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UMASS/AMHERST 31 2066 0344 2021 e^^ppjj^Qpj^. L YEAR ENDED JUNE 30 STACK THE GOVERNOR OF THE Virgin Islands TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 1961 annual report 1961 Annual Keport THE GOVERNOR OF THE Virgin Islands TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1961 354 V81 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Ralph M. Paiewonsky, Governor UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing OfSce Washington 25, D.C. - Price 30 cents Contents Page INTRODUCTION AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 1 LEGISLATION 3 POPULATION OP THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 3 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARY 4 DEPARTMENT OF LAW 11 VIRGIN ISLANDS PLANNING BOARD 12 OFFICE OF THE PROBATION OFFICER 12 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LABOR 13 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 15 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE 24 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 29 DEPARTMENT OF PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT 39 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 43 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS • • • 48 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE 51 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 58 SELECTIVE SERVICE 63 VIRGIN ISLANDS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE 63 MUNICIPAL COURTS 65 CONCLUSION 67 (in) Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofgo1961virg 1961 Annual Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Ralph M. Paiewonsky, Governor ON APKIL 5, 1961, Hon. Ealph M. Paiewonsky was inaugurated as Governor of the Virgin Islands succeeding Hon. John David Merwin. A month later Hon. Cyril E. King was installed as Govern- ment Secretary succeeding Hon. Koy W. Bornn. Both new appoint- ees, as were their predecessors, are natives of the Virgin Islands. In his inaugural address, the new Governor set forth these ob- jectives : (1) We must aim to make our domestic island life a more abundant one; ( 2 ) We must accelerate our economy (3) We must further advance our cultural, moral and spiritual life; and (4) We must make great progress politically. In the short space of less than 3 months, progress had been made on all these fronts. Plans are nearing completion to extend the Harry S. Truman Air- port in St. Thomas some 500 feet to accommodate turboprop planes by the end of the calendar year 1961, as well as to pave the runoff section of the Alexander Hamilton Airport in St. Croix to permit jet planes to land within the next few months. Priority attention was given distribution of Federal surplus com- modities to public assistance clients (which had not been implemented for several years) and the program is now in effect. A College Conference of leading educators in the United States was called for late July to discuss the best ways and means of starting a college in the Virgin Islands. A new territorial Department of Commerce was created to give fresh impetus to moves needed to bring more business to the islands. An economist and a legal consultant were employed in Washington to make certain that all new plans to encourage commerce would be implemented in a way which would not impinge on Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Decent, safe and sanitary housing for low and middle income fam- ilies was emphasized as the number one problem of the Virgin Islands. 1 2 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS By the end of the fiscal year, 15.64 acres of land had been acquired in St. Thomas for the Altona Community Development. This project will consist, of owner-occupied dwellings, street development, water supply and other utilities, recreation facilities, and other related fa- cilities essential to a suburban development. Families in the xlltona- Welgunst-Demarara area now living in substandard superficiary houses will have the first priority to purchase a plot and home with 25 years to complete payment. Plans were also underway to lease 56 houses at Estate Body Slob, St. Croix, from the Virgin Islands Corporation, to be renovated and used as emergency houses. A long range plan of housing, urban renewal and community development with assistance from the Housing and Home Finance Agency under the Federal Housing Act of 1961 was in the preliminary stage at the close of the fiscal year. The Legislature's regular session in April-June 1961 was held in the finest framework of mutual cooperation and understanding. Many important laws were enacted, including a new civil rights act. Departmental Highlights of the Year Within the Office of the Government Secretary, a new real property tax assessment program has been made effective with a scientific sys- tem of real property appraisal and evaluation. The Department of Finance reports total revenues for the fiscal year 1961 at $8,872,113.16, an increase of 22.34 percent over the pre- vious fiscal year, the highest in the island's history. Within the Department of Commerce, a preliminary study revealed that revenues derived from visitors would exceed last year's figures by approximately 10 percent. Three new small industries were established. In the Department of Education, construction was started on two new elementary schools in St. Thomas to eliminate overcrowding. Within the Department of Health, polio vaccine was given to 97 percent of school children. A new clinical annex of the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital is nearing completion. X-ray facilities were installed for the first time at the Frederiksted Clinic. The Public Works Department is supervising the construction of a number of public works projects including a large elementary school in St. Thomas, a pier at Frederiksted, an abbatoir in St. Croix, and a number of road projects in all islands. A vigorous plan for accelera- tion of street cleaning and garbage removal and city beautification has been placed in operation. The Department of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the De- ]Dartment of Health, instituted the Medical Assistance for the Aged REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 3 Plan providing complete medical care for all persons over G5 years of age meeting eligibility requirements of this Federal program. The Department of Agriculiire and Labor served the farmers by supplying seeds, seedlings, fruit trees, fertilizers and insecticides, land preparation, marketing of farm products, and farm management. The Department of Property and Procurement issued awards on major construction projects with total value in excess of $4 million. The Department of Public Safety conducted a police training school for a large number of reciiiits from all islands and instituted a policy of transferring personnel from one district to another. A traffic bureau was created and continued a vigorous campaign against traffic violators. Legislation Five sessions of the Legislature were held—three special sessions of the Third Legislature, September 8, 1960 ; November 21-22, 1960, and March 24, 1961; the regular session of the Fourth Legislature from April 10 to June 8, 1961, and a special session of the Fourth Legislature on June 16, 1961. At the September 8 special session, three bills were proposed, adopted and approved. At the November special session, 25 bills were proposed of which 23 Avere adopted and 22 were approved. At the March special session, four bills were proposed and adopted and three bills were approved. At the regular session in April-June, 164 bills were introduced, not including resolutions, of which 117 w^ere adopted. One hundred and eleven bills were approved, two were pocket vetoed, three were re- called, and one became law without executive approval. At the June 16 special session, five bills were proposed, adopted and approved. The Population of the Virgin Islands The population of the Virgin Islands according to the final report of the 18th decennial census was 32,099 on April 1, 1960, as compared with 26,665 on April 1, 1950. The population of the three major islands on April 1, 1960, and April 1, 1950 was as follows: Island 4 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS The distribution of the population between urban and rural areas in 1960 and 1950 was as follows Island and areas REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 5 Laws, Virgin Islands Reports, and Slip Laws of the Virgin Islands. During the year, 144 acts and 25 resolutions of the Virgin Islands Legislature were filed with the Government Secretary pursuant to law and were ordered printed in slip law form. The growth of the islands' economy is reflected in the expansion of businesses and occupations. The Office of the Government Secre- tary, charged with the responsibility for licensing all businesses with- in the Virgin Islands, is conducting surveys and on-the-spot inspec- tions to ensure coverage of all businesses by the appropriate license. The following chart shows a comparison of licenses issued and fees collected over the past 3 fiscal years Licenses issued and fees collected District 6 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS prescribed by the Department of State of the United States. During the fiscal year 191 passports were issued, 55 were renewed, 5 were amended and 1 was extended, a total of 252 passports actions as compared with 214 in the preceding year. On June 30, 1961, 47 insurance companies were authorized to conduct business in the Virgin Islands as compared with 43 companies last fiscal year. There were seven new registrations while three com- panies did not renew their certificate of authority. Forty-seven insurance agent's licenses were issued, as compared with 33 in the preceding year. One insurance broker's license was issued. The following is a comparative table of taxes and fees collected for the past 3 years Renewal of certificates of authority and original registrations- Agent's licenses Broker's license Gross premium taxes Filing annual statements Filing power of attorney Booklet of insurance laws Total. $1,538.50 1,831.00 5, 079. 08 101. 00 15.00 8, 564. 58 $1, 651. 00 1, 521. 00 6, 602. 95 98.50 15.00 9, 888. 45 $1,951.00 2,111.00 100. 00 12, 316. 87 126. 00 45.00 51.00 16, 700. 87 Of major significance during the year, not only to the rum industry but to the economy of the islands as a whole, was the passage by the Legislature of an act to establish standards for the production and labeling of rum in the Virgin Islands. The objective of the act is to maintain (and, where possible, to further improve) the high standards of rum produced in the islands. Eegulations were issued by the Board of Control of Alcoholic Beverages and approved by the Gover- nor on the qualification of producers, rectifiers, and bottlers of dis- tilled spirits. General elections for members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands were held on November 8, 1960, and returns were reported to the Office of the Government Secretary and announced from that office in accordance with law. The results as well as a comparison of total votes cast in this and the 1958 elections follow REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 7 Totals of winning candidates, 1960 election District O -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS scientific tax purposes. This reassessment project was conducted by a private management consultant firm, Tlie major aim of the project was to develop a sound, effective, efficient, and equitable real property tax program. The project resulted in some 9,008 improvements and 14,000 parcels of land were appraised. The result of this work has been the establishment of an up-to-date system of real property evalu- ation and taxation, and a clearer understanding of the proper pro- cedures and techniques used in real property evaluation. In view of the short time which elapsed between the date of com- pletion of the revised assessments for 1960 and the date tax bills were required to be issued by law, there was not sufficient time properly to evaluate the impact which the increased assessments would have on the public. The Legislature, therefore, on June 20, 1961, passed an act w^hich was approved by the Governor providing that 1960 real property taxes shall not exceed 25 percent of the tax liability for the year 1959 except as a result of improvements to properties made since the 1959 assessment. The following is a detailed table of assessments and taxes by islands Island REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 9 Office of the Recorder of Deeds, St. Croix The folloAviiig is a comparative table of documents recorded during the last 2 fiscal years 10 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS longer periods remained unchanged. The change in the minimum pe- riod was brought about mainly by a recognition that 6 months is a more adequate period during which to assess the performance of new employees in most classes of positions. Again, this year, and from all indications the trend will continue for the next several years, the emerging pattern of the labor market is a factor requiring serious attention. To some extent the increases granted by the new pay plan of 1960 relieved some of the difficulties of recruitment. However, the respite is at best expected to be short- lived, for much of the difficulty lies in a shortage of workers in many categories, particularly in the laboring and clerical classes. This shortage probably would extend as well to the trades groups, were it not for the fact that the Government employs comparatively few tradesmen, most of the work being accomplished by casual employment where a somewhat higher hourly wage is permissible. These market conditions have resulted in several serious problems, the most important of which is a general shortage of available help, with the result that turnover has increased thus causing increased expense for constantly training new replacements. The retirement system for Government employees was in its second year of operation as an insular system combining the two former municipal systems. The consulting actuary has made a strong rec- ommendation that the employer's contribution be changed from 4 per- cent to 7.63 percent in order to make the fund actuarially sound. At the present time the employees' contribution is 4 percent and the em- ployer's contribution is 4 percent. Unfortunately, sufficient funds have not yet been available to provide this increase in the employer's contribution. The following is a distribution of positions as to major occupational groups: REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 11 The following comparative statistics indicate the activities in exam- ination and certification Activity Fiscal year 12 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ing congressional sanction of the duties and functions of the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands (Section 27 of the Eevised Organic Act, as amended September 16, 1959), has resulted in a substantial increase in the workload of the Department, and requires the full-time atten- tion of at least one of the two attorneys who comprise the staff in St. Thomas to appearances in the Municipal Court. In St. Croix the Department continues to retain a part-time attorney on a con- tractual basis to handle litigation in the Municipal Court in that island. The increase in opinion writing, counselling services to department heads, preparation of legislation, regulations, contracts, leases, etc., and conferences with departmental heads, has been even more signifi- cant, particularly since the change in administration of the executive department of the Government in March. Because of the stepped up tempo of governmental activities, the inauguration of new pro- grams, and the increased attention to old ones, inevitably, the need for governmental legal services has reflected an increase. Virgin Islands Planning Board During the year the Planning Board prepared and recommended development plans for the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and waterfront in St. Thomas; a new governmental and administration center; a recreational area for Frederiksted ; and better main road approaches for Christiansted and Frederiksted in St. Croix. The Board also devoted considerable time to the preparation of a zoning and sub- division law and developed and submitted an application to the Federal Housing and Home Finance Agency for a grant of matching funds for planning purposes with particular reference to large scale topographical maps which should form the basis of essential revisions of existing master plans of the islands. The Board also prepared a development plan for the first segment of the proposed Bordeaux Community Center in St. Thomas. In broad terms, the Planning Board is concerned with all those physical developments which influ- ence the well-being, happiness, and prosperity of the people of the Virgin Islands, together with the beauty of the islands themselves. The beauty of the islands is constantly being damaged by uncontrolled development. It is hoped that zoning and subdivision legislation will be adopted by the Virgin Islands Legislature during the coming year. Office of the Probation Officer During the year 53 defendants were investigated, representing an increase of 76.6 percent over the number of cases investigated in 1959. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -^ 13 The Probation Office also made 15 reports in connection with the Interstate Compact Administration on persons wlio had previously lived in the Virgin Islands or were desirous of taking up residence here. Twenty-two prerelease reports were submitted to the Parole Board. The Probation Officer had a monthly average of 45 persons under supervision during the year. Of the 67 individuals received from the courts, 28 had no higher scholastic attainment than that of the sixth grade, while 39 had higher than seventh grade. The heaviest concentration of offenders was between the fifth and tenth grades. In the age grouping, it was found that the largest concentration of offenders, 29 percent, was in the age bracket 16 to 20 years. Looking closer at the trend, it is found that 99 percent of all offenders fell in the age range 16 to 40, The large number of individuals placed on probation by the courts indicates that the courts feel that this type of system is best for the community, the offender and his family. The fact that the courts are requesting reports prior to sentencing shows that they realize that a total picture of the offenders is necessary in order to make a decision which is in the best interest of the community and the offender. Department of Agriculture and Labor St. Croix Agricultural Program The Division of Agriculture has responsibility for stimulating, encouraging, promoting the cultivation of land, and all other activities necessary to increasing the production of food in the Virgin Islands. To meet these needs, the programs include supplying of seeds, plants, insecticides, fertilizers and technical service; land preparation for farmers; demonstration farm; and marketing of farm products. Within the last three seasons, the surplus fruits and vegetables have grown from 8,000 to over 35,200 pounds annually. Over 3,000 citrus and avocado trees were distributed at cost. The foundation stock of 12 head of swine for the swine improvement and production pro- gram were imported tropically bred from Florida. Vegetables and fruits produced on the demonstration farm include tomato, pepper, eggplant, kohlrabi, yams, carrot, okra, cucumber, turnip, onion, banana, watermelon, and papaya. Using our production advantage over the cooler regions, over one thousand bushels of pepper, tomato and eggplant were shipped from St. Croix to Puerto Eico and St. Thomas. 5"^. Thomas Agricultural Program During the year, the Virgin Islands Government purchased from the Federal Government the agricultural station situated at Estate 622662 0—62^ 3 14 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Dorothea. Services of this station include the furnishing of seeds, insecticides, fertilizers, water, vegetables, mould, assorted fruit trees and ornamentals, technical information for the growing of quality vegetables, trial of new crops and maintenance of a plant house where several hundred economic and ornamental plants are grown to help ornament and beautify the island of St. Thomas. Parks and Beaches The gates of the modern Cramer Park in St. Croix were opened to the general public shortly before the close of the year. The public's response to this new recreation spot has been gratifying. Attendance has shown an increase of 250 percent over the attendance prior to im- provements. The new facilities here include a modern restaurant and bar, tennis and volleyball courts, modern bathhouses, beach umbrellas, and a significant improvement in sanitation on the beach. All other parks received new plantings and paint rejuvenation. The added re- sponsibility of maintaining and further beautification of the landscape at the Alexandar Hamilton Airport and the racetracks at Manning's Bay, St. Croix, increases the magnitude of the parks and beaches program by several hundred percent. Sugarcane Subsidy in St. Croix The sugarcane crop of 1961 showed an increase of 129.5 percent over the crop for 1960. The 1960 tonnage was 71,076,770 and the tonnage was 163,193,415. Tw^o hundred and seventeen claims for subsidy for new plantings of sugarcane and for tons of cane delivered to the factory were paid as follows Dollars Paid, Farmers $3,000 to $6,500 4 $1,000 to $2,999 7 $500 to $999 10 $100 to $499 61 $50 to $99 47 $1.00 to $49 88 Total 217 Workmen's Compensation A total of 646 injury reports were processed involving compensation for disability, death compensation, medical attendance, and fimeral REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 15 expenses. Eight hundred and fifty-two awards were made represent- ing a total of $95,391.59 as follows Temporary total disability $26,407.29 Permanent partial disability 26, 975. 61 Medical attendance 22, 588. 99 Death compensation 18, 050. 00 Funeral expenses 861. 20 Publication costs 508. 50 Fair Labor Standards and Labor Relations Acts As a result of complaints, a total of $3,344.31 was collected in back wages and overtime. The majority of these complaints was filed by alien employees. Under the provisions of the Labor Relations Law, 31 petitions for certification w^ere filed by labor unions. In some instances, certification was made without an election where the union and the employees satisfied the hearing officer that more than 50 per- cent of any unit wanted the union. In other cases, elections were held by secret ballot to determine the representative. One case of unfair labor practice was listed. In this instance, an appeal was made over the decision of the wage officer but the ruling was upheld by the appeal board. Office of Veterans Affairs The Office of Veterans Affairs made 2,473 contacts with veterans, servicemen, dependents of veterans and servicemen, representatives of Government Agencies and other persons interested in the affairs of veterans and their dependents. Finances Total obligations of the Department of Agriculture and Labor amounted to $166,818.07. Department of Education The Department of Education is responsible for the operation of four main divisions, namely : Administration, Educational Programs, Community Services and Miscellaneous Grants. During the fiscal year 1961, expenses for Administration were 6 percent of the total Education Budget; expenses for Educational Programs represented 81 percent of the Education Budget ; Community Services, 8 percent and Miscellaneous Grants, 5 percent. 16 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Office of Administration The Department experienced a turnover of two commissioners dur- ing the year. A commissioner resigned on September 30 to accept a position with the Federal Government. His successor resigned on April 30 to accept appointment as Director of Cultural Affairs and Higher Educational Programs for the islands. The stewardship of the Department was then assigned to the Assistant Commissioner of Education pending the appointment of a new commissioner. Two elementary school contracts w^ere awarded. The largest school to be constructed is a 32-classroom building, located on 10 acres of land at the Sugar Estate area in St. Thomas, adjacent to the Char- lotte Amalie High School. The other new facility is an eight-room, two story elementary school building which will serve the Nisky area in St. Thomas, where children now attend school in the improvised facilities of a warehouse at the former submarine base in St. Thomas. The amount of the contracts for these two buildings is $1,015,099. These schools should be occupied in September 1962. New elementary classrooms are urgently needed in St. Thomas. Emphasis was continued on improving the management of funds in the business and accounting section. Refinements in accounting procedures were achieved, resulting in an improved control in the management of funds for the several divisions of the Department. It is believed that this latter accomplishment is significant because in an era of inflation the management of the "school dollar" to obtain the maximum of education for monies expended becomes a challenging responsibility of school administration. A new administration building for the Department of Education headquarters in St. Croix was occupied. This facility should satisfy the space needs of that office. Availability of funds for the main- tenance of buildings owned and operated by this department remains a most serious challenge. Adequate funds are required for the repair and preservation of all physical facilities. Division of Educational Programs Expenditures of the Government of the Virgin Islands for public educational programs have increased rapidly in recent years, reflect- ing a desire on the part of the Legislature and the Administration for increased support for public education. In 1958-59, the current expenditures per pupil in average daily attendance, averaged for the 50 States, were $360 compared with $217 in the Virgin Islands. For 1959-60, average current expenditures for the 50 States per pupil were $369 compared with $266 for the Virgin Islands. In 1960-61, the average in the 50 States was $390 with $326.18 expended per pupil REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 17 in the Virgin Islands for the same period. Within the next 5 years the Virgin Islands may be able to plan for annual current expendi- tures per pupil in public schools equal to the average pupil expendi- ture of the 50 States. Elementary Schools Four thousand nine hundred and thirty-three pupils were enrolled in the elementary schools in the 1960-61 school term, including 426 children attending kindergarten on a voluntary basis. One hundred and thirty-one teachers were assigned to elementary education pro- grams. Since no new elementary school buildings or facilities were added, pupil-teacher ratios were too high in some buildings. Over- crowded elementary classrooms in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and in Christiansted and Frederiksted, St. Croix, produced the continuing problem of shortage of pupil desks and insufficient textbooks and teach- ing materials. During the second semester, however, additional pupil desks, textbooks and teaching materials w^ere purchased. Despite overcrowded classrooms and the attendant shortage of textbooks and supplies, there was an overall upgrading of curriculum and standards in elementary education programs. This improvement of instruction and curriculum is attributed, in part, to equipment, materials and reference books obtained from Na- tional Defense Education Act funds. All public school pupils from the first through the sixth grades were given standardized achievement and mental maturity tests. It is significant to note that of the 423 sixth graders from St. Thomas and St. John tested, 78 percent obtained achievement between 5.5 and 5.8 with the median score from this group being 6.4 or only 4 months less than the national norm, and this despite the fact that 63 percent of the elementary classroom teachers do not possess academic degrees. Programs for in-service training of these teachers were continued this year. Teachers, principals, and supervisors were selected to attend Virgin Islands Conferences such as the Guidance Institute and Mental Retardation Conference. Additionally, many of the nondegree ele- mentary teachers continue to obtain extension courses credits through enrollment in the Hampton Institute Extension Program and branches of Catholic University of Puerto Eico, offering college level courses in St. Thomas and St. Croix. The new administration quickly learned that the use of sub- standard physical facilities located on inadequate sites causes severe limitations in raising standards of instruction and improving the educational environment for teachers and pupils enrolled in these schools. Successful upgrading of curriculum and staff in the ele- 18 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS mentary schools will not be realized until the "teaching-principal" is eliminated in some schools and replaced by full-time, professionally trained elementary school administrators who would provide the leadership and energy required for classroom supervision, in-service training for teachers, and effective guidance for pupils. Secondary Schools During the past 3 years the rising tide of increased elementary enrollment has inundated the high schools of the islands with seventh graders. Overcrowded secondary schools have produced provoking problems affecting schedules, curriculums, and recruitment of qualified teachers. Two thousand one hundred and ninety-nine pupils were en- rolled in public secondary schools. With an enrollment of 1,411 pupils at the Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas, the normal capacity of this school being 900, it was necessary to schedule seventh and eighth graders on an interlocking or double shift program. This double shift program caused strain on teachers and facilities. When the new elementary school on Sugar Estate in St. Thomas is completed and occupied, all seventh graders from the Charlotte Amalie High School will be transferred to this new facility to relieve some of the overcrowding at Charlotte Amalie High School. Failure to recruit enough qualified secondary school teachers threatened the ability of the Department to improve and strengthen instruction to necessary and desired standards. There are several reasons for this teacher recruitment failure. First, the high cost of living in the Virgin Islands. Second, certification standards for degree teachers do not require certain undergraduate courses and no supervised experience or training in practice-teaching. Third, because of these explanations, recruitment of academic teachers too frequently becomes a matter of availability and not suitability. Fourth, certifica- tion of inexperienced and untrained teachers, often assigned to teach other than in their major fields, causes an unusually high turnover of the secondary staff, with mid-year resignations creating manifest problems. Despite pupil overcrowding and failures in teacher recruitment, the standards of education in the high schools have shown marked improvement. Large sums were expended for textbooks, equipment, and teaching aides. A unified curriculum for the high schools is nearing reality. Courses of study guides are being developed to reflect goals for improved instruction and upgraded curriculum. From funds made available under the National Defense Education Act, instruction in science, mathematics, and foreign languages has been strengthened, and guidance programs from counseling and testing have been made available to the majority of students. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 19 Since book collections in the liig:h school libraries are inadequate, use of these facilities is minimal. Priority has been given, due to fund limitations, to procurement of much needed textbooks and in- structional materials; thus, funds for the purchase of library books have not been available. However, with the recent acquisition of new and modern equipment and materials for science, mathematics, and foreign languages under the National Defense Education Act, and with the purchase of new and modern textbooks, for these subject areas, it is mandatory that our school libraries contain modern ref- erence books. It is planned to allot adequate funds for Title III, National Defense Education Act, during the coming year, to acquire reference books in science, mathematics, and foreign languages which will be suitable for high school library purposes. Vocational Education Three types of Vocational Education Training Programs Avere offered: the in-school program, the adult all-day program, and the evening school program. In the in-school program, as part of the comprehensive high school curriculum, courses offered at the Char- lotte Amalie High School included automotive mechanics, carpentry, commercial sewing, electricity, home economics, masonry, and plumb- ing. At Christiansted, courses offered were automotive mechanics, agriculture, electricity, home economics, masonry and plumbing. At Frederiksted, courses included home economics and agriculture. The adult all-day program offered courses in practical nursing in St. Thomas for the second year, and in St. Croix for the first time. The Practical Nursing Course graduated one group of 11 and started training another group of 13 in St. Thomas. In St. Croix training of a group of 15 students was begun. Evening school courses were offered as unit courses for adults and out-of-school youths. In St. Thomas, these courses were offered Consumer education, foods and nutrition, sewing for the home, home improvements, mathematics for the building trades, blueprint reading for the building trades, and automobile mechanics. In St. Croix, courses offered were consumer education, foods and nutrition, sewing for the home, home improvements, and pipe fittings and plumbing. Vocational training for adults included hotel training, agriculture, home economics, including clothing, consumer education, and diet therapy; and trades and industry, including mathematics for the trades, blueprint reading for the trades, and preparatory plumbing. Enrollment for the in-school program totaled 354 trainees; there w^ere 43 graduates from the in-school program of vocational training in St. Thomas and 10 from St. Croix, 20 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS National Defense Education Act The Department of Education received $56,175.62 in Federal match- ing funds under Public Law 85-864 and earned $83,130.93 of Federal nonmatching funds under Public Law 874. These Federal funds were used to improve and strengthen education programs. Fortj'^ thousand dollars worth of much needed materials and equipment for mathematics and science programs were acquired for both the elemen- tary and secondary levels. A special outside consultant was employed to evaluate the adequacy of the mathematics program from grades 1 through 12. A speech laboratory for foreign language instruction was installed at Charlotte Amalie High School and at the Chris- tiansted High School. The equipment for these laboratories is of a quality and design comparable to speech laboratories found in better American colleges and universities. Institutes and conferences on the mainland, sponsored by the U.S. Office of Education, on foreign languages, mathematics and science teaching were attended by teachers as a part of in-service training program to upgrade .the instructional staff. Plans have been made to recruit an outstanding science consultant to evaluate the adequacy of the entire science program. Guidance and testing under Title V Program of the National De- fense Education Act was started. Prior to the beginning of the program, guidance activities in the public secondary schools were car- ried on by 2 vocational guidance counsellors, who attempted to serve 1,783 students. The number of counsellors serving public secondary schools has increased to 4, and guidance services have been extended to 3 public secondary schools and 3 combination elementary-junior high schools, serving 2,198 students. In addition to an increase in the number of counsellors, a testing program has been initiated. During the year, 1,999 students in the public secondary schools were tested out of a total of 2,198. Under Title 10 of the National De- fense Education Act, for the first time in 17 years, the system of public attendance accounting was completely modernized, and a new teacher school and attendance register developed, printed and placed in use. Division of Community Services Libraries and Museums.—Progress w^as favorable in the activities of the Bureau of Libraries and Museums. Many new volumes were added and processed for all branches of the system. Of these addi- tions, many have been gifts from friends on the islands and abroad. The Photo-Duplication Laboratory continues to serve Government agencies, having completed the records of the St. Thomas Tax Asses- sor's Office and the records of the Reassessment Study Project, and REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 21 is presently working on the records of the St, Croix Tax Assessor's Office. The Special Collection of Caribbean Material is rapidly growin":. It is widely nsed by residents and visitors, and many reference ques- tions to be answered from this collection are continuously received. Public Recreation.—The program sponsored by tlie Bureau of Public Recreation has shown marked improvement in the areas of sports, general recreation, school programs, facilities, regulations and policies, personnel and budget. The assignment of recreation aides on a part-time, 12-month basis has given proper supervision of pro- grams for the entire year. Recreation leaders assisted in the elemen- tary schools with recess activities. Vocational RehahiUtation.—During the year, 29 new cases were referred for Vocational Rehabilitation service which, when added to the 62 cases remaining from last fiscal year, make a total of 91 cases in referred status. Of these, 27 cases were determined likely to profit from Vocational Rehabilitation services and were added to the active caseload. There were 81 cases actually receiving some type of Vocational Rehabilitation service. Twenty-one cases were closed as rehabilitated—that is, they received Vocational Rehabilitation serv- ices and were placed on jobs commensurate w'ith their abilities and interests. Other Activities.—For the first time in the history of the islands, a Sheltered Workshop for the Aged and Chronically 111 will be estab- lished, and has been made possible through a grant from the Federal Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. It will serve as a training and evaluation center for the aged and chronically ill. Teachers employed in puMic schools, Virgin Islands {including vocational and kindergarten programs) Year Total 1956-57 207 1957-58 214 1958-59 228 1959-60 242 1960-61 255 Expenditures by years (1955-61, inclusive) , Virgin Islands Year Total 1955-56 $1. 180, 397. 94 1956-57 1, 107, 254. 32 1957-58 1, 286, 009. 36 1958-59 1,540, 727.21 1959-60 2, 049, 619. 15 1960-61 2, 623, 131. 71 622662 O—62— 22 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Average cost per pupil {1955-61, inclusive) , Virgin Islands Year Total 1955-56 $141.00 1956-57 137.30 1957-58 151.84 1958-59 216.97 1959-60 266.00 1960-61 326.18 Average annual salaries of teachers according to certification and assignments, Virgin Islands, 1960-61 Certification and assignments Salary Master's degree $4, 958 College 4-year 4, 164 College 3-year 3, 719 College 2-year 3, 203 College 1-year 2, 571 Senior high school 2,367 Special service—vocational 4, 084 Special class A 4, 405 Second class teachers and other special service 2, 340 Elementary and kindergarten teachers 3, 502 High school teachers 4,344 Supervisors 6, 197 Average salary per teacher 4, 153 Average annual salary per teacher J)y years, Virgin Islands Year Salary 1955-56 $2, 821. 32 1956-57 3, 075. 48 1957-58 3, 167. 76 1958-59 3, 514. 08 1959-60 3, 455. 04 1960-61 4, 152. 94 Teacher training (including vocational) College graduates 129 Normal school (2 years or more) 66 Less than 2 years of college 23 Other 37 Total 255 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 23 Miscellaneous data 24 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Department of Finance For the sixth consecutive fiscal year, revenues and receipts col- lected during the fiscal year 1961 set new record highs. As of June 30, 1961, the balance of cash in the treasury of the Vir- gin Islands amounted to $12,137,313.53 distributed as follows: General fund $1, 062, 087. 16 Federal appropriation matching single "i" fund 4, 722, 221. 73 Federal appropriation essential public projects double "i" fund 3, 587, 280. 05 Special fund 1, 282, 218. 51 Enterprise and revolving fund 430, 139. 89 Agency fund 41,686. 83 Trust and legacy fund 186, 943. 83 Special deposits fund 824, 709. 84 Payroll fund 30. 69 Total 12, 137, 313. 53 The General Fund At the close of the fiscal year, the general fund, the principal oper- ating fund of the Government, showed a cash surplus of $354,623.76 over known obligations of $699,624.57 and adjustments to surplus of $17,838.83 amounting to a total of $707,463.40. This is the fifth con- secutive year that there has been sufficient money in the general fund to finance operations of the Government at the beginning of the fiscal year without recourse to deficit financing. Cash balances in the Federal appropriation matching single "i" fund and the Federal appropriation essential public projects double "i" fund, as well as the various other special and nonbudgetary funds, also showed surpluses. The high level of income reached established a new high in fiscal year 1961. General fund revenues collected amounted to $8,768,163.83, an in- crease of $1,497,055.80, or 20.59 percent over adjusted revenues for fiscal year 1960 of $7,271,108.03. Principal sources of revenues and receipts were (a) taxes, (b) cus- toms duties, (c) income from Government operations and services, (d) miscellaneous Government receipts, and (e) the Federal Govern- ment's matching fund contributions. Of the total amount of $8,768,163.83 collected as revenues and receipts, taxes amounted to $8,361,751.88, or 95.36 percent, and Government service operations and miscellaneous revenues and receipts to $406,411.95, or 4.64 percent. Of the $8,361,751.88 total collected for taxes and revenues, income tax amounted to $5,619,721, or 67.21 percent; taxes on businesses REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 25 either direct or indirect, and personal, amounted to $1,901,798.82, or 22.75 percent; customs duties, $431,780.70, or 5.16 percent; real prop- erty taxes, $348,174.57, or 4.16 percent, and other miscellaneous rev- enues, $60,276.79, or 0.72 percent. Road Fund This fund was established in 1957 by legislative enactment which provided that all taxes upon the sale of gasoline and all fines imposed by the courts for violation of traffic laws should be deposited therein. During the fiscal year, revenues collected and deposited into the Koad Fund amounted to $235,556.58, an increase of $12,890.40, or 5.79 per- cent over that of fiscal year 1959. Of this amount, $212,001.58 repre- sented collections from taxes on the sale of gasoline, and $23,555 from the collection of fines imposed for violation of traffic laws. No con- tribution w^as made to the fund this fiscal year from the general or any other fund. Marine and Aviation Fund The Marine and Aviation Fund was established in October 1960 by legislative enactment which provided that all revenues and receipts collected from activities applicable to the harbors and airports of the Virgin Islands be deposited into this fund. The legislative enactment also provided for an. original grant of $25,000 to the Marine and Avia- tion Fund from the General Fund, and the transfer of unobligated balances of allotments from the appropriations made to the Alexander Hamilton Airport and the Harbor Division of the Public Works De- partment totaling $100,804. In addition to the original grant and transfers, revenues and receipts collected into the Marine and Aviation Fund during fiscal year 1961 amounted to $140,503.41, while expenditures for the same period amounted to $101,283.41. The fund is used for the operation of harbors and airports owned by the Territorial Government within the Virgin Islands. Federal Matching Funds Contributions by the Federal Government of matching funds for the fiscal year based on fiscal year 1960 net revenues as certified by the Government Comptroller of the Virgin Islands amounted to $6,494,- 445.33, an increase of $1,576,493.18, or 32.06 percent over matching funds received during the previous fiscal year. Kevenues collected during fiscal year 1961, on which the net revenues as certified to by the Comptroller are based, amounted to $8,704,868. 16 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Of this fimoiint collected, $7,817,779.79 represented revenues applicable to the general fund; $322,853.94: represents collection of revenues applicable to the Special Fund (including the amount of $235,556.58 deposited to the E-oad Fund) and $564,234.27 represented collection of revenues applicable to the Special Deposit Fund. Federal Contributions During the fiscal year, the Federal Government's contributions to grant-in-aid programs, and other programs, amounted to $1,096,191.50, an increase of $256,948.21, or 30.62 percent over the previous fiscal year. Government Expenditures Of the total amount of $15,494,474.74 expended by the Government for its operations, $8,500,366.37 was from the General Fund; $2,470,- 730.34 from the Federal Appropriation Single "i" Matching Fund; $911,397.65 from Federal Appropriation Essential Public Projects Double "i" Fund, and $3,611,980.38 from special and other non- budgetary funds. Of the total $15,494,474.74 expended, $7,526,550.84, or 48.57 percent, was for payrolls; $5,365,281.52, or 34.63 percent for all other general and operating expenses, and $2,602,642.38, or 16.80 percent for essential public projects; $3,017,728.35, or 19.48 percent for health services; $2,472,378.48, or 15.95 percent for educational services; $1,982,040.95, or 12.79 percent for regular public works; $697,610.37, or 4.50 percent for public safety; $1,092,487.78, or 7.05 percent for welfare services; $197,869.41, or 1.28 percent for legislative services; $397,625.56, or 2.57 percent for commerce ; $2,664,392.33, or 17.20 percent for essential public projects; $192,687.06, or 1.24 percent for tax incentive sub- sidies ; and $2,779,654.45, or 17.94 percent, for all other administrative and executive agencies and activities of the Government. On June 30, 1961, there were unliquidated obligations outstanding (obligations incurred during fiscal year 1961 to be liquidated during fiscal year 1962) totaling $4,103,134.86, and distributed as follows General fund $483, 232. 26 Federal appropriation matching single "i" fund 1, 795, 554. 65 Federal appropriation essential public projects double "i" fund 1, 485, 259. 75 Special fund 326, 727. 34 Enterprise and revolving fund 12, 360. 86 Total 4, 103, 134. 86 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 27 Department's Operations, Programs and Policies Improvements and progress continued in the functioning of the Department, as a whole, during tlie fiscal year 1961 despite the draw- backs of inadequate space and high rate of personnel turnover. The electronic accounting and data processing equipment is now in full operation, and continues to contribute greatly to the efficiency of the Department. Its operations now cover the drawing of checks for all payrolls and general disbursements ; maintenance of all treasury bank accounts and disbursing accounts, as well as payrolls and social security records. During the fiscal year the functions of the electronic accounting and data processing section were expanded to include the preparation of all budgetary and accounting records for the Department of Finance and certain selected activities of the Government. During the fiscal year steps w^ere undertaken to improve and ex- pand the function of the Internal Audit Section. The section has now been reorganized on a divisional basis with a deputy commissioner placed in charge thereof. The change from decentralized to centralized accounting and the requirements for preaudit and examination of vouchers prior to payment will require greater participation in this phase of operations by the audit division, and all provisions are being made to assure a proper fulfillment of its duties and responsibilities in this respect. Kecruitment and retention of audit personnel still continue to be a problem, but plans for fiscal year 1962 to provide for increases in salary compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel, not only in this division, but within the department as a whole should solve this difficult problem. Expenditures for operating the Department of Finance and its related activities were Office of the commissioner $67, 628. 78 Division of accounting 81, 105. 34 Division of treasury 140, 694. 58 Division of tax 110, 057. 38 Internal audit section 18, 460. 51 Total finance 417, 946. 59 Alcohol control board 10, 604. 55 Banking board 3, 108. 00 Grand total 431, 659. 14 28 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS <K. lOO-^O CO ^ t^ O 00-^ odoi" ^ WTt* l-H lO lO 1-t 1-H CO C5 « Tt< C^ i-H WOS-^ 00 GO cccc r>- tM cs r^- oo ^^ ^ CX>CO Tt* CS (M i-H O -^ OiC^ OJCO O '-HCO -^ (M CD lO T-H CC <N Oi --1 iO ccTtp iCrCco r^ *o cooi 00 a>cp(N t^TP I>- tP "*< 00 T-l OOi-HO 05 CD lO-'i^CO Tf OS ooorco"oar oo 0»-H 00 OS OO oco oi>r o-^ ot^ TjJ'or 00 CD IMIM CO iOOO CDOCO (M oi O O^^O r- lo f-H CO oT ooost'-OfMoo-^ir-^'-'Os (MO'^cDOOOOiOt^t^cO c^TjJosooc^odoooscQcd COOSOOrHOSCDOOSOSC^'-H cOTt*'^I>-(M'MOiOiOi-<t^ oococoioos' c^ci"t^i>rof CDCO'-HCOCD (M O 00 lO I>.OOCOiO-^-^OOOCO.—ICO Tt<CDC<IiMCO(MOOOCO.-icO OOS^'-HCOC^OCOOOOOi ^OtNC^QOiOOCOfOG^OS C^eOI-^iOCOiO^iOcD-^CM 00 OS CC Tt< CC CM ' OS »~H to 'rt< CO --I r-i!Nicr^oor^oouo»-icDT-i ^COCO^OCO(MO(NCSh^ cDcOOSOCO-^OiOSOSOOh- o" oi" »o ^ to o as" CO CO c^ t-T CO lO 1-1 tP 00 CS 00 CO o o OiOOOCOOOCNcD(M'>*<iOCO O"^cDOi0cDu^0SOC^C0 C»30<NCOiOOSt^cDiO(NtM ^ u^ o *o oT iM lo CD 00 TjT lo T-H ^ <MtO(NCOiOtC OS o o COCO 00 »n IM O OfN "Oco '-hII os»-3cdc5osio ~ " OS 00 IM CD lOOO t^OS CO (N -^ IM ^ II lood 00 »o oTod — " W 00 CO --t CO oo lO O CO (M Tt< lO 1-H f—I CD OS (M CO T-H rH CO OJ CO lO tP 00 I-H 00 OS .-H OS 00 OS (M c4"os"uoc4"coo ^ CO t^ CO o o ^1 oo -^ <M oco lOOCOOCSO CO lO -^ »0 00 '^j' oo lO lO .-H cq Tt* f-H I-H 00 00 O o" ci of t^ .-io r-l CO !>. IM OS »0 OS u^ »0 00 OS ^ CO !>• 00 00 CO »0 CO r^o o t^ (N CO O "^ O OS OS IC 00 !> i-H 00 lO o i-To"o"t^t^ .-H CO I>. CO OS -^ (M O0S05 OOtH CD O CO 00 '—1 CO OS 00 (M r-^ CO CO OS loco ocor- CM CO OS cs r- lO 00 t-h"co cTcTio 1-H CO CO M CO to EK '^ S €^5 g u ca CM tH "^=1 73 aaa REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 29 Department of Health The unique position of the Department of Health of the Virgin Islands, among other Departments of Health in the several States and territories, needs to be emphasized. The statement which has appeared so often in previous reports that the Department of Health in the Virgin Islands is the only truly integrated Department of Health mider the American Flag, needs to have its true import reemphasized. The full meaning, of course, is that vrherein Departments of Health elsewhere are primarily concerned with those aspects of the health problem which are commonly referred to as Public Health, the Virgin Islands Department of Health is concerned also with the hospital and medical care of the population of the islands, in addition to veterinary care. During the past 7 years, the Health Department expenditures have increased about 250 jDercent. A small part was due to the in- clusion within the Department of a Division of Veterinary Medicine, not previously included. By far, however, the bulk was necessitated by personnel salary increases. This relatively large increase has been brought about chiefly by the unrealistically low salaries formerly paid, and equally by the fierce competition which now exists generally for the securing of the services of trained professional and technical personnel. Another major, but as yet incompletely met, cause has been the increase in the demand for medical and hospital services over the past several years. To take but two examples, the number of out- patient visits in St. Thomas has shown a 33 percent increase during the fiscal year 1961 as compared with the previous fiscal year, and the number of emergency visits has increased 50 percent. These increases, expected to continue, place a heavy burden on the existing staff, and they make it mandatory to have careful, adequate and realistic plan- ning to provide services when needed, to avoid a breakdown due to overloading. Other important reasons for these increases have been the necessary efforts to improve the quality of the medical care being rendered. Included here would be the services of such personnel as did not exist before ; for example, resident or house physicians to provide around- the-clock service at the hospitals, anesthesiologists to provide obviously necessary functions, radiologists to provide equally obviously needed functions, a pathologist, and other specialists. Add to these the necessity for supporting personnel such as trained medical librarians, and around-the-clock nursing supervisors, and it becomes clear that the cost of adequate medical care comes very high in the Virgin Islands. 622662 0—62 5 30 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS It should be pointed out emphatically that the era has passed when the Virgin Islands could be referred to as an isolated area. With airplanes serving the islands dozens of times daily, and with longer nonstop services by jet aircraft in the offing, adequate steps must be taken to prevent the introduction and spread of disease from the out- side. The freedom from certain diseases which the islands have enjoyed in the past may at any time be rudely shattered by the intro- duction from the outside of any such disease. The long-awaited annex to the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospi- tal now nears completion and should be ready for occupancy during the first months of the new fiscal year. Detailed plans are in process for much needed expansion to the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas and should reach the stage within the next few months where definite sums could be requested from the Legislature to begin this project. Formula rooms in both the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital and the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital are being completed, and new diagnostic X-ray facilities at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital are being installed. A new diagnostic X-ray has been installed at the Frederiksted Clinic and a new and much needed standby electric generating plant has been installed at the Charles Harwood Hospital. New and adequate cold storage facilities have been installed at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital, and are being installed at the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital. On the less satisfactory side, there has been the slowdown in the maintenance program because of a lack of funds. Shortage of funds has also resulted in a delay in starting and completing many of the planned improvements at the several hospitals. Boards and Commissions The new Board of Nurse-Midwife Examiners was organized. The Board reports that there are 19 practicing nurse-midwives in the islands. A license was granted to one nurse-midwife. The Board of Nurses Eegistration and Nursing Education licensed 13 registered professional nurses and issued 13 practical nurse licenses. The Board of Dental Examiners issued three licenses. The Board of Pharmacy issued 1 license ; the Board of Veterinary Examiners issued 1 license and the Board of Medical Examiners issued 9 licenses as well as temporary licenses to 10 physicians on the staff of the Government of the Virgin Islands. Bureau of Vital Records and Statistical Services During the calendar year there were 1,180 live births, an increase of 50 over the record high of 1958 and of 72 in 1959. The birth rate REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR THE OF VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 31 was 35.3 per 1,000 estimated population. The figures by islands are as follows: St. Croix, 530 live births with a rate of 35.1, a record for that island, the previous high being 495 in 1959 ; St. John, 22 live births with a rate of 22.6 ; St. Thomas, 628 live births with a rate of 36.2, also a record for that island, the previous high being 617 in 1958. In St. Croix, 93.2 percent of all live births occurred in hospitals in St. Jolin, 90.9 percent; and St. Thomas, 99.2 percent. For the Virgin Islands, this figure is 96.4 percent. In contrast with the live birth picture there was almost no improve- ment in the mortality experienced during the year. There were 333 deaths in 1960 and a death rate of 10.0 per 1,000 estimated popu- lation, comparable to 1959 when there were 322 deaths and a death rate of 10.1. In St. Croix there were 164 deaths with a rate of 10.9 which was an increase over 1959 when there were 143 deaths and a death rate of 10.0, In St. Thomas there was a very slight decrease to 167 deaths with a rate of 9.6 against 169 deaths with a rate of 10.0 in 1959. There was a decrease in St. John where there were 2 deaths with a rate of 2.2 as compared with 10 deaths in 1959 with a rate of 11.8. The age distribution and leading causes of death are as follows Age distrihution Virgin Islands Total- Under 1 year 1-4 years 5-14 years 15-24 years 25-44 years 45-64 years 65-74 years 75 years and over Age unknown 12.6 3.0 2.1 4.2 10.2 18.9 18.0 30.0 0.9 Leading Causes of Death—Virgin Islands Number 32 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS infant deaths for St. Croix for 1960 is the same as 1959, the infant death rate being 22.6, while the infant death rate for 1959 is 24.2. The St. Thomas figures are 27 with an infant death date of 42.9 as com- pared with 35 infant deaths in 1959 and an infant death rate of 59.1. No infant deaths were reported for St. John. The leading causes of infant deaths for the Virgin Islands are as follows Number REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 33 dren's Registry. A speech-audiologist was added to the staff of spe- cialists and speech therapy clinics were conducted once monthly in each island. Services of a medical social worker were secured on a part-time basis. Two resident ophthalmologists served the Crippled Children's Clinics, one in each island. Clinics were held regularly and nearly all eye surgeries were performed locally instead of sending patients to Puerto Rico. The Cardiac Clinic nurse in St. Thomas had a month's observation of a cardiac program at St. Peter's General Hospital in New Jersey. A pediatric nurse from St. Croix received a 6-month course in pediatric nursing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Travel arrangements were made for 30 children to travel to Puerto Rico and the United States for medical services which were not avail- able in the Virgin Islands. The number of children needing off-island medical care has greatly increased. Bureau of Business Management The Bureau of Business Management was able to mechanize the central storeroom on the island of St. Thomas, and plans are under- way for doing the same thing on St. Croix after the clinical annex and laboratory building are completed. Total employees in the De- partment of Health at the end of the fiscal year was 485. Division of Hospitals and Medical Services A crash program of maintenance continued into this year, resulting in the correction of most of the ugliest physical defects. When the present facilities in the Virgin Islands were planned, a ratio of 41^ beds per thousand population was made the basis of the construction. For many years, with the listed population of approxi- mately 26,000, the bed capacity in the Virgin Islands seemed adequate despite the realization of those who worked in the facilities that this was not true. The 1960 census shows approximately 33,000 inhab- itants in the islands. Adding to this a few thousand nonresident alien workers and that portion of the more than 200,000 visitors who become sick on their visits to the islands, the bed capacity in the Virgin Islands is completely inadequate to meet the needs. Addi- tionally, it has not been generally accepted that the proportion of 414 beds per thousand properly refers to acute general beds and not to the type of all purpose beds which the hospitals in the Virgin Is- 34 -^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS lands must offer, and with no beds in current and long-term illness to supplement the acute general beds, the 4^/^ per thousand figure becomes completely unrealistic. Now that additional outpatient fa- cilities have been provided for the hospital in Christiansted, the two most pressing needs are expansion of bed capacity for the Knud- Hansen Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas and a similar expansion of bed capacity for the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital in St. Croix. During the year, a dietitian was appointed for the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital, and at year's end one was appointed for the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital in St. Croix. The house staff of both hospitals was increased to three physicians each to provide better coverage. It is noteworthy that the quality of physicians recruited for the house staff has been very high. A laboratory supervisor was obtained for the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital. An ophthalmol- ogist was appointed on the staff of the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hos- pital in St. Thomas, and he also serves as otolaryngologist for the islands. One class of practical nurses was employed by the Depart- ment of Health after graduation providing much needed help in that Department. Almost any discussion of the problems facing the hospitals in the Virgin Islands center around difficulty in recruitment. However, during the past year, there have been some encouraging signs. The salary for nurses was increased from $3,000 to $3,900, and $4,080, respectively, depending upon the possession of a B.S. degree. This has not proved to be as beneficial as was first thought, since it came at a time when salaries paid to nurses in the United States were also going up. However, it does form the basis for improvement and, with minor adjustments, should prove beneficial in recruiting nurses for the Virgin Islands. Actually, the problem in recruiting nurses seems to be one of sending larger numbers of Virgin Islanders away to study. For nonresident nurses recruited, the main problem is not that of salary but of adequate housing facilities. With the critical shortage of housing, the higher rentals discourage many of the poten- tial recruits, and it is not uncommon to have them leave after 1 or 2 weeks of service. After the salary and housing matter, a big obstacle for satisfactory recruitment has been the opportunity for improvement on the job and a relative lack of adequate professional contacts. This problem, however, is inherent in the fact that the Virgin Islands are small. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 35 Statistical data on medical institutions—Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie Christian- sted Frederiksted Herbert Grigg Home Number of hospital beds Number of bassinets Maximum occupancy Minimum occupancy Average occupancy Number of physicians Number of graduate nurses Number of practical nurses Number of nurse aides Number of orderlies Births in hospital Deaths in hospital Admissions to hospital Sick days in hospital Clinic visits Major surgical cases Minor surgical cases Number of X-ray examinations Number of stillbirths Number of laboratory examinations 125 25 ne 64 79 12 35 28 23 7 641 106 3,078 33,081 20, 703 274 344 4,339 35 55, 991 60 10 08 26 51 9 24 7 22 2 357 60 2,208 18, 697 15, 789 245 309 6,229 14 14, 823 118 106 112 4 1 140 22 4,728 10. 188 26 50 40,711 51 288 2 7.508 1 Part time. Division of Public Health Services The full participation of the Virgin Islands in the world com- munity, insofar as regards travel, poses many immediate public health problems. Attention should be devoted to the eradication of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Although diseases transmitted by this mosquito, such as dengue fever and yellow fever, are not endemic to the Virgin Islands, the potential danger exists and demand that im- mediate steps be taken. An Aedes Aegypti eradication program is now in effect and should be expanded. Immediate and concentrated attention must be directed toward the elimination or reduction of the mongoose. It has been shown in other areas that the mongoose serves as a source of rabies. There are no cases of rabies in the Virgin Islands, but the possibility of introduction remains. A complete reevaluation of the program of investigation of food handlers has been completed. It is noteworthy that with the great increase in the number of establishments handling food and drinks, no cases of disease transferred by food or drink and traceable to such institutions have been reported. For many years, it has been a legal requirement that all persons participating in the serving of food or drinks undergo physical examinations. During the past year these examinations have been reviewed and a better system of enforcement effected. For the first time in the history of the islands a complete and thor- ough physical examination was given to most of the school children. 36 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS At the year's end about 25 percent of the children remained to be examined. When it is considered that there are almost 10,000 school children in the islands of a total population of 33,000, the public health importance of such an examination is immediately apparent. Phys- ical defects found during such examinations are traced and the im- provement in the general health should be remarkable. At the present time, close to 100 percent of the school children in the islands have been given at least three injections of the Salk vaccine. This program of immunization against poliomyelitis has proved to be par- ticularly helpful in view of the severe epidemic of polio in one of the neighboring islands. In the sanitation area, there has been considerable improvements during the past several months. The Government has set certain deadlines for the elimination of nightsoil removal in certain areas in the islands and the meeting of these deadlines will, if it can be ac- complished, mark a milestone of progress in sanitation in the islands. Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged The Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged continues to be completely unsatisfactory. The basic problem here is that it is not primarily a hospital but, rather, a home for the aged and infirm. It should therefore be run as such, with one section staffed by the Department of Health for those who are ill. The new administration has planned a vigorous assault on this prob- lem, the first step being the expenditure of considerable sums of money for improvement of physical facilities. With the improve- ment of these facilities, it is planned to transfer the administration and operation of this institution from the Department of Health to the Department of Social Welfare, which has the facilities for insti- tutional care of aged and infirm persons. Bureau of Environmental Sanitation In the city of Charlotte Amalie, only 46 percent of properties are connected to the public sewer system, in Christiansted, only 34.5 percent, and in Frederiksted, only 44.4 percent. Target dates for the elimination of the nightsoil removal system and connecting to the public sewer system have been set; July 1, 1962, for the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, and December 31, 1962, for the town of Charlotte Amalie. The potable water supply of both St. Thomas and St. Croix is checked once a week by the Bureau of Environmental Sanitation. One hundred and eighty-five restaurants, taverns, bars, hotels, and other eating and drinking establishments in St. Thomas receive REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 37 monthly inspections during the year. Seventeen similar j)la('es in St. John were inspected monthly, and 108 in St. Croix. The garbage and refuse collection service, conipletely unsatisfac- tory in the past, has shown a definite improvement in the past few months. With the end of the fiscal year, arrangements were being made for the contracting for a garbage scow for the purpose of taking garbage in St. Thomas out to sea and eliminating the municipal dump. Bureau of Laboratories Development of physical facilities continued in this Bureau. Con- struction of a new laboratory in St. Croix will be completed by Sep- tember 1961, and will provide twdce the floor space that is presently occupied by the Christiansted Laboratory. In St. Thomas, the new physical facilities were occupied by the Bureau of Laboratories and Central Laboratory during the year. A total of 105,339 tests were performed in the three laboratories during the year as compared with 87,758 for the preceding year. Bureau of Mental Health Emphasis on the Mental Health program was placed on the prob- lems of mental retardation. A mental health survey was held during the year by a team from the U.S. Public Health Service, but the results have not yet been reported. Members of the Bureau partici- pated in seminars, workshops, and institutes on various topics of community interest, including juvenile delinquency, needs of the chil- dren of the Virgin Islands, differential diagnosis in psychiatry, and social work in mental health. The staff also participated in the Third Caribbean Conference for Mental Health. Eighteen mental patients were transferred to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. A part-time clinical psychologist was added to the staff of the Bureau. Bureau of Dental Health The program consists of preventive, early detection and treatment of dental diseases in the preschool children and adults. Consultations to hospitalized cases and emergency dental services are also included in the total program. The services conducted in the past fiscal year included dental screen- ing of elementary and high school children, routine clinical examina- tion and treatment, including X-rays, topical fluoride clinic and fluoridation, routine prophylactic treatments, and dental education. Division of Veterinary Medicine Disease Eradication.—The key to controlling blood parasitic dis- eases of cattle, Anaplasmosis and Piroplasmosis, is the eradication of 38 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS the vector Boophilus Micropliis. The introduction of Toxophene 18 months ago as a cattle dip to augment the arsenic trioxide dipping program ah-eady in use is apparently successful. The residual effect of the new dip is more pronounced and of longer duration on the cattle. There is a pronounced decrease in ticks and disease incidence in treated herds. However, there are many small herd owners who do not have dipping vats, and whose cattle are infected with both diseases. Two hundred and fifteen new cases of anaplasmosis were found pri- marily in the small herds where dipping programs are not rigidly followed. There were 59 cases of piroplasmosis reported. All cattle in St. John, 60 percent of the cattle on St. Thomas, and 40 percent of cattle in St. Croix were retested for Brucellosis and Statement of appropriations and/or allocations, Virgin Islands Department of Health, fiscal period July 1, 1960-^une 30, 1961 Source REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 39 Tuberculosis, No reactors were found. For all practical purposes, Brucellosis has been successfully eradicated. Hog Cholera also seems to have been eradicated from St. Thomas and St. John and no cases were reported in St. Croix. The present manner of slaughtering animals for most of the islands is completely unsatisfactory. The slaughterhouses in both Christian- sted and Frederiksted are in such bad condition and so completely un- suited to the use for which they are put, that rushing construction of the new abattoir in St. Croix is a measure of paramount importance. A contract for a neAv abattoir for St. Croix was awarded during the year at a cost of $161,698, and it is expected that it will be completed by March 1, 1962. The St. Thomas slaughterhouse facilities could be made satisfactory by the expenditure of approximately $100,000. Virgin Islands Department of Health hospital services, July 1, 1960-June 30, 1961 Section and/or service 40 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS to keep its work current and save considerably in time, effort, and money. Essential Public Works Projects, formerly administered by the Federal Government, are now administered by the Government of the Virgin Islands. Construction contracts for St. Thomas totaled $1,968,425 ; for St. Croix, $1,807,386, and for St. John, $15,644. Pur- chases, exclusive of "more or less" contracts, totaled $2,307,099. It has been found advantageous to maintain a stock of needed com- modities which are in constant and adequate demand. Departments find it economically desirable to use the facilities of the central ware- house. A more effective service could be rendered by the central warehouse, with resultant economies, depending on an increased ap- propriation for the revolving fund on which this warehouse operates. Property Division Inventory control continued to be an important function of this Division. The need for precision in this field has been fully recog- nized and the Division, in conjunction and collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller for the Virgin Islands, is now engaged in developing a modern method of inventory control. It is expected that a complete inventory of public property will be taken during the coming fiscal year by teams under the Department of Property and Procurement, and will then be recorded and maintained on electronic equipment. A full inventory control should be in effect before the end of the year. Land Division Necessary changes of the Homestead Law resulted in a more equi- table Homestead Program. Eighty-two allocations of homestead land, totaling a sales value of $29,746, were made and 35 deeds were issued. Home loans granted totaled $167,800. More and more people are taking advantage of this program and it is expected that even greater use will be made of it since it is now possible to obtain loans for home improvements. However, by the end of the fiscal year, there re- mained very little money in the Home Loan Fund for this purpose. Although the activity of the Price Control Program was confined to a weekly survey of retail prices, consideration has been given to ways and means to inaugurate a more effective system. Plans have been developed for adequate control and supervision of weights and measures. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 41 In the rent control field, the Division conducted investigations, held hearings, made inspections of properties and counseled landlords and tenants concerning rent control matters. On May 15, 1961, the District Court of the Virgin Islands rendered an opinion in a rent control case, finding as a fact that a public emergency resulting from the shortage of business accommodations no longer exists in the Territory of the Virgin Islands. This decision set aside a rent order and remanded the cause back to the Rent Control Officer for further hearing and investigation and for fixing a maxi- mum rent which is fair and reasonable. The court gave an opinion that the Rent Control Law of the Virgin Islands urgently needs amendment to bring it into line with constitutional requirements and the realities of economic conditions existing in the Territory. A new Rent Control Law was prepared and submitted to the Legislature but has not been acted upon. It will be reintroduced at a later date. Operating expenses in the Department of Property and Procure- ment were as follows Office of the Commissioner $68, 941. 34 Division of Procurement and Supply 52, 398. 25 Property Division 65, 487. 14 Land Division 34, 667. 59 Total 221, 494. 32 Virgin Islands Housing and Urban Renewal Authority The Board of Commissioners of this Authority which was comprised of 5 men from the time that the Authority was organized in 1950 was increased to a T-man Board by legislation enacted during this year. Considerable progress was achieved under the Public Housing Pro- gram and is today well accepted by all segments of the community. The Urban Renewal Program, which was started very recently, is still in the preliminary stage and it will be some time before the benefits of this federally-aided program can be appreciated by the community as a whole. Recognizing the need for more adequate housing for low income families, the Authority is engaged in planning new projects totaling 480 units which, when combined with 564 units in the development stage, and the 530 units under management now, will constitute a fairly large federally-aided low-rent housing program. Under au- 42 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS thority granted by local law, the housing agency is making full use of assistance and benefits available from the Federal Government toward the partial solution of the acute housing problem with which families of low income in the Virgin Islands are faced. It is an accepted fact, however, that the Federal low-rent housing alone cannot provide adequate housing for all those in need. For this reason, the Govern- ment of the Virgin Islands is engaged in a local emergency housing program which is reported elsewhere in this annual report. The Public Housing Program During its 11 years of public service, the Authority has constructed three projects, one in each of the three principal cities of the Virgin Islands. In addition to these projects which total 420 dwelling units, the agency has renovated 110 apartments constructed under an older program which, together with the newly built projects, makes a total of 530 apartments now under management. A large percentage of the tenants in public housing continue to pay rent of $20 per month or less. The Federal Government, through the Public Housing Administration, contributes approximately two- thirds of the cost of public housing with the annual contribution amounting to a little more than $2 for each $1 derived from rentals. The turnover in public housing in the islands is very low. On the other hand, applicants are numerous and an already long waiting list grows daily. A large number of applicants have been found to be ineligible because of the very low maximum limits for admission. Progress on the Ralph de Chabert Place in Christiansted, now under construction, is satisfactory. The Authority, however, is con- cerned over the slow rate of progress being achieved at the Oswald E. Harris Court in Charlotte Amalie. The Authority obtained an allocation of 480 units to be divided into 4 projects with 200 units for the city of Christiansted 80 units for Frederiksted, and 200 units for Charlotte Amalie. The Urban Renewal Program The Authority has been engaged in preliminary planning work on three urban renewal projects, one in St. Thomas, one in Christiansted and one in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Wliether the Authority will be able to proceed beyond the planning stage with its Urban Renewal Program will depend to a large extent on legislative action on a Zoning and Subdivision Code. Such a code is now in preparation and will be presented to the Legislature during the year. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 43 The financial statement of the Authority for the year shows as follows Operating expenses, all projects $113, 899. 67 Capital expenditures 18, 508. 63 Provision for reserves 1,417.97 Interest and reduction of principal (includes bonds retired) 286, 361. 06 420, 187. 33 Income from tenants 133, 826. 27 Deficit 286, 361. 06 Contribution from local Government body : Capitalized interest on bonds $9, 526. 56 Federal contribution 276, 834. 50 286, 361. 06 Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety operations continued to improve dur- ing the fiscal year 1961 despite an ever increasing workload through- out the divisions and activities. The largest and most thoroughly trained group of recruits attended rookie police school in St. Thomas. Communications with all headquarters in the Virgin Islands now exist through a relay station. Standby electric generating equipment was installed in St. Thomas and radio equipment will continue to operate even during power outages. Similar installations are planned for St. Croix and St. John. An information program was initiated in collaboration with a local television station. This program is designed to bring to the public, through panel discussion and visual aid materials, subjects of timely interest on the various facets of the Department's activities and to develop an awareness of the need for observance of law and accepted safety practices. Bureau of Criminal Investigation A Deputy Commissioner was added to the staff of the Department with the responsibility for coordinating the work of this bureau on an insular basis. The bureau reorganized its internal organization. Additional men were assigned to the investigation staff and promotions were made within the ranks. A position of Captain, Insular Chief of the Bureau of Investigation, was created and filled, thus maintain- ing supervision on an insular basis. 44 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Patrol Bureau The growth of the Virgin Islands in recent years has increased the need for a larger patrol force. Wliile the strength of the uniformed force has increased, patrol bureau strength continues to fluctuate, mainly because it is a training and proving ground for all manpower of the division. The public has displayed an increasing respect for the officers assigned to this bureau. This can be attributed largely to the in-service training being received, particularly in public rela- tions and in law enforcement techniques, and the attention paid to the caliber of the men. Highway Patrol An intensified campaign to provide more safety on the public high- ways was carried on throughout the year. As a result, the number of traffic accidents decreased from 922 for the previous year to 600 for the current year. The number of persons injured dropped from 238 to 229. However, despite this enforcement activity the number of insular deaths due to accidents increased from six in the previous year to eight in this fiscal year. A total of 121 drivers' licenses was suspended. The activity of the municipal judges in this area has been effective in that the hazardous drivers have been made to feel the pinch and other drivers now find it necessary to stay within the law. Law Enforcement The following figures show the activities of the police division as compared with the previous fiscal year 1959-610 1960-61 Criminal cases reported—all Virgin Islands 2, 674 4, 069 (a) Handled by foot patrol bureau St. Thomas and St. John 321 270 St. Croix 177 454 (b) Handled by bureau of criminal investigation 406 669 (c) Traffic violations brought to court: St. Thomas 1,294 2,104 St. John 15 26 St. Croix 461 776 Marshal service to the Municipal Courts was provided on an aver- age of 41/2 days a week as follows Documents served REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 45 46 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Of major note was the reorganization of the Richmond Prison In- dustries—a program given to the training of prison inmates in new skills and trades. In addition, the Eiclimond Industries Fund, pro- vidinc: a means for the inmates of the penitentiary to earn an in- come while learning the aforementioned skills and trades, was also reactivated. The rehabilitation program continues to improve although there is still much to be done. The prison farm worked by the inmates pro- duces much of the food for the penitentiary, and considerable livestock is raised. Many of the inmatesi make a little money during their leisure time making belts, doing radio repairs, knitting fishnets, doing furniture upholstery and making saddles. Work of this sort and in the prison industries is considered a basic part of the rehabilitation program. Fire Division During the year the Fire Division responded to 109 fire calls, a decrease of 41 fires from the figure for the previous year. Fire losses in St. Croix amounted to $11,972 as against last year's loss of $15,060. In St. Thomas, fire losses amounted to $15,000 as compared with $20,101 for the previous year. No fires of any type were reported for St. John. The Division continues its schedule of weekly training drills geared to a greater degree of familiarization with equipment and apparatus. This, however, is felt to be insufficient. The Director of the Fire Division, with the tentative approval of the Commissioner of Public Safety, has made arrangements to have both, or at least one, of the Fire Lieutenants attend the New York Fire College for advanced training in Firemanics. During the year the Division purchased two new portable pumps which have already proved their usefulness in areas that are inacces- sible to fire trucks, and where water has to be obtained by draft. In addition, four chemical units of 200 pounds each were received. Two of these units are in St. Croix and two are in St. Thomas, mounted on the jeep truck. Two more are needed for the island of St. John. Civil Defense Major efforts were directed to developing the organization's po- tential to meet emergencies resulting from such natural causes as hurricanes, floods, etc., and from man-caused emergencies. To this end emphasis was placed on perfecting the inter-island system of communications and in revising and up-dating operational survival plans. Much of this program has been effected and is under constant review and revision. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 47 The Home Guard The Home Guard, acting as wardens, assisted families tliroughout the community, in prehurricane preparedness (boarding up of homes, movement of persons from homes. to shelters, etc.) and in the patrol- ling of the roads and outlying areas of the islands. At the close of the last fiscal year the Legislature in recognition of the services rendered by the members of the Guard to the community, amended the Virgin Islands Code to permit remuneration of members of the Home Guard who are ordered to duty as auxiliary police. This action had a marked effect on morale and engendered new spirit in the organization. During the year initial steps were taken to reactivate the long dormant St. Croix Home Guard. It is anticipated that these steps will materialize during the coming fiscal year and that units will be informed in both Christiansted and Frederiksted. Wildlife—Game Wardens Assisting in the enforcement of the game and wildlife regulations is a force of 11 men skilled in the use of firearms and who are familiar with the laws pertaining to the various forms of game and wildlife that inhabit the islands. This chief game warden and his 10 assistant game wardens have been deputized by and are directly responsible to the Commissioner of Public Safety. The wardens are all responsible civic-minded individuals with a variety of skills and serve in such capacity, without pay, as a public service in the interest of the com- munity. The game wardens maintain a constant patrol of the island in and out of season and also serve as a specialized mobile warden force in times of emergency for the civil defense organization undertaking such tasks as first-aid, rescue, traffic direction and control, engineering, etc., in line with their available skills. Police and Fire Commission During the year the Commission held six meetings and considered seven cases involving members of the Police Division. As a result of these hearings, six suspensions ranging in duration for from 1 to 3 weeks were ordered. Parole Board The Parole Board held its regular twice-a-year meetings and ap- plicants for parole were heard and cases reviewed. Several applicants were recommended for parole. 48 -f REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Appropriations A total of $700,823 was appropriated for the Department of Public Safety. Actual obligations were as follows: Activity OMigations Commissioner's Office $80, 751. 01 Police and Prison Division 482, 997. 91 Fire Division 129, 660. 15 Police and Fire Commission 250. 55 Parole Board 111. 70 Home Guard 3, 951. 00 Civil Defense 2, 434. 32 Total 700, 156. 64 Department of Public Works The fiscal year just completed marked a change in the administra- tion of the Department of Public Works. On May 1, 1961, the Office of the Public Works Coordinator, responsible for the planning of matching fund projects, was abolished and its functions were trans- ferred to the Department of Public Works. The former Public Works Coordinator was appointed Commissioner of Public Works. The sum of $2,293,191 was obligated for routine functions of the Department of Public Works in St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, including maintenance of highways, streets and roads, garbage and refuse collection and removal service, operation of the sewer and salt water systems, the potable water system, the nightsoil removal service, maintenance of public buildings and structures. The sum of $2,707,047 was obligated for the construction of public projects under the Internal Eevenue Matching Fund. One of the major problems of the Department is keeping the city of Charlotte Amalie and its environs free of garbage and rubbish. Rubbish and garbage are dumped indiscriminately on streets and roads. Cans and bottles are dumped from passing cars by night and day on the public roads. The island of St. Croiix is comparatively free of this type of litterbug activity. The Sanitary Division of St. Thomas was reorganized for concentrated effort on garbage col- lection and street cleaning, and new and modem equipment has been ordered. The second major problem is keeping an adequate supply of potable water on demand at all times. On St. Croix, the potable water sys- tem consists of a series of wells. The problem of supplying the demand for water in the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted had reached the critical stage by the end of the year, but an energetic REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 49 program was in progress for exploration for additional ground water sources which gives excellent hope of success. In St. Thomas, the public water system consists of the runway at the airport which is used as a catchment area with a storage tank of approximately 1 million gallons of treated water, 11 catchment areas in the city area, with 13 tanks, storage capacity of 3,847,000 gallons and at the former submarine base, a storage capacity of 6 million gallons. While this may appear impressive, it is far from adequate in times of drought. Water is hauled from Puerto Rico daily on contract by a self-propelled barge of approximately 250,000 gallons capacity to augment the supply. The contract for furnishing of water by barge has proved most satisfactory as a dependable supply. The peak storage for the year was in March with 411/^ days supply, and the low was in June with 23 days supply. Roads and Highways On St. Croix, maintenance was carried out on unpaved sections of roads. Considerable flood damage was caused by unusual heavy rains causing washouts of roadbeds and collapse of retaining walls. Damage was particularly heavy on unpaved sections of city streets. The damages were repaired from funds made available through the Road Fund, On St. Thomas, flood damage was repaired and maintenance was done on all dirt roads including Wintberg-Donoe Road and the Wintberg-Mandahl Road. The Rosendahl Road and the Blackpoint- Sagus Road were rebuilt. On St. John, maintenance continued on Centerline Road, Northside Road, East End Road and the Coral Bay Quarter. On the Northside Road the pond at Maho Bay overflowed and washed the road out completely. Repairs were made by rock fill and dirt. Culverts were cleaned of rock and debris and the usual brush cutting and patching continued the year round. Street Cleaning and Garbage Removal Service Due to the ever increasing number of houses in the suburban districts of Christiansted and Frederiksted on St. Croix, it has been exceedingly difficult to give proper service with the limited nimiber of garbage trucks in operation. As funds become available for the pur- chase of equipment, eight new garbage trucks will be purchased to provide daily removal service in the towns and additional service to the more populated areas in the country districts. In St. Thomas, the garbage removal service has been gradually extended from the city and is now almost island-wide. 50 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Nightsoil Removal Service On St. Croix there has been a slow but steady decrease from year to year of the number of cans in use, particularly in the Frederiksted District. In Christiansted, there are a large number of houses still being served. On St. Thomas, the major number of dwellings being served are in the Kronprindsens Quarter and in the Demerara- Welgunst Altona Area with their many superficiary houses. It is hoped to have the nightsoil removal service practically eliminated by December 1962. Sewer System General maintenance was carried on in St. Croix, and in St. Thomas many months were devoted to the cleaning of the sewer mains which were choked solid from the flood of May 8, 1960, and subsequent storms. Public Buildings The first floor of the District Court Building in Charlotte Amalie has been renovated and turned into office space for the U.S. Immi- gration Service, the Public Utilities Commission, the Parole Board and the Probation Officer. Matching Funds Program- The Department was active in the planning, design, administration and construction functions of the Essential Public Projects authorized under the Internal Kevenue Matching Funds. Principal projects included improvements of roads and streets, construction of Sugar Estate and Nisky Schools, improvements at the Harry S Truman Airport, installation of sewers, fresh and salt water lines, construction of the Frederiksted pier, construction of Christiansted harbor im- provement, improvement of roads and streets, and sewers and fresh and salt water lines, and the construction of a new abattoir. In St. John, funds were appropriated for reconstruction of roads and school additions. The following Public Works statistics are of interest Uttlities and Inspections Estimated con- Building permits Number struction costs St. Croix 224 $3,019,441 St. Thomas and St. John 460 6, 363, 482 Number of sanitary installation permits Sanitary installation permits 120 Sewer connection permits 35 Water connection permits 19 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 51 Ntimber of properties connected to salt water si/stem St. Croix 59 St. Thomas 382 St. Thomas new connections 19 Niitnier of potable water connections St. Croix new connections 79 St. Thomas new connections 68 Total number of potable water connections 802 Potable water consumption Potable water pumped from wells gal— 47, 628, 528 Potable water brought in by barges do 89, 103,300 Potable water hauled by trucks to consumers do 625, 500 Potable water used by consumers by meters do 90, 475, 685 Average daily consumption, St. Croix do 130, 516 Average daily consumption, St. Thomas do 250, 000 Garbage and rubbish hauled St. Thomas cu yd— 39, 990 St. Croix do 40, 896 Nightsoil removal St. Thomas gal— 458, 336 Cans in use, St. Thomas 900 St. Croix gal— 242, 986 Cans in use, St. Croix 438 Miles of road mavntaim^d St. Croix 170 St. Thomas and St. John 90 Miles of streets maintained St. Croix 16. 4 St. Thomas 13 Department of Social Welfare Public Welfare programs are subject to changing social and eco- nomic conditions. The extent to which the community is protected against the ills of poverty, illness, poor housing, unemployment and broken homes depends upon the adequacy of the investment in health, housing and welfare programs. Increased annual appropriations have enabled the Department to provide assistance and services in such a way that the causes of many community social ills have been greatly decreased. During the year new programs have been added and much progress recorded. Public Assistance Division Assistance grants were increased twice during the year. In Sep- tember 1960, food allowances were increased an average of $3 per 52 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS person for adults and for children aged 13 to 18 years. In April 1961, all Public Assistance grants were raised approximately $4 per person. These increases were based upon the Virgin Islands "Low Cost Family Food Plan" and brought all food grants up from 50 to 75 percent of minimum need. A plan of Medical Assistance for the Aged and Medical Assistance for OAA recipients was established pursuant to the 1960 Federal social security amendments and began operation on February 1, 1961. The Division concentrated on analysis of the caseload in an effort to rehabilitate all possible employables, to establish eligibility on a prompt and sound basis and to improve services. The following charts show caseload distribution and expenditures by category Caseload distribution by districts Category REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 53 Under the provisions of Act No. 651 of the Third Legislature the Department of Social Welfare was made responsible for purchasing medical care from the Department of Health for individuals 65 years of age or older whose income and resources are not sufficient to meet costs of necessary medical care whether or not they are receiving assistance for other needs. By June 30, 1961, 288 persons had received care and services under this program, including drugs, appliances, and glasses. Total assistance expenditures for assistance and administration amounted to $574,612.64 as compared with $448,328.68 last year, an increase of 17.6 percent. Federal matching funds earned this year amounted to $251,154.02 compared with $216,116.20 last year and all of it was received as this sum is less than the Federal ceiling of $315,000. The Division of Public Assistance worked closely with the Executive Secretary of the Commission on Aging in all areas of program planning and in other special activities relating to the Virgin Islands participation in the 1961 White House Conference. These activities were climaxed with attendance of 11 Virgin Islanders at the White House Conference on Aging in Washington in January. Child Welfare Services Casework service was provided to 756 children as compared with 818 last year and 627 the previous year. Below are tables showing the type of services and the caseload during the year Caseload, distribution iy district offices St. Croix St. Thomas Total Children receiving service July 1, 1960 Children accepted for service during year Service discontinued during the year Children receiving service June 30, 1961 Total number of different children receiving services during year.. 243 105 72 276 348 254 153 328 408 497 258 152 604 756 Whereabouts of children receiving service on June 30, 1961 54 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Foster Family Care This prog:ram continued actively during the year and is still one of the most encouraging operations. The foster care caseload is 168 of which 49 are in free homes and 119 in boarding homes. These children live in a total of 37 foster homes. There are 12 children awaiting placement. Insular Training Schools The Boys School continued to achieve heartening improvement in services to the boys and in boy and staff morale. The school provided care for a total of 63 boys with enrollment averaging around 51 boys. The institution caseworker enrolled at the Ohio State University School of Social Work to secure professional training. The Depart- ment of Education continued to provide academic services to the school through two full-time academic teachers. Poultry, gardening, and animal husbandry projects were expanded. Fourteen boys attended high school in town and for the first time in the history of the school one boy was graduated from the school and plans to go to college in the fall. The Girls School established in March 1958, was at a full capacity of 12 throughout the year and provided care for a total of 17 girls. The average age of girls in residence was 15 years. Six girls attended high school in town. The Mental Health Bureau in the Department of Health continues to provide psychological and psychiatric services to the children of these schools. Detention facilities continue to be areas of great concern to the Department and to citizens of both islands. A temporary delinquent center for delinquent boys 16 to 21 years of age was established in Frederiksted and administered by the Department of Public Safety with intake, release and casework services being provided by the Department of Social Welfare. Funds had been appropriated, at year's end, for the construction of a detention facility on St. Thomas. During the year 110 children were in detention care. Day Care During the year the day care program expanded from two to five centers. An average of 90 children per month ranging from 3 months to 414 years of age used the service. The Department pays a subsidy for care furnished by private day care facilities to children whose parents are not able to pay the minimum rates. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 55 Governor's Conference on Juvenile Delinquency The second Governor's Conference on juvenile delinquency spon- sored by this Division was held in February. The Departments of Health, Education, Public Safety, the courts and many citizens and groups of individuals interested in the welfare of children participated. A complete report of the proceedings and recommendations of this Conference is scheduled for publication in the near future. The Child Welfare Program is summarized in the following table LOCAL FUNDS Insular St. Croix St. Thomas All Virgin Islands Child welfare services- -. Foster home payments.. Insular training schools: For boys For girls Day care centers $1, 048. 30 $11, 691. 37 20, 730. 80 $11, 556. 07 27, 329. 80 81, 014. 53 19, 037. 51 2, 858. 31 9, 122. 20 Total. 101, 100. 34 35, 280. 48 48, 008. 07 $24, 295. 74 48, 060. 60 81, 014. 53 19, 037. 51 11,980.51 184, 388. 89 FEDERAL FUNDS 56 4- REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS The Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged is administered by the De- partment of Health with a capacity of 140 residents. During the year the Division certified 18 persons for placement in this home. This institution also badly needs physical as well as operational im- provements. At yearend vigorous action was being taken to remodel the physical facilities and to transfer its operation to the Department of Social Welfare. Cancer Care It was necessary to continue to send Virgin Islands patients, re- ferred by the Department of Health, for care at the Puerto Rico Cancer League. During the year 14 new cases in St. Croix and 7 in St. Thomas were referred. In addition, 16 repeaters returned for periodic follow-up treatment. This program is financed by the Com- munity Chest, Government Funds and Lottery appropriations. Services to the Mentally III The Department provides a limited amount of casework service for mental patients hospitalized in the Virgin Islands while they are in institutional care, when they are being discharged, and after-care upon discharge. The Division has responsibility for planning and arranging the returning of mental patients from St. Elizabeths Hos- pital in Washington where 136 such patients are hospitalized. During the year 35 studies on mental patients were completed. Twenty were residents of St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., and eight were residents of New York State Hospitals. Six patients returned from St. Elizabeths Hospital and were provided after-care casework service. Emergency Housing The accelerated building and remodeling boom, in progress par- ticularly in St. Thomas, continues to transform many slum areas into high rental residential or industrial developments. At the same time, hundreds of low-income tenants are being deprived of quarters within their capacity to pay. In their dilemma, they continue to turn to the Department for assistance in locating suitable housing. As a result of a housing survey conducted by the Department, funds were appropriated to erect Emergency Housing to assist with this problem until other public housing projects and private buildings can provide adequate housing for the low-income group. During the year 10 three-bedroom houses were constructed bringing the total of REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 57 prefabricated emero-ency liouses to 16. The following chart shows the progress of the program in St. Thomas Report 58 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OP THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Expenditures Total expenditures of the Department of Social Welfare amounted to $974,009.95 of which $230,323.01 were for Insular Programs, $322,541,26 for programs allocated to the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, and $421,145.68 for programs allocated to the island of St. Croix. The total cost is distributed as follows Central administrative costs $80, 510. 71 Public assistance division 530, 648. 38 Institutions and special programs 111, 783. 44 Child welfare division 235, 096. 61 Community Chest 15, 970. 81 Total 974, 009. 95 Department of Comtnerce The Department of Commerce of the Virgin Islands was estab- lished on May 1, 1961, to implement a broad program of economic de- velopment pledged by the new Governor in his inaugural address. Encompassing and supplementing the former Department of Tourism and Trade and its components serving tourism, trade, in- dustrial development, marine and aviation, the new department's mis- sion is to promote broadly the whole economy of the islands. The remaining days of the last fiscal year were devoted to estab- lishing sound departmental procedures based upon revised organiza- tion charts, job analyses of personnel, and in defining the administra- tive responsibilities of division and departmental executives. Division of Tourism From the beginning of the fiscal year until the organization of the new Department of Commerce, this Department operated as the De- partment of Tourism and Trade. Promotional Program The overall promotional program for the Department of Tourism and Trade was materially increased due to more funds. One of the principal factors in the promotional program, as well as in the ad- vertising program, was the excellent cooperation received from tourist interests, particularly shops and hotels, in various joint ventures cover- ing visiting groups, promotional efforts and joint advertising. Approximately $95,000 was spent by the Department in advertising during the year. With this vastly increased budget over previous years, together with the cooperation of tourist interests, it was possible to accomplish a number of "firsts" in advertising, namely, the first REPOR,T OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 59 full-page, four-color advertisement in a New York City newspaper's World Travel Guide; two-color ads appearing in national magazines, and four industry magazines; three full-page cooperative advertise- ments in another New York newspaper in which the Government participated with the various Virgin Islands tourist interests; and cooperative pages on the Caribbean area in other national publications. In addition to the above advertising in newspapers and magazines special Virgin Islands advertisements w^ere inserted in a number of local papers and magazines which have stateside as well as local distribution. Literature As in former years the Department printed and distributed the Three-Island Brochure, "Summer and Winter Hotel and Guest House Rate Sheets", and "Pertinent Facts", booklet. These pieces of liter- ature are updated in each reprinting to keep them in line wdth the constant changes in the islands tourist economy and are distributed to individuals, travel agents, steamship and airline companies and various groups requesting them, and to cruise ships calling at the ports of the Virgin Islands. The Department also prepares and dis- tributes a monthly news bulletin, a seasonal cruise ship list and preseason and postseason lists of cruise ships at Virgin Islands ports. Publicity Under the publicity program handled jointly by the Department and a private company during the last year, 34 articles varying from 15 to 100 lines were published. In addition, about 100 vignettes were published. In connection with these articles and other news- paper stories, 1,131 publicity photographs were distributed to news- papers, many of them featuring specific persons and groups of persons who visited the islands. The clipping service returned 1,728 clippings of the islands during the year. It is estimated that close to 5,200 articles mentioning the Virgin Islands were published. New York Office After many years a beautiful street-level office, located at 16 West 49th Street in the heart of Rockefeller Center, early in calendar 1961 was officially opened with suitable ceremonies. This office has an enviable location just three doors from the corner of Rockefeller Plaza. The spectacular increase in the number of inquiries both by mail and telephone has been reflected in the additional traffic to the Virgin Is- lands that this office has produced. The opening of this office and its functioning has been a big step forw^ard in the promotion of the islands. 60 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Cruise Ships From 12 ships, carrying 5,293 passengers to St. Thomas in 1951-52, to 157 ships carrying 57,470 passengers in 1960-61, the record is ample proof of the increasing importance of cruise ship traffic to the tourist industry. It is also important to note that certain cruise ships are now calling at all three islands. The schedule below graphically demon- strates this increase. Year Number of ships St. Thomas 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 St. Croix 1959-60 1960-61 St. John 195&-59 1959-60 1960-61 hips REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS > 61 is estimated that 209,000 visited St. Thomas and St. John and 45,700 visited St. Croix. Estimated Gross Tourist Expenditures Following is a table of estimated gross tourist expenditures for 1959-60, as compared with 1960-61. 62 REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Cargo pounds Mail pounds Air cargo inbound Caribair... Air cargo outbound Caribair. Mail inbound Caiibair Mail outbound Caribair 503, 084 57, 435 79, 771 54, 950 Division of Trade The Virgin Islands showed a healthy trend upward in trade, indus- try and agriculture. The 1960 census reflected an appreciable population increase which is one of the principal factors in community growth. Fifteen new businesses were established during the year, two new hotels and three guest houses opened their doors to business, and two hotels are under construction. Unemployment is at a minimum and there is a scarcity of skilled labor. The port of Frederiksted, St. Croix expects to double its shipping activity upon completion of the dock now under construction. The port of Charlotte Amalie will shortly be dredged to accommodate large tourist liners now obliged to anchor outside. A salt water distillation plant when completed will funiish St. Thomas with an additional 250,000 gallons of water daily and the supply of electrical power should be substantially increased with the addition of two 5,000 kilowatt plants for St. Croix and St. Thomas, respectively. A business survey conducted during the year disclosed a total of 733 business establisliments as follows Industry division and kind of business REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 63 Total obligations of the Department of Tourism and Trade and the Department of Commerce made during the fiscal year are as follows Office of the Commissioner $73, 072. 98 Division of Tourism 238,914.68 Division of Trade 19,875.35 Total 331, 863. 01 Selective Service Operations Fiscal year 1961 witnessed the twentieth anniversary of Selective Service Operations throughout the Nation, except for a brief inter- ruption of approximately 1 year in 1947-1948. Since September 1950, when the first registrant from the Virgin Islands to be inducted into the armed forces since World War II departed for the induction station in Puerto Rico, 2,639 registrants have been examined to deter- mine their acceptability for military service, and of those found acceptable, 1,314 registrants have been inducted into the various services, with the exception of the Air Force and the Coast Guard, from tliese islands. Selective Service operations have helped to result in enlistment of over 675 Virgin Islanders into the various branches of the service and in the reenlistment of over 300. Moreover, 710 standby reservists have been screened and categorized as to their avail- ability for recall to active duty in time of national emergency. Registration A tot,al of 4,884 registrants are listed by the local boards including a total of 380 new registrants during the year. Virgin Islands Employment Service Included in the activities of the Virgin Islands Employment Service were placement service, employment counseling and selective place- ment service, special service to veterans, labor market information service, community participation, farm placement service, and ad- ministration of the Federal unemployment insurance programs. Placement Services Placements during the year were slightly above the figures for last fiscal year, up 289 from 3,203 to 3,492. Most of the increase was in unskilled and service placements, with a small decrease in skilled and semiskilled placements offset by an increase in placement of profes- sional and clerical workers. Employment opportunities remained at a high level throughout the year with public and private construction setting the pace. 64 -4- REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Tlie prime source of needed labor continued to be the contio;uous British and French ishmds, together with some minor recruitment success from Puerto Rico and the United States. Openings certified for the importation of foreign nationals to do nonagricultural work represented approximately 3,994 workers. Openings certified for the importation of foreign nationals to do agricultural work represented approximately 1,000 workers. Occupational Testing The occupational testing program continued to provide one of the most effective services in the field of employment. Its purpose is to aid in the selection, counseling, and placement process. Tests administered included the general aptitude test battery, spe- cific aptitude tests and proficiency tests. During the year a total of 251 general aptitude tests were administered, 184 specific aptitude tests, 139 proficiency tests. Job Counseling and Service Placements Job Counseling and service placements showed a definite increase. Both programs have become increasingly important not only in as- sisting the employer in the selection of qualified help, but in offering applicants guidance in the choice of their careers. Eight hundred and twenty-eight counseling interviews were conducted to facilitate the placement of certain types of applicants. As a part of this continuous program of services, the Employment Service endeavors to expand the opportunities for the physically handicapped. During the year, 12 of the physically handicapped applicants were placed in gainful occupations. Special Service to Veterans The Employment Service placed 160 veterans and exservicemen in jobs during the year. Exservicemen returning home are quickly placed as a result of the continued demand for workers of all descriptions. Cooperative Programs with Schools An increased number of youths availed themselves of the services of the Employment Service and profited by the counseling and testing services. Of the 251 general aptitude test batteries administered, 179 were given to high school students in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Placements among the youth group numbered 536. Unem^ployment Insurance Activities Unemployment Insurance work loads remained light during the year. The territory's most important step forward was taken when the Governor signed into law in June an act to provide for a program REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ^ 65 of unemployment compensation. The law established an unemploy- ment compensation service in the Virgin Islands P]mployment Service and goes into effect on January 1, 1962. Virgin Islands Employment Service budget for the fiscal year amounted to $108,618. Summary of employment sertrhce activities New applications 3, 430 Counseling interviews 828 Employer visits, nonagricultural 478 Promotional telephone contacts 242 G.A.T.B.'s administered 251 Specific aptitude tests administered 184 Proficiency tests administered 138 Placements, nonagricultural 3, 492 Professional and clerical 470 Skilled and semiskilled 802 Unskilled 1,078 Service 1,135 Day work and casual 7 Placements, agricultural 262 Municipal Courts St. Thomas and St. John During the year, 4,363 cases were disposed of. Divisionally, they are as follows, including preliminary hearings Criminal division 2, 833 Conciliation division 465 Civil division 330 Small claims division 574 Juvenile and domestic relations division 161 Total 4, 363 Two hundred and seventy-five applications were made for marriage licenses. Of these, 258 marriages were reported as follows Anglican Church 38 Apostolic Faith 1 Church of God 2 Calvary Baptist Church 4 District Court 4 Lutheran Church 11 Methodist Church 70 Moravian Church 23 Municipal Court 53 Pilgrim Holiness Church 1 Roman Catholic Church 42 Seventh Day Adventist Church 9 Total 258 66 ^ REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS There were three coroner's inquests conducted during the year. The total cost of operating the Municipal Court was $29,762.47. A total of $25,168.90 was collected from court fines, notary fees, court costs and fees, and other miscellaneous charges. The Probation Officer and the Child Welfare workers along with the Mental Health Division rendered valuable service to the court in providing reports, by supervising probationers and juvenile offend- ers, and by assisting juveniles and adults alike in need of special help. 5"/. Croix A total of 2,076 cases were disposed of in the Municipal Court of St. Croix as follows Preliminary hearings 55 Criminal cases 434 Civil cases 138 Small claims cases 165 Traffic cases 877 Juvenile and domestic relations cases 207 Conciliation cases 200 Total 2, 076 The overall increase of cases terminated during the year just ended as compared with those terminated in the previous fiscal year is 203 cases or approximately 11 percent. There were 152 marriage licenses issued. A total of 152 marriages were reported as follows Municipal Court 54 Roman Catholic Church 28 Anglican Church 26 Lutheran Church 15 Moravian Church 10 A.M.E. Church 7 United Brothers in Christ Church 5 Pilgrim Holiness Church 3 Pentecostal Church 2 Jewish Synagogue 1 Spanish Methodist Church 1 Total 152 The Municipal Court of St. Croix collected revenue totaling $11,756.30 from notary fees, miscellaneous police and court fees, court fines, forfeitures, court costs and other charges, representing an in- crease of approximately 35 percent over the court's revenues of the preceding year. The total cost of operating the Municipal Court of St. Croix was $32,384.68. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS -f 67 Conclusion This annual report presents a picture of some progress in all areas of the Government. However, it is written by an administration that was not quite 3 months in office when the fiscal year ended. It has taken time and hard work in that short period to fully assess the needs for continuing programs, for new programs and priorities. As of the time this report was written, nevertheless, the new admin- istration had already made considerable progress in solving the many problems of the territory. Housing, education, airport, financial and business improvements—in about that order—have all been acted upon vigorously. The new fiscal year will establish some of the last- ing benefits of the programs started under the New Frontier. The Territory's goal is responsible Government which will lead the islands to become truly self-governing. The conduct of the Territo- rial Government should be such as to merit the full support of the United States Congress in achieving the Virgin Islands' desire to be given a delegate in Congress and to have the right to elect their own Governor. U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1962 O -622662