthing space of 6,530 feet and bulkhead wharves o£ an

aggregate length of about 3,750 feet on the northerly side of San Juan harbor, including San Antonio Chan-

nel, capable of docking deep draft vessels. Three of

the piers are public service piers. Of the above piers, four vary in width from eighty to one hundred and twenty feet and in length from 410 to 330 feet, and are provided with iron-roofed sheds, with vessel berths on either side twenty-eight feet deep. Of the other

two piers, one has 330 feet frontage on the channel

with dredged slips on the east and west sides of twenty and twenty-eight feet deep, sixty and four hundred and fifty feet long, respectively. The sixth pier has a chan nel frontage of 400 feet and dredged slips twenty to thirty feet deep on both sides, 550 feet long and 600 feet long respectively. The bulkhead wharves built by the Insular Government do a public service business and have a total length of about 3,700 feet with iron

sheds for the storage of perishable freight. A bulk head privately owned 420 feet long has a depth of about twenty-six feet. The depth of water in front

front of its reservation.

There is no railroad connec-

tion with these landings. A detailed description, in tabular form, of these principal piers is to be found elsewhcre in this article.

A project is under consideration for the building of a 10,000 ton dry dock and will add measurably to the development of the port when adoptad. A suitable dry dock is at present not availablc in the West Indies. Bunkering facilities for oil fired, coal burning and Diesel ships are available at San Juan, the fuel oil being supplied by three petroleum companies—the West India Oil Company, tlic Te.xas Comi)any and the

Shell Company. Both bunker (ñl and iJiesel oil are available through one or anothcr of these companies at both San Juan and Ponce. Towing facilities are likewise available at San Juan Harbor through the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company (Porto Rico Coal Company), which also operates a modern well-eciuipped coaling station for prompt handling of steamers' requirements. The plant includes a storage dock for 10.000 tons of coal, discharging and rcloading crane having an hourly ca-

Bird's-eye view of Fier No. 3, ■world's latest example of the

twin-deck slyíe of pier, the only one of its class in the West Indies. Adniinistrative offices of the Bull Lines (Bull Insular Line, Inc. and Baltimore Insular Line, Inc.) are located in the second story of this modern slructiire. All passenger landings are niade to and from shíp on a floor levet zvith pier, eliniinating the peril of gangzoay approaches

of the bulkheads and in the slips varíes from twenty to thirty feet at mean low water. All of the above termi náis have railroad connections. Three of them—the coal dock, Pier No. 6 and the San Antonio dock—have

mechanical equipment and the latter is equipped with a pre-cooling plant for fruit.

All of the termináis are

generally efficient and adequate for the particular purpose for which they are used.

In addition to the

Tug "Berzvind" of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company (Forto Rico Coal Company) stationed at San Juan

above, there are several landings along the western side of the harbor, built during Spanish times, that

pacity of 100 tons, a mechanically equip])ed barge for

low draft, and three piers within the oíd navy yard

ply and repair parts are also maintained by this firm.

are now under Federal control; a bulkhead in front of the oíd C ustom-house is used for local vessels of shal-

are used, one by the marine hospital service, one by the Tighthouse Department and the third by the En-

gineer Department. The lighthouse service has constructed a concrete bulkhead along the southeasterly

bunkering in the stream, full complement of lighters, etc.

Fresh water is available, and large stocks of sup-

While .San Juan is the principal port in the Island

it is not to be assumed that Puerto Rico is entirely

dependent upon this port. Ponce, Mayaguez, Arecibo, Arroyo and Guanica have port and dock facilities for both freight and passenger service.

rrrii

Ahout ten steamship companies make regular calis at this port, mainl}^ from the United States. Mayaguez is the only harhor on the west coast to have a modern pier, with storage sheds and hulkheads

which extend over 1,200 feet. Vessels drawing up to twenty-two feet can he handled alongside. This pier, known as the Mayaguez Shipping Terminal, is used hy the Bull Insular Line and the Baltimore Insular Line in their western run and oíters remarkahle facilities for

the transfer of freight and passengers to and from Mayaguez Harhor. Facilities are also availahle for handling cargo at numerous landings, discharge heing effected h}- means of lighters.

J^recibo Areciho Harhor is a small open haj- or cove on the north shore of Puerto Rico, ahout forty statute miles west of San Juan. The hay is generalh" shoal, with a

Pier No. 1 of thc Nciv York and Porto Rico Linc and Pier No. 2 of the Bull Lines in San Juan

Port of Ponce Ponce Harbor is located on the south central coast

of Puerto Rico. The harhor is ahout one mile long' and five-eighths of a mile wide. Within the limits of the harhor depths of thirty fect or more exist. There is at present hut one pier of modern design, located at Peñoncillo Point, and owned hy the municipality of

Ponce. It is huilt of concrete and steel, 325 feet Íong hy 110 feet wide, with an iron warehouse and a depth of ahout twenty-one feet alongside. A good highway and trolley Une connect the pier with the port and city of Ponce, ahout one and two miles distant re-

Bíinker fuel and ligliierage scrzice is ¡landled by the Porto Rico Coal Cojnf'any, a imit of the Berzoind-Ji'hite Coal Mining Company

spectively. Rail connection is had hy means of a spur. In addition to the municipal pier there are several small wooden piers and landings at Port Ponce,

depth of twenty-five feet availahle at the entrance,

used hy shallow draft lighters which transfer freight

ahout a third of a mile from shore. Vessels anchor in

to and from large vessels anchored in the stream.

deep water oíif the hay and lighter their cargo. The commerce in Areciho Harhor in recent years

Ponce is second only to the port of San Juan and is the only port of any size on the south coast of Puerto Rico. Over twenty-five ner cent of the total

import and export business of the Island passes

has ranged hetween ahout 34,000 tons and 71,000 tons.

Improvements are contemplated which, if completed, will raise this figure to over 236,000 tons.

through the port of Ponce.

Aguadilla

Mayaguea;

The port of Aguadilla is located on the western side

Mayaguez is an open roadstead located at ahout the center of the west coast of Puerto Rico.

It is

opposite the Mona Passage, one of the most important steamer routes to and from the Panama Canal and

ports in North and South América. It is ahout eightv-

one miles hy water from San Juan and approxiniately fifty-flve miles hy water from Ponce.

The harhor has a natural depth of thirty to seventv feet and can accommodate vessels of considerable size.

of the Island, ahout ninety miles from the port of San Juan, in a comparatively small hay.

Good an-

chorage may he had any^diere olí the town in from ten to eighteen fathoms. The port has never heen improved to any great extent and all traffic is done

hy lighterage. An average of 225 vessels with a grand gross tonnage of some 480,000 tons enters the port every year. The principal exports from Aguadilla are sugar, coffee, cocoanuts and needlework.

Other P'orts Other ports in the Island are Guanica, Guayanilla and Aiioyo, on the south coast, and Humacao and

hajardo, on the east coast. None of these ports have heen impicved cxcept Guanica, where some dredging has heen done hy the Federal authorities so as to clear the entrance to the harhor,

The principal exports of these harhors are sugar and some cofifee.

.1 scciion of the harhor dci'ctopment at San Juan

Passenger and Freight Transponation AMERICAN coastwise shipping laws, which are applicable to Puerto Rico, make it iniperative

Army transports stop at San Juan on their outbound and inbound trips to the Pan¿ima Canal Zone,

that all goods or producís moving between the

while large tourist vessels make San Juan a port of

Island and the United States be transported in American bottoms. A dozen passenger and freight steamship lines touch regularly at Puerto Rican ports. Pas

cali every ycar. The dredging of San Juan harbor during recent years has attracted large tourist vessels.

senger services from New York and Baltimore are

Island with special cargo, while a number of steam ship lines offer services at irregular intervals.

Chartered vessels frequently make the trip to the

operated weekly by several lines. Freight lines from

principal Atlantic and Gulf ports offer regular sailings to Puerto Rico and provide limited passenger facilities and refrigeration and tanker services. Although most of the Puerto Rican exports to Europe go by way of

Inter-island travel is fairly well developed. Direct steamer service, passenger and freight, to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the A^irgin Islands is avail-

able, while sailing craft often piy between the islands

New York, direct ocean communication is maintained

wherever cargo may be offered.

with European countries by British, Dutch, Germán,

Coastwise shipping is handled largely by American lines whose vessels cali at many of the Island's ports.

French, ^ and Spanish lines. The vessels of several steamship companies touching at Puerto Rican coastal

Alost of the internal cargo is carried by railroad and motor services but a local company opcrates vessels

towns connect the Island with her South American

for transporting goods around the Island and to other

neighbors of the Atlantic coast.

islands.

The Red "D"Line Ouer One Hundred Years of Successful Steamship Operation

MERELY" the ñame—the Red "D"—is somewhat obscured as to its origin. One versión is that

Steam Navigation Company, and then added rapiflly to

its American fleet of steamships, building the second Caracas in 1883, the Valencia in 1884, and "the Philadel

John Dallett started his business in Phil-

adelphia his pier was marked by a single "D" in red paint. As^ the company had no trade ñame, when truckmen incjuired their way to the pier they were instructed to look for the big red "D" and the ñame just

phia in 1885, About 1888, when it became appíirent that the U. S. Government was to assist American

shipping through adoption of the Ocean Mail Act, the company prepared to expand its service. The steam

naturally stuck.

1

reallyestablished begun in , when John Dallett and Johnwas Boulton ra e lelations and started importing and exporting e ween Ea Guayra and Philadelphia, the actual start was in 1838 when the co-partnership of Dallett Bros., consistmg of John Dallett and his brother Henry, was organizad in Philadelphia and they bcgan to dispatch eir own saihng vessels regularly as a line between

La (juayra and Philadelphia.

AVhile it is known that the original Caracas, a sail-

ing vesse cicquired about 1838, was the first flagship of ri'm Renesis in mvstery. Ulci fJocuments proveand thatcxodus in 1841are shelost sailed the seas No one knows now hriw she came

o the fleet nr where or whence she went.

In 1881), with sailing \'essels rapidly passing their ^ bcient ocean carriers competition First with steamships, the firm entered steamin navigation. bey chartered the Germán steamships Claudius, FeJicia and Augustus, and with these vessels there was s a j is ler regular 10-day sailings to La Guayra and 1 uerto( abello, and with transshipment to Maracaibo at Curacao to a vessel called the Pico and later the first Maracaibo. built in 1881. In 1881 the line was incorporated under the ñame of the Atlantic & Caribbean

ships then in service wcrc all too small for the requirements of the Government, and the line undertook to add larger and faster vessels. The steamers Caracas

and A^alencia were sold, and in 1889 the new (third) Caracas and the Venezuela, two fine vessels of 3,000

gross tons each, were added to the fleet, the Philadel phia was rcbuilt in 1892, and at the same time the second steamer named Marac.aibo, a vessel of about 1,800 tons, was built for Venezuela coastwise service

to replace the first steamer Maracaibo (afterward known as the Merida). In 1897 the Curacao, a steamer of 2,000 tons. was

added; in 1899 another steamer Maracaibo (the third of her ñame) came into the fleet, and in 1901 the steam er Zulla was built.

The ships recently added to the line are the Cara-

boho, built in 1925, and the (fourth) Caracas in 1927. Th ese two ships are modern ])assenger ships in e\'ery particular.

The steamers of the line maintain a weekly i)assenger and freight service between New A'ork, I^uerto Rico, Curacao and the Venezuelan ])orts of I.a Guayra,

Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo (calling direct at the

latter port, transshi])ment at Curacao ha\-ing been discontinued). 7'he sailings are from Pier 5, San Juan, F'uerto Rico, and Piers 10 and 11, Brookiyn, N. A 138

A. H. Bull & Co. Bull Insular and Baltimore Insular Bines

Tlic S. S. "Angelina," first cargo sliip built in thc i'nitcd Statcs since 1921

MÜCH of Puerto Rico's real commercial develop-

Piers 2, 3 and 6 in San Juan were built for the Une and represent a considerable contribution to the ship

ment dates from the establishment of its first

regular steamship service between the Island and New York in 1888. This service was inaugurated by the late A. PI. Bull, who entered the trade with two

ping facilities of that major port. The building of Pier 3, the only double deck type pier in the entire West Indies, was the greatcst improvement ever made in the harbor of San Juan. Bull Une interests were instru mental in bringing about this important development. Besides offering the most modern passenger and freight landing facilities, this pier houses the adminis-

small cargo ships, the Ponce and the San Juan, operating under the ñame of the New York and Porto Rico

Steamship Company. In 1899, Mr. Bull sold out his interest in this shipping company, organized the firm of A. H. Bull & Company in New York, and did not return to the Puerto Rican trade for eleven years.

trative offices of the Bull Insular Line and the Balti more Insular Line.

A. H. Bull & Company was formed as a successor to

Prior to the commencement of operations in 1910 by the Bull Insular Line, direct trade communications

Miller, Brown and Knowlton, a concern operating as

agents for another shipping company and doing a gen

between Puerto Rico and the United States were re-

eral ship brokerage business, engaging principally in

stricted to New York and some Gulf ports. The lim-

the schooner trade throughout the West Indies.

itations of these routes were obvious and it was not

In 1910, at the request of the sugar interests, Bull again entered the Puerto Rican trade, organizing the

long before the Une embarked on a most ambitious program of expansión. The Baltimore Insular Line was established (in 1925), bringing the Island in direct

Bull Insular Ifinc.

Launching itself actively in the

trade, the Une began an extensive operation of freight vessels to bring business on the Island more frequent and more regular service between Puerto Rico and the United Statcs. By bringing ships directly to all the importont Island ports, it perfected a circle of communications that placed all regions in direct contact with markets on the inainland. Though Jiampered at first by lack of adequate harbor and docking facilities, thc Une lost no time in seeking improvements, which

not only bettered its service but also that of other Unes in the trade. The company constiuctcd modern piers in San Juan and lent considciable support to the de-

contact with Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk.

Further expansión rapidly followed. Today, A. H.

Bull & Co., Inc., together with its associated companies, the Bull Insular Line, the Baltimore Insular Line.

and the Baltimore and Carolina Line, oft'ers rapid and efficient passenger and freight service over a wide area. It operates four vessels regularly in the New York and Puerto Rico trade with regular sailings weeklv in both directions. It also has a direct service, with three ships. in the New York and Santo Domingo trade. The Une also operates a passenger and freight vesscl be

tween Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, and the Yirgin

velopment of terminal facilities in several others. Mayaguez Harbor particularly was given attention.

Islands. This was the first steamcr to cover this aVea

The c<jnstruction of the Mayaguez Shipping Terminal,

Four vessels make weekly sailings from Baltimore to Puerto Rico under the flag of the Baltimore Insular Line. The flagship of this ileet, the S. S. Barbara, is

on a weekly schedule.

a harbor improvement of great importance, giving the first direct ship to shore ccínnection in that port. was undertaken largely at the instigation of the Bull In

a combination freight and passenger vessel and is pop ular among travelers going to Philadelphia. Norfolk,

sular Tine.

139

140

Boletín Oficial

and Baltimore, where she calis every three weeks on both northern and southern runs.

A weekly service is also operated between Balti more, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and other Gulf ports, as well as a fortnightly service between San Juan, Jacksonville and Charleston. In their South Atlantic ser

vice, the Bull Lines oíifer a complete route between Charleston, Jacksonville, Savannah, Brunswick, Miami

and the Island ports, thus providing still more direct

UAYAGUEZ SHIRPr^VTCRMINAL

outlets for Puerto Rican products.

L Mayagtiea Shi{y/>tng Terminal, Mayaguca líarbor, used by Bull Insular and Baltimore Insular Linas

important addition to the Bull Insular Line's service to the Island of Puerto Rico. One of the sister ships,

the S. S. Manuela, though in service but a short time, has already set a record for freight vessels making the trip—from dock to dock—in three days and twentythree hours.

The fleet of A. PI. Bull & Company consists today Pier 6, San Juan, one of the Bull Line Termináis

An excellent example of the progressiveness of the Bull Insular Line is to be seen in the recent addition

of two new 7,250 ton 13 knot cargo vessels, the Angelina and Manuela, built this year for the line's

Puerto Rico service by the Newport News Shipbuild-

ing & Dry Dock Company. These modern turbine cargo vessels have excellent accommodations for a

limited number of passengers and are the first general cargo ships to be built in the United States in over ten years. The passenger accommodations are very

fine, each stateroom being quite as large as usually found on the larger passenger liners. There are attractive public rooms, and even the outboard appearance of the new vessels is much like that of a pas senger vessel.

The ships are designed for the greatest possible

expedition in cargo handling and make an extremelv

of forty-eight modern vessels, aside from a consider able number of ships operated under charter. During the sugar season in Puerto Rico, the Bull Insular Line augments its service between the Island and northern American ports by the addition of several vessels to its schedule of sailings. The headquarters for the Bull Lines in Puerto Rico are located in San Juan at Pier 3. The branches es-

tablished throughout the Island, as well as all Caribbean operations, are directed from San Juan and are under the personal supervisión of Mr. Miguel Such, vice-president and general manager. The staff of trained employees, thoroughly understanding all transportation and shipping problems, carry out the Company's policy of personal attention and willing cooperation. A fact which has been a very important factor and has greatly aided the successful development of the Bull Lines and established a good will which is appreciated and respected.

The dining salan and smoking room on the S. S. "Angelina"

.114

ví®¡v;;

General offices of the Buíl Lines, Pier No. 3, San Juan

The Bull Lines in Puerto Rico A tribute to the ability of Mr. Miguel Such

NOLine MANin the has position done moreit occupies to put thetodayBullin Insular Puerto Rico than Miguel Such, vice-president and gen

eral manager. Since 1912, when he became associated

ly for supremacy.

Few facilities were available to

offer the trade, indeed none at all for loading or land-

ing cargo alongshore. With the exception of two small piers fully controlled by competing companies, no

with the ñrm, Mr. Such has put his whole heart into de-

means of landing cargo other than by lighters in the

veloping better transportation facilities for the Island,

stream were to be had.

building up güod will, gaining the conñdence of shippers, fighting for harbor and docking improyements, and doing everything possible to further the interests

icy was the only answer. He realized that shippers and merchants must be given more cooperation, and

Miguel Such soon discovered that a change in polhe held to the belief that the service oífered must be

of the Bull services.

In his early years with the company, Miguel Such

extended beyond that actually paid for in dollars and

overcame obstacles which threatened to wreck the

cents. The Bull Line, he contended, must interest it-

prospects of this line in the Puerto Rican trade. When he joined the Bull Line, he was a young man of twenty-four and new to the country. Problems faced him

the commercial.

which would have driven many men to the wall. But

despite handicaps seemingly insurmountable, he strengthened his organization under the fire of withering competition and carved for the Bull interests, and for himself, a place in the sun in Puerto Rico.

Like many another successful shipping man, Miguel Such has been "through the mili.

He has served at

sea in many capacities and has worked his way up through all the regular channels. Born in a little Spanish town in the Province of Huelva, forty-foui years

self in the civic activities of the community as well as

Proceeding along these lines, Mr. Such began to get heartening results, and within a year of his appoint ment as manager of the San Juan office, he was rewarded with the general managership (for the West Indies) of the Bull Insular Line. In the meantime, his efforts brought continued headway in the growth of the Bull Line and in a few years the firm had shed its shackles. The line now had its own piers, and its ter minal facilities were the best available.

In 1925, Miguel Such was elected vice-president of the Bull Insular Line, a position formerly held by Mr.

ago, the son of a Spanish naval ofíicer, Miguel Such received his early education at the Provincial Institute

Ernest H. Bull, one of the owners of the concern. Mr.

of Palma de Mallorca, following which he entered the

Mr. Archibald H. Bull, founder of the Bull Lines.

Spanish Merchant Marine School from which he graduated with honors at the age of sixteen. He then

saw servicc on several vessels in various capacities,

until, in 1910, he signed on the steamer Brazos as assistant purser—his final "ru" at sea. In 1912, he went ashore to join the firm of A. ri. Bull & Company as cashier and bookkeeper, and a \^eai later he was advanced to managership of the San Juan ofhces of the Bull Insular Line.

Little did A H. Bull & Company dream that this

appointment was to mark the beginning ot the Line's real expansión in the Puerto_ Rican trade. The Bull interests had been operating m the Island three years prior to the appointment of Mr. Such as manager, but with scant measure of success. Lertain incidents pre-

ceding its initial activitv in Ihierto Rico preventcd the concern from gaining a sound hold in the shippmg busi ness. Competition was very keen ahnost to the point of personal antagonism between the several managers of the stcamship coinpaiiies that were hghting dog-gcd-

Bull became president after the death of his father, "Mike," as he is popularl}^ known, is a trulv inter-

national citizen. Spanish by birth. Puerto Rican by adoption and .-Vmerican by citizenship, he is welcome in all social circles in the Island and takes an active part in many of the civic and commercial activities of

Puerto Rico. Pie is director in many firms and civic organizations. Mr. Miguel Such, vice-president of the Bull Lines and general nianagcr of Puerto Pico operations. scated in his prii\tte office, Pier 3, San Juan

(§ince i8go the Porto Rico Ptne has aided tn the

P)evelopment of Puerto Rico FORTY-FOÜR years! For all that time the Porto Rico Line has been serving Puerto Rico loyally . . . operating a regular year-round passenger and

freight service . . . building new ships . . . contributing money to Puerto Rican tourist enterprises . . . and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to advertise the attractions of Puerto Rico to the American travel-

ing public! Such a record is hard to match, either in Puerto

Rico or other nearby resorts. And it stretches over a period of almost half a century. Ever since its incorporation in October 1890, the Porto Rico Line has been closely identified with the development of the Island as a tourist center and has used every means at its command to foster the interest

of Americans in visiting it. The Company boasts of an excellent fleet of modern passenger steamers with which to attract such tourists.

The "Borinquen," flagship of the fleet, and her running mate, the "Coamo," built within recent years at a cost of $3,000,000.00 each, maintain a weekly express

service between New York, Puerto Rico and Santo

Domingo, supplemented by the popular cabin steamers San Juan, Ronce and the newly chartered steamer San Jacinto.

The investment does not stop there. Great termi nal facilities have been erected, both in San Juan and

in New York, for the efficient and satisfactory handling of the Island's passenger and freight trafific. In San Juan an elabórate pre-cooling fruit plant with a capac-

ity of 20,000 boxes, has been installed at a cost of $160,000, which now handles virtually all the citrus fruits leaving Puerto Rico for the U. S. All the ships of the line have refrigerated holds to continué the safe and

efficient handling of fruit cargocs. The line is eager at all times to maintain its pas senger service at the highest leve!, and is constantly making improvements and additions toward that end.

The selcction of ships' officers and persnnnel is the result of years of experience in the handling of tourist travel, and we feel justly proud of the record achievcd.

Flundreds of letters are received by the company from passengers who have enjoyed the service, letters which reflect in a convincing way the satisfaction which travelers flnd in the equipment and service of the line. Such letters are not solicited, but represent spontaneous expressions of gratification for treatment received during a trip.

The advertising placed by the Porto Rico Line mounts into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and has resulted in attracting thousands of tourists to

Puerto Rico. The annual appropriation is spent in posters, folders, magazines, newspapers and other media of publicity which circuíate in all parts of the

United States. The Porto Rico Line is perhaps the only company which has continuously and liberally advertised the Island for more than a quarter of a century with a view to increasing the influx of tourist travel.

S. S. "Borinquen,' flagship of the fleet

142

143

Boletín Oficial

With repe;il only less than a year oíd, the Line is

experiencing- an amazing incrcase in passenger traffic, the winter of 1933-34 showing a gaiii of more than

400% o\ei- the i)revious year. Advance spring and summer bookings are highly encouraging and it is almost a foregone conclusión that the line will carry heavily increased passenger lists this year to the Island.

With the inclusión of Santo Domingo City in the

itinerary of the "Borinc^uen" and "Coanio," a 14 hour service between San Juan and Santo Domingo is maintained which fosters improved commercial relations between the two islands, giving more satisfactory pas

senger service for business men, and aftording at the same time an opportunity for tourists to visit Santo Domingo.

All tJic faciiitics of modcrn dcck Ufe are foiiiid on Porto Rico Line steanicrs

O ver thirty years ago, service between New Orleans and Puerto Rico was inaugurated, four sailings

monthly l:)eing maintained at the present time. Ser vice is also maintained between ]\'Iobile, Tampa, other

Gulf ports and Puerto Rico. Thus are the commercial interests of Puerto Rico

fostered by swift and ethcient service to principal ports of the North American Continent. But perhaps even

1

more important is the way in which this Line makes the Island known to Americans far and wide.

The

President of the United States, in his recent visit, expressed the intention of the government to promote

the advantages of Puerto Rico. And surely there is no surer and more direct way of doing this than by bringing increasing numbers of Americans to see the sights of the Island, to enjoy its superb chínate and

the leisurely, colorful life that contrasts so agreeably with the bustle of northern cities. They return with

a friendly feeling for Puerto Rico—a feeling that not only will Indng them back again and inspire their friends to malee the trip, Init that will make them recognize and buy the products of the Island.

S. S. "Coaiiio.

fofular eniisiiiq liiier

TIic dcliglitfui hedroom aboie and suiitbtiious loungc be are fyfical of Porto Rico Line affoiiitiiieiits

M

ommia«<ín«f

1 Dumpít^ Are* ,af Cabras l»Un<Í

Proposeds depf.ii \<2t'

Proposed depiH 50

™ Proposed dspVb 3S'-Ur^enl, (^ fes i:) Proposesd dep^K SO» UrjJ^enf.

Sa/s Juan Harbor improvement

AERIAL MAPOF 5AN JUAA HARBOR PuERTO RlCO

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4

S

"*»«*«.** -d

m/ij;'' ¡ki!^<-iT-

D-T^'liSfc*i2''f't "■fi*

Fropoo«d dumptni Aroond

BAY

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í

&rTc

i, 'Vcyi^

J HÍíí.'i'?

The Motile, Miami & Gulf Steamship Co. The

Jterman Line

_5-_ Fairport discliarging a cargo at the Pyramid Dock, San Juan

The Mobilc, Miami and Gulf Steamship Company, better known as the "Waterman Lina," has

Florida, as it opened up new markets for Florida prod

ucís and gave to Puerto Rico a new source of supply

operated to Puerto Rico from Gulf ports for a

for lumber, cement, citrus fruit boxes and many other

period of seven years, inaugurating this service in

commodities.

August, 1926. In the past this company has operated

In August, 1933, the Waterman Line extended

steamers from all of the principal ports in the Gulf of

their service to Puerto Rico by making New Orleans,

México, but in recent years has concentrated its eíforts principally in the ports of Mobile, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, calis being made at other ports in the Gulf, east of New Orleans, when sufficient cargo offers.

Louisiana, a regular port of cali with direct scheduled sailings every fourteen days. Acconimodations for a

The first direct ser\dce between Florida and Puerto

Rico was established by the Mobile, Miami and Gulf Steamship Company. The regular service they have maintained between Tampa, Florida, and Puerto Rico has bcen of great benelit, both to the Island and to

limited number of passengers are available at very reasonable rates to Tampa, Mobile and New Orleans.' The comfort of the passenger facilities on the Waterman

I.ine steamers is one of many reasons for the increas-

ing popularity of the service. For years the Mobile, Miami and Gulf Steamship Company was represented in Puerto Rico by a general agent in San Juan and sub-agents throughout the Island. To offer fürther co-

operation and facilities, Mr. W. H. Creary was sent to Puerto Rico by the Waterman Line, opening an office

in .\ugust, 1931. Mr. Walter Cope is now'^in charge

of the business in Puerto Rico and assists the importer and exporter with their transportation problcms. The

home office of the Mobile. Miami and Gulf Steamship Comixmy, or, as it is more popularly known. the Waterman Line. is located at Mobile, .\labama This

company is interested principally in the dcveícumicnt ot trade between Puerto Rico and the southern states

Mobile and New Orleans are much closer to Chicago and other large cities in the middlc west and the sonVb

than any North Atlantic port. Both Mobile and^Tgw Orleans ofter excellent railroad connections and dockmg facdities and shipments can be delivered to con Full cargoes of lumhcr front the Southcrn Staics are carried to Puerto Rico bv the M atcnnan Ltne

signees m Chicago and many other points rapidly and efhcientlv.

145

77ií frciglit aiid /^asscngcr stcoiiwrs—Slí'lla Lykes aiid

Margarcl Lykcs—/ii'o of thc iiiodcni Tcsscls ofcrated by

ihc Lykcs Linc in thc Puerto Rican tradc

Lykes Bros. Steamship Company ^IRST operations of the Lykes Bros. Company, to Puerto Rico, Haiti, andumber Santo ot years „„ . „

_ go were begun in 1906. During a nru..---

-

prior to that time, the organization had handled large

oííering, calis are also made at rkux Cayes, Arroyo,

Arecibo, Miragoane, Jacmel, Santo Domingo City and San Pedro de Macoris. Cargo from the southvvestern

area destined for La Guayra, Maracaibo, Puerto Ca

quantities of cattle from the American soutnwest

bello and Curacao is transshipped at San Juan, Puerto

through Galveston to Cuba.

Rico.

,

Providing passenger accommodations on the ves

Por the last several vears there have been regular fortnightly sailings from Galveston and Houston to Puerto Rico and other islands of the West Indies. i wo

sels in the Puerto Rican service is a development of the company's business that has pro\en of ^■alue to

and the Genevieve Lykes. Both ships are equippea tor

maintaining this service—the S. S. Margaret Lykes

tractive cruises are provided by the linc and stopover privileges can be secured.

carrymg passengers as well as freight, and additiona facihties on the Margaret Lykes consist of refngerated cargo space for the transport of perishables to and

ships may visit all the principal ports of the Island by remaining on board his vessel, using the ship as his

residents of the areas served, as well as to tourists. At-

of the crack ships of the Lykes Line are employed in

Arriving at Puerto Rico, the tra\'eler on Lykes Lme

from the West Indies.

hotel. It is possible also to leave the ship at San Juan,

Regular fortnightly service to the Caribbean ports is also maintained by the Lykes Line from Port Ar-

in the north, and travel over a beautiful highway through the mountain section of Puerto Rico to Ponce,

thur, Beaumont and Lake Charles

on the south coast, there again to board the Lykes

Further operations

of the hne include regular twice a month sailings from

steamer.

The S. S. Margaret Lykes does its share toward

(jalvcston and Houston to Cristóbal, C. Z., and to Car tagena, Puerto Colombia, .Santa María, and other South

maintaining the reputation of the line for de])endable and efhcient serx'ice. This shi]) is ])ro\ided with attractive and commodious quarters for passengers. Lxcellent passenger accommodations are also offered on

Amcncan pcjrts. /\t Cristóbal, transshipment facilitics are available for shipments moving to ports on the West Coast of South América. The line operates seven vessels m its various West Indian and South American

three other vessels.

services, all of which carry mail.

Aside from the W^est Indies and ísduth .'\merican

services, Lykes Bros. opérate in the trade from Gulf IKírts to the United Kingdom. France. Germany, Hoh land. Italy, Spain. Portugal. Hawaii, China, Japan and

Reguby ports of cali of Lykes Line ships in the Puerto Rican service include San Juan. Ponce, Mayaguez. and .^guadilla. Port au Prince, Plaiti, is also on

the list of ports for regular calis. Depending on cargo

the Philippine Islands. 146

Spanish Line STILL another transportation company which serves the Island of Puerto Rico is the Compañía Transatlántica de Barcelona (The Spanish Line), which is represented in Puerto Rico by Miguel Mocoroa Arsuaga, general commission agent and representative of several insurance firms, with offices at 17

Tetuan street, San Juan. The Puerto Rican service of the Spanish Line is taken care of by three 13,250 ton vessels, the Juan Se bastian Elcano, Marques de Comillas, and Magallanes. These vessels are primarily passenger ships and oiíer all the luxury and comfort known to modern sea travel. Passenger and freight service is oftered over a route including the following ports: Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Cádiz and Canary Islands, to San Juan, taking in the ports of Santo Domingo, La Guayra, Porto Ca bello, Curacao, Puerto Colombia, Cristóbal (Canal Zone), Port Limón, Puerto Barrios, Havana, and New

irsíb

York.

The agent for this line, Mr. Arsuaga, is the successor to Sobrinos de Arsuaga, Inc. He is of Spanish birth and has been cstablished in business in Puerto

Rico for years. Aside from handling the añ'airs of the Spanish Line he also is engaged in the handling of all Unes of insurance as the representative of American, English and Canadian companies. He has established sub-agencies in the various towns of the Island. Also, he is agent and distributor for Montezuma brand asphalt, manufactured b}^ the Warner Ouinlan Company of New York, which has been widely used by the government and the municipalities for highway work and street paving. Another product which he handles is piping for sewers and aqueducts. Mr. Arsuaga is also

The tuell aptointcd lincrs—Marques De Comillas—Magallanes— Juan Sebastian Eleano—zeere ¡'laced in scrviec bchveen Spain, New York and Puerto Rico in 192S, making San Juan a schedulcd

agent for much of the urban real estáte owned by Spanish families formerly resident in the Island.

port of cali

Mr. Arsuaga has been a progressive element in Puerto Rican affairs and has figured considerably in the civic and social Ufe of the Island. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico.

1

'ihe li'inter Carden—./ distinctivc

rendczz'Ous—typieally Spanish

Righf—Scetion of main Dining Rooni

147

Boletín Oficial

148

Pier No. 5 of tlie San Juan Mercantile Corporation, San Juan

San Juan Mercantile Corporation AMONG the many other shipping firms doing busi ness in Puerto Rico, five are represented by a single ñrm—the San Juan Mercantile Corpora tion. This ñrm was established in 1923 by Carlos

Conde, deán of the shipping agents in Puerto Rico, having been in the business more than forty-ñve years.

diately upon its organization in 1923. The Cuban Line has, for more than fifty years, operated steani vessels on regular schedule between Cuba and Puerto Rico. At present it provides the only direct route connecting the two islands. Both freight and passenger service is available, two sailings a month being mam-

Since the organization of the firm Mr. Conde has held the position of president and general manager.

tained. The vessels connect San Juan with Havana

Mr. Conde's shipping experience dates from the days when the Island was dependent largely upon ships

mingo. Cargo from Cuba consists largely of tobáceo, mahogany, corn, beer, guava jelly, and similar prod-

for transportation of commodities between its various ports. His first connection was with the Compañía Puertorriqueña de Vapores, which operated vessels to

in some years, sending whole cargoes at a time.

and Santiago de Cuba as well as ports in Santo Do

ucts. In return. Puerto Rico ships coffee principally, Horn Line

and from Island ports distributing provisions and

bringing sugar to San Juan and Ponce for pport. As the Island developed its inland transportation system, this coastwise service was discontinued, but Mr. Conde

continued in the shipping business through association with Villar & Company, until 1923, when he withdrew to organize the San Juan Mercantile Corporation. The corporation operates Pier 5, in San Juan, one

The only European line represented by San Juan Mercantile is the Horn Line, operating a fleet of motor ships under the Germán flag. The Horn Line started its service to Puerto Rico eight years ago. H

tains a regular schedule between Hamburg and An werp to San Juan, with occasional calis, cargo offering, at Ponce, Mayaguez, and other ports. The Horn Lme

of the largest in the West Indies, and located in the center of the harbor's waterfront development. Steam-

fleet consists of 6,000 ton cargo vessels, with passenger

ers drawing up to 28 feet can be accommodated, and

regular service is established to other West InA'^"

the American Railroad has a spur line on the pier. The

accommodations and aside from its Puerto Rican ports such as Santo Domingo, Haití, and Jamaica.

corporation's offices are located on the second ñoor of the pier shed.

Munsojt

The Unes, which are represented in Puerto Rico by San Juan Mercantile, are the following; Empresa Naviera de Cuba (Cuban Line), the Horn Line, the

business in the West Indies and South América, routes

Munson Line, Mallory Transport Line and the Williams Tune.

The Munson Line, which carries on a considerable a ship on an average of once a month to Puerto Rico,

Santo Domingo and Venezuela. The cargo carried to Puerto Rico is largely Ford automobiles.

Aside from acting as agent for the above steamship

Mallory

companies the San Juan Mercantile Corporation also represents the Alliance Assurance Company, Ltd., of

London, England (one of the oldest and largest insurance com])anies in the field), and in addition is the solé

agent and importer of Tropical beer, a Havana brewery product.

The Mallory Trans]iort Line operates a regular freight service of chartered A'essels between New ^ ork

and Puerto Rico. Cargoes generally consist of hiniber, fertilizer and cement.

The San Juan Mercantile has sub-agencies in

Williams Li?ie

Ponce, Mayaguez, Arecibo, Guayama, Aguadilla, Hu-

The Williams Line, operating from San Francisco

macao and Caguas. on

Cjmpresa Naviera de Cuba The cor]v)ration began to act as agent for the Empresa .Na\iera de Cuba, or Cuban Line imme-

the Paciíic coast, maintains scheduled fortnightly iings into Puerto Rico with San Juan, Ponce and

sail

yaguez, ports of cali. Fight large modern \mssels

Mac

c.v, in this service and the ])rincipal Paciflc coast car

are

goes consist of rice, beans and lumber.

Boletín Oficial

149

'í, -'.-i ,

S. S. Hollyii'ood One of the Pacific-Argentine-Brasil Liners of McCormick Steaiiuhip Company in dircct scrvicc from llie P-acific Coast to Puerto Rico

McCormick Steamship Co. The McCormick Steamship Company of San Francisco pioneered the Pacific Coast to Puerto Rico service, starting in 1927 with occasional vesseis carrying rice as principal cargo. Due to the efforts of the traffic department of the company sufficient volume of business was created to justify the establishment of a regular service, beginning in 1928, with

monthly sailings that shortly became fortnightly, and Avere extended to the ports of Ponce and Mayaguez.

Since then the tonnage moving from tlie Pacific Coast ports of the United States to Puerto Rico has

been climbing steadily. Today many commodities are being carried that were once viewed as unprofitable because of possible competition from North Atlantic and Gulf producing centers. The volume of West Coast luniber, for example, consumed in Puerto Rico

at present, is surprisingly high, A few years ago douglas fir (the principal timber) was not used in Puerto

Rico at all, and the McCormick Steamship Company is directly responsible for the introduction of it in the Island market.

During the past few years the McCormick Com pany has been making the Puerto Rico service with

its PAB Line ships, giving the Island the only direct fortnightly service to the Argentine, Uruguay," Brazil, Trinidad and Barbados, which countries wíll in the

near future contribute greatly to the develnpment of the export trade of Puerto Rico, because efforts have been made to create a demand for tobáceo, coft'ee, em-

broidery, ready-to-wear clothing and other products and manufactures from the island in the above mentioned localities.

The efforts of the McCormick Line in Puerto Rico have been attended with considerable success and the

line is also well regarded by the people, The companv had an opportunity to be of great service last year bv Diniug salón—oiw of Mi-Coniiick S. S. Co.'s freighl and passriigcr steainers

transporting, free of charge, food products which were donated by the State of California as its share in the relief necessitated bv the hurricane.

■<Wf

The S. S. "Chomedy" of the Canadian National Stcatnshil's makes Puerto Rico a schcdulcd port of cali. Mendaz & Coinpany general Island agenis

Canadian National Steamships

CANADIAN National Steamships are represented in Puerto Rico by the well-known commission

pany of New York, Insurance Company of North América, Philadeíphia, and the Board of Ünderwriters of New York.

JNzst India Ti^ading Company

house of Mendez & Company, with offices on

Deposito Street, in San Juan. Mendez & Company also maintain a Santo Domingo office. The line known as Canadian National Steamships operates a freight and passenger service from Montreal

and Halifax to Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Barbados, Trinidad and Demerara. Fortnightly sail-

ings are maintained with the vessels Colborne, Chome dy, and Cornwallis, all of which are 8,300 tons dead-

weight.

Mendez & Company have represented this

line since 1931.

Among the many steamship Unes opcrating m Puerto Rico is the West India Trading Com pany, represented by Sobrino de Isejuierdo, Inc.

The West India Company is a Danish concern with

headquarters in Copenhagen. The line schedules a steamer on an average of once a month to Puerto Rico and other islands of the West Indies.

Solirino de

Iscjuierdo is an importer of large quantities of Danish

cement, as much as a shipload having been brought in

at one time on ships of the West India Trading Com

Hamburg- Am erican

The Agency of the Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG) in San Juan was established around

1880. Korber & Co., Inc. (formerly Mullenhoíí & Korber) have been the company's representatives in Puerto Rico ever since. A regular monthly freight service is being maintained by the HAPAG from Ham-

burg via Antwerp to San Juan and other ports of Puerto Rico. While cargo during the Spanish regime consisted principally of rice and provisions and manu-

factured goods, it is limited today principally to fertilizing materials such as potash and sulphate of ammonia and to cement. After unloading at Puerto Rican ports the vessels proceed to ports in the Dominican

Republic and to Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba. Homeward bound, the vessels load coffee, cocoa, tobáceo, hides, lumber and raw sugar for Europe. The Hamburg-American Line maintains several other Unes to the West Indies and the north coast of

South América with some of the company's finest ships

pany. Several other Danish products are handled by the firm as a result of its connection with the above mentioned line.

Royal Netherlands

The Roya! Netherlands Steamship Company has had ships in the Puerto Rican trade since 1918.

Through this line the Island is offered still an-

other European contact by means of a fortnightly ser

vice direct to Hamburg, Bremen, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Vessels in this regular fortnightly service cali at San Juan, Ponce, and Mayaguez, and any other outport when sufficient cargo offers. _The

ships of the line likewise proceed to Santo Doniii^o, Kingston, Santiago de Cuba, l'ort au I'rince, Cy

Haitian, and Central American ports, offering a freight

and passenger service. An auxiliary ser\ ice encirclmg

the Island of Puerto Rico is the Curacao-.-\ntille.s Line,

connecting the Island direct with Curacao and the

Dominican Republic. The line is a feeder for the big passenger steamers

recently built twin screw motor Unes

Caribia and Cordillera, both of 16,000 tons displace-

ment.

The average speed of these vessels is 17 miles

and they have accommodation for about 370 passengers in ñrst, second and tourist class.

Korber & Co., Inc., the line's agents in Puerto Ricfj, was established in San Juan in 1878. During the Span

ish regime banking and importing werc the principa! business of this firm. With the change of sfjvereignty in 1898 the fi rm established manv agency connections in the L nited States. Among (jthers they are agents

tfiday for The Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Company,

American Agricultura! Chemical Company, Deere '& Company, .Allis-Chalmers, The Home Insurance Com

of the company from Curacao to Europe and has been used by coffee exporters for shipping to the contincnt.

.Severa! other Unes of the company are ojierated in tne West Indies and South América, in addition to iD

well-known Baltic, Mediterranean and other wellknown European services.

The Royal Netherlands Steamship Company is rep

resented in Puerto Rico by the comparatively new

fi rm, the San Juan Trading Company, Inc. This corporation is engaged in the importing and general com mission business, representing a number of well-known

American fi rms. They are ju'ominent in the biiildin.g

materials fi eld.

:so

"n

151

Boletín Oficial

li''L.

• . ¿jf "'

cy>.

m

ooCí

i

5í.í I

grí VjS

III

I / ^V

N:m <á? I I r< iífeV

'*

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i^-/.

imi IPP 'jPI

I—Jf pr'^'í

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iM.aiL'' «1».^

!H A i'ícw o/ San Juan Harbor from the inaiii cnlrancc of the Federal fí uildinti

.^1

3rt •

Pan

American

Airways Isla Grande Airport of thc Pan American Airieays ai San Juan accommodates ¡and or sea planes

PUERTO RICO, through its capital city, San Juan, enjoys international air mail, passenger and express service unexcelled by any port in the world, with the possible exception of the fact that a few other

ports may have a slightiy more frequent service. San Juan is, however, connected by a regular air

removed from Trinidad, a day and a half from the Guianas, two days from Para, Brazil, ñve days from Rio and other Brazilian ports, and seven days from Montevideo and Buenos Aires.

These schedules will

be shortened by approximately two days before the

of the overnight air service from Miami to New York,

end of this year, when it is expected that Pan American will place in service new swift and long range flying boats of the type of the famous Brazilian Clipper which recently in its maiden trip to South América cut two days from the present schedule between Buenos Aires and Miami. The new type of international air trans-

passengers, mail and merchandise leave San Juan any Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive in New

of mail and merchandise, and will carry out regular

service of three round trips each week to the United States at Miami, Florida. This distance of 1,250 miles is traveled in one day, with stops at San Pedro de Macoris and Port au Prince, Haiti. Thus by means

York or intervening points the following morning—a total distance of approximately 2,500 miles. The Pan American Airways System, which operates this service, also operates its main line to South Amér ica through San Juan to the T.ceward and AVindward Islands, Port of Spain, the Guianas. Brazil. Uruguay and Argentine. At present San Juan is only one day

port has a capacity of 32 passengers and 2,000 pounds schedules between the Americas at a speed of approxi

mately 160 miles per hour. Puerto Rico will benefit directly by this new service because it is one of the main points of cali on the international airline to the great trade centers of eastern South América.

San Juan is not only of great importance as a center of trade with the United States but tlie interest and

beauty of the capital city itself as well as the entire Island, and the excellence of its hotel accommodations, make it a favorite stopping point for tourists.

The business men and people of Puerto Rico have come to depend on Pan American air service for quicjc communication and transportation. This confidence is justified by the fact that since the Pan American com])any began operations in San Juan five years Jgo- ^

regularity of 99.7 per cent has been maintained in the air schedules in and out of San Juan. In fact

rcmarkable record of dependability is maintained througliout the Pan American Airways system of 21.()f'n miles witli wliich San Juan is connected, and whicli provides tli.'it colony with regular air service to 31 countries and colonies of Latin América.

Since tlie beginning of the air service at Puerto

Rico, a steady and suíxstantial growth in the volume of passengers and air mail, as well as merchandise shi])ped by air exjiress, has been seen.

_

Puerto'Rico's international air base combines both

;in cxcellent air]iort for land planes and a marine base for tlie luige l';in American flying boats. It is located in the beautiful harbor of San Juan, on the peninsu a From Fnerto Rico to Nezv York. 2,500 miles, in a day and a half

known commonlv as "Isla Grande," only five minutes drii'e from the center of the city. 152

Boletín Oficial

153

rnPuERtb Ríe*

i '•Jlfi. lÜIIWitPHII ii

lii.li

n»VLCAttiTT'mnmrrn

\0 BJ?<

I'art of Ihc flcct of tnicks ofcralcd throughout llic Islaiid by the Fucrto Rico Shil^tcrs Scrvicc, Iiic.

A Motorized Express Service ESTABLISHED to engage in the general forwarding and express business, Puerto Rico Shippers Service, Inc., at first concentrated on catering to

the exacting needs of the needlework industry. Costly linens and silks, frequently shipped íroni Europe, or coming from the United States, are received at New York for delivery in Puerto Rico. If shipments come in bond from Europe, Puerto Rico Shippers Service takes care of all details at the custom-house, including the

payment of duties and the arranging of proper clear-

ances. The goods are then forwarded to the manufacturer in Puerto Rico. European shipments may be consigned tu Puerto Rico Shippers Service, New York,

either collect or prepaid. A special service on C.O.D. merchandise, collection on drafts and othcr documents also is offered.

The cióse personal attention given to each shipment has proven to be more than satisfactory to shippers. Finished needlework is collected in Puerto Rico, fre

quently for the steamer following the arrival of the raw material, and forwarded to its destination. From needlework a general express and delivery business has been built up that has shown remarkable

growth even during a period of slackened business activity. Fully seventy-five per cent of the drug and pharmaceutical supplies imported into Puerto Rico in the past year and a half have been handled by Puerto Rico Shippers Service.

,

As a further service for its clients Puerto Rico

Shippers Service has established an insuiance department which, as used by the textile industry, provides

protection for raw materials from the point of origin,

claims were paid to clients of Puerto Rico Shippers Service due to the foresight of the forwarders. Puerto Rico Shippers Service, Inc., has its New

York headquarters at 145 Hudson Street, (with six branch offices throughout the metropolitan area). The main office in Puerto Rico is in San Juan with branches in Ponce, Maj^aguez, Aguadilla, Arecibo, Caguas, Guayama and Manati. The service was established by Willard T. Burkett and Pedro Bras in August, 1932, after they liad been associated for years in the express business. Mr. Burkett is in charge in New York and Mr. Bras in Puerto Rico.

For several months each

year Mr. Burkett and Mr. Bras relieve each other so that each keeps in cióse contact with both mainland and Island clients. The New York office has become

a service clearing house. Through it emergency pun chases ranging from bedroom slippers to a bride's trousseau have been made—personal commissions performed wholly satisfactorily and quite cheerfully. When the United States Government a few months

ago sent pork to Puerto Rico for distribution as an

emergency relief measure. Puerto Rico Shippers Ser vice, Inc., unexpectedly found itself selected as the

médium for the delivery of 300,000 pounds of pork to every section of the Island.

With a fleet of fifteen trucks and a trained personnel that knows rural Puerto Rico as thoroughlv as it dees the cities and towns. Puerto Rico Shippers Ser

vice accepted the assignment as part of the day's work

and distributed the meat in each of the seventy-six municipalities. Some months before it had delivered

in either the United States or_ Europe, until returned

many thousands of pounds of food and clothing for the

ance against loss by hurricane, tornado, fire, theft, stain or damage in processing, marine and war risk is providcd. Following a flood in Mayaguez, one of the

Red Cross, following a hurricane. Its trucks were the first on the road making scheduled dcliveries after the storm. Puerto Rico Shippers Service has delivered a three-and-a-half ton truck and a half-ounce bottle of medicine with equal dispatch.

to the owner in the form_ of finished garments. Insurneedlework centers. last year more than $.-)0.000 in

Thwty Years ofProgress in

Transportation THIRTY years ago the transportation facilities of Puerto Rico were very primitive. Wagons, oxcarts and hand carts jostled each other in a mis-

cellaneous confused mass of traffic. Shipments from one island port to another were made by ox-carts or by sailing vessels which plied around the coast, for at that time the railroad could not take shipments through to Ponce or Mayaguez. The Une from San

Juan ran only as far as Camuy, and there was a sep Blank and Stollcr, Inc.

árate Une from Aguadilla to Ponce. _ Even at that time there were men whose visión

Mr. A. D. TIWHIO.Í

pictured the progress which was later to make the

Island one of the busiest centers of trade to be found

on the Caribbean. Among these' was Mr. A. D.

Thomas, President of the Porto Rican Express Company, who went to Puerto Rico in 1905 and concluded

negotiations with the American Railroad Company for the establishment of a modern express service over their Unes in Puerto Rico.

Shortly after this service had been organized, the raí road Une between Camuy and Aguadilla was opened and from that time there has been a day and nig t service on all of the passenger trains, a service 3ene ting some forty odd communities. Some years a er when automobile transportation was introduced

in o Puerto Rico this Company extended this service 0 points in the central and east coast regions and later to the mountain towns above Mayaguez, so that now y ^ town of any importance in the Island

rinu'^

^ tlependable service under a regular

t-i/ y.^^h^dule. In fact the merchants of Puerto Rico AíiMif u

after ship^^*^

^ matter of course that their shipments

Island by the morning

press that contributed in large part to its very rapid development, for not only is the material for manu

facture placed in the hands of the contractors and plants in the cjuickest possible time but the allotments for the individual workers are carried liack and forth

from the distributing centers by the same seri'ice with a promptness which greatly stimulates the output.

Many of the manufacturers in the States have declared that except for this service they would never have dared undertake the large scale ojierations which have made this industry one of the most important factors in the Island's economic Ufe.

While Mr. Thomas maintains his headquarters in

the New York office of the company he is a familiar figure in the Ufe of Puerto Rico, being well known in

the field of sports as well as the business world, bis company being one of the charter mcmbers of the Berwind Country Club where he has fre(|uently given a good account of himsclf in the local golf tournaments. His policy has lieen to em])loy men of I^ucrto Rican

birth throughout the organization in Puerto Rico and

íorn/

York was established at the same time as the

and freight service between Puerto Rico

has in his manager, Mr. J. A. Camacho, a man of outstanding integrity and ability. One of the things which Mr. Thomas has always

Tslnn

kind ever known in the

insisted upon, and which has lieen largely res])onsible for the success of his business, is the ])rotection of

nn A"

nr.i.r did Pin f

Itom a very small beginning this trade has an enormous volume of traffic. so well method meet the necds of the Puerto

ber-A The manufacturers in the States ip:' ^ iiiked to their customers in Puerto Rico by 'irtery of trade which lirought them so cióse

the ship])ing public through the kee])ing of accurate records. An abuse incidental to the exjiress business in the .States was the doulile collection of charges due to inade(|uate records, a thing almost unknown in

neighl)ors. The transjiortation

Puerto Rico. The system which he inaugiirated in the lieginning was almost idéntica! witli tiie s\ stem which

merrh-an and customer so freiiuently cause friction between were entirely eliminated and

forced the American companies to adojit. Tlie carefiil

diffl -' ,

1

'^'"a of good vi'ill was estalilished. Through the

inancia

acilities thus estaldished and with the ccr-

ain 3 o leing able to make C.CJ.I). shijiments safeiv, merchants both in the States and in Puerto Rico have xen a > e to transact a ty])e of'liusiness which, other-

"wise. would have lieen diflicult or im]iossible. M hen the needlework industrv in Puerto Pico came into being, it was the service of the Porto Rican Ex-

the

Tnterstate

Commerce

C'omniission

exentually

records ke])t by the Porto Rican Ifxjiress t"om]>any, ¡larticularly in the matter of C.O.l). collections entrusted to them, jiermit the shi])])ing ])ul)lic to ascertain the actual status of their shi])nients vvitli the minimiim

of incon\enience and dela_\'. and while these records unquestionably increase the cost ot the company s o])erations, Mr. Thomas has ne\ er ])ermitte(l his organ ization to relax in this imiiortant detail. 154

155

Boletín Oficial

Ngedlework Industn^

^. f PuertoRico J 5!;H! I*

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cstahlislniiciit of Miss María Luisa Arrrlay iii Aíayaguc:

156

Boletín Oficial

Excellent zvorking conditions are afforded in thc modern, sanitary, zvcll lighicd f^lanls localcd throughoiit the ¡stand. A Laude and Miskend establishment

Needlework A $10,000,000 Industry

The needlework and garment industry of Puerto Rico is truly a million dollar enterprise, only

immediate sale, at very high prices, and an emphatic demand for more.

exceeded in importance by the sugar industry. One of the Island's youngest industries, non-existent

Rican needlework was so great that certain influential

progressive Puerto Rican enterprise paid out over $10,000,000 in wages alone last year to the thousands

women of Ponce saw the possibility of securing a permanent source of income for the poor through organ ized marketing of thé needlework done by the women

in any organized form less than thirty years ago, this

of workers engaged in it. Artistic needlework as an avocation has been a tradition among the women of Puerto Rico since the

XVI century but it was not until comparatively recent

The success of this first attempt to market Puerto

of the Island. Mrs. Miller, henee, with the aid of friends, formed a small society to afford a continual supply of needle products, and established a manual arts school for the purpose of instructing the poorer

times that any attempt was made to market the beau-

classes in this work.

ized business basis.

The early work placed on the market was of a most elabórate nature, consisting largely of the above

tiful creations of skilled Island artisans on an organ

The needlework industry of Puerto Rico, oddly enough, came into being as the result of a particularly destructive hurricane which devastated the Island in

mentioned drawnwork, a type of creation which is not

needlework in the true sense. As someone has cleyerly

1899, causing its greatest damage in the district of

said, "drawnwork is the destruction of construction. The worker takes a piece of lincn or silk, as the case

erty resulted from this hurricane, known locally as the

and then carefully constructs the desired pattern,

I once, on the south coast. Much suffering and povSan Ciriaco, and in an endeavor to raise money for relief, Mrs. Robert A. Miller, a sister of Mrs. Thomas

A. Edison, gathered together some of the finest specimens of Puerto Rican drawnwork produced by certain women of Ponce and sent them to the States for sale.

These pieces, exquisitely done and so elaborately decorated that scjme of them had been years in the mak-

ing, enjoyed a very enthusiastic reception, followcd by

may be, and destroys the mesh by drawing the thread, which the workers cali "calado."

Much of this work was so intricatc and delicate

that many of the specimens could be classed as mu-

seum pieces, and it was not uncommon to spend eight or ten years in making one beautiful priceless crea

tion. While this exquisite work is still being done

today, the needlework industry in the Island has, of course, cxpanded to the jjoint where every conceivable

157

Boletín Oficial variety of work is being done, and much of the pro-

"art" pieces which brought the Island its first fame

duction is simplcr in nature, and there is a tremendous

as a needlework center of distinction.

amount of machine work produced. But throughout

Over 150,000 persons are employed in the various branches of the industry today. There are some sixty

the entire industry, including the manufacturing branches, there is still the tradition of exquisite workmanship which has been synonymous with Puerto Rican needlework since its earliest beginnings. President

and

IMrs.

Theodore

Roosevelt

were

establishments in the Island devoted to the produc tion of needlework and manufactured goods, and last

year over 100,000 pounds of finished articles were shipped to the United States. Practically all Puerto

among the first buyers of Puerto Rican needlework

Rican needle products are exported.

and in 1906 an exclusive design was created for the

Children's dresses, silk underwear and ladies' dresses are made in factories, whether handmade or

White House. This was the first large order received

for Puerto Rican work and came through Mrs. William

machine made, and represent about fifty per cent of

Henry Lothrop. In the curtains included in this order

the movement. In volume, handkerchiefs are by far

was used the conventional rose pattern, and since that time it has been called the White House pattern. It was done in what the worker calis the "perrilado" profile, or outline pattern, a very delicate and beautiful piece of work.

the leading product. The amount of cotton wearing apparel produced annually has a valué of $13,000,000, while the handkerchiefs alone are valued at $1,000,000 a year.

. .

The first "historical" or commemorative drawn work done in the Island was started in 1921 at the

Although the industry had its origin in Ponce it is today spread all through the entire Island. The center of the industry is Mayaguez, in which over thirty fac

instigation of Mrs. Miller, who did so much to en-

tories are located, and'approximately sixty-five per cent

courage the production of beautiful needle artistry in Puerto Rico. This work consisted of doing drawnwork with the pattern including the favorite flower of each of the various presidents who have held office since Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States.

of all shipments go to and from that city. San Juan, Ponce, Arecibo, Guayama and Aguadilla rank next in order of importance.

While over sixty factories are located in the Island, it should be understood that these establishments pro

duce only the labor necessary in making the garments. In practically every instance the material is sent to these factories, which act as agents for the manufacturer. In some cases the manufacturer owns his own establishments in Puerto Rico, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Practically all wearing apparel work is styled and cut in the United States and shipned to the Island for the actual hand or machine work. In many cases

much material is shipped to Puerto Rico in a semimanufactured state for the embroiderv and fine needle work finishing for which the Island is famed. Puerto Rican needlework and kindred products are

widely sold in the United States and the quality is generally acknowledged to be equal or superior to the very best produced in Eurooe. All of the artistic silk lingerie, or the so-called French tvoe, for example, is shipped to the United States and is sold in such stores as Altman's, Lord & Taylor's, Macy's. Saks, IVork rooms in the Mayagues factory of

Marshall Field. etc.

Miss María Luisa Arcelay

The flower of President McKinley, the first president, is the carnation; that of Theodore Roosevelt the con ventional rose; that of Taft the full blown rose, and so on down the Une to the laurel, for the present presi

dent, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The privilege to use the flowers has always been given by the president or cióse members of his family, and when President Ploover visited the Island he was presented, by the citizens of Ponce, with a beautiful dinner set worked with his flower, the California poppy.

111 iH

In the comparatively few years that the needlework industry has bccn established in Puerto Rico, it has grown to tremendous proportions. It has steadily widened its scope until todav it produces an endless

variety of articles. representing all classes of work, with annual export figures running into the millions. Handkerchiefs. linens! artistic handmade lingerie, chil dren's and ladie.s' dresses and clothing. neckwear. etc.,

are produced in great volume, as well as the elabórate

The Iiiduslrial Algondera, San Juan, wherc cotton cloth is zvcai-ed and made into garments

158

Boletín Oficial

and operated with him in the making of ladies' shirt waists, trench voile and batiste. Phe garments manufactured in Puerto Rico under the supervisión of these men found a ready market in the ünited States and the reception was so favorable that other manu facturers began to come to the Island.

The eventual result of the picmeering of Seicher and Weil & W'eil was that cjperators came to the Island in large numbers and for .sc\-eral years there was a "boom" in this sort of work. Ünfortunately, the com-

petitors who followed the original ])ioneers did not maintain the same standards or quality, and it was ■ «ífs -i * K e-s a's.

about this same time that machines were fi rst intro-

duced into Puerto Rico.

For a time the identity of

hand work was lost, and the ])roblem.s and e\dl.s which always arise when an attemj^t is made to commercial-

Ht-i \g.\ss s

ize an art existed in Puerto Rico. at8'"n'^F E i

f a sí

g fe ■ » s as

a s a i..

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w ® ^

Jt i

g;: 's® B;- B Íp-Et ff: E Si 3't

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IB

S ■ "S

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Puerto Rico thousands of workers were left without

employment. The operators who remained plugged along, working on a small scale, making underwear, dresses, handkerchiefs and art linens, consisting of

towels, bridge sets, pillow cases, scarfs, etc.

All of

this art work was hand embroidered and hand drawn. The underwear and dresses were both hand and ma chine made.

»■ S

SÉ g E e A~ B E a I'S s SS «

Puerto Rican work

soon began to lose its popularity and eventually most of the operators left the Island. W^ith the majority of the manufacturers leaving

B

s

1 a s

Considerable difficulty was e.xperienced betwcen 1923 and 1928 in marketing Puerto Rican work in the Unitcd States, as Island work was unfavorably re-

ceived by the trade during that pcriod, however. As a result of the untiring efforts of the operators who remained in the Island throughout the lean years, the standard of cjuality of Puerto Rican work was

raised to its former level, and today the needlework production of the Island is considered second to nonc. Puerto Rico is greatly indebted to the several larger

operators who remained in the Island, and who, by producing nothing but the best, were able to overeóme

the prejudice against Puerto Rican work. It is through their efforts alone that garments made in Puerto Rico today are accepted throughout the United States as

superior material embodying expert workmanship.

Pande & Miskend, Tiny Town Togs, Morris E. Storyk, Joseph Love and Luis Tuttman are a few of the Amer ican manufacturers whose confidence in Puerto Rico Dressgs moda in Puerto Rico rcveal style, design and expert

workinansbip.

This garmení made by Tiuy Towii Togs

As the commercial birth of the needlework indus-

try in Puerto Rico is attributed more or less directly to the San Ciriaco hurricane of 1899, a subsequent disaster-—the World War—was the most important

factor in Ijringing aljout the development of the industry.

Pp to 1914 the American market was dependent upi')n hrance, P>elgium and Rq'ím for drawnwork and

embroidery. Nearly all needlework was of foreign origin. ^ Howeyer, due to the (lerman biockade and very high tariffs a virtual embargo existed and the

American manufacturers were forced to secure new

fi elds.

\t this time Mr. D. K. Seicher, a very large

contributed largely toward the rchabilitation of the industry and its present growth and prosperity.

In acknowledging the important ¡¡art ¡¡layed by the above operators and the valuable service they have performed for Puerto Rico, it is obvious that their efforts would have been largely in vain had it not been

for the part played by the people of Puerto Rico also. Mr. J. A. E. Rodriguez, whose confidence in the needle work industry is rcpresented bv an investment of o\'cr

$1,000,000; Miss María Luisa Arcelay, Mr. John Vidal, Mrs. Maria I. Landron, Miss Juana ClavcH, Mi.ss Maria Ilerastain, Mrs. juditb R. Xie\ a, Mrs. (lloria L. Domenech and Mrs. Vega are only a few who have

invested thousands in buildings and equipment for the production of high quality needlework and cotton man ufactures.

Within recent years the manufacture of linen and

operator in ladies' cottfm underwear, came to Puerto

Rico and established the first manufacturing plant.

other troi)ical suits has been undertaken in Puerto

Rico, largely for local consumption.

VA^eil & W'eil followed Mr. .Seicher to Puerto Rico

has also been undertaken on a considerable scale.

Hat weaving

159

Boletín Oficial

mm mm

Mayagtíc:: factory of Laude & Miskcnd, Lic., hcadquartcrs for all tlicir Islaud okcratious

Lande & Miskend, Inc. Lande & miskend, Inc., known throughout

Puerto Rico has benefited greatly from the opera

thc United States as manufacturers of the highest

tions of Tande & Aliskend. through not only aiíord-

' (luality handmade silk lingerie, are ene of the out-

ing employment to great numbers in the Island but from the publicity which has resulted from the high quality work coming from their Puerto Rican fac

standing textile firms operating in the Island of Puerto Rico.

A new policy was adoptcd in 1928, after la years devotcd to the manufacture of machine made silk underwear. The firm decided to restrict and confine

tories.

A^olande garments

were

exhibited

at the

World's Fair in Chicago and are widely advertised as being made in Puerto Rico—The Islc of Enchantment.

their activities solely to handmade products. Up to the time the firm made this decisión it had

long been the impression among the well-groomed wfimcn of América that entirely handmade under-

things could be produced nowhere as well as in France. With the duty imposed, it was, however, impossible for the woman in a\"erage circumstances to have in her wardrobe the delicate underthings she so desired.

Eande & Miskend, in 1928, decided to remove this mistaken idea and could conceive of no better place

to start operations than Puerto Rico. ^ The late Mr. lainde came to the Island and established factorics,

bringing with him a number of skilled operators who instructed the Island workers in this type of hand

work. .\t the ¡)resent time they employ over 3,000 skilled operators in factories locatcd throughout the Island. Though the main office and factory is in Mayaguez, they ha\-e modern cstablishinents in \ anco, Utuado, Águadilla, Ponce, Guayanilla and Tares.

Ifvery garment manufactured in Puerto Riccj is made within these factories and bears the well-known '\olande" trademark.

"i'olande ])roducts consist of stepms, cheniises, gowns, slips, pajamas, and sac([ues, and are made from r)nlv imre dve silks. The better shops everywhere fea-

ture Volande. including such stores as J. T. lludson, Detroit ; Saks Fifth .Avenue and IL Altman, Xcw A ork ; Carson Pirie Scott and Alarshall Fields, Chicago; R. H.

Stearns. l'oston; D. L1. Ilolmes and California.

Magnin s. ]olaiide liui/erie is eiitircly liaiidmade fruiii kiire dye silk

160

Boletín Oficial

Sr

! i

i

The Arecibo factory of A. Esteva Vidal—manufacturing ageiit for Lotiis Ttitliiian

Louis Tuttman Largesí Children s Dress Manufacturer in the W^orld

ALLUnited of the States children's dresses soid throughout the bearing the label "Ming Toy Togs" are made in Puerto Rico. Louis Tuttman, solé owner of the firm and an operator for more than 22 years in the garment industry, located factories in Puerto Rico in 1926. Today lie is the largest individual operator in the Island and thou-

sands of dozens of infants' and children's dresses are

made in his three Island plants.

In extcnding operations to Puerto Rico, cxpert and skilled operators were brought from the United States to instruct the Island workers in the use of industrial

machines. Ilis plants were among the first to use in dustrial machines in the Island's needlework industry.

All garments are made under one standard of quality and a system has been installed which produces a pop

ular priced dress f)f unusual design and workmanship. The main offices are located in Ncw York at 1333

Broadwav, in tlie Johnson Building, wherc large display rooms for the convenience of buyers are mam-

taincd. The art department is also located in New York and a staff of cxpert designers create the e.xclusive "Ming Toy Tog" models. Most of the garments are cut and styled in this department and sent to Puerto Rico ff)r the actual hand and machine work. Mr. Tuttman makes frequcnt visits to Puerto Rico

and a personal supervisión is exercised over the three manufacturing units which are located in Mayaguez, A sumidle uf ¡he children's dresses made in Puerto Rico by Louis Tuttman

Arecibo and Ponce. In normal times between four and five thousand are employ^^ in his factories.

A typical Puerto Rican landscape revealing Nature's siiperb artistry and the Islandés enchantment

Sil

si

TIic J. A. E. Rodrigue: Building ¡ocatcd in liíartin Pena, nninici/^ality of San Juan

J. A. E. Rodríguez, Inc. "7/^e Tijfany of the Needlework Industry^

FOR more than fifteen years Mr. J. A. E. Rodríguez has bcen identified with the needlework industry in

oped. He may be considered the pioneer in the mak ing of ladies' and gentlemen's Unen sport suits. These

l'uerto Rico. Throughout these years he has had

ítems were introduced into the United States during

perscmal experience in every phase of the industry and has played an important part in its development. the industry could be developed and survive its earlier

1933 and their exceptionally fine design and style made them instantaneously popular. They were first exhibited in Chicago at the Century of Progress and are now sold at many of the better stores throughout the United

set-backs, he ornanized and incorporated his firm in

States.

Having faith in Puerto Rico, and confidence that

Mr. Rodríguez is one of the leading industrialists

1925.

His establishment, located in San Juan, is one of the largest to be found in the Island. Over five

in Puerto Rico and one of the Island's most progressive

citizens. He gives freely of his time and money to Insular projects and has been actively identified with

hundred industrial machines have been installed in this

factory which is modern in every detail and provides harmonious surroundings for his 2,000 employees.

the Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association and Rotary Club. Garments manufactured and carrying the label

Many of the children's dresses marketed in the

United States and bearing the trademark "Tiny Town Togs" are made by Mr. Rodríguez. Ilis operations, however, are not confined only to

"The Tiffany of the Xeedlework Industry" are known for their quality of workmíinship, style, and design.

years he has manufactured ladies' silk underwear and

During recent years handmade silk lingerie exhibited at the Paris Exposition, París, France, was awarded

within the past year an entircly new line was devel-

a mcdal of merit.

the making of children's dresses.

For a number of

Catalan, González & Co.

CATAL.VN, (iOXZ.XEEZ X CO., located at Santurce in the municipality of San Juan, are manuíacturers of dress and work siiirts marketed under the trade ñame "Ilest E\er Shirts.' In a modern

establishment using some onc hundred Singer ma

'bATAliN GONZA ,4

chines and a dozen or more special maciiines, the

prf)duction reaches an annual hgure of 25,000 dozens. Raw materials, imported entirely from the Ibiited States, are valucd at $100,000.00 ycarly. The iirm, established in 1924, employs 140 workers

and is hcaded by M. .\. Catalan and Tose González. 161

1 he inaniifaeíuring f^lant of Catalan. Consale.: Cr Co.

Tiny Town Togs CHILDREN'S dresses of a quality and workmanship which have created a distinctive market in the United States have been made by the Tiny Town Togs Company in Puerto Rico' during the past nine years. This firm, headed by Joseph Levy, Stanley Konigsberg and Samuel Rubensohn, conduct all their manufacturing operations in the Island and were pioneers in factory production.

chine made and all production is confined to making

quality dresses expertly styled and dcsigned. The market for these garments extends to every State in the Unión and are sold in the best stores from Coast to Coast. Some dress manufacturcrs try to create the

impression their products are of foreign importation, while Tiny Town makes clear the fact their dresses are made in Puerto Rico—the Islc of Enchantment.

When operations were started in Puerto Rico the

The valué of the Insular operations of Tiny Town

firm realized the natural aptitude of the Island workers and the benefits to be realized by having garments made under their direct control and supervisión—and

Togs is understood and appreciated. The Company has maintained a policy of purchasing as much of Jheir supplies as possible in Puerto Rico and do business with many Puerto Rican firms. Mr. Levy is well

not according to sweat shop and home methods. Plants

in San Juan, Arecibo, Morovis, Yauco and Aguadilla afford employment to over 2,000 workers. Expert

known in the Island, making many trips every year.

operators were brought from the States and a system

cussions as applying to the needlework industry and

installed in the Tiny Town factories which provided

for constant supervisión and production of the highest standard of quality.

The Island workers were in-

structed in the latest and most efficient features of

dress manufacturing. Only a better grade of children's dresses, in sizes from one year oíd to twelve, bear the trade-mark of

"Tiny Town Togs." The garments are hand and ma-

His firm has taken a prominent part in NRA distheir efforts and influence were directcd towards

Puerto Rico having its own code authority and deputy administrator. If the initial program, that of having Puerto Rico included in the continental code, had been carried out it would have been disastrous to the indus

try and the officials in Washington were prevailed upon to make a thorough survey of Island conditions before installing the code.

Thc dress illustratcd oii pagc 158 made by Tiny Tozan Togs

■1933 Textile Production Cotton Manufactures:

Ouantities

Labor

178,318 524,407 330,894

$1,457,013 2,716,669

Wearing Apparel, Women's: Dresses, skirts & waists.Doz. Underwear Children's Dresses

Doz. Doz.

26,262

1,466,011 176,471

Doz.

771,355 1,811,025

2,724,726 1,133,572

Doz.

33,162

146,899 112,181

Men's & Boys' clothing. .Doz. Nightgowns & pajamas. . Doz. Handkerchiefs

Bridge sets Luncheon cloths,

table Doz.

17,751

Napkins & doilies

Doz.

217

745

Toweis

Doz.

57,800 101,708

203,933 294,452

1,169

1,760

covers

Sheets & pillow cases. . . .Doz. Other

Cfjtton

manufac

tures

Lb.

Linen Manufactures:

Wearing Apparel Handkerchiefs

Doz.

484,409

35,307 578,772

Bridge sets

Doz.

15,917

77,578

Doz.

1,380

Toweis Doz. fJther linen manufactures

405

8,642 1,652 16,935

Luncheon cloths & table covers

Silk Manufactures:

Dresses Underwear Other silk manufactures

Doz. Doz

30,004 41,160

480,620

335,782 25,235

$11,994,955

Total

162

Storyk Brothers One of the Oldest Needlework Operators in 'Buerto Rico

TllE firm of Storyk Brothers, Mr. Morris E. and -Mexander Storyk, have been tcxtile manufacturers for mt)re than twenty-five ycars. Makers of dresses, undcrwear, hamlkerchiefs, and other silk.linen, and cotton products, oi)erations were extended to Puerto Rico over íifteen years ago when factories and work rooms were estaldished in San Juan. During' the ñrst six vears of operations in the Island all work was conlined to entircly handmade products. Experiments, however, were carried out

Sportszi'car hy Storyk Brothers—examples of the production of this firm zehich has gaincd a zeidc rcputation for quality and zcorknianship

which resulted in the introduction of industrial ma

chines and jjroduction greatly increased. During the jjast nine years botli Iiand and machine work has been done.

Elnlike other operators, production is not restricted to making one or two items. Variety was found to be more conducive to year around business and a policy was established by Mr. Morris E. Storyk which eliminated specializing only in certain items. This removed the evil of lay offs duc to seasonal demands and insured

work throug'hout the entire year. All manufacturing operations are conñned to San Juan where large modern establishments are locatcd. The items produced include blouses, handmade sheets and pillow cases, handkerchiefs, art work, luncheon sets, and children's and misses' dresses of both silk and cotton.

The en-

tirely handmade underwear is marketed under the trade ñame "Captivante."

Mr. Morris E. Storyk spends the greater part of his time in Puerto Rico and all operations are carried out under his direct control and sujíervision.

The

business is conducted as a Puert(3 Rican company owned entirely by Mr. Storyk with the entire output being sold by Storyk Brothers. Puerto Rico has benefitted greatly as the result of Mr. Storyk's activities as his pionecring has caused an expansión in the needlework industry as a whole. In former j-ears oiíerations in Puerto Rico were

m

conducted from two plants located in San Juan. In recent months Mr. Morris E. Storyk leascd part of the

.Saldan.a Building, in the Marina district of oíd San Juan, and consolidated both units in new quarters.

The new i)lant is modern in cvery detail and with a

floor space of ,12.t fect In' ('0 makes it the largest indi vidual needlework cstablishment on tlie Island. Every

article manufactured by Storyk Brothers is niade in this ])lant and over 600 workcrs are employed daily. New ^'orlc ]iead(|uarters are located in the bashion Center Building where extensi\"e showrooms are maintained for the trade.

163

SIS

™í

Boletín Oficial

164

Col. Joseph Love

Joseph Love, Inc. PUERTO RICO was added to the fast growing chain of branch factories owned and operated by Joseph Love, Inc., one of the largest children's and misses' dress manufacturers in the world, when a

keted in the United States, Cañada and many foreign countries. Every garment is sold under the "Love" trade-mark which enjoys an excellent re])utation for

style, workmanship and Cjuality.

branch was established in Guayama in 1929. In a comparatively few years this firm has achieved a position of considerable prominence in the Island's needlework industry. Operations are conducted from

I

.

JOSEPH

headquarters in Guayama, where two plants are lo-

1

M

.

'

LOVE , INC ' ...""N.

cated. Garments are manufactured and distributed to

severa! minor plants which are managed from Guayama

headquarters.

Over one thousand persons are em-

ployed directly and indirectly in these plants. Work done is both hand and machine and a large number of garments are styled and cut in Puerto Rico. The staff of the Love establishment has been personally trained by skilled workers brought to Puerto Rico and

GUAYAÍvLA.

PUERTO RICO

all operations are carried out under expert supervisión and instruction. Colonel Love, however, is frank to

admit the assistance and ability of Island workers has played an impcjrtant part in the successful operations of his company in Puerto Rico. The people of "The Island of Enchantment" have aided greatly in introducing new ideas in children's dressmaking and in bringing about many innovations in hand work. Colonel Lr)ve is president and publisher of "Intí mate Apparei," the mfmthly publication of the undergarment and iingerie trades, and fre(|uently gi\ es con

sidératele publicity to Puerto Rico's needlework in dustry. He is also vice-president of the 77th ])i\ision

Club of the American Expeditionary lAerce.

m

tí

yjaiif

The business, founded by Mr. Joseph Love in 1921, has been expanded to include branch factories in New Haven, Albany, Nanticoke, Newark, San Antonio and Puerto Rico. The products of these factories are mar-

Hcadquartcr.<; for Jo.scph Loic. Jiu.. are ¡oratcd in Guayama

Thirty-Four Years of Banking By H. L. COCHRAN

WHEN the Island of Puerto Pico passecl Irom the sover-

Banco Español, for a certain period of time under the condition

eignt}- of Spain to the pos-

that the president of the Bank be acceptable to the President of the

sessioii of tile United Statcs at the

end (jf tlie Spanish-Anierican war,

United States.

the following banking institntions

was changed to Banco Comercial

existed:

de Puerto Rico.

Panccj ]cs])añol de Puerto Rico,

In 1913 the ñame

It ma}- be recalled that in the latter part of 1899 the Island was visited by a sec'ere hurricane which caused immense damage to agricultural properties and destroyed a great portion of the coft'ee plantations, but rehabilitation work began at once and the

San Juan, organized 1887.

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, San Juain organized 1893.

Banco lerritorial y Agrícola de Puerto Rico, San Juan, organized 1894.

Crédito y Ahorro Ponceño, Ponce, organized 1895.

Island soon showed an increase in

Caja de Ifconomias y Presta

agricultural output.

mos, San (lerinan, organized 1881.

hurricane

of

San

After the Ciriaco, the

Banco -Agrícola cíe .Aguadilla,

banks underwent no great stress

Aguadilla, organized December 8,

until the depression of 1907, which

1919.

directly affected Puerto Rico, principally through the difficulty of obtaining actual currency in New A^ork for shipment to Puerto

1 he first -American bankers to

establish^ in Puerto Rico were Luce (S: Ci)., fiscal agents for Central Aguirre, which ñrm had bank

ing offices in San Juan in the

il/r. H. L. Cochran, 7'icc prcsideiif and general manager of the Baneo de Puerto Rieo

building of the Banco Lsijañol de

Rico.

In

1914 we

were

confronted

Puerto Rico. Imce & Co. were named depository for

with a serious problem—the anticipated renioval of the tariff on sugar which un-

the Insular (io\ernment of Puerto Rico.

doubtedly would have ruined the industry here ; this

In Majy 1899, the American Colonial Bank, organ ized under the laws of West Virginia to do business

in Puerto Rico, opened its doors and shortly became the depository for the Treasurer of the United States as well as the Treasurer of Puerto Rico. The Ameri can Colonial Bank was the first Continental American

Bank to do business in Puerto Rico. A\'hile the banks existing prior to the American occuiKition were extending their facilities, nevertheless

the ]niblic was not accustomed to depositing its money in banks and for a number of years after the establishment of the American Colonial Bank the large and important commercial houses continued their practice of

carrying large sums cif money in their own safes.

Neither the people ñor the merchants were accustomed to pay their accciunts by check, collectors being engagecí to make actual coílections of cash Rom time to time. As there was a great deal of silver in circulation it was not unusual for a collector to have a push-cart in

which to carry the funds.

danger was dispelled, however, by the b'eginning of the World War and the abrogation of the Act of Congress placing sugar on the free list.

In 1920 we had expanded too rapidly and were using credit much too freely, but fort'unatelv the

banks operating in Puerto Rico were either not vídlling to be too liberal in the granting of credit or did not have sufficient resources to enable them to do so, with the result that the readjustment of inventorv valúes

was not so great and the resulting depression not com parable with that in continental United States.

As Puerto Rico is essentially an agricultural country, fluctuations in the prices of our products have always been reflected in the banking situation and in 1924 the tobáceo industry had a slump which consid-

erably affected banking interests. We were gradually recovering, and, I believe, would have completely recovered from that setback, when the Island was íigain c isited by a disastrous hurricane in 1928. The eastern

and northern portions of the Island were visited by

In the eariy days of the .American occupation the proc incial moneys of Puerto Rico, either bilis or sil-

another severe hurricane in 1932.

ver, were convertible into American monc)- on the

merchants, and agriculturists of Puerto Rico to know

basis of two to one; but in the latter ])art of 1930 the American Colonial Bank was designateci agent of the

United States Treasury for the purpose of retiring from

It wdl be a source of great satisfaction to bankers,

that in the crisis of 1920-21 as well as during the present depression, fundamental conditions in this Island

circulation the provincdal silver monc}' on the basis of

have been better than in practically all localities in the

"60.2/3 centavos por peso.'

United States.

The Banco Español de Puerto Rico had a charter

ATrious banks established in Puerto Rico began to

from the Spanish Government iK'rmitting it to issue

open branches. beginning about the year 1910, and

currency, and this right was extended, by an Act of

gradually branches were extended to all the principal

Congress. to the Banco de Puerto Rico, successor of the

cities of the Island.

165

Boletín Oficial

166

In the history of banking in Puerto Rico we have had only six failures, four of which were of comparatively small banks: Caja de Economías y Prestamos, Cabo Rojo; Banco Industrial de Puerto Rico, San Juan; Crédito y Ahorro Popular de Yauco, and Banco de Yabucoa.

In 1931 the Banco Comercial de Puerto Rico closed

its doors, and in 1932 the Banco Territorial y Agrícola was placed in receivership. The failure of the small banks may be attributed

in large measure to the vicissitudes of the agricultural communities which they served and some lack of bank ing ability on the part of the management. The failure of the Banco Comercial de Puerto Rico has been at

tributed largely to improper use of the bank's funds by directors and officials; that of the Banco Territorial from too large concentration of its funds in one or more enterprises dating from 1920. These two larger failures were also the result of circulation of rumors

detrimental to the banks over a period of three or four

years, which made their rehabilitation impossible. There was no statute in Puerto Rico until April, 1933,

making it an offense to circuíate rumors regarding financial institutions.

The banks operating today in Puerto Rico, and the dates on which they were opened, are:

Caja de Economías y Prestamos de

San Germán,

1881.

Crédito y Ahorro Ponceño, 1895. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, 1893. Royal Bank of Cañada, 1907. Bank of Nova Scotia, 1910. Banco de Ponce, 1917. Banco de San Germán, 1917.

The National City Bank of New York, 1918. Banco Agrícola de Aguadilla, 1919. Banco de Puerto Rico, 1933.

Chase National Bank of the City of Now York, 1933.

The Insular Treasurer's 1933 Report Shows a Small Decrease in Bank Deposits,

Savings and Currency in Circulation

AGGREG.-VTE dep(jsits reported by all banks on June 30, 1933, amounted to $26,800,392.20, as against $32,275,507.58 on June 30, 1932, a de-

crease of $5,475,115.38, or over 16 per cent. The term

"aggregate deposits" used above includes checking

The aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of banks in operation in Puerto Rico at the cióse of the fiscal year (not including the amounts due their head offices by branches of foreign banks) was $5,761,321.03 as against $6,557,762.19 on June 30, 1932, or a

posit, time certilicates of deposit, certified checks, un-

decrease of $796,441.16. This is due to the closing of the Banco Territorial y Agrícola with a combined cap

paid cashier's checks, dividends, insular, federal and

ital, surplus and undivided profits of $1,398,021.11,

municipal de])osits, and trust companies deposits. Checking accounts amounted to $10,432,820.78 on June 30, 1933, as against $10,412,692.96 on June 30,

$250,000 in the paid-in capital of the Banco Popular and by the ])aid-in capital of the recently opened Banco

accounts, savings accounts, demand certificates of de-

1932, an increase of $20,127.82, or nearly 0.20 per cent. The total number of checking accounts was 13,356, as against 20,441 on June 30, 1932. .Sa\ings accounts amounted to $8,895,710 on June

30, 1933, as against $11,715,400..19 on june .30, 19.32, a decrease of $2,819,690.39 or over 24 ])er cent. There

which decrease was partly offset by an increase ot de Puerto Rico, $365,120. The amount of actual cash on hand (U. S. papcr

currency, gold, silver and fractional coin) on June 30, 1933, was $4,827,759.92, as against $2,633,978.75 on June 30, 1932, or an incrcvise of $2,193,781.17. This remarkable increase is ex])lained by the fact that dur-

were 28,541 savings accounts as against 50,067 on

ing the last few months all of the banks have bent every effort to place theniselves in a strong cash posi-

June .30, 19.32.

tion which will permit them to face any unexi)ected

Loans on June 3fl, 1933. totalled $36,450,932.03 as against $40,41)8,476.34 on June 30, 1932, a decrease of $4,017,544.31. or nearly 10 ]jer cent. I he decrease in the amount of loans on June 30,

demand of the depositors, and also to the fact that the foreign banks in the Island have received from

1933, as com]jared with the same figures on "june 30, 1932, and previous years, is explained to some extent

by the closing of the Banco Territorial y Agrícola.

their home offices additional cash reserves which they

are holding in their vaults ready for any contingency. The decrease noticed in the amount of aggregate

deposits on June 30, 1933. as comi)ared with the same figures for June 30, 1932, is accounted for, to some ex

tent. by the closing of the Banco Territorial y Agrícola.

Boletín Oficial

167

l¡ L

Crédito y Ahorro Ponceño CRE1)1T(J y Aliorro Ponceño is another of Puerto Rico's oíd established banking' institutions. As the ñame indicates, it is located in Ponce, on the southern side of the Island.

At the time the bank rvas

San Juan, Arecibo, and Alíiyaguez.

The American

Colonial was the lirst continental .American bank to do business in Puerto Rico.

,\lthough the bank's main office has always been in Ponce, it has oj)encd branches in scveral other cities

Crédito y .Ahorro Ponceño has the following New A'ork correspondents; The Xational City Bank. the Chemical Bank & Trust Company, the Chase Xational Bank, and the Guaranty Trust Company. The following figures should be of interest, indicating as they do the progress of this institution since

on the southern and western sides of the Island. The

the vear of its founding:

organized, in 1895, there was no other bank in the com-

munity and this institution played a considerable part in the commercial develo¡)ment of the city.