The "Puerto Rican Problem"
To the Editor:
I have read with considerable interest Mr. Charles Abrams’s “How to Remedy Our ‘Puerto Rican Problem’” (February 1955) . . . . When Puerto Ricans generally speak the English language and learn the benefits of better living conditions, they will not be exploited and will not create slum conditions. The government of Puerto Rico is making great progress in the teaching of English to children and in New York the Department of Education conducts classes in English for adult Puerto Ricans.
To prevent the shortage of low-rent housing so much needed by Puerto Ricans from becoming progressively more acute, a realistic, intelligent program is needed for keeping in use as many good (relatively) tenements as possible; we should not enact retroactive laws the enforcement of which will make their continuance an economic impossibility.
Mr. Abrams’s article is constructive and informed and in general I concur in his findings.
Bernard J. Gillroy
Commissioner
Department of Housing
and Buildings
New York City
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