USVI Public Records

Document text

UMASS/AMHERST IIIIII|IIIII!IIIIIIIII|II|||||| III) mil mil mil mil Hill iiiiiiiiii nil nil 2066 0344 2013 6 V8I 19 5 2 overnor of the Virgin Islands TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofgo1952virg 1952 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Governor of the Virgin Islands TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1952 STACK UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Morris F. de Castro, Governor UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 15 cents CONTENTS Page ORGANIC ACT REVISION 4 RADIO BROADCASTING 4 DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES 5 FEDERAL VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM 5 PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION 5 REAL PROPERTY 7 HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING 8 CIVIL DEFENSE 11 SELECTIVE SERVICE OPERATIONS 12 PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION 1- AGRICULTURE 13 THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION 13 COMMERCE AND SHIPPING 15 EDUCATION 16 HEALTH AND SANITATION 1'^ PUBLIC SAFETY 20 PUBLIC UTILITIES 22 PUBLIC WORKS 23 LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS 24 SOCIAL WELFARE . 25 TOURISM 28 VIRGIN ISLANDS AUDITOR 29 VIRGIN ISLANDS COOPERATIVE 29 FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 30 CREDIT FACILITIES 31 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 31 LEGISLATION 32 CONCLUSION 33 III OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, 1952 Morris F. de Castro, Governor ^ In the annual report of the government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year 1951, certain objectives were stated as the basis of a planned program for developing the human and physical resources of the islands. These goals, with a brief analysis of accomplishments, if any, are as follows : {a) long-term educational policies which will better serve the per- sonal, economic, and social needs of the people The Governor's commission on education, organized during the pre- vious year, did not meet during this year for the reason that the educa- tional study groups, comprised of teachers and other professional and technical advisers, created to deal with the problems on a technical and research level were still engaged in the preliminary statistical and re- search compilations. This important work is hampered by the lack of full-time professional guidance. The top professional staff of the department of education is fully occupied with the current adminis- trative problems of administering the expanding public school sys- tems. Efforts made by the government to have this research work underwritten by a private foundation were without success. The commission will meet early in the new fiscal year to evaluate the work already done and to determine future courses. In the meantime, however, the important vocational education pro- gram has been reorganized and extended as a prominent feature of the total educational program. Curriculum building is being given at- tention by a staff member who returned to the islands during the year, after a year's postgraduate work in this field in the United States. Plans for new school buildings designed to meet the needs of the islands are approaching completion. 1 2 -^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ( h ) increased food and sugar production through the development of sound agricultural policies The United States Department of Agriculture will take over the management of the agricultural program of the islands on July 1, 1952. Primarily, this program at its outset will include research and experimentation in better sugar cane production, improved cattle pro- duction, and research as to other crops best suited for the islands ; ex- tension services, home demonstration, and 4r-H Club work ; and an eco- nomic study of the marketing needs of the islands to determine how best to go into a food-production program which would meet the needs of local consumers and reduce, if possible, the islands' dependence on imported foods. The Virgin Islands Corporation is expanding the production of sugar cane; promoting land usage other than sugar cane by experi- menting in fall planting of certain vegetables; assisting in a land- and water-development program by construction of earthen dams and an extensive brush-clearing program in coordination with the Depart- ment of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service and Production and Marketing Administration. (c) an all-year tourist program The government of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Corpo- ration have sponsored an intensive tourist promotion program liber- ally assisted by the private efforts of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Thomas and St. John, the Chamber of Commerce of St. Croix, and the hotels, gift shops, and other local tourist conters. It is estimated that 105,000 persons visited the Virgin Islands during the year, an increase of 45 percent over the preceding year, and that they spent in hotels, restaurants, tourist merchandise, and taxicabs a total of over $4,600,000—an increase of 41 percent. (d) establishment of small industries In this field, unfortunately, there has been little, if any, improve- ment, due to inadequate facilities, distance from available market, unavailability of raw materials, and an insufficient labor potential. A small button factory started in the preceding year has not made much progress. A small jewelry factory has also been opened. One continental American group has moved its editorial and creative office for a unique magazine to St. Croix. (e) strengthening and improvement of preventive and therapeutic services as a single integrated system of health care The basic concern and frustration with present physical plant inade- quacies will shortly be removed. Modern hospitals are nearing com- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -if 3 pletion with the finest in equipment for medical care. A sanitary- engineer was added to the staff to direct the public health and sanita- tion phases of the program. Maternal and child health services, men- tal health services, nutrition, and public health nursing are now well organized aspects of an integrated health and medical care program. (/) elimination of substandard and other inadequate housing through the clearance of slums and blighted areas Under the Federal housing program, 240 units of low-rent housing are under construction in St. Thomas, and construction of 110 units will be started in Christiansted, St. Croix, early in the next fiscal year. For Frederiksted, St. Croix, 70 units of rural nonfarm housing have been planned. Plans for redevelopment of blighted areas are also in process and should be in the work stage before the end of the next fiscal year. (g) providing security for the aged and unemployable With the extension of the Public Assistance Titles of the Federal Social Security Act in October 1950, and the appropriation of in- creased municipal funds for matching on the doUar-for-dollar basis, there has been a gratifying improvement in alleviating the hardships of the needy. Two years ago average assistance per month per case for 1,248 cases was a meager $5.90. Today, average assistance per month per case for 1,703 cases is $8.37. This, however, is still far below an adequate level to meet existing needs. The States, Alaska and Hawaii, receive three Federal dollars for each State dollar for public assistance. The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on the dollar-for-dollar formula with which this program began in the United States 15 years ago. (A) improvement of, economy in, unification, and simplification of the government structure Any basic changes, which would yield substantial results, must nec- essarily await action of Congress on a new organic act. Here there was considerable activity and progress during the year but, unfor- tunately, a revised organic act which passed the House of Representa- tives late in the fiscal year did not come up for action in the Senate prior to adjournment of the Eighty-second Congress. Even though this proposed organic act did not include many of the recommenda- tions of the people of the islands, substantial gains would have been made had it been adopted. It was opposed vigorously by legislative leaders of the islands because it purported to delimit and define more clearly the division of executive and legislative functions in the islands' government. A new draft will be introduced in the Eighty-third Congress. 4 -ir ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ORGANIC ACT REVISION A subcommittee of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives, consisting of Hon. Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr., of Texas, Hon. Wayne N. Aspinall of Colorado, Hon. S. W. Yorty of California, Hon. Fred L. Crawford of Michigan, Hon. A. L. Miller of Nebraska, Hon. Norris Poulson of California, and Hon. Frank T. Bow of Ohio, held hearings in the islands on a bill to revise the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands. The committee recommended : (1) a unicameral legislature of 11 representatives, two from St. Thomas, two from St. Croix, one from St. John, and six to be elected at large. (2) Pay for members of the legislature to be $15 per day, the aggre- gate length of the annual sessions to be 60 calendar days. (3) Special legislative sessions to be called by the Governor, but limited to 15 days each or an aggregate of 30 days in 1 year. (4) Retention of Presidential consideration of bills passed over the Governor's veto. (5) Retention of appointive Governor for the present. (6) Creation of departments of justice, finance, public works, edu- cation, commerce, health, welfare, and labor and establishment of auditor's office. (7) Termination of direct and deficiency appropriations by Con- gress for the support of the Government of the Virgin Islands. (8) Return to the islands of internal revenue taxes on products of the islands shipped to the United States on a formula of $2 Federal to $1 local revenue with a total limitation of $3,500,000 of locally collected funds plus the Federal internal revenue taxes. (9) Legislative confirmation of heads of departments only. (10) Elimination of ability to read and write the English language as a qualification for voters. (11) Deferment of action on creation of resident commissioner, (12) Appointment of representatives by Governor to fill vacancies for unexpired terms. RADIO BROADCASTING During the year the first radio broadcasting station was established on the island of St. Croix. This station, WIVI, the second in the Virgin Islands, followed the establishment in the previous year of broadcasting station WSTA in St. Thomas. Both are privately owned and operated. Both allot generous time for programs of public infor- mation sponsored by government departments. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -A^ 5 The Governor made a number of major addresses over these radio stations and, since May 1952, he has instituted a regular weekly "Sup- pertime Chat" bringing to the people of the islands direct from Gov- ernment House the important events as they transpire and necessary background information. DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES Tlie following departmental summaries will develop the details of the government's activities and the pattern which has been consistently followed for the attainment of the objectives which have been set forth : FEDERAL VERGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM Under the $10 million Federal public works program authorized for the Virgin Islands, construction of new hospitals and public health facilities began late in 1951. As of June 30, 1952, the 116-bed hospital in St. Thomas, the 60-bed general hospital at Christiansted, the 12-bed public health clinic at Frederiksted and the 4-bed public health facility at Cruz Bay, St. John, were all more than 50 percent completed. It is anticipated that these new hospitals and public health facilities will be completed and in operation early in the year 1953. The water-front project in Charlotte Amalie is still in the process of development. An engineering survey of the proposed Centerline Road in St. John has been completed. It is now contemplated that this work will be clone by force account by the St. Thomas public works department. At the close of the fiscal year the cistern and catchment area under construction at Cruz Bay, St. John, was almost completed. Plans and specifications for the construction of new school facilities in the Virgin Islands are nearly completed. It is expected that bids on the construction of the Christiansted consolidated high school and elementary school will be opened in August this year. Work on the outside and inside cable plants in connection with the new telephone system in St. Croix was completed by June. It is expected that the telephone exchange buildings and the subscriber stations will be completed early in the next fiscal year. In St. Thomas the work on the new telephone system is progressing satisfactorily, and should be completed by December. PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION The total revenues collected from local sources in the Virgin Islands showed an increase over revenues raised in fiscal year 1951. This increase was due largely to greater yield from new tax laws and 234016—53 2 6 -Ct annual report of the governor of the virgin islands amended tax laws enacted late in the previous fiscal year. At the same time continuous effort has been made to limit expenditures only to the minimum required for the efficient operation of essential public services. A total of $1,094,401.24 was raised from local sources in the munici- pality of St. Thomas and St. John, including an amount of $41,625 borrowed and transferred from special funds. An amount of $279,200 was contributed by the United States Government making $1,373,- 601.24 available to meet a total budgeted expenditure of $1,388,658.99. The budget deficit of about $15,000 was absorbed by departmental savings, cancellation of unfilled orders, and freezing of expenditures for projects which were not completed on June 30, 1952, and not covered by contract. The total revenues collected for the fiscal year 1952 represent an increase over the $927,434 raised in fiscal year 1951, This increase was due chieflj'^ to larger collections from income tax and trade tax. In- come tax yielded $112,252.05 over the previous fiscal year, due largely to introduction of enforcement procedures in the collection of out- standing accounts. Stimulated business in the community was also reflected in the taxes collected. The trade tax yielded an increase of $17,328 over the previous fiscal year's collection. Other revenue sources which reflected substantial increases over the previous year were gasoline tax, court fees, and stamp dues. In the municipality of St. Croix, a total of $505,798.62 was collected from local sources, which included $15,000 representing loans, as com- pared with $431,777.78 in fiscal year 1951. An amount of $465,800 con- tributed by the United States Governm.ent made a total of $971,598.62 available to meet a total budgeted expenditure of $969,488. During the next fiscal year it is expected that more revenues will be raised from local sources. This increase is anticipated because late in this fiscal year certain revenue measures were enacted by the municipal councils of both municipalities. In the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John the following revenue measures were enacted : (1) gross receipts taxes increased from % of 1 percent to 1 percent; (2) tax on cigarettes changed from 2 cents a package to 5 percent which is a rate reduction but calculated to yield more revenues since it can be absorbed by business; (3) trade tax increased from 2 percent to 3 per- cent on all other goods other than foodstuffs and those taxed at a higher rate; (4) gasoline tax increased by 1 cent per gallon, i. e., from 5 to 6 cents; (5) the inheritance tax rates in effect since 1876 were doubled; (6) a 2 percent tax levied on the total bill charges of hotel guests ; and a fee of $1 for temporary automobile drivers permits. The following tax laws were passed for the municipality of St. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -iz 7 Croix: (1) An increase in the internal revenue tax on passenger- carrying motor vehicles from 5 percent to 10 percent of the selling price; (2) an increase in internal revenue tax on all commodities, ex- cluding sugar, foodstuffs, and charcoal, from 2 ]3ercent to 5 percent of the invoice value; (3) a tax on silverware, perfume, and jewelry of 10 percent of the selling price ; (4) gasoline tax increased from 5 cents to 6 cents per gallon ; and the inheritance tax rates which were in effect since 1876 were doubled. These substantial increases of taxes levied on local sources indicate the willingness of the people of the Virgin Islands to support the local government to the full extent of the economic resources of the islands. However, it is very doubtful as to whether the local resources, even with increased industrial activities, could support the entire local gov- ernment including the operation and maintenance of new hospitals, schools, and other public facilities provided for in the $10 million public works program authorized and financed by Congress. The solution to the problem of efficient operation of the government serv- ices is the return to the Virgin Islands of the internal revenues col- lected on articles exported from the islands to continental United States. Such a provision was included in the proposed revised Or- ganic Act for the Virgin Islands which passed the House of Repre- sentatives too late in the fiscal year to be considered by the Senate. It is hoped that a revised organic act including this vital provision will be passed by the next Congress. REAL PROPERTY A general reassessment of real property in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John was carried on with two primary objectives; (1) to correct the existing system of assessment of land and buildings thereon as a unit, and (2) to equalize assessment. The program involved the establishment of a basic land unit value for various sec- tions of town and country land, along with reduction or increase of individual assessments to establish a more equitable assessment system. This reassessment program which was vigorously opposed in the community, resulted in 5,568 assessments being made. Of this num- ber, 274 were appealed to the board of review. The board reduced 228 assessments, affirmed 39, and increased 5. Two exemptions were granted under existing regulations. Real property assessment for the calendar year 1951 in the mu- nicipality of St. Thomas and St. John totaled $8,751,872, with a corresponding estimated tax yield of $109,398.49. In the previous 8 i!^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS year the total assessed valuation was $7,233,784.32 with a tax yield of $88,276.58. There was a noticeable increase in land speculation during the year 1951. A total of 167 conveyances of real property were re- corded aggregating $382,501.34 in value. A comparison of the sale prices and assessed valuations (both before and after assessment) indicate that assessments were below market prices. Nevertheless, there was a most unfavorable reaction among property owners to the reassessment program, and it is quite likely some decisions of the board of review may be appealed to the district court for review. In the municipality of St. Croix the real property assessments for the calendar year 1951 totaled $6,602,744.70, an increase of $225,889.95 over the preceding year. The increase was obtained principally from new construction and adjustments in assessed valuations. The sale price of land remained more or less stable as compared with the pre- ceding 2 years, unlike the increase in land speculation noted in St. Thomas. Only one case was appealed to the board of review. HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING Considerable progress was made in the development of low rent housing in the Virgin Islands. Construction work on the Paul M. Pearson Gardens in St. Thomas was begun on February 8, 1952. This project consists of 30 buildings of tw^o-story construction, designed to accommodate approximately 240 families. The project is named after the late Dr. Paul M. Pearson, the first civilian Governor of the Virgin Islands, who from 1931 to 1934 laid the ground work for a low rent housing and slum clearance program in these islands. On February 26, 1952, Mr. Drew Pearson, son of the late Governor, par- ticipated in the ground breaking ceremonies for this project. This housing project, along with others planned for St. Croix, is made possible through the Federal Housing Program administered by the Public Housing Administration in cooperation with the local govern- ment represented by the Virgin Islands housing and redeveLopment authoritv. Plans are also under way for the development of an additional 150 liousing units in St. Thomas. It is expected that these units will be constructed in the area known as Savan. Early in the next fiscal year application will be made for a preliminary loan from the Public Housing Administration to cover the cost of surveys and plans for this project. Late in the fiscal year bids were opened for the D. Hamilton Jack- son Terrace in Christiansted, St. Croix. This is a housing project to ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS * 9 consist of 110 units to be constructed at a cost of over $1,000,000. The project is named after the late Judge D. Hamilton Jackson, a veteran legislator, jurist, and labor leader of the island of St, Croix. It is ex- pected that construction work will begin early in the next fiscal year. A rural nonfarm housing program for Frederiksted, St. Croix, is in process of planning. It is expected that considerable progress will be made on this project during the next fiscal year. The Virgin Islands Planning Board held a series of conferences with administrative officers, business organizations, and other perti- nent groups in the islands in order to obtain background information to be used in preparation of a master plan. Much progress has not been made due to lack of personnel as well as certain defects in the legislation creating the board. An attempt will be made during the next fiscal year to have improved legislation enacted by the legislative assembly of the Virgin Islands and to obtain funds for the proper functioning of this important board. The planning board and the local government were fortunate to obtain the informal advice and suggestions of Mr. Robert Moses, park commissioner for the city of New York, who made an unofficial visit to the islands. His observations were so practical and prophetic that the following excerpts from his report are inserted : In this instance planning is not merely mapping public improvements, zoning, and checking projects for conformity. You have a much more basic problem, and one vphich planning agencies in established urban communities with pretty well- defined objectives do not face. If the future is to be primarily rural and agricultural and for the present popu- lation and its descendants, that is one thing. If, on the other hand, you aim pri- marily to attract winter or year-round residents and tourists from the mainland, and you anticipate substantial worker immigration from Puerto Rico and per- haps other Caribbean islands to serve and build up the islands' economy, that is quite another story. You may conceivably aim at both objectives at the same time, but one must certainly be regarded as more important than the other. There is manifestly no sense in an attempt to industrialize the United States Virgin Islands—at least so far as heavy industry is concerned. There is no cheap power as in Puerto Rico and there is a lack of skilled dependable labor. Some light industries might be attracted if tax exemptions are continued and extended. Enterprises of this type, however desirable, certainly can only be an incident in the economic future of the islands. Coming now to an immediate and necessarily limited program of improvements for your planning commission, I suggest the following as a conservative start having in mind what may possibly get the approval of the President and the Secretary of the Interior and the Congress, not to speak of reasonable local support. I have also presumed to indicate possible sources of funds necessary to implement this program : 10 1^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Map the shore front areas and high, scenic vantage points, both publicly and privately owned, most attractive for harbor, hotel, club, and private residential development, as well as public recreation, indicating roughly, where it has not already been done, logical subdivisions and approaches. Obviously the kind of people to be attracted should be studied and I assume that those who demand excitement, gambling, artificial amusements, and noisy, cheap catch-penny devices will not be aimed at. Make rough-cost estimates covering dredging, access roads, adequate and dependable water supply, sewage and garbage disposal, and other public utilities, landscaping, and planning. The harbors and beaches and the land just back of them are the island's greatest asset which should be fully capitalized. Present harbors need dredging. The sand which is dredged up can be used to build up beaches and roads. Buck Island, for example, could be reached easily by boat from the nearest point on St. Croix if there were adequate docks and roads on both sides. Incidentally seaplanes or amphibians would be desirable at several points. The funds for these improvements might be advanced through the Virgin Islands Corporation with additional subventions from Washington on a basis which would make them in time, in substantial part, self-liquidating. Finally, I would urge restoration, protection, and exhibition of the islands' antiquities and their historical places and associations, their architecture and of course careful conservation of their natural beauties. In part this can be done by establishment of additional national monuments and appropriations to repair and maintain them. In part, zoning restrictions should be the instrument. In part, special laws and regulations should be invoked such as those which have been effective in the Vieux Carr6 in New Orleans. Early in 1952 the Secretary of the Interior, upon the recommenda- tion of the National Park Service, designated a portion of the town of Christiansted as the Virgin Islands national historic site. The area includes approximately three city blocks of Christiansted's waterfront and such significant landmarks of the Danish period of occupation as Fort Christianvaern, the Danish Post Office and custom house, the Steeple buildings and the Government House. The grounds and struc- tures in the site are owned by either the municipality of St. Croix or the Federal Government. Under the terms of a cooperative agreement between the Depart- ment of the Interior and the municipality of St. Croix, the National Park Service will be responsible for interpreting the site to visitors and will cooperate with th3 municipality in the preservation and main- tenance of municipally owned grounds and structures. The designation of this historic site is in connection with the objec- tive of the administration to retain as much as possible of the old world architecture of the three towns in the Virgin Islands as an attraction to tourists. The municipal council of St. Croix has co- operated by passing the necessary legislation designating an historic ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ii 11 zone which includes the Virgin Islands national historic site. A sim- ilar plan has been prepared for Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, but the municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John has short-sightedly refused to pass the necessary legislation. It is hoped that some prog- ress may be made in this direction during the next fiscal year. CIVIL DEFENSE The civil defense program in the Virgin Islands was administered during the fiscal year by a full-time director. One of the major func- tions of the local civil defense agency during the year has been to bring home to the people an awareness of the international situation and the importance of having an active civil defense organization with adequate personnel fully trained. With this in view a training and education program was pursued during the year. A deputy director attended the 6-day civil defense staff college training course at Olney, Md. Through the cooperation of the commanding general, Antilles Department, four responsible government employees were trained by Army personnel in Puerto Kico in explosive ordnance demolition. First-aid classes were held by the local chapter of the American Red Cross. During the year two raid practices w^ere held, one was confined to St. Thomas and St. John and the other covered the three islands. The Virgin Islands Civil Defense Act was amended to authorize the Governor on behalf of the Virgin Islands, to enter into mutual aid agreements or compacts with other Territories and States and the Federal Government, limiting such mutual aid arrangements to the furnishing or exchange of clothing, medicine, food, and other supplies ; engineering services ; emergency housing ; fire fighting ; rescue, trans- portation, and construction services. At the close of the fiscal year a mutual aid pact was being negotiated between the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands government. H. R. 6949, a bill to amend the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 to exempt the Virgin Islands from certain limitations upon the making of Federal contributions was introduced in the House of Representatives. It is doubtful whether favorable action would be taken on this bill before adjournment of Congress. This bill would greatly assist the Virgin Islands in obtaining funds for purchasing much needed medical and fire equipment, expansion of the blood-bank program and equip- ment for rescue work which it has not been possible to procure due to lack of funds. Two representatives of the Federal Civil Defense Administration visited the Virgin Islands during the year for the purpose of observing our program and for conferences with local authorities. 12 « ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SELECTIVE SERVICE OPERATIONS As of June 30, 1952, a total of 2,332 males were registered in the Virgin Islands, representing an increase of 370 during the fiscal year. While this total increase of 370 may seem low for a population of about 26,000, an investigation has revealed that it compares favor- ably with the national trend. The local boards were active during the year. They met at least once a month to consider new classifications as well as reclassifications. A total of 2,240 separate classifications were completed by these boards. Every induction call placed on the Virgin Islands by the national headquarters was met, resulting in 333 men being inducted during the year. Delinquency is no gi-eat problem as the majority of cases are cleared up locally. Since there is no active recruiting center in the Virgin Islands, many Virgin Islanders went to continental United States to enlist in the regular services. The record shows that 50 such enlistments were made in all the branches of the service, ranging from 25 in the Air Force to 3 in the Coast Guard. PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION The outstanding achievement in personnel administration was the adoption of a new pay plan for employees of the local governments. This pay plan will go into effect on July 1, 1952, in both municipalities. It is the result of 4 years of observation and work with the first pay schedule which was outmoded and not adaptable to present day condi- tions. It is more directly the result of 8 months of intensive study and planning. This pay plan should contribute greatly towards the re- cruitment of competent personnel for the local government service and in improving the morale of employees. At the close of the fiscal year there were 1,174 classified employees in the service of the local government ; 711 assigned to departments and agencies in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John, and 463 in the municipality of St. Croix. These include, it should be stressed, employees comparable to State, city and local levels in the United States, and they furnish services for operation of the legislatures, police courts, motor boat service between St. Thomas and St. John, tax assessors and recorders offices, government printing office, depart- ment of finance, auditor's office, police departments, penitentiary, public works and fire departments, harbor department, public health and medical care including the operation of three separate general hospitals and a Hansen's disease hospital in two islands, department of social welfare including public assistance and child welfare, depart- ment of education administering the public-school system, vocational ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS i!V 13 education, and a scliool-luncli program, public libraries in three towns, wage and hour administration, two homes for the aged indigent, parks and playgrounds, public power administration, tourist development, public airport facilities, and necessary over-all administrative functions. Under local law, employees may make loans from their deposits in the retirement fund of the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John. A total of 103 such loans were approved by the retirement board during the year. It is hoped that the legislative assembly will consider favorably an administration proposal to allow all municipal employees to enjoy the benefits of the old age and survivors' insurance provisions of the Federal social-security system, which benefits are generally more lib- eral than those provided under local law. AGRICULTURE During the fiscal year, legislation, sponsored and urged by the gov- ernment of the Virgin Islands and the Department of the Interior for many years, was passed by Congress and approved by the President transferring the management of the agricultural program of the islands from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture. The transfer will go into effect on July 1, 1952. Since 1932 the extension service program of the agricultural stations under the Department of the Interior rendered assistance to farmers and their families. Agents worked closely with the farmers in map- ping out plans and carrying them into operation. They taught culti- vation methods; the control of insect pests and diseases; improvement of livestock and pastures ; supplied propagating material at cost ; car- ried out soil and water conservation practices ; found markets for farm goods; kept public information before the farmers; promoted home and health improvements, and in general performed all types of serv- ices which helped the farmers to work out the means to a better stand- ard of living. This extension service program was carried on in St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. On April 30, 1952, the extension services were discontinued as plans were made to transfer these activi- ties to the Department of Agriculture. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION In order to promote productive land usage other than sugarcane raising in St. Croix, the Virgin Islands Corporation has planned for the fall of this year the cultivation of about 40 acres in green and red 234016—53 3 14 -C^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, beans, and sesame. About 15 acres of land under lease by the Corporation have been cleared for the planting of limes. These crops are known to flourish in St. Croix, but whether they can be grown and marketed satisfactorily has not been demon- strated as yet. With the closing of the agricultural station in St. Croix, the Virgin Islands Corporation absorbed the expenses for the continuation of the important veterinary services. The Corporation also plans to con- duct a sire improvement and cattle management program with the cooperation of the municipal government of St. Croix. Under its land and water development program, the Corporation constructed a large earthen dam of over 14 million gallon capacity and several existing small dams were improved and repaired. Two new wells were dug, producing a very satisfactory volume of water. On private lands several small and medium-sized dams were constructed and one large dam (over 30 million gallon capacity) almost completed at Estate Fountain. Agreements have been signed and funds obligated for the construction of 59 more dams. On the recommendations of Dr. Frank Wadsworth of the United States Forest Service, about 3 acres have been seeded with West Indian mahogany by airplane. It still has to be determined whether this type of seeding will be successful. As in former years, the growing of sugarcane and the manufactur- ing of raw sugar continued to be the major activity of the Virgin Islands Corporation. A total of 12'5,515 tons of sugarcane was ground and yielded 11,646 tons of sugar. A total of 4,934 acres were har- vested. In 1951 only 7,400 tons of sugar were produced. The 1952 crop compares favorably with that for 1950 when 10,750 tons of sugar were produced. The average yield of sugar per ton of cane for 1952 was 9.279 percent, less than the recognized average island yield of 10 percent. This condition, however, obtains throughout the major part of the Caribbean area. Under the management of a new president, a native of St. Croix, the sugarcane crop was harvested on a piecework or performance basis. This resulted in a substantial increase to the labor force in actual hourly earnings and at the same time reflected a somewhat lower cost per ton of cane harvested than had been possible on a straight hourly rate. The milling activities were greatly improved and new records set in the history of the sugar mill operations in St. Croix. While it is recognized that the production of raw sugar has not been a financially profitable operation, no other agricultural crop nor activ- ity has been found which will provide the great majority of the work- ers of St. Croix with employment and provide benefits to thousands of the people of St. Croix who are directly and indirectly dependent on the sugar industry. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -is; 15 The major factors to which the losses incurred by the Virgin Islands Corporation are attributable are shown below, together with the remedial steps which are being taken : Factor Remedy 1. High cost of growing and liarvest- 1. Placing worlv on a performance basis ing the sugarcane crop. wherever possible. 2. Too low United States sugar 2. Quota raised to 12,000 tons for 1953. quota (6,000 tons). Should be raised to 20,000 tons. 3. Drop in yield due to unseasonable 3. 1952 crop started earlier to provide and unusually heavy rainfall ratoons a longer period to mature, during harvest. The Virgin Islands Corporation encouraged tourism in the Virgin Islands by a grant of $30,000 to the Virgin Islands Tourist Develop- ment Board for advertising and promotion purposes. COI^IVSERCE AND SHIPPING An increase in the number of merchant ships calling at the port of St. Thomas was experienced during the fiscal year. A total of 338 merchant ships with a gross tonnage of 1,920,735 called at the port of St. Thomas as compared with 322 ships with a gross tonnage of 1,419,825 in 1951. Seventy-five United States and two Danish Government vessels called at St. Thomas. During the winter season 12 calls to St. Thomas were made by tourist liners. There has been a decline in the activities of St. Thomas harbor during the past decade. In 1941, the last big shipping year for St. Thomas (before the entry of the United States in World War II) 1,220 ships (979 merchant vessels and 241 government vessels) , with a gross tonnage of 3,963,124, called at St. Thomas. Thus our port activities have declined to one- third of its 1941 peak. Work on the waterfront project in St. Thomas continued during the year. Although behind schedule, the work, as it takes shape, proves the justification which was presented to Congress that the project will be a considerable improvement of the harbor facilities. St. Croix also has been established as a port of entry by Pan Amer- ican World Airways for north and southbound traffic in the Caribbean area. The transportation of passengers and cargo by air continued to be an economic factor in the development of the islands. During the fiscal year, approximately 79,000 passengers and nearly 1,000,000 pounds of cargo were transported in and out of the islands. It is quite possible that this air-cargo activity may increase due to the continued withdrawal of steamship lines from the ports of the islands. For instance, during the year the Furness West Indies Steamship 16 -S^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Line withdrew the service of its two ships to the West Indies. These ships gave the islands regular service to and from the mainland of the United States with passengers as well as general and refrigerated cargo. It is expected that the Alcoa Steamship Co. will also withdraw its refrigerated cargo service in the near future. EDUCATION Reorganization and extension of vocational education which began last year with application of our first grant of Federal funds for this purpose has been continued as a prominent feature of the educational program, with total expenditures for the year amounting to $60,803.62. Specialists from the United States Office of Education visiting us during the year gave valuable advice and assistance in connection with the vocational program. In the trades and industry program, a course in plumbing was added in St, Croix, and the program in agriculture extended by employment of an additional teacher to conduct classes for adults. The need for services of a full-time director has become apparent and it is now expected that a qualified person for this duty will be added to the staff at an early date. Development of plans for new schools to be constructed through the use of Federal funds under provisions of Public Law 510 ranks as a major activity of the year. This has entailed numerous conferences and extended study of architectural drawings. Valuable advice on this program was also obtained from specialists of the United States Office of Education. Definite and promising progress has been made, however, in that sites have now been selected for all new schools to be built; schematic plans have been drawn, reviewed, and approved for all units of the over-all building program. Detailed drawings and specifications have also been completed for the group I and group II phases which include the new Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas; new high school and elementary school in Christiansted, St. Croix ; and a new one-room rural school in St. Croix. Bid invita- tions for construction of these units are due to be released early in the next fiscal year. The educational study committee formed last year has prepared its first report which will be presented to the Governor's commission on education early in the new school year. The panels of the educational study committee will continue the work began, concentrating on phases recommended by the Governor's commission. The library system received special attention during the year. The supervising librarian in St. Thomas was granted leave of absence to pursue a specially arranged program of training in library science at ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -i^ 17 Pratt Institute in New York, as the recipient of a scliolarsliip offered by the Foresight Foundation, of which Mrs. Charles Taussig is president. During her absence. Miss Enid Baa, released by the New York Public Library for our service, was employed as library consultant, and acting supervising librarian. She has engaged in an intensive study of our library facilities and practices, instituted measures for improving and extending the service, and made comprehensive recom- mendations for further development of our library system- Total enrollment in public schools was 5,423, an increase of 479 above the preceding year. Of this number, 993 were enrolled in junior and senior high school grades in St. Thomas, and 467 in St. Croix. Enrollment in parochial and private schools amounted to 2,264, of which 987 were in St. Thomas, and 1,277 in St. Croix. Total enroll- ment in all schools was 7,687, an increase of 485 above enrollment the preceding year. The total cost of public education was $544,447.41 including the school lunch service; and in St. Thomas, operation of the public li- brary. Teachers Institute, and public recreation facilities. Of this amount $71,370.63 was made available by the Federal Government, chiefly in support of vocational education and the school lunch service. An average of 2,650 children participated daily in the school lunch program in St. Thomas and St. John. In St. Croix, average daily participation in the lunch program was 1,713. The average cost of education per pupil including the lunch service was $90.60 in St. Thomas and in St. Croix $90.06. HEALTH AND SANITATION Actual construction of new hospitals and health facilities was be- gun throughout the Virgin Islands. In St. Thomas ground-breaking ceremonies for the Knud Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital were held in February followed by similar ceremonies at Christiansted and Frederiksted, St. Croix, and at Cruz Bay, St. John. Assistant Secre- tary of the Interior Robert R. Rose participated in the cornerstone laying ceremonies at the Knud Knud-Hensen Memorial Hospital and the Charles Harwood Hospital in the absence of Secretary of the Interior Oscar L. Chapman. With the completion of these hospitals the Virgin Islands will be provided with modern physical plants for medical care. The problem that now faces the islands' government is of recruitment of necessary trained personnel, and obtaining of the necessary additional funds which will be needed to properly maintain and operate these plants. Instead of the present ridiculously low fees charged to private and 18 -w- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS semiprivate patients, the local governments will find it necessary to provide substantial additional revenues by legislating authority for adequate fees to be charged to all those who can afford to pay for such services. With the present inadequate and outmoded hospital facilities a total of 422 major operations were performed in St. Thomas and 133 in St. Croix during the year in most of the surgical specialties. These oper- ations included surgery performed by the general surgeons on the hospital staff, as well as by the orthopedic surgeon and a visiting urologist. During the calendar year 1951, there were 953 births in the Virgin Islands with a birth rate of 34.9 per 1,000, which compares favorably with 894 births and a birth rate of 33.5 in 1950. On the other hand there was little change in the general mortality picture. While in 1950 there were 374 deaths with a rate of 14.0 per 1,000, in 1951 there were 375 deaths with a rate of 13.7 per 1,000. The leading cause of death continued to be disease of the heart taking a toll of 33.3 percent of all deaths in 1951 in comparison with 28.3 percent of all deaths in 1950. It is interesting to note, however, that 48.5 percent of all deaths occurred in the age group 65 years and over, with 8 percent in the group 85 years and over. In the age group 45-64, 22.4 percent of the deaths occurred, 17.6 percent in the group under 5 years and 14.9 percent under 1 year. Though infant mortality figures of 56 deaths and a rate of 58.8 percent are lower than the figures from 1940 to 1949, they compare favorably with 51 infant deaths and a rate of 56.9 percent per 1,000 in 1950. During the fiscal year a total of $730,763 was expended iii the Virgin Islands for medical care and public health services. Of this amount $510,812 were appropriated from local revenues, $202,648 allocated from Federal grant-in-aid funds, and $17,303 from the central admin- istration. For this expenditure there was a return of only $45,585 (including collections from night soil service as well as from hospital fees in both municipalities) for the services rendered. Every effort made so far by the administration to increase hospital fees has been effectively foiled by the municipal councils. However, with the estab- lishment of modern, well equipped hospital plants it should become obvious to all responsible authorities in the local communities that payment for the services rendered must be substantially increased. Grant-in-aid funds, as in various states, were expended for the following services: Maternal and child health, crippled children, venereal-disease control, tuberculosis control, general health and mental health, cancer control, and heart disease control. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -{S 19 Under the health program the first mental health workshop was held in the Virgm Islands. The conference was supervised and di- rected by Dr. Koger W. Howell, professor of mental health, University of North Carolina, Mrs. Alice Spillane, mental health education con- sultant, and Mrs. Adele Hendreson, mental health nurse consultant, United States Public Health Service. A total of 184 persons partici- pated in the conference representing health, education, welfare, home- makers, and the courts. The conference was planned to give in-service training to professional workers and to encourage community partici- pation in mental health activities. The maternal- and child-health services have become a well-organ- ized branch of the health department under the direction of the pedia- trician and the obstetrician. Emphasis was placed during the year on the prevention of infectious diseases and the treatment and rehabili- tation of physically and mentally handicapped children. The services offered to children include well-baby clinics, well-child conferences, special clinics for sick children, premature facilities in the obstetrics wards, and medical and surgical care. During the year the leading illnesses in children were infections of the respiratory tract, followed by gastroenteritis, dermatitis including impetigo and scabies, mahiu- trition, dental caries, intestinal parasites, glomerulonephritis, con- genital heart disease and rheumatic fever. There were two cases of poliomyelitis in St. Thomas, both of which ran a mild course, and one case of whooping cough imported from nearby Puerto Rico. Special attention was given to premature infants in order to reduce the mortality rate. A total of 361 children received physician services under the crippled children program during the calendar year 1951. Some 23 children received therapeutic services such as exercises, massages, and electro- therapy. Under the dental program services were rendered in general dentistry, X-ray, surgery, preventative dentistry, and the topical fluoride program. During the year a number of tuberculosis patients hospitalized in St. Thomas were given the latest drug, isonicotinic acid hydrazid, which holds promise as one of the best treatments for the disease. This was made possible through the cooperation of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Health, and the gen- erosity of the manufacturers of the drug. An effective program of community education in communicable disease control is underway. The response to immunization clinics is good. All school children and a considerable number of the adult population were vaccinated against typhoid fever. This program was instituted because of three cases of typhoid fever in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John. 20 ^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Venereal disease diagnostic and treatment clinics were held regularly in St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Services in public-health nursing, cancer control, nutrition, and health education were also rendered during the year. With a sanitary engineer in charge, the sanitation program was greatly accelerated and improved. This position had been vacant for almost 2 years. United States Public Health Service standard forms for community inspections were introduced and have provided valu- able data in determining the quality of eating and drinking establish- ments in St. Thomas. Adequate sanitary regulations authorized by the legislative assembly in 1949 have still not been adopted by the St. Croix Municipal Council. The functions of the sanitation service include advisory, routine inspections of facilities to enforce existing regulations, collection and examination of water samples, supervision of the outmoded night soil can collection system of sewage disposal, inspection of hotels and other eating-drinking establisliments, chlori- nation of private and semipublic cistern water supplies, routine inspec- tions of individual household premises and milk and dairy farm inspections. A gradual change is being realized in the concept of individual routine nuisance inspections to the objective community- wide approach program. In line with the program of in-service training financed by Federal grant-in-aid funds a number of doctors and nurses were able to obtain training in continental United States in specialized fields. The Virgin Islands were also adequately represented at the annual conference of the American Public Health Association. The expansion and improvement of the health program is a challenge to the government and people of the Virgin Islands. The Federal Government has made substantial contributions for the construction of modern hospital plants. It is now the duty and responsibility of the local communities to maintain and operate these facilities at a high level of efficiency in order to meet the health and medical care needs of the islands. In order to accomplish this effectively community-wide attention must be given to the problem, and the community must shoulder heavy additional responsibilities. PUBLIC SAFETY Emphasis was placed on training of the members of the police forces in the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year. In this connection the splendid cooperation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was ob- tained. Special agents were detailed from Puerto Rico to hold classes ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ii 21 in St. Thomas and St. Croix. The in-service training program was augmented by special lectures given by the judges of the police courts, the assistant district attorney, and others. These training classes have contributed to the improvement of the professional standing of the policemen. In the rapidly growing island of St. Thomas traffic control and pedestrian safety continued to be a problem, due to the congested condi- tion of the narrow streets. At the end of the fiscal year there were 1,105 motor vehicles registered as compared with 855 in the previous year, 930 permanent drivers licenses were issued as compared with 870 in 1951, and 1,173 temporary drivers licenses as compared with 954 last year. There were 317 motor-vehicle accidents in which 92 persons were injured, as against 279 accidents in 1951 with an injury load of 89. It is quite possible that the number of traffic accidents may have been higher were it not for the vigorous activities of the police department's traffic bureau. The new waterfront highway projected for the fiscal year 1954, should relieve this situation greatly. A total of 1,175 criminal complaints were filed in the courts in St. Thomas as compared with 1,149 cases in fiscal year 1951. Disorderly conduct was the major offense involving 324 cases, followed by 317 traffic violations. In 953 cases conviction was secured in the courts. Some 206 cases were handled by the juvenile-aid bureau, 162 of which were adjusted by the bureau, 15 transferred to the local welfare department, 27 to the juvenile court, and 2 cases were pending at the end of the fiscal year. In St. Croix a total of 253 criminal complaints were filed in the courts as compared with 282 in 1951. Convictions were obtained in 191 cases. Disturbance of the peace continued to be the major offense invohang 65 cases. Traffic violations followed with 57 cases. A total of 1,222 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles were registered as compared with 1,034 in 1951. This amount included 947 automo- biles and trucks, 16 motorcycles and 259 bicycles. A police officer was assigned to the Insular Police Academy of Puerto Rico for a 3-month training period and received valuable instruction from the Criminal Identification Bureau. With more emphasis on training it is necessary that the efficiency and morale of the police forces in the Virgin Islands should be im- proved. The Virgin Islands communities are growing and the need for well-trained policemen becomes more and more evident. Crime- detection personnel and methods and traffic control have become major problems. Special attention will be given to these objectives during the next fiscal year. 22 t: ANNUAt REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC UTILITIES The expansion of power-generating and distribution facilities in the Virgin Islands is one of the urgent needs for commercial and indus- trial development. It has not been possible to obtain funds from any source, except the Federal Government, to finance this expansion and development. In recognition of these facts, the administration has made efforts to obtain Federal funds through the Virgin Islands Cor- poration, a Federal instrumentality created to assist in the develop- ment of industry, agriculture, and other economic assets in the islands. The cooperation of the municipal councils has been necessary in order to obtain the assistance of the Federal Government. During this fiscal year the sum of $795,000 was made available by Congress to the Virgin Islands Corporation for the acquisition from the Rural Electrification Administration and from the municipality of St. Croix of the power facilities in St. Croix. The transfer was made at the close of the fiscal year and a progi'am of rehabilitation and expansion of electric-power facilities in that municipality has begun. The St. Croix Power Authority which owned the town distribution systems has been abolished, the REA loan for the power plant and rural distribution system was liquidated and the electric power-gen- erating and distribution system is now owned and operated by the Virgin Islands Corporation, as a utility separate and distinct from the Corporation's sugar industry. One of the immediate results of the transfer has been a reduction in the rates charged to private con- sumers. For the fiscal year 1953 another $110,000 has been requested for the further expansion of the system in St. Croix. After many persistent appeals the administration was able to obtain the approval of the municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John for a similar transfer of power facilities in that municipality to the Virgin Islands Corporation for the purpose of development and ex- pansion. With the demand for electrical energy growing greater and greater and with no prospects in view of being able to expand the facilities without aid from the Federal Government, approval of the transfer to the Virgin Islands Corporation was finally granted. For the fiscal year 1953, Congress has been asked to appropriate the sum of $690,000 for the Virgin Islands Corporation to acquire the existing inadequate facilities and to begin a program of expansion. Another $750,000 will be requested for fiscal year 1954 to continue this expan- sion, especially to the. rural areas of St. Thomas where private resi- dential development is well in progress. The modern telephone facilities in both St. Thomas and St. Croix should be completed early in the next fiscal year. These improvements are included in the Virgin Islands public works program financed with • ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS & 23 Federal funds. Negotiations have been completed with All America Cables and Kadio, Inc., for the installation of VHF radiotelephone communication with Puerto Kico and continental United States. The plan includes extending the service to St. Croix, where no such facility is now available. This arrangement will be worked out in collabora- tion with the improved telephone systems. PUBLBC WORKS In accordance with legislation passed by both municipal councils the potable water supply systems in St. Thomas and St. Croix are under the supervision and control of the public works departments. Rates have been established in both municipalities for the sale of water, and connections are being made gradually. The proper operation of these water supply systems has become a major function of the respon- sible departments. Approximately 64,000 tons of water was furnished private and public consumers in St. Thomas during the fiscal year 1952, as com- pared with 22,604 tons furnished in the previous year. The usual ill effects of the annual drought period were successfully counteracted this year due to the fact that water was available from the new system. A total of 74 connections were made to the new system, and it is ex- pected that many more will be made during the next fiscal year. In St. Thomas private building construction activities were maintained on a fairly extensive scale. A total of 164 building permits were issued covering over $640,000 worth of private construction. This is close to the 197 permits issued in 1951 for construction valued at $670,000. Permits issued for electrical installations totaled 162, while 43 were issued for se^Yer connections. The Red Hook-Nadir Road was com- pleted during the year. This road job and the hard-surfacing of a section of the Northside Road to Estate Dorothea were handled by the local public works department under an agreement with the Federal Virgin Islands public works program. United States Department of the Interior. Many streets and roads were repaired; however, there is need for major repairs to most of the streets and to many of the roads and highways in all the islands. In St. Croix, 30 connections were made to the potable water supply system, and 118 sewer connections were made to private buildings. Thirty-six building permits were issued covering construction work valued at $158,250; while 90 permits for electrical installations were issued. About 5% miles of roads were hard-surfaced during the year by the local public works department under an agreement with the Federal Virgin Islands public works program. Public buildings were kept in minimum repairs. 24 -tr ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Major repairs are urgently needed to Federal buildings in the Virgin Islands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. During the next fiscal year an effort will be made to obtain a special appropriation from Congress for this purpose. Municipal buildings are also direly in need of major repairs. Repeated attempts have been made hj the administration to have legislation enacted making it mandatory to connect properties to the new sewerage systems installed by the United States Government in Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted. Both municipal councils and the legistative assembly have failed to enact such legisla- tion. During the next fiscal year another attempt will be made to have such necessary legislation adopted by the legislative assembly. LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS The Virgin Islands employment service was established early in the fiscal year. It is operated directly under the guidance of and with funds furnished by the United States Department of Labor. During the year 1,016 persons were placed in jobs out of a total of 2,266 appli- cants seeking employment. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in filling orders for farm employees in St. Thomas and St. John. Such workers are not available on the islands, and the farm job opportunities are not suffi- ciently attractive to interest workers from Puerto Rico. On the other hand, farm workers from the neighboring British and French islands are available to work on the farms in St. Thomas and St. John. The Virgin Islands government is attempting to obtain approval of plans to facilitate the orderly movement of a limited number of alien workers to meet the needs of farmers in St. Thomas and St. John. In St. Croix the situation is more serious. With the expansion of the sugar industry, in order to make it profitable, there is an insufficient labor market available in the islands for harvesting. The importation of workers from Puerto Rico during the year was not successful prin- cipally because the best workers are presumed to be gainfully occupied in Puerto Rico's sugar industry. About 300 workers will have to be imported for the harvesting of the 1953 crop. Under the local workmen's compensation laws, 89 cases were handled in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John resulting in awards totaling $9,900.90, and 43 cases in St. Croix with awards totaling $3,723.66. Safety inspections were continued during the year. These inspections have contributed greatly to the prevention of injuries on the job. A number of wage complaints were heard by the wage com- missioners in the administration of the local wage and hour laws. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS i^ 25 Rules and regulations were promulgated by the Labor Relations Board. There were no labor disputes in the community. SOCIAL WELFARE The extension of Federal social security provisions to the Virgin Islands has accelerated greatly the consolidation on an insular basis of social welfare functions. The foundation for this consolidation was established with the enactment of the Virgin Islands Social Welfare Act of 1943. However, the practical effects were not possible until the Public Assistance Titles of the Federal act were extended to the Virgin Islands and became effective on October 1, 1950. The reorganization of public assistance activities on an insular basis began with the adoption of a single, uniform public assistance plan and the establish- ment of a single public assistance fund. This year an insular director of public assistance was appointed and the program was administered on a uniform basis throughout the Virgin Islands, The challenge in public assistance activities during the year was to maintain the gains in the rates of assistance, in the equalization of aid in both municipalities, and in the general modernization of the program, which were made in the previous fiscal year with the help of Federal matching contributions. To maintain these gains there were needed: (a) larger local appropriations to match Federal funds contributed, and (b) a greater effort on the part of the staff to carry through unaccustomed and exacting requirements. How well this challenge was met with Federal aid is best evidenced by the following few comparisons between the assistance program in the fiscal year 1949-50 (the last fiscal year before extension of the Federal act) , that in 1950-51 (when the program was beginning), and that in 1951-52 (in which the program had its first full year of operation) : Virgin Islands 1949-50 (Oct. 1949) 1950-51 (June 1951) 1951-52 (May 1952) Number of persons aided Average assistance per month Total assistance paid in month Total Virgin Islands appropriation for year. Total Federal contribution for year 1,248 $5.90 $7, 365. 75 $107, 728. 00 None 1,506 $8.36 $12, 596. 83 $105, 484. 00 1 $52, 345. 32 1,703 $8.37 $14, 255. 98 $130, 500. 00 2 $85, 000. 00 1 Nine months. ' Approximately. In the municipality of St. Croix where assistance standards had been lowest, the result of the use of the uniform insular-wide standard was spectacular. Where the average in 1949-50 had been $5 per month for an aged person, it was in February 1952, $11.31 per person. Children who had been receiving $3.77 per month received this year 26 1^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS $5.57. The total number of persons obtaining grants increased 50 percent from 626 to 987. The St. Croix public assistance expendi- tures for 1949-50 averaged $3,092, in 1951-52 this amount had in- creased to $8,643 per month. In the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John where the original program of assistance was more adequate than in St. Croix, the im- provement, though important, was not sensational. Average grants rose from $7.93 to $10.86 for an aged person, and from $3.64 to $4.87 for children. The total number of persons receiving aid increased from 622 to 716, and monthly assistance expenditures increased from $4,024 to $4,739. The Queen Louise Home for the Aged operated at full capacity throughout the year. With only 20 beds available the services are quite limited. When the new hospital is completed in St. Thomas there is a possibility that a portion of the old hospital building may be utilized as a home for old people. The Corneiro Home continued to house 23 persoiis. Public assistance provided the residents funds to purchase necessaries, including payment of rent, and the Commu- nity Chest Home Service furnished helpers for those who are unable to take care of their household chores. At the Mandahl School for Boys (juvenile delinquents), enrollment averaged between 40 and 45 boys throughout the year. The outstanding developments at this school were ( 1 ) the appointment of a professionally trained person as super- intendent of the school, and (2) the assumption by the Department of Education of responsibility for the academic program of the school including the assignment of a principal-teacher who has taken charge of the academic work. To further strengthen the staffing and pro- gram of the school, plans are under way to send the assistant superin- tendent to a school of social work in the United States for professional training. There were 37 persons admitted to the King's Hill Home for the Aged during the year, all certified by the social welfare department. Most of the cases were aged indigent recipients of public assistance. The home operated at a somewhat reduced capacity, the average being 130 persons. Additional improvements were made to the Aldersville Home in Frederiksted. The division of child welfare conducted a weekly radio program in St. Thomas during the year. The broadcasts were used as part of the division's public-relations effort, and covered many important subjects dealing with child welfare. After 5 years of constant growth and improvement, staff members of the division are college graduates of the caliber desired in the professional social-work field. Interest in ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -it 27 obtaining professional training has been indicated. In August this year one staff member will receive a degree in social work from the New York School of Social Work. One member has completed 1 year of training while another will enroll in September. Two other staff members have been granted United Nations scholarships for professional study abroad. A total of 998 children (343 in St. Croix and 656 in St. Thomas) received service from the division during the fiscal year. Since 1947 a subsidized foster home was operated in St. Thomas and one in Fred- eriksted, St. Croix. The home in St. Thomas was closed in July due to the fact that its location was undesirable. A home-finding cam- paign launched in December was so successful in locating good homes which were added to the foster care program that the reopening of the subsidized foster home became unnecessary. In accordance with recommendations made in the report of the American Public Health Association survey team, an Inter-Agency Committee for Health and Welfare was created in January for the purpose of studying important common problems which require joint consideration. This committee is comprised of representatives of the health and welfare departments, and is headed by the administrator for St. Croix. Some of the problems to be considered by the com- mittee are : 1. Payment for medical services under the Social Security Act amendments of 1950, Public Law 734. 2. Collection of fees for medical care of nonindigents. 3. The care of the aged in general. 4. The operation of the King's Hill Home. 5. The use of the present hospital buildings in St. Thomas after the new hospital is built. It will be noted from this report that the activities of the social welfare have expanded and improved considerably with the aid of Federal funds provided under the various titles of the Federal Social Security Act. Nevertheless, the minimum standards required to ade- quately take care of the indigents have not been attained. This is due chiefly to the fact that the matching formula which has been applied to the Virgin Islands is the old dollar-for-dollar formula with which the public assistance program began in the United States many years ago. In the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii the matching formula is now 3 dollars for each State dollar. Efforts were made during the year to have an amendment passed by Congress to the basic law extend- ing this new formula to Puerto Eico and the Virgin Islands. How- ever, this amendment was not favorably considered. It must be borne in mind that only those persons whose resources fall below 60 percent 28 -ii ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS of their minimum needs are receiving public assistance (most are totally destitnte) and only 80 percent of their need at this 60 percent standard is granted. We have far yet to go to meet existing needs. TOURISM It is the policy of the local government to improve and expand the tourist trade as a substantial contribution to the economy of the Virgin Islands. In line with this policy a Virgin Islands Tourist Development Board has been established. This agency has been very active in publicizing the Virgin Islands as an all-year-round vacation spot in the Caribbean. The Virgin Islands Corporation made the sum of $30,000 available for tourist promotion work. This amount and with contributions from the two municipalities totaling $18,000 pro- vided the funds for the operation of the tourist development program. There has been a substantial increase in the number of visitors in comparison with the previous years. According to statistics com- piled by the tourist board, 105,369 persons visited the Virgin Islands during fiscal year 1952, as compared with 60,497 in 1951. This in- crease in the number of visitors resulted in over $4^2 million of tourist expenditures in the islands as compared with a little over $3 million in the previous fiscal year. Tourist expenditures were divided into three major categories : purchases in shops and restaurants, hotel fees, and sightseeing and taxicab fees. While the increase in the bed capacity of the hotels and guest houses in the Virgin Islands during the past fiscal year has been small (St. Thomas and St. John increased from 929 to 952 and St. Croix in- creased from 201 to 238) there has been a healthy increase in hotel revenue. Twelve large cruise ships visited St. Thomas in 1952 as against seven in 1951. These ships remained in port much longer than in the past. This permitted the passengers to enjoy all the local facilities for swim- ming, sightseeing, shopping, and dancing at the hotels and night clubs. At the same time the number of persons using air transporta- tion to the islands has been steadily increasing. The two airlines serving the Virgin Islands brought in over 82,000 passengers during the year. The promotion activities of the Virgin Islands Tourist Develop- ment Board included representation of the islands at meetings of the Caribbean Interim Tourism Committee and the American Association of Travel Agents. Solicitation trips were also made to several States and to Canada. Travel editors were encouraged to visit the Virgin Islands and write articles about the islands. A large quantity of tour- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -^ 29 ist literature and travel agents' handbooks on the Virgin Islands was published and distributed through the offices of the various travel agents, air lines, and steamship companies in the United States and Canada. Special advertising programs were also conducted through the local newspapers and travel magazines. Publicity programs were conducted over radio station WSTA in St. Thomas and radio station WIVI in St. Croix. VIRGIN ISLANDS AUDITOR The office of the Virgin Islands auditor continued its -program of study and research for the purpose of developing a uniform system of fiscal and property accounting control for the government of the Virgin Islands, and the two municipalities thereof. This study was initiated during fiscal year 1951. A modern manual of procedures for property control and account- ing, prepared by the auditor's office, was made effective. Compliance with the procedures set forth in this manual was about 70 percent complete at the close of the fiscal year. In cooperation with the fi- nance department a centralized system of allotment control and pur- chasing was established. A desk audit of the fiscal accounts of the municipality of St. Croix was made for the fiscal years 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1952. A similar audit of the fiscal accounts of the munici- pality of St. Thomas and St. John will be completed during the next fiscal year. VIRGIN ISLANDS COOPERATIVE This year the Virgin Islands Cooperative was able to give increased employment to about 400 persons who produced native handicraft for sale through the organization. Whereas last year $27,572.38 was dis- bursed for such workers, this year these workers received $30,229.09 an increase of nearly 10 percent. Some of this increase reflects the higher prices now being paid to workers for the goods they produce ; but there has been some increase also in the volume of production. - Total sales of the cooperative for the fiscal year under review were $53,315.81 as compared to $47,345.84 last year—an increase here of about 12' percent. A total of $809.40 was distributed among 83 work- ers as bonuses on their earnings for the calendar year 1951. It has been very heartening this year to note that some interest has been aroused in the problem of growing locally more of the tyre palm and other plants from which straw goods and basketry are made. The Virgin Islands Corporation has promised to have a survey made as soon as possible with a view to determining whether or not it could 30 ^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS undertake the planting of stands of any of these plants. The local agricultural station has also taken notice of the problem and hopes to be able to distribute some seedling palms to local farmers very soon. The need for training new workers in various aspects of handicraft, and improving present skills of old workers, is still very great. Some worthwhile effort has been made in this direction in the Abraham Lincoln Public School and in the Charlotte Amalie High School. However, education of adults along these lines would seem to be of as great or greater benefit since- there are numbers of adults who for one reason or another are unable to accept regular employment but who could doubtless earn much needed income at home from pursuit of various handicrafts. The board of directors of the cooperative has arranged for ]Miss Ruth Morton of Milwaukee, Wis., who is a consultant decorator and designer, to spend about a month here very soon for the purpose of developing new designs and improving the items now being produced by the cooperative. Miss Morton was instrumental in starting the co- operative in 1931 during Gov. Paul M. Pearson's term of office, and her help at this time will doubtless be of great value to the organization. FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program wild- life-conservation activities were continued in the Virgin Islands under the direction of a supervisor. The study of the zenaida dove was con- tinued. Effectiveness of mongoose control and extermination methods were also observed and analyzed. The guan, a game bird of South America, was introduced into St. Thomas. A flock was released at Magens Bay and one at the eastern end of the island. A closed season on the guans has been declared, and it is hoped that they will develop rapidly. Funds have been made available to the Virgin Islands, as to other States and Territories, for a Federal-aid project under what is known as the Dingel-Johnson project. The first activity will be an investiga- tion of the sport-fishing potential of the Virgin Islands. Fishing investigations in the Virgin Islands have never been carried on extensively. As a result of the dearth of existing information, our project plans call for biological studies which will provide a basis for estimating the potential of our fishery resources and indicate the direction which further study should take. Although the fresh-water resources of the Virgin Islands are extremely limited, the possibility of developing ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS tJV 31 small impoundments for sport fishing in St. Croix will also be studied. A fish biologist will be appointed early in the next fiscal year to initiate these studies. CREDIT FACSLITSES After about 2 jenrs of persistent efforts an amendment was passed by Congress and approved by the President extending the provisions of the Federal Credit Union Act to include the Virgin Islands. It is now possible for credit unions to be established in the Virgin Islands under the supervision and control of the Federal Government. These credit unions are savings and loan associations created to encourage thrift among employee groups, and also to provide them a source of credit at a reasonable rate of interest. With the assistance of officials of the Federal Bureau of Credit Unions it is expected that several credit unions will be established early in the next fiscal year. In April 1952, the Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and officials of Federal home-loan banks of New York, Worcester, Mass., and Newark, N. J., visited the Virgin Islands for the purpose of reviewing the local economic conditions with the view of encouraging the establishment of a Federal Savings and Loan Association. About 2 years ago a group of experts surveyed the economic conditions here and recommended that the situation be reexamined within a year or two for the purpose of noting any improvement which would encourage the establishment of such an institution to serve the people of the islands. The experts on the survey this year felt that conditions were sufficiently improved to warrant the establishment of a Federal Sav- ings and Loan Association. Efforts will be made early in the next fiscal year to encourage and stimulate the establishment of such an institution in the Virgin Islands. MUNICBPAL ELECTIONS A special election was held during the month of May 1952, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of a member for the country district, municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John. The electoral list for the district included a total of 695 registered voters, 457 of whom voted in the special election. A general election will be held in November 1952. At that time it is hoped that more active interest will be demonstrated, by the people. One of the principal objections of congressional and other authorities 32 ii ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS is tliat there is not sufficient participation in the democratic process of voting in the Virgin Islands. Possibly if more candidates enter the competition for seats in the municipal councils, especially in the munic- ipality of St. Thomas and St. John, the interest of the voters may be stimulated. LEGISLATION After many years of persistent effort Congress passed the necessary legislation transferring the management of the agricultural program of the islands from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture. The transfer will go into effect on July 1, 1952. Included among the bills passed at the sixteenth session of the leg- islative assembly of the Virgin Islands was a law authorizing the coverage of certain employees of the insular government and municipal governments under the old-age and survivors' insurance provisions of the Federal Social Security Act. This law limited the coverage to employees not included in the municipal retirement systems. After discussing the matter with Federal social security authorities, how- ever, it was decided not to implement this law, but to request legisla- tion at the next general session of the assembly to abolish the munic- ipal retirement systems and to cover all employees under the Federal social security system. This decision was made due to the fact that the benefits under the Federal Social Security System are greater than those now enjoyed by local government employees. An amendment was also passed to the act to establish a civil defense agency within the Virgin Islands providing for the Territory to enter into mutual aid compacts with other Territories, States, and the Federal Govern- ment. However, the measure fell far short of what is suited to the Virgin Islands civil defense program. Legislation was passed by both municipal councils extending the provisions of the tax exemption and industrial subsidy ordinances to include new businesses as well as hotels and new industries. The time limit for applying for such benefits was extended to December 31, 1952. Both councils also passed the necessary legislation to provide for the regidation, control, and operation of the new potable water supply systems. The municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John passed an ordi- nance creating the St. Thomas Museum Commission. Legislation recommended by tax consultant Clyde Reeves, commissioner of reve- nues for the State of Kentucky, was also enacted providing for arbi- trary determination of amount of taxes due in cases where taxpayers ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS i^ 33 were delinquent in filing required reports and other documents. An ordinance waiving penalties on delinquent bills for the 90-day period, January to March 1952, was passed. This was also recommended by the tax expert. The Governor was authorized by legislation to sell to the Virgin Islands Corporation all properties and power facilities owned by the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John and operated by the St. Thomas Power Authority. The St. Croix Municipal Council increased the inheritance tax rates and corporation fees by 50 percent, and passed legislation regulating the height, exterior, design and construction of private and public buildings in the vicinity of the Virgin Islands national historic site at Christiansted. Six bills passed by the legislative assembly, nine bills passed by the municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John, and six bills passed by the municipal council of St. Croix were vetoed. None of these was passed over the executive veto. CONCLUSION The people of the Virgin Islands are well advanced in the applica- tion of the principles of xYmerican democracy and of self-government. They should be given the right to elect their own Governor as soon as they have demonstrated their capacity to undertake the burdens and responsibilities of a fully autonomous structure of local government. The Governor of the Virgin Islands recommends : On the Federal level (a) A new Organic Act be enacted by Congress as soon as possible containing the following main provisions: (1) a unicameral legisla- ture; (2) a single treasury ; (3) annual legislative sessions of 60 days and special sessions not to exceed 30 days; (4) return of all internal revenue taxes ; (5) a resident commissioner ; (6) an appointive Gover- nor until 1954, an elective Governor thereafter; (7) elimination of Presidential consideration of bills passed over the Governor's veto. ( h ) The extension of the National Guard Act to the Virgin Islands. (c) The revision of the matching formula for public assistance from the present doUar-for-dollar formula which is in effect for the States. (d) The revision of the Federal public works program authorized in 1944 to provide sufficient funds for an acceptable school housing pro- gram, additional potable water supplies, and adequate power systems. On the local level (a) A continuing revision of local tax laws and a tightening of tax 34 * ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS enforcement procedures to assist in closing the gap between local revenues and expenditures. (5) Keorganization of the cumbersome local government pattern to prevent duplication of effort, overlapping of authority, and un- necessary expenditure of money and of time-consuming energy. (c) A realignment of local agencies dealing with the economic ad- vancement of the islands. (d) An adequate zoning and planning law to include provisions for preservation of historic sites and architectural monuments so as to maintain the islands' old-world charm and atmosphere as an eco- nomic asset. (e) A more adequate program to require, for the preservation of the health of the islands, the use of the public sewerage and potable water supply systems. (/) A revision of local wage and hour laws to provide for minimum wages and maximum hours to be fixed, after economic studies, by classes of industry rather than by work categories. During the past year these significant gains were made in the progress of self-government in the Virgin Islands. The first native administrator for the island of St. Croix was appointed. Dr. David C. Canegata, veteran native legislator and government official, succeeded Mr. Harry E. Taylor who came to the islands in the original cabinet of Gov. Paul M. Pearson in 1931. Mr. Taylor was honorably retired by reason of age. Mr. Gordon Skeoch, native businessman, was ap- pointed President of the Virgin Islands Corporation. Moreover when Dr. John S. Moorhead, the first native health commissioner of the islands, resigned to accept an important assignment with the United States Public Health Service in Liberia, he was succeeded by another outstanding Virgin Islander, Dr. Roy A. Anduze. Distribution of Local Government Employees According to Occupation St. Thomas ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 35 Police Department Statistics Type of complaint Virgin Islands 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 Assault Assault and battery Aggravated assault and battery Assault with intent to kill Arson Attempted arson Burglary Carrying of concealed weapon Disorderly conduct Disturbance of the peace Embezzlement Extortion w. Exhibiting deadly weapon Forgery Gambling Grand larceny Infamous crime against nature Lewd and lascivious conduct Manslaughter, involuntary Murder, first degree , Petit larceny Possession of property unlawfully obtained Possession of unlicensed guns Rape Robbery Slander Statutory rape Trespass Vagrancy Violation of automobile ordinance Violation of firearm ordinance Violation of firework ordinance Violation of liquor ordinance Violation of police regulations Violation of prostitution ordhiance Violation of sanitary regulations Violation of venereal disease ordinance Ml others Total 13 2 202 112 3 9 30 2 1 7 17 2 12 2 21 6 18 15 363 3 18 69 49 6 191 12 124 54 24 5 215 110 2 15 19 19 1 12 42 6 4 28 21 11 355 34 26 118 1 183 24 131 47 1 1 15 14 324 65 2 1 8 6 38 11 1 1 14 1 46 8 1 2 58 4 40 19 346 3 4 16 13 49 14 101 1,323 1,431 1, 428 Institutional Stathtics, Departitiant of Heiltli, 1951-52 Christian- sted Frederik- sted Hansen's diS' ease home Charlotte Amalie Beds.. Bassinets Average occupancy • Peak occupancy Minimum occupancy Number of physicians . Number of graduate nm'ses Average salary Number of student nurses Average salary of student nurses Number of student nurses graduated Other employees Total salaries Equipment Subsistence Maintenance Total budget (municipal) Cost per patient per day Average ration rate per day Services billed Total collected Births in hospital Births out of hospital Deaths- Admissions to hospital Sick days in hospital Admissions to clinic Dispensary treatments 73 12 56 76 36 4 12 $1, 563. 00 7 $692. 58 1 38 $61, 220. 61 $4, 600. 00 $19, 500. 00 $14, 000. 00 $101, 507. 61 $4. 898 $0.49 $1,351.75 $4, 773. 29 186 54 115 1,653 20, 723 2,836 6,241 46 10 37 52 22 2 13 $1,514.77 3 $756. 00 3 33 $59, 214. 88 4,450.00 $16, 500. 00 $12, 000. 00 $94, 265. 00 $7. 227 $0. 598 .$1,235.15 .$1, 440. 00 133 32 59 1,210 12,829 842 11, 035 (') 11 $8,281.82 $500. 00 $4, 500. 00 $3, 500. 00 $17, 605. 87 $4. 949 $0.66 1 3 3,557 116 20- 103 135 101 6 16 $1,460.25 83 $116,467.42 $2, 000. 00 .$32, 000. 00 $37, 286. 96 $189, 690. 00 $4.62 .$0. 97 $10, 014. 28 $8, 599. 00 381 145 173 40, 975 6,685 84, 901 * Part time. 36 i^ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Education Statistics, 1951-52 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 37 Comparative Statement of Actual Revenues of the Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John Direct taxes: Real property tax Income tax Road fund: Gasoline tax Automobile license fees Indirect taxes: Net revenues from customs Taxes on inheritance Court fees Stamp dues Fees from steamer tickets Licenses and licenses fees Pilotage fees I- Trade tax Sundry revenues: Pay patients, municipal hospital Corporation license fees Miscellaneous Contribution from £t. Thomas lottery . Tax on amusement and entertainment Repayment by povs'er authority Loan from homestead fund Total Fiscal year 38 'Ct annual report of the governor of the virgin islands Selective Service Statistics Total living registrants—all ages Total living registrants—under 18).^ years Total classified registrants—all ages Total 1-A and 1-A-O examined and acceptable available for service. 1-Aand 1-A-O not examined—available for service 1-A and 1-A-O induction postponed 1-C (inducted) .._ 1-C (enlisted or commissioned) 1-C (discharged) ID—member reserve or student in ROTC 1-S (statutory deferment—college) 1-S (statutory deferment—higii school) 11-A—civilian employment except agricultural deferment ll-C—agricultural deferment 11-S—student deferment 1 111-A—family dependency IV-A—veterans with prior service IV-C—aliens, not available for service IV-D—ministers, or students for IV-F—physically, mentally, morally unfit V-A—Over age of liability for service 1,962 1 187 1,762 14 686 1 173 28 1 13 3 282 416 2,332 84 2,240 107 287 1 449 67 9 15 3 1 4 1 4 59 21 54 I 647 460 • Total under 19 years of age instead of 18J^ given for 1951. Rainfall in inches, 1951-52 i St. Thomas