Memorandum from George Killion to Robert Hannegan

DIMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE Rico TO: Mr. Robert E. Hannegan FROM: Mr. George L. Killion Prontine DATE: August 30. 1945 SUBJECT: Report on Puerto Rico Fil On August 25, 1945 I met Mr. Pedro J. Serralles at his home at 1839 Brickel Avenue, Miami, Florida. The following were also present: Pafael M. Raldiris Orlando J. Antonsanti Arthur L. Quinn Henry Cleveland Maginn RECORDS Judge Edward P. Murphy I was informed that Mr. Serralles, his family and associates represented the more substantial business and financial elements among the citizens of Puerto Rico, and reflected the political and economic thought of that group. They sought no special favors. They wished to be heard in Washington on the subject matter of Puerto Rico; to make available their information thereon, and to submit such recommendations as to them seemed best calculated to improve the deplorable conditions which exist on the island and among its people. They referred me to a report on conditions in Puerto Rico which they en- dorsed and which in a large measure bears out their contention. It is entitled "Report of the Committee on Insular Affairs, House of Representatives Seventy- Ninth Congress, First Session, Pursuant to H. Res. 159 (Seventy-Eighth Congress) and H. Res. 99 (Seventy-Ninth Congress)* which is dated May 1st, 1945 and is House Report No. 497 of the 79th Congress, 1st Session. Congressman C. Jasper Bell of Missouri was Chairman of this Committee. Hereafter in referring to this report it will be cited as "Cong. Rep.". In brief, it is their conviction that the pathway of government in Puerto Rico is away from freedom and toward bondage; that the government is taking over full control of business, industry, agriculture, finance, and education, and that its trend is toward a social state such as lately existed in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany rather than toward the goals of private property and in- dividual initiative under which America has grown and prospered. The following basic data must be understood: 1) Puerto Rico is 100 miles long and 35 miles wide. It has a popula- tion of 2,000,000; about eleven times as dense as the population of continental United States. (Cong. Rep. Page 14) 2) It is principally agrarian. Each acre of arable land mist support 240 persons. (Cong. Rep. Page 14)