Porto Rico

"Notable progress and development have characterized the past year [ending in June] of Porto Rico." General health and sanitation measures were made more effective; progress was made in education; the percentage of illiteracy was reduced. Total revenues for the year were $11,740,384, five per cent more than Treasury estimates. All budgetary expenses were met; more than $1,000,000 was paid on the floating debt; more than $400,000 remained in the treasury at the end of the year. External trade totaled $194,000,000; 88% was with the U. S.

Last week, in Washington, able Secretary of War Dwight Filley Davis perused thoroughly the annual Porto Rican report of Governor Horace Mann Towner, smiled. It was brief, comprehensive, encouraging.

Every Secretary of War is said to cherish a longing to visit his distant dominions, such as Porto Rico. But Governor Towner said nothing of the romance of tropic nights; clung tenaciously to statistical accuracy. When the Governor was a Congressman from Iowa he could fill his collar, and his cheeks were full. Now, after three years in Porto Rico, he is thin.