As I have said. the lot of those people since annexation has been a hard oue. but under the provisions of this bill it will be even harder. for with the exception of their native fruits and coffee the staple food of these poor people is dried fisl and rice. both of which will be increased in price as a result of the increased protection granted them. Let us consider the lot of these poor people who .eke out a mere existence in the high land of Porto Rico with that of the fishermen and farmers of the United States. When the rice industry was pleading for protection from Asiatic competition which threatens to exterminate it. a special plea was made for the preservation of the Porto Rican market. In fact. the value of the Porto Rican market was recently set forth by the rice interests in the following terms: The price of rice in Porto Rico is one of the most important factors governing Its purchase by the natives. who are not connoisseurs of highgrade rice but buy it in large quantities nlfy for its food value. therefore purchasing it at the .cheapest possible price. The difference in value of threequarters of 1 cent per pound :before mentioned as expressing the "differece in quality between our rico alid the Asiatic products. would not be sufficient inducement for. the 1orto Rican laborer to buy American rice. At the earliest moment: after. the price difference between the Americancleaned rice .delivered anid the Asiati9 rice delivered in Porto Xlico exceeds 1 cent per pound (tihe plresent tariff protection). we will expect keen competition and underselling ilu Porto Rico. Tis is a good and depenmdable .market for :10 per cent to 15 per cent of our" production. or. roughly. 1.200.000 to 1.700.000 .pockets.