TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION. In November, December, and .Tanuary the north eoast ports are difficult of access on account of north winds, and from June to Nove•nlber south erly winds endanger the anchorages on the south ern coast. The priu•iysl ports are San Juan, on the north; Fajardo and Ensenada Honda, on the east ; Playa, the port of Ponce, and Onanica, on the south; and Puerto Real de Cabo Rojo. on the west. The island of Vieques has several com modious harbors. A line of steamers plies regu larly between New York and Porto Lien. There are also more or less regular communieations with Spain, England, South America, and the other West Indies. in the fiscal year 1001-02, 222 American and 295 foreign vessels entered the harbors. Not. many years ago the hull cart. and pack animal were almost the sole means of inland transportation. These primitive appliances are being supplanted by railroads. The American Railroad Company, which purchased the exist ing railroad of the French company, is now operating 131 miles of narrow-gauge road along the mirth coast, and proposes to make it a 110rt of a belt railroad around the island. In 1901
the road carried 149.597 passengers. 76,912 tons of freight, its gross receipts being $107,000, and the operating, expenses $170,000. Other narrow gauge railways extend from Catailo, near San Juan, six miles to Bayamon, and from Mayaguez to Aflnseo, 10.5 miles. There are electric trolley roads in San Juan and Ponce. The Government in four years has completed S7 miles of fine wagon roads at a cost of about $8000 per kilometer (.62 of a mile) ; about 177 miles of good roads were in use when the United States acquired the island. In July, 1902, there were 32 telegraph offices and 600 miles of wire. Two submarine cables connect the island with the outside world, one via Saint Thomas and the other through Kingston, Jamaica.