Sugar was the next most extensive display and was awarded a gold medal. The export of sugar to the United States in the year 1902 to 1903 was $376,757 and to foreign countries $2,543. Many millions of dollars have been spent to import the latest machinery for the manufacture of sugar and all modern improvements in transportation are rapidly being adopted.
Tobacco leaf and manufactured tobacco comprised an excellent display.
Different American concerns have undertaken in the last seven years the
introduction of Porto Rican cigars and cigarettes into the United
States, and there are few places in America where they can not be found.
Porto Rican cigars and cigarettes are said to rank with those of Cuba.
Porto Rican cotton was said to be of superior quality and attracted attention. Cotton growers in Porto Rico are adopting the best machinery that is made in the United States. The liquor exhibit also was noticeable. Porto Rico received highest awards in straw hats, needlework, rice, beans, pharmaceutical products, etc.
In the Educational Building was the Porto Rican public school exhibit. The development of this branch of the Porto Rico administration in the last seven years was remarkable. The total number of schools is more than twice the number maintained under the Spanish Government, although it is said that the public schools are able to accommodate less than one-fourth of the pupils, in spite of the fact that more than 25 per cent of the revenues of the island, both insular and municipal, are expended for educational purposes. In addition to the elementary schools there are now established four high schools. Teachers are both natives and Americans.
An appropriation of $30,000 was made by the Porto Rican legislature for
the purpose of representation at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The
Porto Rican Pagodo was designed by a native architect, Mr. Armando
Morales, and cost $5,000.
RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Members of commission.—Robert B. Treat, president; William F. Gleason, vice-president; Edwin F. Penniman, treasurer; George E. Ball, secretary; George N. Kingsbury, executive commissioner; Col. Patrick E. Hayes, Frank L. Budlong, and George L. Shepley.
The Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Building was beautifully situated on an eminence on Colonial avenue, facing north, and adjoining Indiana and Nevada. The design for the building was selected in open competition by Rhode Island architects. The building in its general form was a reproduction of the Stephen H. Smith mansion in the town of Lincoln—a model distinguished among types of colonial architecture in old New England.
A distinctive feature of the design was the ogee gable, of which but one other example is believed to exist in Rhode Island colonial architecture. The Rhode Island Building imitated in cement the material of which the old Smith mansion is constructed—seam-faced granite—taken from the quarry on the estate. This material is curiously finished by nature's handiwork in many colorings. The irregularity of the pieces and the variety of the colorings in peculiar combinations gave a quaint appearance to the building, and added much to its attractiveness.
From the broad front piazza through an entrance the visitor was introduced to State hall. The hall was set with lofty columns in colonial style. A writing room was on the east and a reading room on the west; between, a broad stairway led to the upper stories. The suite was in Doric detail. Opening from the southerly section of the hallway were the ladies' parlor, the smoking room, and information bureau. The stairway was a reproduction of a notably beautiful construction in old Providence Bank Building and the Brown-Gammell house. A curious feature of its design were the balusters, which were fashioned in nine different patterns.