become, with the improvements being provided by the insular government and with the expansion that would come with the close of the war and the development of traffic through the Panama Canal, one of the best and most important harbors in the Caribbean Sea. When allowance is made for the reclaimed lands under the cooperative plan recommended, the ultimate cost of this project to the Federal Government would be practically nothing. (3) The admission of Porto Rico to participation in all the operations of the militia laws of the United States on equal terms with the States and Territories of the Union. The purpose of these laws is manifestly to assure the preparedness of our people for national defense should the need arise. The experience of the nations engaged in the great European war has conclusively proved that the men drawn from distant colonies and dependencies are just as useful and available as those drawn from the nation itself. There is now widespread interest in Porto Rico in the formation of militia organizations. It is believed that at least one regiment of militia of excellent material for its ranks could be speedily raised if the opportunity were afforded. The moral, educational, and political effects of such organizations upon the youth of the island would be excellent and the advantage to the country at large is apparent. It is a pleasure to conclude this report with the statement that in spite of all the difficulties and perplexities the past memorable year has brought in its train, it has, nevertheless, been a year of real and hopeful progress for Porto Rico, both from the point of view of political growth and that of business and industrial development. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D. C. ARTHUR YAGER, Governor of Porto Rico. APPENDIX I. EXHIBITS TO THE REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR. EXHIBIT A. LEGISLATION. LIST OF ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE EIGHTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF PORTO RICO, FIRST SESSION, JANUARY 11 TO MARCH 11, 1015, AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR. An act appropriating the sum of $5,000 for the keeping, stabling, shoeing, and veterinary treatment of the horses of the insular police for the remainder of the fiscal year 1914-15. Approved March 8, 1915. An act making appropriations to supply deficiencies in appropriations for election purposes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, and for other purposes. Approved March 8, 1915. An act to amend section 1 of “An act to establish and regulate the granting of life certificates to the teachers of Porto Rico," approved March 12, 1914. Approved March 11, 1915. An act conferring upon women eligibility to become members of school boards in Porto Rico. Approved March 11, 1915. An act authorizing the school board of Lajas to raze a school building that is in ruins. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend sections 6, 7, and 8 of "An act providing for the organization of a board of medical examiners," approved March 12, 1903. Approved March 11, 1915. An act authorizing the municipality of Arroyo to levy a special tax for the purpose of paying the debt contracted for the construction of an aqueduct. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Approved March 11, 1915. An act appropriating the sum of $14,100 for the purpose of finishing a building at the School of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 30 of an act entitled "An act to provide for the organization, regulation, and government of the insular police of Porto Rico," approved March 12, 1908. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to determine the qualifications of certain judicial officers of Porto Rico, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 12 of an act entitled "An act concerning the regulation of railroad transportation in Porto Rico; and conferring certain powers upon the executive council in connection therewith." Approved March 11, 1915. An act making provisions relative to the materials that shall be used in the construction, maintenance, or repair of public works and buildings, the cost of which is to be paid from public funds. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing compensation for the lives of members of the insular police who die in the discharge of their duty, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 19 of the Political Code of Porto Rico. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing for the continuance of the construction of the road from Martin Peña to Bayamon. Approved March 11, 1915. An act regulating the collection of fees and costs in civil cases in the district and municipal courts in Porto Rico, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing for the conveyance to the municipality of San Juan of title to that portion of insular road No. 1, known as Ponce de Leon Avenue, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 1 of an act entitled "An act to amend section 1 of 'An act to establish a law of civil register,' approved March 9, 1911, as amended by an act to amend said civil register act, approved March 7, 1912," approved March 13, 1913, amended by another act approved August 9, 1913. Approved March 11, 1915. An act granting to former owners of real property sold for taxes subsequent to July 1, 1901, or to any one interested therein, the right to redeem said property on certain conditions. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to allow certain young men who took the bar examination prior to January, 1912, to take new examinations for admission to the bar. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing for the construction of 1 kilometer of road between Ponce and Adjuntas. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend article 126 of the law of waters. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 22 of an act entitled "An act to establish a system of local government, and for other purposes," approved March 8, 1906, and amended March 14, 1907. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to designate a day to be known as "Mothers' Day." Approved March 11, 1915. An act authorizing the municipality of Juncos to make a supplementary budget to supply deficiencies in the appropriations of the ordinary budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to repeal certain no-fiscal-year appropriations created by previous legislatures. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 85 of the Political Code, as approved March 1, 1902, and to authorize the indorsement of any draft issued by the treasurer of Porto Rico, by the next of kin, in case no executor or administrator has been or is to be appointed for the estate of a decedent, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act making appropriations to supply deficiencies in appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915. Approved March 11, 1915. An act authorizing and directing the commissioner of the interior to transfer to the municipality of San Juan a certain parcel of land. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to protect Porto Rican cigars from fraudulent misrepresentation, by providing for adequate expert inspection, and the issue of stamps of guarantee covering the origin of tobacco used in the manufacture of such cigars, intended for exportation, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend section 5 of an act entitled "An act to prohibit the carrying of arms," approved March 9, 1905, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to add a new section to the Code of Civil Procedure. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to amend an act entitled "An act defining the privileges and immunities of members of the legislative assembly," approved February 21, 1902. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing for the sale to laborers of certain lands of The People of Porto Rico, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act appropriating the additional sum of $9,000 for the completion of two bridges over the Rio Grande of Arecibo. Approved March 11, 1915. An act to establish a system of juvenile courts, to provide for the care of neglected and delinquent children, and to provide for the disposition of all cases of juvenile delinquency, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. An act providing funds for necessary expenses of the first session of the eighth legislative assembly of Porto Rico. Approved March 11, 1915. An act making appropriations for the necessary expenses of carrying on the government of Porto Rico for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, and for other purposes. Approved March 11, 1915. Joint resolution to extend the time within which the Executive Council may submit to the Governor of Porto Rico for approval, a general plan of secondary railroads. Approved March 2, 1915. Joint resolution to authorize the treasurer of Porto Rico to pay a certain judgment entered against The People of Porto Rico in the district court of the United States for Porto Rico, and to pay a claim of Messrs. Balseiro and Giorgetti, and making an appropriation for such purposes, and for other purposes. Approved March 2, 1915. Joint resolution to reimburse José Romaguera of Ponce, in the sum of $251.07 paid to the collector of internal revenue of Ponce for account of the Romaguera Pastillo Co. Approved March 5, 1915. Joint resolution to reimburse the secretary of the municipal court for the municipal judicial district of Fajardo, Porto Rico, in the sum of $24.30, twice paid into the insular treasury in the same matter and for the same reason. Approved March 11, 1915. |