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1959 ANNUAL REPORT

THE GOVERNOR OF THE

Virgin Islands

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1959

I/ ,

LATIN
AMERICA

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FRED A. SEATON, Secretary

TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
John D. Merwin, Governor

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D.C. Price 40 cents

Contents

PROGRESS AND GOALS OF THE ADMINISTRATION .

OEBCE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARY .. .

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LABOR .

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION . . .

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE . . .

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH . . .

DEPARTMENT OF PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT .

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY . . .

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS . . .

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE . .

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND TRADE . .

SELECTIVE SERVICE . . . .

VIRGIN ISLANDS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE . .

MUNICIPAL COURTS . . . .

CONCLUSION . . . . .

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1959 Annual Report of the

Governor of the Virgin Islands

John D. Merwin, Governor

Progress and Goals of the Administration

THE GOVERNMENT of the Virgin Islands continued to make sub-
stantial progress both in organization and in fiscal affairs during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1959.
On September 25, 1958, John David Merwin was sworn in as the
first native-born Governor, succeeding Walter A. Gordon who was
appointed Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Virgin Islands.
At the same time, Roy Williston Bornn, also a native-born Virgin
Islander, was sworn in as Government Secretary, replacing Mr.
Merwin who relinquished that post upon assuming the Governorship.
In his inaugural address, the new Governor stated that there were
four outstanding and specific undertakings which required immediate
and special attention, namely:
(a) An adequate supply of potable water for St. Thomas,
(b) Airport and harbor improvements,
(c) A modern communication system, and
(d) Better housing, especially for the lower and middle in-
come groups.
By the close of the fiscal year, some significant progress could be
reported on each of these fundamental problems-problems which
are closely related to the social as well as to the economic growth of
the islands.
St. Thomas experienced an unusually dry season during the winter
when hotels and guest houses were filled with guests. Reliance con-
tinued upon the short-range solution of hauling and storing a supply

2 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
of potable water brought in by barge and tug from Puerto Rico.
This condition should be somewhat ameliorated during the coming
winter as the Government has contracted for a private carrier to
transport a minimum of a million gallons of water weekly.
The water haul, however, is a makeshift-not a permanent-solu-
tion. With the authority of the legislature, the Government has con-
tracted with the Virgin Islands Corporation for the purchase of
potable water from a distillation plant which Congress has already
authorized. It is expected that an adequate distillation plant should
be in operation by late in 1961.
In the matter of vital airport and harbor improvements, the year
saw an outstanding achievement with a grant offer by the Federal
Aviation Agency for the construction of a modern terminal and air-
port on the island of St. Croix. A contract was awarded, work is
now in progress, and St. Croix is assured of adequate and modern
airport facilities by May 1960.
As to the airport in St. Thomas, a survey conducted during the
year indicates that enlargement of the Harry S. Truman runway is
the only feasible solution to the present need for a 5,000-foot runway.
Work on strengthening a portion of this runway is now in progress,
and plans are being developed for the filling of the bay area to the
west of the runway to extend it by approximately 800 feet. These
plans may also include the removal of a portion of a hill at the east
of the runway to provide additional clearance and also fill for the
bay area. It is expected that a major appropriation for this work
will be presented to the legislature at its 1960 session.
With regard to harbor improvements, Federal funds for dredging
the harbor of St. Thomas, originally authorized in 1937, have not
been and probably will not be appropriated as a survey recently con-
ducted by the U.S. Army Engineers resulted in a report that the
project is not economically feasible. It may be possible, however, to
undertake some limited dredging,in strategic areas from local funds
in the next year, with the fill to be used for reclaiming other areas
needed for wharves and building construction.
With regard to communication facilities, the equipment and plant
of the Virgin Islands Telephone System, a government-owned fa-
cility, is outmoded, outdated, and inadequate. In this, as in so many
areas of utility service in the islands, the rapid economic advances
made by the communities in the past few years have far outstripped
the availability of local limited facilities. The local government does
not have the know-how nor the funds to develop a new and modern
system of telephone communications which could keep pace with the
progress of the islands.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 3

The legislature and the administration recognized this undisputed
fact, and a bill was enacted authorizing the Governor to sell the tele-
phone system. With the assistance of the Department of the Interior
and the Rural Electrification Administration, an investigation of
basic conditions and needs was made resulting in a survey report
which was made the basis of advertising for proposals for the sale of
the government-owned system. A condition of the advertisement is
that the purchaser shall undertake to install modern dial telephone
systems throughout the islands with adequate capacity for present and
for future needs.
By the end of the year the proposals received were being evaluated
and preparations were being made for a special session of the legisla-
ture to authorize the sale to the successful bidder to be determined
after studies by the Evaluation Board, assisted by experts of the
General Services Administration.
In regard to better housing for the lower and middle income groups,
the Virgin Islands Housing and Urban Renewal Authority has in
the development stage 634 additional public housing units. In addi-
tion, considerable progress has been made in planning emergency
housing for displaced families. The use of prefabricated housing is
being developed and has been shown to be feasible, capable of rapid
development, and relatively economical. The legislature appropriated
$175,000 for this purpose, and by the end of the year one building was
under construction with eight rooms, kitchen alcoves, and four bath-
rooms. Additional units are also in the developmental stage.
In the field of housing for elderly persons, plans are being con-
sidered for the eventual construction of such facilities close to the
hospitals in order to make medical supervision readily available.
Highlights of the Year
Under the office of the Government Secretary, funds have been ap-
propriated and a contract entered into for the development during
the next 2 years, with the aid of skilled consultants, of a modern tax
assessment program.
Total revenues collected by the Department of Finance amounted to
$5,224,156.95-the highest in the history of the territory. This repre-
sented an increase of 25.5 percent over the revenues of the preceding
fiscal year.
Outstanding activities in the Department of Tourism and Trade
were the establishment of an office in Puerto Rico and a public rela-
tions office in New York City to handle tourist promotion and general
publicity. Approximately 164,000 visitors came to the islands and
spent approximately $21 million; 89 cruise ship visits broke all pre-
vious records.

4 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

The greatest achievement in the field of public works was the award-
ing of a contract in amount of $1,302,000 for the reconstruction of
the Alexander Hamilton Airport project in St. Croix.
Under the Department of Education two new modern school build-
ings in St. Croix with a total of 30 classrooms were dedicated and
occupied, and 1 old elementary school was reopened. In St. Thomas
renovations to existing facilities and the addition of 2 new buildings
with 10 classrooms were completed. A million dollars for the expan-
sion of school facilities in St. Thomas was appropriated by the legis-
lature at its 1959 regular session.
In the Department of Health, plans were initiated to provide for
the construction of outpatient, laboratory, and office facilities for the
Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital in Christiansted. The clinic at
Frederiksted was provided with a new X-ray machine. Plans are
being made to replace the pre-World War II model X-ray machine
at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas.
The Department of Social Welfare was assigned a new program of
providing and managing emergency housing for displaced families.
The 1958 congressional amendments to the Social Security Act enabled
the department to increase grants to the public assistance caseload of
1,600 by approximately $3.75 per case.
In the field of public safety, police strength has been improved. A
team of traffic engineers loaned to the Virgin Islands by the Common-
wealth of Puerto Rico made a survey of traffic conditions and sug-
gested a number of worthwhile improvements.
The Department of Agriculture and Labor conducted a food pro-
duction program and distributed to farmers several thousand vege-
table slips. The vegetables which were harvested under this pro-
gram were distributed to public institutions as a needed dietary sup-
plement.
In the Department of Property and Procurement an economist from
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico made an excellent report on the
subject of containing the spiraling prices of foodstuffs which will be
the guidepost for action in the coming year.
Production of 502,716 wine gallons of rum in St. Croix compared
with 362,933 wine gallons in the previous year. This would indicate
a substantial increase in Federal matching funds to be made available
to the islands.
Recognizing that. any government's job is much more effectively
accomplished if the public is kept well informed, there was established
an Office of Information within the office of the Governor. By daily
press releases and by a weeldy "Know Your Government" radio pro-
gram, the people of the islands were kept well informed on their gov-
ernment and on its operations.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 5

The Department of Law, a new agency of the government under
the office of the Governor, commenced its organization with the ap-
pointment of a legal officer as assistant attorney general. Legal serv-
ices have been badly needed for the various departments and agencies,
and the Department of Law will be able to provide such services as
well as to represent the government in the municipal courts. By the
end of the year legislation was pending in Congress under which
the Department of Law would become a separate department of the
Government.
Legislation
Two sessions of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands were held-a
special session from December 9, 1958, to December 11, 1958; and the
regular session from April 13, 1959, to June 11. 1959. Cooperation
with and from the legislature is at an alltime high. At the December
special session a total of 44 proposals (36 bills and 8 resolutions)
were considered, of which 43 were adopted. All bills passed were ap-
proved by the Governor. At the regular session 181 bills were pro-
posed and 145 adopted, of which 98 were approved by the Governor,
17 vetoed, 7 pocket vetoed, 21 were resolutions not requiring executive
action, and 2 were recalled.

Office of the Government Secretary
The Virgin Islands Code of Laws placed several new responsibil-
ities upon the Office of the Government Secretary and changed
markedly many of the old ones. The new undertakings included the
overall direction of the 1958 elections to the Virgin Islands Legisla-
ture; the development of new procedures governing the licensing of
corporations, businesses, trades, and occupations; the development
of new procedures for promulgation of the laws of the Virgin Islands
and the rules and regulations issued by government agencies; the de-
velopment of a modern tax assessment program; and preparation for
a new unified retirement system which became effective on October
1,1959.
For the calendar year 1958 a total of 1,776 business and occupa-
tion licenses were issued, with total fees collected amounting to
$62,507. By June 30, 1959, licenses for the calendar year 1959 already
totaled 1,795 and fees collected totaled $65,143. The Administrative
Assistant to the Governor in St. Croix was designated as the Govern-
ment Secretary's representative for receiving license applications and
fees, initiating the necessary investigations, and forwarding the
cleared applications to the Government Secretary. This has greatly
expedited licensing operations on St. Croix.
Corporate licensing activities reached a new high during the year,
538322 0-60- 2

6 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

reflecting the increase in economic activity. Eighty-seven certificates
of incorporation for new corporations were issued, as compared with
56 during 1958. Bills for corporation franchise taxes totaling
$11,125.50 were issued.
As Commissioner of Insurance, the Government Secretary had on
June 30, 1959, a total of 41 companies listed on the register of insur-
ance companies authorized to do business in the Virgin Islands. Of
these, three were new registrations. Forty agents' licenses were issued,
as compared with 23 during the preceding year. A total of $8,564.58
was collected from this source, as compared with $5,535.49 during the
preceding year.
The first elections to the Virgin Islands Legislature since passage
of the Virgin Islands Code were held on November 4, 1958. The
new law requires the Government Secretary to be responsible in sev-
eral particulars for the conduct of the elections and coordination of
the work of the several election boards. Teamwork was excellent
throughout and the election went smoothly except for the physical
difficulty involved in tabulating the heavy voting.
The following statistical information regarding the voting is of
interest:

St. Thomas St. John St. Croix Total
Total number of voters registered. ---.----.---------- 4,752 357 4, 651 9, 760
Total number of persons voting- ------.-.-------- 3,742 226 3, 284 7, 252
Highest total votes received by district candidates ..--. 2, 262 212 1,469 -------
Highest total votes received by an at-large candidate----- -------- ------------------------ -2, 257

Of the number of persons registered, 74.3 percent voted.
An important step in the development of the records of the Govern-
ment of the Virgin Islands has been the publication of the Virgin
Island Reports. This publication will present an accurate and com-
plete picture of the law of the Virgin Islands as interpreted and con-
strued by the courts. Volumes 1 and 2 have already been issued and
include all reported cases up to the year 1953.
Emergency Housing
An appropriation of $25,000 was made for a pilot project to chart a
program to meet the serious emergent needs for housing pending the
development of adequate and permanent low-cost housing. By the end
of the fiscal year, the order for the first model building was placed and
construction was underway. This model building contains eight
rooms, with kitchen alcoves, and four bathrooms.
Division of Personnel
The number of positions in the classified and unclassified service on
June 30, 1959, was 1,822 as compared with 1,699 on June 30, 1958.
This is an increase of 123 new positions. Consistently, every fiscal

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + I

year sees a new increase in the number of positions in the government
service. This trend must be evaluated in the coming year to determine
actual need.
To improve the quality of service of the staff in examinations and
certifications, arrangements were made for an authority in the field of
tests and measurements to conduct a comprehensive training course in
statistics, tests, and measurements. It was a stimulating course and
the results should be effective.
The following comparative statistics indicate the activities in ex-
amination and certification:

Activity Fiscal Fiscal
year 1958 year 1959
Personnel requisitions processed ...----------- ---------------------------------. 101 106
Number persons employed-permanent and temporary ------------------------- 410 407
Number applications received ------- -- ------------------------------------ 569 592
Number separations-permanent positions ----------------------------------- 161 204
Number examinations administered --- ---------------------------------- 124 163
Number persons on eligible lists....--------- -------------------------------- 1,043 1,391

Two major amendments were made to the insular pay plan. One
established a special pay schedule for professional and semiprofes-
sional workers in the Department of Social Welfare, and the other
provided a new supplement for supervisory duties of teachers and
other professional employees of the Department of Education.
Two appeals were heard by the Government Employees Service
Commission. In one case the appeal was upheld by the commission,
but denied by the Governor. A subsequent appeal was made to the
district court. The court upheld the appeal and directed that the
employee be reinstated. The second appeal was later withdrawn.
A new retirement law was passed by the legislature to supersede
the two former municipal retirement laws. Professional and tech-
nical assistance in preparing the law was provided by the Public
Administration Service in Chicago.

Division of Real Property Assessment and Recording
Assessments of values of real property for the calendar year 1958
totaled $28,045,665.62, an increase of $214,616.82 over last year. The
total estimated revenue to be derived will amount to $350,573.05 as
against $347,889.49 in the preceding year. The following table shows
assessments and taxes by districts:

District Assessments Taxes

St. Thomas -----------.....----------------- $15,053,900.00 $188,174.81
St. John ..----.....----------------- --------- --------.. 662.700.00 8,284.93
Christiansted --------------------------------- -------- 7, 243, 594.40 90, 544.92
Frederiksted.... ---------------------------------- 3, 765, 744. 80 47,071. 81
Vicorp .......------------------------------------------------------- 1,319, 726. 42 16, 496. 58
Total --..------------------- 28,045, 665. 62 350, 573.05

8 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

A significant event in assessments in the Virgin Islands occurred
during the year with the publication of a survey of Real Property
Assessment Administration by a firm of management consultants.
This survey examined critically the present system of assessment ad-
ministration and recommended specific action for improvement. By
the end of the year, a contract was made with these management con-
sultants to install a modern tax assessment system. This project
should require approximately 18 months.
The number of documents submitted to the Tax Division for record-
ing continues to increase. A total of 3,136 documents were received
compared with 2,431 during the preceding year. There were 16 tax
appeals during the year, 13 from St. Thomas and 3 from St. Croix.
The Board of Tax Review held hearings on all of these and upheld
the action of the tax assessor on 13 cases, reduced 2 cases and increased
1 case.
Industrial Incentive Program
The industrial incentive program continued to attract new busi-
ness to the islands. During the year this program provided steady
employment and training in various fields and services to more than
2,000 persons, as well as temporary employment for approximately
300 persons in hotel and other construction.
The islands were deeply concerned by bills introduced in the U.S.
Congress aimed at limiting severely the operations of the industrial
incentive program. To meet the most serious objections to the pro-
gram, speedy action was taken by the legislature and the Governor
to eliminate from the local law the portion granting tax exemption
on securities transactions.
Representations were made by the Virgin Islands Government as
well as the local chambers of commerce and other organizations to
postpone final action on any legislation designed to further limit the
industrial incentive program. It would be a serious blow to the eco-
nomy of the islands to disrupt the program of economic development
before the new industries already attracted to the islands shall have
taken firm root and until the potential of economic development shall
have been more fully realized.
The following tables give information on this program:

Subsidies on industrial incentive program, 1958

Type of subsidy 1954 1955 1956 1957 Estimated
1958
75 percent of Federal income tax..._--- $137, 716 $107,011 $113, 740 $162, 215 $200,000
Local taxes (including custom dues)....... 72,617. 80,935 138,088 139,047 187,000
Total..._. .....__. ...-------------. 210,333 187,946 251,828 301,262 387,000

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 9

Employment and earnings in the industrial incentive program

Type of industry Number of Number of Wages earned
enterprises employees

Hotels and guesthouses -------------------------------- 18 1, 557 $1,582,954.28
Manufacturing industries .------------------- 24 474 434, 501.72
Total... -...----...------------ ------------ 42 2,031 2,017.456.00

Department of Agriculture and Labor

Experiment Station, St. Thomas
The Dorothea Agricultural Experiment Station, located on the
northern slope of the island of St. Thomas, consists of some 43 acres
of land. Of this acreage, approximately 18 acres are utilized for
vegetable growing by four farmers who rent various size plots for
that purpose.
This station rendered services to and provided necessary facilities
for the farmers in the growing of quality vegetables, trial of new
crops, soil analysis and fertility, insect and fungus disease control,
and other technical information. A plant house is maintained from
which over 3,000 plants were sold. The station also maintained stocks
of vegetable seeds, insecticides, fertilizers, and decorative plants for
sale to farmers.
Rainfall recorded at the station for the year was 39.15 inches as
compared with 51.90 inches during the previous fiscal year.
St. Croix Agricultural Program
On the island of St. Croix, a demonstration farm, consisting of
7 acres, is in operation at Estate Anna's Hope, displaying the best
principles and practices for crops fitted to the soil, climate, economy,
and nutritional needs and taste. Five and three-eighths acres were
planted in a variety of vegetables and fruit crops.
From this demonstration, the Department of Agriculture and Labor
made available to farmers several thousand vegetable seedlings. All
surplusage grown on the farm was distributed to government institu-
tions on St. Croix, including the school lunch programs, the hospitals,
and the home for the aged.
This demonstration farm is being maintained because of the desire
of farmers and residents of rural areas for a program designed to
meet their needs in developing productive farming programs. It is
intended to make available the necessary facilities and to render the
type of service required in connection with the production of foods to
serve the people of the Virgin Islands.

10 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Division of Labor
Vorkmen's Compensation Administration.-During the year under
review the compensation officers received a total of 426 injury reports,
of which 380 were disposed of involving medical costs or compensa-
tion for disability. These cases resulted in the issuance of 609 orders
awarding a total of $49,502.62.
A breakdown of the total money value awarded shows:
Temporary total disability _________________________________----_ $24, 427. 89
Permanent partial disability --------------------------------___ 7, 292, 95
Medical attendance and hospitalization ____________-------_____ 10, 381. 78
Professional and clerical services ------------------------------_ 5, 375. 00

Total ---...-----_-__----------________-____________ 47, 477. 62
No cases were appealed to the Government Employees Service Com-
mission. No cases of death or permanent total disability were re-
ported. Despite constantly increasing construction, injuries sustained
have been of a relatively minor nature, speaking well for the safety
measures being employed in industry. Total collections of insurance
premiums for the year amounted to $112,530.89.
Fair Labor Standards Act.-As a result of complaints received of
violations of the local fair labor standards act, a total of $2,277.85 was
collected on behalf of various employees representing back wages and
overtime compensation. The majority of these cases were settled
speedily by visits of the wage officers to the employer's place of busi-
ness. None of the cases required settlement in court.
An ever-increasing problem, especially in St. Thomas, has been that
of the alien worker entering the Virgin Islands through the job clear-
ance system of the Virgin Islands Employment Service. Employers
have not been obeying the regulations of the Employment Service with
respect to wages fixed by that agency on the basis of prevailing wages.
It has been found that while the rate being paid by employers to
temporary alien workers was not below the minimum rate stipulated
in local laws, these wages, nevertheless, were not paid in accordance
with the rates provided by the clearance orders.
Office of Veterans' Affairs.-The activities of the Office of Veterans'
Affairs were wide and varied, and represented a total of 2,591 contacts
with veterans, their dependents, and other beneficiaries. These con-
tacts covered educational matters, loans for homes and businesses,
medical and dental care, compensation, pension benefits, death bene-
fits, employment problems, and miscellaneous problems. Excellent
cooperation was received from the Veterans' Administration Center
in Puerto Rico.
Finances.-Total obligations of the Department of Agriculture and
Labor amounted to $65,180.73.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 11

Department of Education

Many forward steps were made during the year. Three new build-
ings were put into service; two in St. Croix, the Claude 0. Markoe
School in Frederiksted, and the Charles H. Emanuel School at Kings-
hill; and one in St. Thomas, the Jane E. Tuitt School. In addition,
four buildings in St. Thomas received extensive remodeling, repairs,
and additions. These were the George Washington School, the Abra-
ham Lincoln School, the Commandant Gade School, and the Nisky
School. New rooms were added at the George Washington School.
An increased number of teachers have returned from colleges and uni-
versities in the United States where they were granted bachelor's and
master's degrees.
The tables which follow reveal the growth and expansion of the
educational program of the Virgin Islands. It is to be noted, how-
ever, that the increasing attendance in all grade levels in the public
schools creates the same problems in the Virgin Islands that are being
experienced elsewhere. Two most serious problems still to be faced
are the lack of teachers needed to reduce the student-teacher ratio in
classes in the elementary schools and the need for more adequate mod-
ern elementary school buildings in Charlotte Amalie.
Elementary Schools
The outstanding event for the elementary schools was the opening
of the three new elementary buildings previously mentioned. The
Department of Education now operates 10 elementary schools in St.
Thomas, 4 in St. John, and 5 in St. Croix. In addition to these 19
elementary schools, the department provides two teachers for an
ungraded school at the Insular Training School at Anna's Hope,
St. Croix.
Kindergartens operate in several of the elementary schools. There
are four kindergartens in St. Thomas; one in St. John; and two in
St. Croix.
Many of the teachers in the elementary division availed themselves
of opportunities for self-improvement. The Hampton Institute on-
island program offered summer school courses at Charlotte Amalie
High School during the summer of 1958.
Total elementary and kindergarten enrollment in public schools
was 4,490 at the close of the school year. Parochial and private schools
accommodated 2,032 pupils.
Secondary Schools
The two high schools, Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas
and the Christiansted High School in St. Croix, continued operation

12 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

in their same buildings. These buildings are already becoming too
small for the number of students desiring secondary education. Cur-
riculum and grading systems have been improved during the past
year.
Frederiksted Junior High School moved into the new Claude O.
Markoe building, where it will operate more efficiently. The voca-
tional offerings were more adequate than in the past.
The Virgin Islands Board of Education has continued to insist on
teachers with at least bachelor degrees in the high schools, and there-
fore there has been marked improvement in the quality of teaching.
Total enrollment for public secondary schools was 1,976 when
schools closed. Private and parochial school enrollment was 323.
Vocational Services
The availability of additional funds has made it possible to improve
the quality of the vocational education offered in the high schools
and to assure the instructors of adequate supplies and equipment for
such training. An instructor in electricity was added to the Charlotte
Amalie High School faculty, thus closing a serious gap. Carpentry,
electricity, plumbing, and auto mechanic courses were implemented
in both high schools. Commercial sewing was taught in Charlotte
Amalie High School, and vocational agriculture in the Christiansted
High and Frederiksted Junior High Schools. Students in these
classes include regular school students and a number of veterans. The
vocational students in Charlotte Amalie built the kindergarten room
at the Madison Rural School in St. Thomas.
The vocational rehabilitation program has been moving forward
steadily. A counselor was appointed for St. Croix so that all three
islands are now well served. Workshops were held in St. Croix and
St. Thomas. The caseload has steadily increased and there have been
some dramatic examples of rehabilitation of individuals through this
service.
Libraries and Museums
Continued growth has characterized the libraries and museums dur-
ing the year. The principal item which must be noted is the further
improvement of library services in the rural areas.
Under the national rural library extension program, a bookmobile
was put into operation in St. Croix visiting the villages in the rural
areas on a regular biweekly schedule.
With the assistance of some of the vocational students, the court-
room in Cruz Bay, St. John, was fitted for additional use as a library.
A librarian has been employed on a half-day schedule to serve the
reading public of St. John.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 13

Recreation
Two special appropriations by the legislature, one for baseball clin-
ics and the other for resurfacing the basketball court at Long Bay on
St. Thomas, were made. With the sum of $8,000 appropriated for
baseball clinics, it was possible to bring to the islands a number of out-
standing figures in the baseball world to interest young people in that
sport.
Before the close of the year, plans were being developed for reor-
ganization of the recreation activities by the addition of supervisors
of recreation for St. Croix and St. Thomas. Full schedules of sports
activities are being arranged including basketball, softball, baseball,
and volleyball.
Auxiliary Services
The difficulty of maintaining pupil transportation by the dilapi-
dated government-owned buses was ended. Under a special appro-
priation, the department entered into schoolbus contracts with
private bus operators. By this means the department now attempts
to transport all students who live more than 2 miles from the school
which they are attending.
The school lunch program was expanded by the addition of an as-
sistant manager for St. Croix, and by the rebuilding of the kitchens
in four schools in St. Thomas. The modern, efficient kitchens in the
new schools have led to greatly improved lunch service.
Miscellaneous
During the fiscal year 1959 State plans were developed and for-
warded to Washington, as required under the provisions of the Na-
tional Defense Education Act. This will enable the Virgin Islands to
participate in four titles of that law; namely, improvement of in-
struction in mathematics, science, and modern foreign languages; im-
provement of guidance services; area vocational programs; and im-
provement of statistical services.
The Department of Education also, for the first time, made an at-
tempt to participate in the provisions of Public Laws 874 and 815
which provide grants in aid for schools in federally affected areas. A
preliminary report was forwarded to Washington in connection with
application for these grants.
Detailed information regarding enrollment, attendance, teaching
staff, receipts and expenditures is provided in the following statistical
summaries:

538322 0-60---3

14 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Teachers employed in public schools, Virgin Islands
Year: Total
1954-55 -------------------------------------------- ---- 184
1955-56 ---------------------------------------- --------215
1956-57 --------------------------------------- 207
1957-58 -------------------- --------------------------- 214
1958-59 ---------- ---- ------------------------------ 228

Expenditures by years (1954-59, inclusive), Virgin Islands
Year: Total
1954-55 -------------------------------------- ----- $862, 759.16
1955-56 ------------------------------------ ---- 1,180, 397. 94
1956-57 ------------------------------------------ 1,107, 254.32
1957-58 ----------------------------------------1, 286, 009. 36
1958-59 ------------------ ------------------- --1, 540, 727. 21

Average cost per pupil (1954-59, inclusive), Virgin Islands
Year: Total
1954-55 ---------------------------------------- ----- $117. 86
1955-56 ---------------------------------------- 141.00
1956-57 --------------------------------------- ---- 137.30
1957-58 ------------------------------------------------- 151.84
1958-59 ------------------------------------ 216. 97

Average monthly salaries of teachers according to certification and assignment,
Virgin Island, 1958-59

Certification and assignment: salary per month
Master's degree ---------------------$423.10
College 4-year ------------------------------ 327. 99
College 3-year------------- ---------- 285.75
College 2-year ----- ----------------------- 237. 21
College 1-year---------------------------- 191.40
Senior high school graduate-------------------------------- 171. 92
Special service----------------------------------------------- 263.55
Special class A _--------- --------------------- 358. 61
2d-class teachers------------------------------------- 170.00
Elementary and kindergarten teachers ------------- 249.13
High school teachers----------------------_--- ------- 335.05
Supervisors ---_ ---------- ----------- 470.00
Average salary per teacher ---- ------------------- 292.84

Average salary per teacher by years, Virgin Islands
Year: Dollars per month
1954-55 -----------------------------------_ $189. 47
1955-56 ----------------------------------- 235.11
1956-57 ----------------------------------- 256.29
1957-58 ----------------------------------------- ----- 263.98
1958-59 _____________--------------------------------- 292. 84
1 This figure represents the current expenditure per pupil in average daily attendance
during the school year and includes the net expenditure for school lunch program opera-
tion. Average cost per pupil for previous years was based on total enrollment and school
lunch expenditures were excluded.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 15

Miscellaneous data

1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59

Number of schools:
Public (including kindergartens) -...- 31 28 28 28 29
Parochial. ------ 8 8 7 8 10
Private--- ----- 5 5 5 5 4
Total-- ----------------- 44 41 40 41 43
School enrollment:
Public ---------... ---- 5, 639 5, 886 6,192 6,391 6,466
Parochial .. -------- 1,897 1,979 2, 032 2,077 2,185
Private---------------------------- 310 339 380 228 170
Total_. .----- 7, 846 8,204 8,604 8,696 8,821
Public school enrollment:
Kindergartens --- 325 338 324 312 392
Grades 1 through 6. 3,846 3,867 4,022 4,122 4,098
Grades 7 through 12. ------- 1,468 1,681 1,846 1,957 1,976
Total --------------_......-...-- 5,639 5,886 6, 192 6,391 6,466

1958-59 public school attendance and membership

Average daily attendance------------------- -------------
Average daily membership---------------------------------
Average pupils per classroom teacher:
Rural elementary-- -------------------------------
Urban elementary ----- --------------------
High school------------------------------- ---------

Average salary of teachers in public schools:
Elementary ----------------------------------------
High school (academic)-------------------------------

Teacher training (exclusive of vocational):
College graduates------------------------------- ---
Normal school (2 years or more)----- -----------
Less than 2 years college -------------------------
Other ------------------------------------------------

Total -------------------------------------- --

6, 072
6, 539

32
42
25

$2,925.10
4, 019. 56

114
55
42
17

228

Source of funds:
General fund ------------------------- $1, 432,290. 80
Matching single "i" fund------------- ------------- 667.48
Federal contributions to-
School lunch --.-------------- 38, 516. 00
Vocational education --- --------------40, 000. 00
Vocational rehabilitation -- ---------------- 18, 871.00
Rural libraries extension --- ----------------- 10, 782. 00
National defense education-------------------- 3, 222. 66

Total funds available---------------------------- 1, 544, 349. 94

16 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Total obligations and expenditures:
General fund------------------------------------ $1, 428, 860. 50
Matching single "i" fund ------------------------- 475. 36
Federal funds ---------- ----------------- 111, 391.26
Total ---------------------------------------- 1, 540, 727.21

Expenditures per pupil exclusive of adult education and com-
munity services ---------------- ----------- $216.97
Average daily participation in school lunch program 1958-59--- 4, 862
Total number of meals served ------------------------ -- 836, 129
NOTE.-No figures are available on the value of school lunch commodities donated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture; therefore, the cost per pupil participating in school lunch
could not be stated this year.

Department of Finance

Revenues and receipts collected during the fiscal year were the high-
est in the history of the territory, and represent nearly a 100-percent
increase in revenue return over a 4-year period.
As of June 30, 1959, the assets of the Government of the Virgin
Islands amounted to $21,698,468.70; its liabilities, $1,704,433.30; and
its net worth, $19,994,035.40.
As of June 30, 1959, the balance of cash on hand in the treasury of
the Government of the Virgin Islands amounted to $6,959,718.59.
The General Fund
At the close of the fiscal year the general fund, the principal operat-
ing fund of the Government, showed a surplus of $862,802.05 over
known obligations outstanding of $403,250.22. This is the third con-
secutive fiscal year that there has-been sufficient money in the general
fund to finance the operations of the government at the beginning of a
fiscal year without recourse to deficit financing.
Cash balance in the Federal appropriation matching single "i"
fund, 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 in govern-
ment during the fiscal years 1957 and 1958 was not only maintained,
but was again surpassed in fiscal year 1959.
During the fiscal year, general fund revenues collected amounted
to $5,224,577.84, an increase of $1,063,188.59, or 25.5 percent over
similar collections in fiscal year 1958.
Principal sources of revenues and receipts were (a) taxes, (b) cus-
toms duties, (c) income from government operations and services,

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 17

and (d) the Federal Government's matching fund contributions.
Taxes amounting to $4,640,715.82 constituted 88.8 percent of the
revenues that accrued to the general fund of the treasury of the Virgin
Islands. Of these taxes, the income tax accounted for $3,054,223.06,
or 65.8 percent of all taxes collected; taxes on business, either direct
or indirect, accounted for $988,183.14, or 21.2 percent; customs duties,
$284,000, or 6.1 percent; real property taxes, $276,349.18, or 5.9 per-
cent; inheritance taxes, $37,960.44, or 0.08 percent. Revenues from
government services or operations amounted to $284,410.79, or 5.4 per-
cent of all revenues.
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 road
fund amounted to $166,133.70, an increase of $10,861.82, or 6.9 percent,
over that of fiscal year 1958. Of this amount, $157,137.70 represented
collections from taxes on the sale of gasoline, and $8,996.00 from the
collection of fines imposed for violation of traffic laws.
Federal Matching Funds
Contributions by the Federal Government of matching funds for
the fiscal year, based on fiscal year 1958 net revenues as certified by
the Government Comptroller of the Virgin Islands, amounted to
$3,872,865.16, an increase of $493,731.95, or 24.6 percent, over match-
ing funds received during the previous fiscal year.
Revenues collected during fiscal year 1959, on which the net revenues
as certified by the Comptroller are based amounted to $5,108,283.32.
Of this amount, $4,940,167.05 represents revenues applicable to the
general fund, $166,008.70 represents collections of revenues applicable
to the road fund, and $2,107.57 represents collections of revenues from
the law library and game and wildlife funds.
Federal Contributions
During the fiscal year, the Federal Government's contributions to
grant-in-aid programs and other programs amounted to $730,510.25,
an increase of $73,935.19, or 11.2 percent over the previous fiscal year.
Government Expenditures
All obligations incurred and expenditures made by the various de-
partments, agencies, and activities of the government during the fiscal
year 1959 were within the limits authorized and allotted, and no over-

18 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

obligations or overexpenditures of funds were made by any depart-
ment, agency, or activity of the government.
Of the total amount of $7,896,602.05 expended by the government,
$5,090,779.05 was expended from the general fund; $2,340,024.33 from
the Federal appropriation single "i" matching fund; and $465,798.67
from the Federal appropriation essential public projects double "i"
fund.
Of the total amount of $7,896,602.05 expended, $6,849,037.03, or 87
percent, was spent for operating expenses, and $1,047,565.02, or 13 per-
cent, for general expenses. Of the $6,849,037.03 operating expenses,
$1,479,446.45, or 21.6 percent, was expended for health services;
$1,386,648.33, or 20 percent, for education; $1,342,781.04, or 19.6 per-
cent, for public works; $449,741.29, or 6.5 percent, for public safety;
$442,656.39, or 6.4 percent, for welfare services; $113,220.39, or 1.6
percent, for legislature; $157,569.73, or 2.3 percent, for tourism and
trade; $126,823.89, or 1.8 percent, for the office of the Comptroller cr
the Virgin Islands; $884,350.85, or 13.4 percent, for other administer
tive and executive agencies of the government; and $465,798.67, or
6.8 percent, for essential public works projects.
Expenditures from the special and nonbudgetary funds of the gov-
ernment during the fiscal year 1959 amounted to $2,777,165.19. Dis-
bursements from the payroll and special deposit funds during the fiscal
year 1959 amounted to $6,110,460.02.
On June 30, 1959, there were unliquidated obligations outstanding
(obligations incurred during the fiscal year 1959 to be liquidated dur-
ing fiscal year 1960) totaling $984,274.47 and distributed as follows:
General Fund _--__-- __------------------- --------- $403, 250. 22
Federal appropriation matching single "i" fund ---------------- 139, 729. 82
Federal appropriation double "i" essential projects fund ------- 369, 757. 89
Special fund ---------------------------------------- 66, 224. 88
Enterprise and revolving fund ----------------------------- 5, 311. 66

Total---------------------------------------- 984, 274.47
Department's Operations, Programs, and Policies
Improvement and progress continued in the functioning of the
department during fiscal year 1959. The Internal Audit Section estab-
lished in the latter part of fiscal year 1958 is now on a functional basis.
Most of the year has had to be devoted to the orientation and training
of its personnel. Because of this fact, and also the high rate of turn-
over and replacement in its personnel during the year, its audit func-
tions were necessarily restricted. Though limited in its functions,
however, its activities proved the necessity and desirability of such a
section within the department and justified its establishment. If the
problem of personnel turnover can be resolved, thereby avoiding the

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 19

necessity for continuous reorientation and retraining of new person-
nel, its program for fiscal year 1960 should contribute considerably to
the overall improvement and efficiency of the accounting functions of
the government.
There has been continued improvement in the accounting system of
the government. In the Accounting Division, all general ledgers
and appropriation and fund accounts are maintained on a reasonably
current basis, and information is now available for assuring full in-
formation on the results of the financial activities of the government.
In the Treasury Division all payrolls are paid on the dates pro-
vided for by statute, and all general disbursements on a schedule that
assures prompt payment of all claims and vouchers against the gov-
ernment. As the figures on revenue returns show, there has also been
improvement in the Tax Division's program of enforcement and col-
lection of income and general taxes.
Special attention has been given to deficiencies reported in audit
reports of both the Comptroller of the Virgin Islands and the Comp-
troller General of the United States. Insofar as is possible, they have
been corrected and the recommendations made therein carried out.
Cardpunching accounting equipment was received and installed
during the latter part of the fiscal year, and an intensive program of
training given the personnel of the department assigned to its opera-
tion. Operation of this equipment on a "trial run" basis has proven
satisfactory and it will be placed in full-scale operation on selected
accounting and financial functions beginning July 1, 1959, and its use
progressively expanded until all accounting and financial functions of
the department are on a mechanized basis.
During the fiscal year 1960 studies will be made to determine the
desirability and feasibility of revising the present accounting system
to provide for mechanization of all accounting functions of the gov-
ernment.

Department of Health

The Department of Health, which was reorganized during the pre-
ceding fiscal year, has had a year in which to have its effectiveness
evaluated. There seems to be no doubt that there has been some im-
provement in the establishment of a well-integrated program with
better defined lines of authority. It is equally apparent that some
additional changes are necessary. No change has been made, nor
should be made, in the most desirable condition, that whereby the Vir-
gin Islands Department of Health is the only health department
where there is true integration of medical care, hospital services, and

0

Comparative statement of revenues, fiscal years 1952-59 +

General fund

1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

Source of revenue
Taxes:
Real property taxes-....------..------. $167,796.00 $206,424.00 $211,300.00 $230,611.00 $218,210.47 $268,632.28 $278,587.49 $276,349.18
Income taxes------.........-...-.......----------- 645, 454.00 720,314.00 915,045.00 1,059, 632.00 1, 549, 309. 68 1,863,494.09 2, 239,414. 96 3,054, 223.06
Inheritance taxes..--.-------.--....-- 10,115.00 8,324.00 6,268.00 15,935.00 3, 721.26 13,489.47 13,304.82 37,960. 44
Stamp taxes .---- ---------- 17,690.00 18, 168.00 25, 603.00 44,017.00 4, 521.25 35, 718.60 50,498. 17 97, 151. 92
Trade, excise, and gross receipts taxes-- 348, 694.00 549,611.00 659,558.00 585,308.00 393, 686.64 669, 292.82 719, 961.74 886, 513. 22
Transportation taxes..-----...-- -----. 19,145.00 23,155.00 22,962.00 20,467.00 12,552.24 268.00 -------
Customs duties ...---------.--- 25, 526.00 53, 460.00 65, 756.00 89,928.00 151,100.00 222,000.00 295,000.00 284,000.00
Licenses, fees, and permits -----------. 47,611.00 49,636.00 56, 692.00 66,955.00 43, 533.88 102, 590. 54 260,227.93 269,747.30
Automobile license fees ..-----.. --.-- 43,086.00 52, 749.00 58, 504.00 66,921.00 65, 630. 66 87, 599. 77 (1) ..............
Amusement taxes--..----------------.- 4,044.00 5,230.00 4,225.00 2,826.00 1,428.11 7,123.71 (2)
Gasoline taxes------.............------ 62,870.00 80,900.00 95,236.00 107,771.00 110,299.66 152,716.69 (3)
Corporation franchise tax..--- -- ---- -------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------ 4, 518.00
Fines, forfeits, and penalties.......---- ................--.........-------... ----- -- ---..-----.-- -....------ --------------- 15, 264.12 29,155.49
Interest on government funds.......------ ... .----------......... -------- ---- ------- --------------- ----------- --- 356.94 548.44
Total taxes.-----. ---------------- 1,392,031.00 1,767,971.00 2,121,149.00 2,290,371.00 2,553,993.85 3,422,925.97 3,872,616.17 4,940,167.05
Other revenues:
Court costs, fees, and charges...------- 30,838.00 37,014.00 33,320.00 29, 204.00 38, 932. 33 18, 299. 62 10, 533. 69 10, 403. 50
Wharfage and ship fees.....----------- 36,209.00 27, 595.00 37, 565.00 36,910.00 26,713.00 31,358.50 31,857.75 32, 155.00
Medical service fees..--------------- 19,242.00 24,258.00 53, 707.00 68,334.00 80,245.62 66,932.69 70,740. 85 72,154.34
Sanitary service fees-..-- ---.-------.. 5,282.00 5, 961.00 5,427.00 6,436.00 16,097.05 20,257.89 30,150.88 27,855.02
Water supply system ----- ------- -- --- ----- -----------.. -- 69, 736.18 97,897. 39 91,818. 90
Miscellaneous receipts..-------------.. 49,963.00 58, 599.00 103, 482. 00 348, 873. 00 195, 793. 23 55, 573.61 47, 592. 54 50,024.03
Total other revenues ...... .--------. 141,534.00 153, 427.00 233, 501.00 489, 757.00 357, 781.23 262,158. 49 288, 773.10 284, 410. 79
Grand total other revenues-------.. 1, 533,565.00 1,921,398.00 2,354, 650.00 2,780,128.00 2,911,775.08 3, 685, 084. 46 4,161,389. 27 5, 224, 577.84

I In licenses.
2 In trade taxes.
a In road fund.

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0

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0
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0

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z

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 21

public health services. This set-up, one for which the department has
long been commended by the various investigators and survey teams
in both the medical care program and the public health services,
serves, in addition, to attract many inquiries as to how it works since,
where size permits, it is conceded to be the most desirable organiza-
tional pattern.
A comprehensive study of the reconnaissance management survey
which was conducted by a team of experts from the central office of
the U.S. Public Health Service, and the recommendations of which
have been partially applied, has also had the benefit of a long back-
ward look. The recommendations, basically sound, have shown a need
for refinement in some areas, especially those of maternal-child health.
It is the hope and desire that the changes and reassignments al-
ready effected, and to be made in the future, will serve to relieve the
Office of the Commissioner of Health of the direct day-to-day respon-
sibility on the immediate level of the supervision of the functions of
various units. When these units become sufficiently self-containing,
the Office of the Commissioner will then be able to devote itself to
the long-range planning which is necessary.
Bureau of Vital Records and Statistical Services
The calender year 1958 brought a record number of live births in the
Virgin Islands. There were 1,130 births recorded, a marked increase
over 1957 when there were 1,080 live births. The birth rate was 36.1
per 1,000 estimated population. In St. Croix there were 491 live births
with a rate of 35.0 per 1,000, also a record for that island, the previous
high being 485 in 1957. In St. John there were 22 live births with a
rate of 26.2. In St. Thomas there were 617 live births with a rate of
37.6. In St. Croix, 87.1 percent of all live births occurred in hospitals.
In St. John, 77.3 percent, and in St. Thomas, 99.0 percent.
There were 342 deaths in 1958 and a death rate of 10.9 per 1,000
estimated population-a slight increase over 1957 when there were
236 deaths and a death rate of 10.7. In St. Croix there were 182 deaths
with a rate of 13.0, a slight decrease from 1957 when there were 198
deaths with a death rate of 14.4. In St. Thomas there were 151 deaths
with a death rate of 9.2. This is a substantial increase over 1957 when
there were the lowest mortality figures on record-125 deaths and a
death rate of 7.8 per 1,000 population. There was also an increase in
the death rate in St. John where there were nine deaths with a rate
of 10.7, as compared to three deaths with a rate of 3.6 in 1957.
The age distribution and- leading causes of death follow. There
was a very slight increase in deaths under 45, as compared with the
encouraging decrease in 1957. In the age groups over 44, the figures
showed very little difference from those of 1957.

538322 0-60--4

22 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Age distribution

Number Percent of
all deaths

Under 1 year--..--------------------------- 51 14.9
1-4 years ------------------- 9 2. 6
5-14 years---------------------------------------------------- 7 2.1
15-24 years ------ -. ------------. .--------------.------------ 9 2.6
25-44 years ------ 27 7.9
45-64 years ... ------------- --------- 63 18.4
65-74 years ------ -- 72 21.0
75 years and over- ------ -- 102 29.8
Age unknown_ ..-------------------------------- .--------------...... 2 .6

Leading causes of death

Number Rate Percent of
all deaths

Diseases of the heart -- ------------------- 111 355. 2 32. 5
Certain diseases of early infancy---------------------------------- 32 102. 4 9, 4
Malignant neoplasms............................-------------..-.- 30 96.0 8.8
Diseases of central nervous systems. -_--------------------.----_. 27 86. 4 7.9
Accidents----..--------............... .-------------------- 25 80.0 7.3

There were 51 infant deaths,and an infant death rate of 45.1 per
1,000 live births. This was a slight decrease from 54 infant deaths
and an infant death rate of 52.0 in 1957, but far too high when com-
pared with the general U.S. rate of 26.9 in 1957. For St. Croix the
figures are 25 infant deaths at the rate of 50.9, a decrease from 32 in-
fant deaths and a rate of 66.0. The St. Thomas figures are 26 deaths
and a rate of 42.1, an increase over 1957 when there were 21 deaths
and a rate of 39.3. No infant deaths were reported for St. John.
The leading causes of infant deaths were:

Number Rate Percent of
Total

Prematurity....-------.. .-------------- ------ ---------------- 15 13. 3 29.4
Asphyxia and atelectasis ......_---------- ---- ---_- 10 8.8 19.6
Gastroenteritis and colitis-...................-- --------------- 10 8.8 19.6
Pneumonia (allforms)- -------------------------.... ...-- ---. .... 4 3.5 7.8
Accidents........--- .... _____ -----_....-------------------- 3 2.7 5.9

There were 41 fetal deaths in 1958 with a rate of 36.3 per 1,000
live births, a slight increase over 1957 when there were 39 fetal deaths
and a rate of 37.5. In St. Thomas there were 25 fetal deaths with a
rate of 40.5, while St. Croix accounted for 16 fetal deaths and a rate
of 32.6 per 1,000 live births.
There was an increase in marriages and divorces in 1958 in com-
parison with 1957. There were 330 marriages and 132 divorces in
1958, whereas in 1957 there were 278 marriages and 117 divorces. Of
marriages dissolved, 41.6 percent were performed in the islands.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 23

Population estimates as of July 1, 1958, are based upon natural in-
crease with allowance for migration. The estimated population used
by the Department of Health was 31,250; for St. Croix, 14,023; for
St. John, 839; for St. Thomas, 16,388.
Boards and Commissions
During the past year, the omnibus Board of Examiners for Medi-
cine and its Allied Professions was abolished. This board, long an
oddity in the realm of professional examination and licensure, was
broken into its component parts, and each part placed under the Office
of the Commissioner of Health. With the markedly increasing inter-
est being demonstrated toward the Virgin Islands by professional
people abroad, it became necessary to place the operation of these
boards on a firm, sound, and impartial footing.
Division of Hospitals and Medical Services
Considerable time and effort were given to careful planning for the
construction of additional medical facilities. Under consideration is
the construction of a 24-bed chronic disease wing to supplement the
60 beds at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas. Of
more pressing urgency, however, has been the need for creation of
additional outpatient facilities at the Charles Harwood Memorial
Hospital on St. Croix. Plans are almost completed for the construc-
tion of an outpatient public health clinic located on the grounds of
the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital in Christiansted which is
expected to provide adequate office space for physicians and nurses,
adequate examination rooms, improved laboratory facilities, as well
as remove the overcrowding now present in the lobby of the main
hospital.
In process of formulation is a long-range plan to provide continual
use of Hill-Burton Federal grant funds as they become available.
The growth of the permanent population, particularly in the old-age
group, during the past 10 years has demonstrated clearly that any
planning not taking into account the growth which the islands are
now undergoing and which is expected to continue, would be short-
sighted and will serve an extremely short period of usefulness.
Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital
The physical plant of the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital was
undergoing considerable renovation from routine maintenance and
repair funds as the year drew to a close. A crash program designed
to make such repairs as are most urgently needed was commenced. The
concept of continuous maintenance, rather than periodic complete re-
habilitation, was firmly established.

1

24 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

One meeting was held of the governing board of the hospital. This
was an exploratory meeting. In principle, it is most desirable since
it brings together key men in the department with representative and
influential individuals in the community, and provides a type of
liaison with the public not otherwise obtainable.
The Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital applied for and was accepted
for membership in the American Hospital Association, a basic require-
ment for accreditation. Unfortunately, there were a great many
changes in the medical staff. With .the magnitude of these changes
there were and still are considerable difficulties in providing adequate
vacation time for the employees. Attempts are being made to get the
externship program on a sounder basis with more continuity. In ad-
dition, the concept of providing resident physicians to insure 24-hour,
7-day-a-week coverage, is receiving active attention.
Given top priority was the discontinuance of the untenable practice
of combining pediatrics and nursery under one staff, thus exposing
the newborn in the nursery to diseases present on the wards. Al-
though long a desirable goal, budgetary restrictions had prevented its
accomplishment. This problem, as in so many other areas, actuates
the difficulty of recruiting enough trained personnel.
The inservice educational program for nurses' aids has been proving
successful. The 60-hour comprehensive course outlined has been fol-
lowed and the aids promoted as soon as positions became available.
The medical staff also is cooperating in recognizing and making better
use of teaching opportunities between doctor and nurse.
The outpatient department, including all of the general and special
clinics, shows more than any other area the extent to which the islands
have outstripped the facilities available. The clinics are crowded-a
condition created both by inadequate examining space and examining
personnel. In addition to clinics now held, it is hoped within the
coming year to establish a cancer detection clinic.
The hospital continued to transfer to King's Hill Home for the
Aged, the Queen Louise Home, and the home care program, several
patients with chronic illnesses. Extension of the home care program,
plus construction of facilities near at hand so that the patients are
not removed from their friends, will have to be considered.
Considerable increase in the activities of the hospital pharmacy
occurred during the year, and there were marked improvements in
maintenance of controls and stock records.
The physical plant at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital has
reached a stage where, after 6 years, unless certain major considera-
tion is given immediately, untold expense might be incurred in at-
tempting to rehabilitate the building.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 25

There were several private donations to the hospital during the
year. Some donations were earmarked for the neuropsychiatric beds,
anesthesia machine, drugs and supplies, oxygen equipment for medi-
cal and surgical and pediatric units. In addition, one labor room was
completely equipped, including airconditioning by private donation.
Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital and Frederiksted Clinic
Most of the comments made concerning the Knud-Hansen Memorial
Hospital, as far as physical plant and overcrowding are concerned,
are equally true in relation to the Charles Harwood Memorial Hos-
pital, and to a lesser extent in regard to the Frederiksted Clinic, both
on St. Croix. The work of the outpatient clinic has probably more
then quadrupled over the past several years. Lobby space is over-
crowded. Bed space is at a premium.
A new, modern, and completely equipped ambulance for the Fred-
eriksted Clinic was obtained, replacing one more than 11 years old.
An ambulance for Christiansted to replace one that is more than 5
years old has been ordered. By combination of efforts of the Women's
Auxiliary and by contributions furnished by employees themselves,
most of the interior of the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital was
painted.
The same decision to create and maintain a separate nursery staff
that was made for the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital is also appli-
cable to the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital. It is anticipated,
however, that there will be difficulty encountered in filling all
positions.
The medical staff organization continued to operate. The extern
program mentioned in connection with the Knud-Hansen Memorial
Hospital is applicable also in St. Croix, and some attempts have been
made to staff the Frederiksted Clinic at various times with externs.
The home care program for St. Croix has been delayed due to lack of
transportation. However, this problem has now been solved and re-
cruitment for nurses and other personnel to staff the program is in
progress.
In the nursing staffing pattern it became quite obvious here, even
more than at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital, that many of the
positions budgeted, particularly those of practical nurses, could never
be filled. Since there is no pool of practical nurses, it became quite
clear that the only way to fill these positions would be to start a prac-
tical-nurse-training program. With the cooperation of the Depart-
ment of Education, at the year's end, satisfactory progress was being
made. It is hoped to have the first graduating class of practical
nurses at the end of September 1960.

26 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

King's Hill Home
During the last session of the legislature, authority was granted the
Governor to transfer the King's Hill Home from the Department of
Health to the Department of Social Welfare. For some time it has
been clear that some change should be made here. What is contem-
plated, however, is not merely administrative change, whereby another
department inherits the problems now carried by the Health Depart-
ment, but rather a total reassessment of the needs of the King's Hill
Home for the Aged together with a realistic approach of the role
which King's Hill Home must play in the community.
An additional factor to be considered is an indication of interest in
the Bureau of the Budget in Washington that all the mental patients
of the Virgin Islands, now at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington,
D.C., eventually be returned. This poses a problem as to what extent
the King's Hill Home will serve as a residence for persons who are
mentally unbalanced. The consideration given in the past to the re-
modeling of the home and the institution of new policies has limited
itself to the care of those patients not in actual need of intensive psy-
chiatric care but merely of nursing home care.

Hospital statistics-Virgin Islands

Charlotte Christian- Frederik- King'sHill
Amalie sted sted Home

Number of beds------------------------------------ 130 62 12 136
Number of bassinets-------------------------------.. 25 11 4 0
Average occupancy-----------------------------------.... 94 50 10 113
Peak occupancy.----------------------------------. 128 69 19 118
Minimum occupancy --------------------........... 92 31 1 108
Number of physicians--------------------------------- 13 7 2 (1)
Number of graduate nurses- ---------------I.---- ... 37 22 7 5
Number of student nurses----------------------------. 0 0 0 0
Total employees------.------------------------------. 206 128 36 27
Births in hospital ---.---------------------------- --.. 618 292 130 0
Births outof hospital ----------------------------..... 12 39 16 0
Deaths inhospital--------------------------...... ------ 113 74 29 38
Deaths out of hospital------------------------------- 54 37 9 0
Stillbirths------------------------------------------- 19 14 3 0
Admissions to hospital-------------------------....... 2,978 2,069 708 39
Sick days in hospital------------------------------ 39,564 21,556 3,983 40,719
Clinic visits --------------------- -----.----- 28, 372 19,366 9, 877 0
Major surgical cases----------------------------- 271 277 0 0
Minor surgical cases ------------------------------. 410 198 0 0
Number of blood transfusions..----...--------... ----. 294 100 29 0
X-ray examinations....------.-------------. 3,711 2,146 0 0
Chest X-rays (photoroentgen) ----------------- 946 55 0 0
Chest X-rays (large) ------------------------- 1,081 589 0 0
Laboratory tests ---------___---------------- 46,303 31,575 14,697 0

1 Part time.

Division of Public Health Nurse Services
Recognizing that one of the most effective ways to include nutrition
in the health program is through consultant services to professional
personnel responsible for other areas of the total program, emphasis
was placed on the aspect of nutrition. A total of 178 individual con-
ferences were held with professional personnel from the Department

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 27

of Health, Education, and Welfare. Direct service to patients re-
ferred from clinics by physicians and nurses was also provided.
Nutrition was included as part of the inservice training program
for nurses' aids. Among the most noteworthy services were those
provided to the diabetic control program. Dietary education confer-
ences were held with 66 individual diabetic cases.
Attempts were made in meetings of parents to have a wider
acceptance of the school lunch program.
Although there has been a steady increase in the dental services
rendered, the need exceeds and continues to outstrip the services
rendered. The Director of Health Services completed 1 year of
dental public health training at Columbia University School of
Public Health Administrative Medicine in New York City. Two
dental hygienists spent a year at Northwestern University in Illinois
and at Community College of Applied Arts and Sciences in New
York. A total of 4,274 schoolchildren and 846 adults were treated
in the dental clinics.
A school health program got underway during the month of April
and two laboratory technicians were recruited to work specifically
for this program. Because of the late start in the program, the num-
ber of children able to receive examinations was less than desirable.
Concise plans for the coming school year have been made.
Efforts are being made to rejuvenate the district clinics in St. Croix
and St. Thomas, and repairs have been commenced on the clinics on
the South Side in St. Thomas and at Grove Place in St. Croix. As is
true in the main hospitals, attendance at these district clinics is
increasing steadily.
Bureau of Environmental Sanitation
One of the big problems, sanitationwise, has been for a long time
the method of sewage disposal. There are four methods of sewage
disposed generally used: (1) sanitary sewers with final disposal by
sewer outfalls; (2) septic tanks discharging into drain fields or
seepage pits; (3) pit privies; and (4) the nightsoil removal system.
A sanitary survey of properties in the three towns in the Virgin
Islands reveals the following information:

No facill-
Total Percent pit Percent sur- Septic Connected ties or using
dwellings privies face privies tanks to sewer public
toilets

Charlotte Amalie ----- --- 2,143 12.0 39.4 4.0 41.5 3.1
Christiansted.-- ------ 762 12.4 55.6 8.3 25.4 3.0
Frederiksted----------------- 385 61.3 16.1 4.4 35.0 3.2

28 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

In Christiansted 4.7 percent and in Frederiksted 20 percent of
dwellings have pit privies or surface privies in addition to sewer
connections.
In Charlotte Amalie, 1,102 properties are still dependent on night-
soil removal service from pit and/or surface privies. Of these, 901
properties, or 81.8 percent, are exempted under the provisions of exist-
ing law from mandatory connection to waterborne sewer facilities.
These are properties valued at $1,000 or less and superficiary houses
(houses owned by persons who do not own the land on which the
houses are located). In Christiansted there are 516 properties de-
pendent on the nightsoil removal service, of which 238 properties
valued at $1,000 or less and superficiary houses are exempted by law
from connecting to the sewer system. In the town of Frederiksted,
298 properties are dependent on the nightsoil removal service of
which 123 are similarly exempted.
A distinct forward step toward the eventual elimination of the
nightsoil removal service was taken by legislation passed at the 1959
regular session of the Third Legislature which authorized the Gov-
ernor to issue proclamations declaring that all buildings within a
certain area of the town limits of the Virgin Islands shall be con-
nected to the public sewer system within 1 year. Unfortunately, the
legislature did not adopt a recommendation of the Governor that the
exemptions provided in existing law for superficiary houses and
properties valued at $1,000 or less should be removed.
Nevertheless this new act provides a progressive method whereby
over a period of 5 years it is hoped to curtail drastically the night-
soil removal service, if not eliminate it entirely. It is pertinent to
point out that the apparent intent of protecting the smaller property
owners by maintaining these exemptions under law actually operates
to the contrary. By maintaining these exemptions, the government is
contributing to the continuation of a substandard condition with a
sewage disposal system directly affecting the health of the people.
The bureau maintained a weekly check on the public water supply
on both islands. In St. Thomas, bacteriological quality and chlorine
residual is determined. The check in St. Croix is confined to the
chlorine residual. The water is of good quality and no coliform
bacteria have ever been isolated.
Another service rendered is the chlorination by the batch method
of cisterns of business places and government buildings serving 50 or
more people per day. Samples of water are taken regularly from
these cisterns for bacteriological analysis.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 29

Item: 1958 1959
Number of cisterns chlorinated-------------------- 2,236 1, 932
Number of water samples, bacteriological analysis---------- 1, 711 1,095
Number of samples, chemical analysis---------------- 187 127
Four dairy farms in St. Thomas were inspected monthly and a
sample of milk taken each time for analysis. The one pasteurization
plant was also inspected monthly and a sample of milk taken for
analysis. St. Croix made a great stride forward with the opening
of the islands dairies pasteurization plant.
Routine monthly inspections were made of 174 taverns, bars, res-
taurants, and hotels on St. Thomas, and 91 similar places in St. Croix.
Plans were made for the institution of a generalized Aedes aegypti
(yellow-fever-bearing mosquito) eradication program in St. Thomas.
By the end of the fiscal year, the legislature had passed the necessary
funds for this project, and plans are now underway to start the pro-
gram shortly after the beginning of the new year. It is planned to
extend the program to St. Croix next year.
Beaches and swimming areas are free of pollution. There is no dis-
charge of domestic sewage into such areas. The harbors of Charlotte
Amalie and Christiansted, however, are polluted. Construction will
begin during the fiscal year 1960 on an interceptor sewer and outfall
to take sewage from Christiansted across the reef into deep water.
This should remove all pollution by domestic and industrial sewage
from Christiansted Harbor.
A full-time sanitation inspector was stationed in St. John during
the year. Sanitary problems on that island are becoming more com-
plex as the population increases and more people visit the new na-
tional park.
Bureau of Laboratories
The increase in the services being rendered by the Bureau of Labora-
tories reflects both the increase and improvement in medical care, and
the continued emphasis on the aspects of preventive medicine. The
number of laboratory tests now capable of being performed in the lab-
oratories of the Virgin Islands approximate those of any class A hos-
pital in the United States. A total of 90,878 tests were performed in
the three laboratories during the year.
Bureau of Mental Health
The year marked the 10th anniversary of mental health services in
the Virgin Islands, the program having commenced in May 1949.
The growth since then has been rapid and spectacular. That the need
has outstripped even the rapid growth is apparent when the following

538322 0-60---5

30 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

statistics are taken into consideration-the Virgin Islands at the
present time has 138 patients at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washing-
ton, D.C. In addition, there is a census of between 18 and 20 at most
times on the neuro-psychiatric service of the Knud-Hansen Memorial
Hospital in St. Thomas.
From its inception, the mental health program in the Virgin Islands
has been closely affiliated with mental health activities at the Federal
level and elsewhere in the world. This culminated during the past
year in the staging in St. Thomas of the Second Caribbean Conference
on Mental Health, an extremely noteworthy accomplishment and one
which brought together top men in the field of mental health from all
over the world.
Division of Veterinary Medicine
In an effort to determine the amount of anaplasmosis prevalent in
the Virgin Islands, a survey made possible through the cooperation
of the Government of the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture was begun. Six thousand blood samples were taken from
selected herds in St. Croix and tested by the laboratories of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. When results showed that 62 percent
of the animals tested were positive, an agreement was executed be-
tween the Government of the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture for the survey, the Government of the Virgin
Islands furnishing personnel to collect blood samples and to ship
them to the anaplasmosis laboratory, and the Department of Agri-
culture furnishing personnel and material for testing and retesting.
The report of this survey indicated that there is a high incidence of
anaplasmosis in St. Croix. The probable vector is the cattle fever
tick. The complete eradication of the cattle fever tick would involve
the elimination of the deer which, previously tried, proved almost
impossible.
To initiate a modified tick eradication program, funds were made
available to purchase toxophine, a most effective insecticide dip which
has been found to be much more deadly against the cattle fever tick
than the arsenical compounds. Work was started in charging vats
in St. Croix with this new dip and all vats in St. Croix are expected to
be changed to this new chemical by the end of the year.
The hog cholera eradication program started in previous years has
not entirely eradicated the disease. However, steady progress has
been made which has been brought out by the fact that more pigs are
being raised now than ever before. A total of 2,250 pigs were vacci-
nated during the year.
This year marked the complete eradication of brucellosis from the
island of St. Croix. On June 30, 1959, the U.S. Department of Agri-

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 31

culture proclaimed the islands certified brucellosis free. This is the
first animal disease to be eradicated from the islands.
Under meat inspection activities a new inspector was sent to New
York for training in the principles and practices under the Meat In-
spection Branch of the Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S. Department
of Agriculture. He was given intensive training in hog, beef, sheep,
and calf inspection.
The Division of Veterinary Medicine assumed full responsibility
for the operation of the meat inspection program in St. Thomas. Live
animals brought in for slaughter are now given complete ante mortem

Statement of appropriations and/or allocations, Virgin Islands Department of
Health, fiscal period July 1, 1958-June 30, 1959

Percent- Percent-
age of age of
Appropria- appro- Obligated obliga- Matching
Source tions and/or priations and/or Balance tions requirements
allocations and/or expended and/or
alloca- expendi-
tions tures

General fund..----.--- $105,500.00 0.0548 $105,457.83 $42.17 0.056
Internal revenues-...... 1,450,000.00 .753 1,449,936.27 63.73 .775
MCH-A.---------..._. 61,305.00 .0318 61,299.31 5.69 .0326 $1 State for $1 Federal.
MCH-B -------...... 31,310.00 .0163 31,310.00 -...--.... .0167 None.
OC-A ---------....... 61,351.00 .0329 61,342.99 8.01 .0327 $1 State for $1 Federal.
CC-B---.---------. 25,462.00 .013 25,461.31 .69 .0135 None.
General health....... -- 7, 816. 56 .004 7,417. 59 398.97 .004 $1 State for $1 Federal.
Venereal disease..------ 17,361.21 .009 17,262.83 98.38 .009 Do.
Tuberculosis control-... 8,356.61 .004 8,019. 57 337.04 .004 Do.
Mental health .-------. 25,870.83 .0134 25, 610.37 260.46 .0136 $0.50 State for $1 Fed-
eral.
Heart disease control-... 2,621.41 .0013 2,164. 75 456.66 .0011 Do.
Cancer control ---... 971.25 .0005 906.41 64.84 .004 Do.
Private contributions 20, 693.94 .0107 6, 537.00 14,156. 94 .003
(T).
Private contributions 1,464.26 .0007 193.47 1,270.79 .0001
(C).
Water pollution--....... 4,935.38 .002 4,935.38 .......... .0026
Venereal disease, 5,000.00 .0025 4,996.90 3. 10 .003
matching.
Tuberculosis control, 8,300.00 .0043 7,981.13 318. 87 .004
matching.
Mental Health, match- 17, 000.00 .0088 16, 959.64 40. 36 .009
ing.
Heart disease control, 1,200.00 .0006 1,022. 50 177.50 .0005
matching.
Cancer control, match- 1,000.00 .0005 .------- ----1,000.00 .
ing.
MCH, matching...-... 7,562.00 .0039 7,507.40 54.60 .004
C, matching.......--- 25,418.00 .013 25,418.00 .---... .0135
Water pollution, match- 4,929.00 .003 3,209.08 1,719.08 .0017
ing.
Hospital construction--- 30,000.00 .016 ---------30,000.00 ---... -
Total-------- 1,925,428.45 100 1,874,949.73 50,477.88 100

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL COST
Gross operational cost -.. ..-------------------------------------... $1, 874, 949.73
Less assets:
Cash.---...............----------------------- $92,903.19
Accounts receivable--...-- --- $274, 105.23
Less amounts to be charged against programs, medically
indigents, and bad debts..--------------------------109,642.00
164,463.23
237,366.42
Net operational costs ------------------------- ----------------....................1,637,683.31
Per capital gross ---- -------------------------------------------- 60.00
Per capital net.........---- ----.....-------------------- .__ ____ ------------- 52.41

32 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

inspection. They are then slaughtered under the most sanitary condi-
tions possible with our present facilities. The dressed meat is sub-
ject to post mortem inspection, and the meat, thus inspected and
passed, is shipped by inspected trucks to cold storage establishments,
which are likewise inspected weekly.
There is serious need for a similar organized meat inspection pro-
gram in St. Croix. The old abattoir on that island has been out of
operation for a number of years and is being offered for sale by the
Virgin Islands Corporation. The first step in developing an adequate
meat inspection program in St. Croix is the construction of an up-to-
date abattoir which will handle the present slaughter and also that
proposed for the foreseeable future. It is expected that this facility
should be constructed in the coming fiscal year.

Bureau of Business Management
A vigorous attack was made this year on cost analysis, and at the
year's end the department was able to come up for the first time with
figures giving a reasonably accurate breakdown of cost of operating
the medical facilities, divided into several services and sections.
A brief schedule of operating costs follows:
Office of the Commissioner of Health ----------------- $194,889.70
Division of Hospitals and Medical Services -- ---------- 1,088,811.44
Division of Public Health Services------------------------- 224,460.81
Formula and matching funds ------------ --------- 361,773.46
Division of Veterinary Services------------------------- 47,232.15

Total -------------- ------------- ----- 1,917,167.56

Virgin Islands Department of Health hospital services, July 1, 1958-June 30, 1959

Knud- Charles Fred- Percentage
Section and/or service Hansen Harwood eriksted Totals of gross
Memorial Hospital Clinic revenues
Hospital

Room and board ----------------- $106,127.00 $141,976.50 $9,536.00 $257,639.50 53.3
Operations. _________------------ 12,060.61 12,220.00 5.00 24, 285.61 5.02
Dental services --......... ---... -----.. 8,307.00 8,028.00 2,676.00 19,011.00 3.9
Outside calls:
Doctors .. ------------- 4.00 -.---------- ----- 4.00 .020
Post partum.... --------......... -----. 45.00 -- ---- 45.00 -
Drugs and medicine --... ----......- 34,223.15 22, 534. 29 6,628,40 63,385,84 13. 11
Physiotherapy --------- 2,356.60 404.00 2, 760. 60 .57
X-ray services ....... ------- 10,187.00 8, 977. 00 13.00 19,177. 00 3. 97
Ambulance service -------------- 84.00 672.00 377.00 1,133.00 .23
Laboratory fees -------____- ..-- 22,824.61 11,580.20 1,758.85 36,163.66 7. 48
Examinations_ _-_-------_.--.----.. -. 18,324.80 7,782.00 2,116.00 28,222.80 5.84
All other --------------------.--- 9,407. 72 17, 302. 55 5, 015. 60 31,725. 87 6. 56
Gross revenues earned..---..---. 223,906.49 231.521.54 28,125.85 483,553.88 100.00
Free services.. __-----_------.... --------165,697.30 164,910.89 24,400.25 355,008.44 73

Net charges to accounts receivable
Total collections. ------
Accounts receivable June 30, 1959_
Accounts receivable June 30, 1958 .----.
Cumulative accounts receivable --

58,209. 19 66, 610.65 3,725. 60 128, 545.44 26. 6
46,154. 51 24,750.08 1,998. 60 72,903.19 15
12,054.68 41,860.57 1.727.00 55,642.25 11.5
92,604.08 98,318.56 27,540.34 218,462.98 45.2
104,658.76 140,179.13 29,267.34 274,105.23

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 33

The revenue accounting section of the department records total of
$483,553.88 value of gross services rendered to patients. The amount
of $355,008.44, or 73 percent of the value of gross services, is rendered
to programs or patients screened as medically indigent.

Department of Property and Procurement
The Virgin Islands Code which became effective September 1, 1957,
continued the previously established Department of Insular Affairs
as an executive department, and redesignated it the Department of
Property and Procurement.
At the start of the fiscal year, the department showed certain
improvements with the appointment of a Commissioner responsible
for the administration and enforcement of all laws over which the
department has jurisdiction. However, the Commissioner resigned
before the close of the year. Plans were made for the overall reor-
ganization of the department under a new Commissioner to be ap-
pointed early in the next fiscal year. A program was initiated to
locate the entire department in one area, and this was substantially
accomplished as the year came to a close.
Land Division
The Land Division was investigated by a special committee of the
Second Legislature of the Virgin Islands. The purpose of the in-
quiry was to "investigate the operation and activity of the land
authority and the administration of the laws of the Virgin Islands
pertaining to the sale and distribution of homestead lands."
After 2 days of hearings and a field trip to one of the areas
administered by the Land Division, the legislative committee ren-
dered its findings and recommendations which were brought to the
attention of both the Governor and the Commissioner of Property and
Procurement.
The committee reported that it had found irregularities in the
allotment and sale of lots and homestead lands to applicants; that
priority in the sale of such lands had not been followed in many
cases; that applicants to whom land was allotted had abused the
intent and purpose of the homestead laws and had, in some cases,
used the land for real estate speculation; and, in general, the adminis-
tration of the Land Division had not shown good judgment in the
carrying out of a sound public policy in the sale and distribution of
lands under its authority.
The investigating committee of the legislature did not find or report
any dishonest acts on the part of any official of the government.
Various recommendations were made for legislation to correct loop-
holes in the homestead laws, and these recommendations, along with

34 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

others, are being considered. Following the investigation, the Land
Division was directed by the Governor to withhold any further
processing of applications for land until a thorough check of its
activities could be made to determine what administrative action was
necessary.
A total of five new contracts with sale value of $1,662.65 were
entered into for the purchase of homestead land on the islands of St.
Thomas and St. John. There were no new contracts for the sale of
homestead land on St. Croix. A total of 36 deeds were issued cover-
ing homestead sites in St. Thomas and St. John with sale value of
$11,138.61. In St. Croix four homestead deeds were issued with
total sale value of $1,209.
In the field of rent control, a number of inspections of properties,
investigations, and counseling of landlords and tenants with regard
to attempted increases in rental and other conditions were handled.
Twenty-one cases terminated in the promulgation of formal rental
orders.
In the field of price control, the seeming unwarranted rise in the
cost of basic food commodities to the consumer resulted in a survey
to determine the extent of the increase in cost since the last survey
of such prices which was made in 1955. This study revealed an
average increase in the cost of basic commodities of approximately
38 percent.
At the request of the Governor, an economist from the Research
Division of the Economic Development Administration of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico made a study of this matter and submitted
to the Governor, late in the fiscal year, a program for containing the
spiraling costs of foodstuffs sold in the Virgin Islands. Consider-
able publicity was given to this matter and vigorous action is pro-
posed. Since this activity, there has been some reduction in the
prices of basic commodities in St. Thomas.
Division of Procurement and Supply
In the procurement and warehouse sections continued progress and
efficiency have been maintained with the addition of equipment de-
signed to reduce excess paperwork. In the printing section, funds
were finally secured for the purchase and installation of a Linotype
machine which should be received early in the new fiscal year.
The procurement section showed an increase in workload as com-
pared to previous years. Direct orders, requests for quotations, tele-
phone bids, orders through the U.S. Treasury Department, Procure-
ment Service, written bids, and contracts totaled 4,792 with a total
value of $3,283,356.47.
The central warehouse maintained its usual growth and furnished
many items from stock to the departments of the government at prices

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 35

below current local market prices. Stores requisitions processed
amounted to $31,595.96. The inventory at the close of business on
June 30, 1959, was $15,764.75.
The printing and duplicating section handled 261 jobs, not includ-
ing ordinances and Mimeograph work, with a total of 2,117,871 copies.
Virgin Islands Planning Board
For a portion of the year, the Planning Board was inactive due to
the fact that various building, zoning, and land subdivision codes and
regulations, previously passed by the legislature, were repealed. The
board was reorganized in November 1958 and its membership in-
creased from five to seven members. Thereafter, regular business
was conducted.
The board continued its recommendations and suggestions to in-
terested individuals and private enterprises on building, construction,
and land development. Proposed land subdivision regulations were
drafted and studied by the board and it is hoped that action will be
taken on these regulations in the new year. The architect (drafts-
man) of the Planning Board completed nine plans for homes in
St. Thomas and seven in St. Croix. Seven of these homes are in the
process of construction. Three are being financed through the Federal
Housing Administration.
For some time the board has been endeavoring to add a city planner
to its staff to work on a full-time basis to take care of planning prob-
lems and to serve as supervisor of a technical staff. By the end of the
fiscal year it appeared that a full-time city planner would.be on the
staff early in the new year.
The board continued to urge all governmental agencies to co-
ordinate early planning with the board to avoid conflicts with exist-
ing master plans. With continued cooperation from all groups,
public and private, it should be possible for the board to make sub-
stantial progress toward its ultimate goal and to win the interested
attention of the people of the islands.
Operating expenses of the Department of Property and Procure-
ment were as follows:
Land Division ------------------------------------------------- $47,004.38
Division of Procurement and Supply ------------------------ 98,879.13
Office of the Commissioner ---------_---- ----------------- 58, 470.90
Virgin Islands Planning Board --------------- ----------- 14,481.57

Total --------- ----------------------------_ 218,835.98
Virgin Islands Housing and Urban Renewal Authority
There are 460 families established in public housing, and yet private
landlords have no vacancies on their hands. The Housing Authority,

I

36 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

whose projects are located on sites that contributed less than $500 a
year in tax revenues, now makes payment in lieu of taxes which
amounted this year to $7,316.89.
The authority continued to experience considerable difficulty in the
collection of rentals. With the assistance of the U.S. attorney, resort
to eviction proceedings is used only when all other efforts have proved
futile.
The unusual drought experienced during the first 6 months of the
year was costly to the authority, as it had to ,purchase water from the
potable water system of the islands. Occupancy reports indicate that
turnover in public housing is extremely low and amounts to less than
1 percent.
The Ludvig E. Harrigan Court, a 70-unit public housing develop-
ment, now being constructed in the city of Frederiksted, St. Croix,
was originally scheduled for completion in October 1959, but because
of difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified labor, it now ap-
pears that occupancy of the project will begin within the early months
of 1960.
Final drawings for the 264-unit project, yet unnamed, for the city
of Christiansted should be completed in time for a bid advertisement
in March 1960.
Construction on the Oswald E. Harris housing project, a 300-
apartment development, should begin in September or October of the
new fiscal year and should be completed and occupied before the close
of 1961. The authority acquired the site for this project during the
year, bringing an end to a long-drawn-out eminent domain proceeding.
As part of its refinancing program, the authority sold its 15th series
temporary loan notes amounting to $4,147,000. It is expected that
permanent bonds for the 300-unit development in St. Thomas will be
offered for sale by the spring of 1960.
The authority expects to have applications for survey and planning
funds for three projects of urban renewal approved before the end
of this calendar year. The project areas are the Barracks Yard in
Charlotte Amalie, the Water Gut Area in Christiansted, and the
Lagoon Street Area in Frederiksted.
The financial statement of the authority for the year showed:
Operating expenses of all projects --------------------- $91,293.97
Interest and reduction of principal _--- ---------------- 230,678.91

Total expenses -------------------------------------- 321,972. 88
Income from rent charges paid by tenants ---------------------- 100,319. 98

Deficit ------------------------------------------------ 221,652. 90
Federal contribution ------------------------------------------ 221, 652.90

One of nine buildings in a 70-unit public housing project, under con-
struction in St. Croix.

Department of Public Safety
During the year additional patrolmen, prison guards, and firemen
were employed. The position of administrative assistant for St. Croix
was established and filled by a qualified employee of the department.
Four new motorcycles purchased for use in the Traffic Division are
contributing greatly to more effective control of traffic violations. A
special traffic investigator was employed, on a temporary basis, for
the purpose of studying traffic problems and to give educational radio
talks on traffic safety. These talks were of particular appeal to the
Spanish-speaking citizens of the islands.
An improvement within the Fire Division was the erection of a shed
at the King's Hill Station on St. Croix to house two firemen and a
tank truck to facilitate quicker response to emergencies in the area.
The Government of Puerto Rico assisted the Department of Public
Safety by sending a team of traffic experts to make a survey and to
advise on traffic problems. A number of excellent findings and recom-
mendations were submitted, many of which have been adopted.
Bureau of Investigation
In addition to investigating all major crimes and processing them
through the courts, the bureau continued to fingerprint criminals and

38 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

also employees of the various branches of the government, handle alien
requests for good-conduct records, and give substantial aid to the U.S.
Selective Service in the apprehension of delinquents and nonregis-
trants.

Patrol Bureau
The addition of new patrolmen enabled the department to spread
out its patrol force over a wider area. The excellent results obtained
from the employment of additional men points up the request of the
department for several more patrolmen to be added during the com-
ing fiscal year. The tremendous growth of the Virgin Islands in
recent years has increased the need for a larger patrol force. An in-
service training course was given to the men by members of the Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation and officials of the Department of Public
Safety.

Communications
The department has obtained permission to construct a radio relay
station on a mountain location in St. Thomas for the purpose of in-
creasing the efficiency of its radio communications system. In case of
emergencies or disasters, the police network as augmented by this relay
station would be the prime source of communication for civil defense
in this area.

Traffic Bureau
A vigorous campaign against traffic violators was conducted
throughout the islands. In St. Croix, the new radio-equipped motor-
cycles were of significant assistance to the police in apprehending
violators. Warnings were given for first offenses, but subsequent ones
were taken to the courts. Approximately 800 traffic tickets were is-
sued, and nearly 80 operators' licenses were suspended.

Law Enforcement
The following figures show activities in this division during this
and the previous fiscal year:

1957-58 1958-59
Criminal cases reported-all Virgin Islands ...------......---------...------------ 1,172 1,271
(a) Handled by Foot Patrol Bureaus:
St. Thomas-St. John-..-......- ---------------------- 508 349
St. Croix ...------------- ......................... 332 534
(b) Handled by Criminal Investigation Bureau ------------------------ 332 388

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 39

Vehicular registration and licensing

St. Thomas St. Croix

1957-58 1958-59 1957-58 1958-59

Motor vehicles (private) ------------... 1,324 1,673 1,193 1, 741
Taxicabs and rented cars -------- 520 788 124 221
Trucks for hire -- 108 77 29 50
Trucks ..----------------------------- 110 73 397 279
Buses -.--------------------------------- 7 20 6 12
Motorcycles.--------------------------- 5 4 24 20
Motorscooters ---------------- 33 42 2 9
Bicycles -------- ------------ -- 174 273 334 392
Drivers' licenses:
Private ---------------- 1,612 2,082 1,965 1,496
Taxi------------------------------------ 593 733 109 126
Learners' permits ---------------------------- 748 582 94 187
Motor-vehicle transfers...-------. ---- ----- 305 575 26 250
Bus licenses. ------------------------------- 13 10 6 6
Traffic tickets issued.---. -------. .----- 444 354 251 125
Registration of vehicles -----------. $57,114. 54 $49, 575. 25 $37, 515. 37 $46, 099.03
Fines for traffic violations -_ __------------- 3, 392.00 6,894.00 --- 3,111.00
Visitors' permits ...--------------------- 5,500.00 7,520.00 871.00 2,199.00

Fire Division
There were 206 fires in the Virgin Islands during fiscal year 1959
as compared with 128 in the preceding fiscal year. Value of fire losses
in St. Croix was $55,805, and in St. Thomas $9,925. A continuous
schedule of drills and lectures was carried out throughout the islands
to keep members of the fire division constantly in readiness. Inspec-
tions were made of all government institutions, including schools,
hospitals, and other government buildings, and necessary instructions
were given, where needed, for insuring better fire protection. A num-
ber of private properties were also inspected and the owners advised
to correct existing hazardous conditions.

Richmond Penitentiary
During the year inmates of the Richmond Penitentiary on St.
Croix assisted community and government agencies in emergencies
such as brush fires; searching for lost or drowned persons; cleaning
public parks, beaches, and government buildings. They also assisted
the traffic division by erecting traffic signs and painting dividing lines
on public roads and highways. A block-making machine was obtained
and, under the supervision of an inmate skilled in its operation, first-
class blocks were turned out. A machine shop was operated by in-
mates. The prisoners grew vegetables for their own consumption
and took great interest in livestock raising. The prison has been
provided with its own television set and movies are shown periodi-
cally. This personal effort, enterprise, and development program has
had a significant effect on the inmates in that several men have al-

40 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

ready started correspondence courses from recognized institutions of
learning with a view toward rehabilitation and eventual return to
useful avocations in society.
Civil Defense
The Commissioner of Public Safety, acting as Civil Defense Di-
rector, attended the annual conference of the U.S. Civil Defense
Council in New York. Coordinated discussions were held with health
and welfare officials relative to food stockpiling in offshore areas of
the United States.
The Virgin Islands received from the U.S. Office of Civil Defense
radiological detection kits to assist high school teachers in their nu-
clear energy and radiological detection instructional programs. Two
emergency hospital units were received from the U.S. Public Health
Service and stored for emergency use.
Operation Alert 1959 was conducted throughout the Virgin Islands
with maximum success from the standpoint of response of personnel
and auxiliaries, and public cooperation.
Wildlife
Eight honorary game wardens were appointed to assist in control-
ling violations of game and wildlife regulations. Several publica-
tions were issued for the protection of game and wildlife. Sea birds,
including the boobie bird, its nests and eggs, female deer, and the
white-crowned pigeon are still on the protected list. The wildlife
biologist assisted the Department of Public Safety in its program for
conservation of game and wildlife.
Appropriations
A total of $459,960 was appropriated for the Department of Public
Safety. Actual obligations were as follows:
Commissioner's Office _______ _____ ------------------ $29, 714. 96
Police and Prison Division -------------------------------------_ 335, 255. 98
Fire Division ---------------_________----- -------- 90, 943. 72
Police and Fire Commission ----------- __________---------------- 29.10
Parole Board----------------------------------------------------67.85
Parole Board .._____.______________________ 67. 85
Home Guard _.__._._. .__.. .. ... .. .. 395. 85
Home Guard---------------------------------------------------- 395.85
Civil Defense ------------ -----------_ ---------------- 1, 518. 24
Total ----- ---------------------------------------457, 95. 70

Department of Public Works
General
The sum of $1,264,782.66 was obligated for the routine functions of
the Department of Public Works in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St.
John, including the maintenance of roads, streets, and highways; gar-

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 41

bage and rubbish removal service; operation of the sewer and salt
water systems; the potable water system; the nightsoil removal serv-
ice; maintenance of public buildings and structures; and operation of
the Virgin Islands Telephone System, the Harbor Division, and the
Alexander Hamilton Airport in St. Croix.
The sum of $1,470,479.49 was obligated for the construction of essen-
tial public projects under the internal revenue fund, double "i" pro-
gram.
Water Supply, St. Thomas
With business on the island of St. Thomas definitely on the upward
trend and the number of visitors to the islands at an alltime high due
to the expansion of the tourist industry, the scarcity of water to
supply the domestic and commercial needs of the island has been
greatly felt. Unfortunately, the rainfall on the island of St. Thomas
was again below average. The rainfall for the fiscal year 1959 was
33.47 inches compared with 45.48 inches during the preceding year.
This rainfall is about 73 percent of the average for the year. Of the
total rainfall, only 10.89 inches fell from January 1, 1959, through
June 30, 1959, and there were only 11 days on which more than 0.25
inch was recorded. The maximum rainfall recorded during any 24-
hour period was 1.60 inches on January 16, 1959.
Rainfall, St. Thomas

Fiscal year ended- Inches Jan. 1 to Inches
June 30
June 30, 1954 .... .. .. ... .......... --------- 37. 85 1954 10. 80
June 30, 1955 .... -...--..-- .---- -------- 41.83 1955 9.92
June 30, 1956..-----------------------.------------------- 53. 86 1956 22. 90
June 30, 1957 ..--------------------... --------- 27. 76 1957 10. 26
June 30, 1958 ----- ..-..-------.. ------ 45. 48 1958 23. 62
June 30, 1959 ------.. ---------.. ..---------- ------ 33.47 1959 10. 89

During the year the Department of Public Works pumped a total
of 64,204,620 gallons of potable water, an increase of 10 percent over
the water pumped during the preceding fiscal year. The chief source
of supply during the critical drought year of 1959 was the transpor-
tation of water from the naval base at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto
Rico, using the government's tug Carpeake and barge which were
kept in operation around the clock to bring the island of St. Thomas
through this crisis. In order to assist and augment the water haul,
equipment was rented from a commercial firm in Puerto Rico.
Through the services of this equipment and the assistance of the
Navy in selling the island water from Puerto Rico, there was a maxi-
mum storage of 9,225,400 gallons or a 46-day supply on October 15,
1958. However, this supply fell to 707,260 gallons, or 31/2 days'

42 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

supply, by June 4, 1959. The department suffered one of its greatest
losses when the government-owned barge sank off the island of St.
Thomas. Salvage operations, due to rough seas, were futile. Insur-
ance has been claimed as the barge was fully insured. Fortunately,
the Navy Department again came to our assistance with the tempo-
rary loan of a large Navy water barge which has been constantly in
use since the sinking of the local government's barge.
The cost of potable water brought into St. Thomas, including the
cost of transportation, amounted to $166,822.00, or 85 cents per ton.
When to this cost is added the operating and maintenance costs of
the potable water plant, the cost of potable water sold to the public
in St. Thomas is more than twice its selling price. This matter was
brought to the attention of the legislature in its regular session, and
a bill was introduced to increase the selling price, but the bill was not
adopted.
At the end of the fiscal year there were a total of 328 water
consumers, with a pending list of 109 applicants who could not be
given service due to the limited supply. The revenue yield was
$68,797.00.
St. Croix
In the island of St. Croix the drought, though not as severe as in
St. Thomas, brought to attention the fact that the present pumping
capacity is inadequate to meet the demand, especially in the town of
Christiansted. A successful well was drilled at the pump station at
Concordia yielding better than 30 gallons a minute. It is planned to
make further tests in other areas with the hope of increasing the water
supply. Total water pumped from the wells at Christiansted was
20,054,351 gallons, and at Frederiksted, 10,056,415 gallons, or a total of
30,110,766 gallons. There are 347 connections in Christiansted to
the potable water supply system, and 120 in Frederiksted, or a total of
467 public water connections on the island of St. Croix.
Sanitation, St. Thomas
The demand on the garbage removal service in St. Thomas
continues greater than the facilities can efficiently handle. During
the year, 34,884 cubic yards of garbage were collected and removed.
As the community continues to spread out into the former country
areas, there is a constant demand for rural garbage removal. The
department collected and dumped 469,260 gallons of excreta in the
nightsoil removal service. The sewer service was extended to several
districts in St. Thomas.
St. Croix
Garbage removal service was regularly maintained in the towns
and, due to the clamor for service in outlying districts, it was ex-

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 43

tended to two suburban areas. The department collected and dumped
from the Christiansted area 3,824 truckloads, and from the Frederik-
sted area 2,030 truckloads of garbage and rubbish.
The extension of the sewer system in St. Croix was limited to a
total of about 702 feet. The following table reflects a picture of the
sewer systems in the towns of the Virgin Islands:

Charlotte Christian- Frederik-
Amalie sted sted
Miles Miles Miles
Streets with sewers____---------____ ---------- 12.050 6.31 4.8
Streets without sewers --------------._-------------- 3. 179 3. 70 .2
Total ------.------------------------------- 15.229 10.01 5.0

A noteworthy step was taken this year when the legislature adopted
a recommendation of the administration that a bill be enacted which
would, in stages, provide for the eventual elimination of the nightsoil
removal service and the substitution of modern water toilet facilities
in all properties in the towns of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and
Frederiksted. The act, which was passed by the legislature and ap-
proved by the Governor, authorized the Governor to proclaim, from
time to time, areas within the limits of the three towns which would,
during the course of the ensuing year, be cleared of the nightsoil dis-
posal system, and in which all properties would be connected to the
public sewers. It is believed that this procedure will result in the
elimination within 5 years of the unsanitary system of nightsoil dis-
posal which has plagued all island administrations for so many years.
Roads and Highways
Most of the work done on the highways and roads of St. Thomas
was of a maintenance nature, with periodic trimmings of shoulders
and grading and patching jobs being done was necessary. Roadwork
of some significance was performed by the widening and construction
of two traffic islands on traffic arteries, one of which leads to one of
the main hotels.
In St. John maintenance and repair work was performed princi-
pally on the Centerline Road with Federal internal revenue tax
moneys.
In St. Croix all major improvements to the highway system likewise
were performed with internal revenue tax funds as local fund allot-
ments for this purpose were limited and inadequate to maintain the
street and highway system of that island.
Buildings and Structures
Funds allocated for this purpose were so limited that only minimal
maintenance functions could be undertaken on the public buildings of

44 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

St. Thomas. Through the essential public projects funds, several of
the public schools on St. Thomas were given a complete repair job
and a new kindergarten school was constructed. The public abattoir
in St. Thomas was renovated. During the latter part of the fiscal
year, work was started on a new emergency housing project at the
hospital ground area using prefabricated structures.
In St. Croix, minor maintenance upkeep was carried out on all pub-
lic buildings, although by special local appropriations, renovation
jobs were done to the Grammar School Building, and to the Aldersh-
ville Homes at Frederiksted. Major improvements were made to
Government House at Christiansted.
In St. Thomas and St. John, 340 building permits were issued at an
estimated construction value of $3,258,753. It is interesting to com-
pare this figure with the corresponding figure of 5 years ago when
242 building permits were issued in St. Thomas with a total construc-
tion value of $964,770. In St. Croix 124 building permits were issued
with a construction value of $1,253,214, compared with 125 permits 5
years ago with a construction value of $680,809.
Telephone Division
Because of the impending sale of the Virgin Islands Telephone
System to private interests, the switchboard and cable facilities
throughout the Virgin Islands remained loaded to capacity and very
few new subscribers could be taken care of except by changing private
lines to party lines.
The Virgin Islands Telephone System is outmoded and outdated,
and the local government does not have the funds nor the know-how
to develop a new and modern system of telephone communications to
keep pace with the rapid progress of the islands.
Recognizing this undisputed fact, over a year ago, a bill was enacted
authorizing the Governor to sell the Virgin Islands Telephone Sys-
tem subject to the approval of the legislature. Several months were
devoted to the preparation of a report on the condition of the system,
followed by advertising for proposals for its sale, the receipt of 25
offers therefore, and their evaluation by a competent board appointed
by the Governor, with the technical advice and assistance of experts
of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. General Services
Administration. By the end of the fiscal year, preparations were
being made to submit an acceptable offer to the legislature for ap-
proval. It is hoped that the sale of the Virgin Islands Telephone
System will be consummated early in the new fiscal year.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 45

At the end of the fiscal year, there were 3,112 telephones installed
in the Virgin Islands, with 2,421 subscribers. Total collections from
the telephone service amounted to $325,652.06.
Harbor Division
The St. Thomas Harbor Office was transferred from the Old Har-
bor Building to new and modern quarters in the Senate Building.
During the year 88 naval ships and 341 merchant ships called at the
port of St. Thomas with an aggregate gross tonnage of 3,053,415 tons.
Of these, 89 vessels were cruise liners.
St. Croix
The need for improvement of the harbor and docking facilities in
St. Croix is still urgent and it is hoped that some dredging can be
done during the new fiscal year in the harbor of Christiansted. In
the port of Christiansted, 887 vessels entered with a total gross ton-
nage of 63,409. One hundred and ninety-three vessels called at the
'port of Frederiksted with a total gross tonnage of 267,564. Studies
and plans were continued for the construction of a dock at Frederik-
sted.
Airports
The greatest achievement in the field of public works during the
year was the awarding of a contract in the amount of $1,302,584.92
for the reconstruction of the Alexander Hamilton Airport on St.
Croix. Under a use permit issued by the Department of the Interior,
responsibility for management of the Harry S. Truman Airport was
turned over to the local government late in the fiscal year, and a tem-
porary arrangement was concluded with the Virgin Islands Corpora-
tion, the former managers, to continue managing this airport for the
account of the Government of the Virgin Islands, at least for the
present.
The following tables show traffic at the two airports:
Harry S. Truman Airport, St. Thomas

Passengers
Landings Revenues
In Out

Caribbean Atlantic Airlines.............. ---------- 4,811 87,372 .---.--..... $15,541.25
BWIA --------------.--------------- 561 2,400 2,790.00
Nonscheduled and private aircraft -------------- 1,208 908 ....... 1,425. 70
Military aircraft --..---.---.-.------------- -- 1,165 2,717
Rentals and concessions....----------------- ---------- ------------.------------ 20,156.16
Total --------------------------- 7,745 93,397 (1) 39,913.11
I Not available.

46 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Alexander Hamilton Airport, St. Croix

Passengers
Landings Revenues
In Out

Pan American World Airways------- 348 -..._........ -----_ $4,872
Caribbean Atlantic Airlines --...- --_ 1,172 ..- ......--------- 6,108
Nonscheduled and private aircraft ---..-------------- 1,800 --- -------- --- 60
Military aircraft --------------.. ---------------.- 340 .--------- -----..
Passengers, scheduled airlines-.___-_______________________ _______ 33,266 33,483 -----
Passengers, nonscheduled and private planes .--------------------- 8, 895 8,022 -------
Passengers, military and Government planes...........--------------------- 1,360 1,360 ----.---
Rentals and concessions ------- _._____------------_____ -- -- - 10,777
Total----------------------.---.------ 3,660 43,521 42,865 21,817

Fiscal
The sum of $1,280,000 was received for the normal operations of the
department. In addition to this appropriation, the department re-
ceived a total of $470,009.20 from local funds and $1,572,906.56 from
the essential public projects funds for specific public construction and
improvement projects. Special allotments from the road fund to-
taled $270,000 for general as well as specific road repairs and
maintenance.
Obligations were as follows:
Matching funds:
Sanitary Division ------------------------------------- $347, 830. 76
Construction Division ---- --------------------------- 280, 897. 53
Utilities Division-------------------------------------- 226, 324.65
Administrative Division -------- ------------------_ 142, 724. 74
Alexander Hamilton Airport ------------------------------ 32, 040.88

Total -------------------------------------- 1, 029,817. 88

General Fund:
Sanitary Division------------- ----------------- 13,673. 00
Construction Division ---------------------------------- 9, 469. 71
Utilities Division ----------------------------------------- 211, 822. 07

Total --------------------------------------- --- 34,964. 78
General fund: Special projects ------------------------- 238,936.37

Road fund:
St. Croix----------------------------------------- 133,327.38
St. Thomas ------------------------------------------ 70,638. 42
St. John ----------------------------------------- 1, 685. 56

Total ----------------------------------------------- 205, 651.36

Essential public works projects (ii) funds:
St. Thomas and St. John __------------------------------- 718, 758. 79
St. Croix -------------- -------- --------- 751, 721.00

Total ------------------------------------------------ 1, 470,479. 79

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 47

New terminal building, Alexander Hamilton Airport, under construction
in St. Croix.

Essential Public Projects
This program in St. Thomas included highway and road improve-
ments, extension to potable waterlines, repairs to several catchment
areas and cisterns, extension to sewer and salt water lines, repairs to
several public schools, and the reconstruction, including fencing, of
the ball park and stadium.
In St. John, most of the work accomplished under this program was
done on the highway system which is greatly improved.
In St. Croix, much work was accomplished from the essential public
projects fund in improving the many roads and highways in St. Croix,
renovation of several buildings, water studies and reports, and exten-
sion to the potable water and sewer systems.

Department of Social Welfare
The powers and responsibilities of the Department of Social Wel-
fare as established by the Social Welfare Act of 1943 were incorpo-
rated, with very little change, in the Virgin Islands Code which be-
came effective September 1, 1957, and which provides that the depart-
ment shall have general authority over and jurisdiction to administer
all public social welfare programs in the Virgin Islands, exercise
general control over the enforcement of laws relating to social welfare,
and shall develop plans and programs aimed at achieving a high level
of social welfare throughout the territory.

48 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

The department continued to be assisted by two advisory groups,
the Virgin Islands Board of Social Welfare and the Citizens Advisory
Commission on Youth.

Public Assistance Division
The work of the Public Assistance Division has been marked by a
continuing struggle on two fronts: (a) to hold the caseload down to
those in direct need so that they may receive help that will be as ade-
quate as possible, despite the small resources available; and (b) to
increase resources so that standards of assistance may become more
nearly adequate and provide more of the requirements of life for
persons entitled to and receiving aid.
During the year assistance grants were increased on two occasions.
By special appropriation of the legislature, allowances for food,
shelter, and laundry were increased; an allowance for special diets for
diabetics was added; and the maximum was removed from aid to de-
pendent children grants.
The 1958 congressional amendments to the Social Security Act
raised the Federal ceiling for matching purposes from $200,000 to
$300,000; changed the matching formula from an individual case
basis to an average grant basis, and provided additional money which
was used to increase the allowances for all recipients by approximately
$4 per person. Even with these improvements the budget standard
was able to provide a grant of only 50 percent of actual need.
The division concentrated on analysis of the caseload in an effort to
Rehabilitate all possible employables and in an effort to establish eli-
gibility on a sound basis. This, plus continuing improvement in eco-
nomic conditions and the gradually developing benefits of the old-age
and survivors insurance program, has resulted in a reduction of 57
persons (41 cases). Monthly expenditures increased by $4,282.46 due
to improvement in assistance rates.
The following chart shows the monthly caseloads and expenditures
by category:
Comparison of caseloads and expenditures

Number of persons aided Expenditures
Category ________________________
June-1958 June-1959 1958 1959
Old-age assistance--------------- ----- 620 584 $144,400.89 $160,258.31
Aid to dependent children-------------------- 785 777 104,419.27 105,233.28
Aid to the blind..------- ----- ----------------- 21 20 5,604.75 6,354.25
Aid to the disabled- ------------- ------- ----- 103 101 25, 776. 25 30, 063.27
General assistance ------------------ 128 118 30,983.87 33, 840. 25
Total------------------ ----------- 1,657 1,600 311,185.03 335,749.36

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 49

During the year the program continued grants to assistance clients
who were not hospitalized to cover medicines and medical appliances
prescribed by physicians. Clients received free hospitalization and
medicines while they were inpatients of the public hospitals. This
limited medical care program for assisting clients has been handled
advantageously through the prepayment plan operated by the depart-
ment's pooled medical fund.
The total assistance expenditures in 1958-59 was $452,240.99 or
7.8 percent above last year's figure and 6.3 percent more than the
fiscal year 1956-57. Expenditures for assistance only, not including
administration, totaled $342,818.12. Federal matching earned this
year was $195,248.58, as compared with $182,108.91 last year, and all
of it was received as this amount was below the Federal ceiling of
$300,000. The local share of the total cost of the program is higher
this year ($256,775) than last year ($236,954).

Child Welfare Division
Under this division, casework service was provided to 627 children,
as compared with 632 last year and 592 in the previous year. Be-
low are tables showing the type of services and distribution of the
caseload:
Caseload distribution by district offices

St. Crois St. Thomas Total

Children receiving service July 1, 1958 .------ ------ -- ---- 196 209 405
Children accepted for service during year ------------------------ 104 118 222
Service discontinued during year .---------------------.---------- 86 73 159
Children receiving service June 30, 1959 .---- ---- ----------- 214 254 468
Total number of different children receiving services during year.... 300 327 627

Whereabouts of children receiving service on June 30, 1959

St. Croix St. Thomas Total

In home of parents-.----------- 93 130 223
In home of relatives-------------------------------- 35 21 56
In boarding homes ---------- ---------------------------------- 28 53 81
In free foster homes ----------------- ---------------- 27 22 49
In institutions ------------------- ------------- 27 23 50
Elsewhere --------- ------------------------------------ 4 5 9
Total ------........-------------- ---------- -- 214 254 46'

Foster Family Care
This program continued active during the year and is still one of
the most encouraging phases of the operations of the division. The
caseload as of June 1959 was 130, of whom 26 were in free foster
homes. Expenditures for foster home board payments amounted
to $32,869.42.

50 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Insular Training Schools
The Boys School continued to achieve a heartening improvement
in boy and staff morale. The school provided care for a total of
50 boys, with enrollment averaging around 45 boys. The average age
of the boys in residence remained around 14 years. The Department
of Education continued to provide academic services to the school.
Under the direction of the farmer-counselor, poultry, gardening, and
animal husbandry,projects were operated.
The division provided requested services to children appearing in
the juvenile courts in cooperation with the probation officer. These
services will continue until the probation staff has been expanded
sufficiently to enable the court to provide the total services needed.
Total cost of operating the division during the year was $165,172.19.
as compared with $146,725.46 in the preceding year.
These expenses are summarized below:
Cost of child welfare program, Virgin Islands

Insular St. Croix St. Thomas All Virgin
Islands

Local funds:
Child welfare service ---........----....... $141.28 $6,496. 71 $6,332.83 $12,970.82
Foster home payments---............... ----------- 14,936. 75 17,932. 67 32,869.42
Insular training schools:
For boys.- ----------- 66,293.77 --------- -------------- 66, 293.77
For girls....--------- -------------. 13,898.29 ------------- 13,898.29
Total..--------------------------- 80,333.34 21,433.46 24,265.50 126,032.30
Federal funds: Child welfare services and
supervision-----........ ------.. -------. 7,427.18 16,624.96 15, 087.75 39,139.89
Grand total -------------------- 87,760.52 38,058.42 39,353.25 165,172.19

Division of Institutions and Special Programs
The Queen Louise Home in an institution for the aged located in
St. Thomas with a capacity of 20 beds. At the beginning of the year,
there were 11 residents in this home and at the end of the year there
were 16 residents. Total cost of operation was $22,580.44, compared
with $22,122.88 last year.
The Corneiro Home is a shelter care home in St. Thomas with a
total of 25 rooms of which 20 were occupied and one held in reserve
for emergency temporary placements. Total cost of operation this
year was $4,526.07, whereas rentals collected amounted to $1,506.50.
Aldershville is a shelter care home in St. Croix. With a total of
31 rooms, it was filled to capacity at the beginning of the year, but
as the year ended there were only 27 residents. Total cost of opera-
tion was $1,957.33 and rentals collected amounted to $1,638.

Cancer Care
It was necessary to continue to send Virgin Islands patients referred
by the Department of Health for care at the Puerto Rico Cancer

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 51

League even though a radiologist was employed at the Knud-Hansen
Memorial Hospital, and deep X-ray therapy was started there. Dur-
ing the year, 10 new cases were referred and 7 repeaters returned for
follow-up treatment. This program was financed in St. Croix with
government funds and expenditures amounted to $3,402. In St.
Thomas it is financed by the Community Chest, and expenditures
amounted to $2,650.
The Community Chest campaign this year surpassed its goal of
$12,000 by raising a total of $14,155. Proportionately, expenditures
of the Community Chest amounting to $11,598.64 were close to the
last year's record of $11,860.50. The following is a summary of the
traditional Community Chest services as operated during the year:

Program Cost Number of Services rendered
clients
Housekeeping and laundry----------- $2,660.14 12 2,710 cleaning, 1,116 pieces of laundry.
Home nursing- ------------- 2,679.05 24 Increased caseload.
Cancer care ............---------- 2,650.00 10 Hospital bills and travel costs.
Emergency aid ---------------------- 1,188.94 --------.. Cash grants, furniture, etc.

Emergency Housing
The accelerated building and remodeling boom, particularly in
St. Thomas, is transforming many slum areas into high-priced rental
residential or industrial developments. At the same time, hundreds
of low-income tenants are being deprived of quarters. In their di-
lemma, they turn to the department for assistance in locating other
places and, although they have been helped in many instances, with
the rapidly diminishing supply of low-priced rental shelter, the
department cannot cope with the continuing demand.
The division conducted a survey of families being evicted by
owners who wished to improve their properties. A total of 58 family
groups and 43 single adults, or 359 persons were involved. As a
result, 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 low-income families.
Although this program is described as being for a temporary emer-
gency, it is anticipated that this housing will be needed for many
years. The division has been assigned responsibility for management
of this emergency housing program.

General
Grand total expenditures of the Department of Social Welfare
amounted to $696,942.69, of which $86,913.72 were for insular pur-
poses; $224,134.11 were expenditures allocated to the islands of St.

I

52 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Thomas and St. John; and $385,894.86 were for expenditures allocated
for the island of St. Croix. This total cost is distributed as follows:
Central administrative costs-------- ---------- $63, 614.93
Public assistance--------------------------- --- 412, 975. 04
Child welfare services---------------------------- 165,172.19
Homes for the aged------------------------------- 40, 691.43
Community Chest--------------------------------- 14, 489.10

Total ----------------------------- ------696, 942. 69

Department of Tourism and Trade
The Department of Tourism and Trade. operated four offices: the
headquarters office located in Charlotte Amalie; a branch at Ohristian-
sted, St. Croix; a Puerto Rico office located in the city of San Juan;
and a New York City information office. There was also maintained
an information booth at the Alexander Hamilton Airport in St. Croix.
The department operated mainly as a department of tourism. How-
ever, funds were made available in the budget for fiscal year 1960 for
staffing the Division of Trade.
Promotional Program
The promotional program as in previous years was based on ad-
vertising, literature, solicitation, and publicity.
Continuing to recognize the importance of personal contacts, solici-
tation trips were made by the Commissioner and various members
of the staff during the year. For the first time the chambers of com-
merce of both islands and the Department of Tourism and Trade
worked jointly to sell the vacation advantages of the Virgin Islands
at the 28th Annual Travel Congress of the American Society of Travel
Agents held in New York in October 1958. The Governor made a
special trip for the express purpose of attending this convention.
The Governor and the Commissioner also attended the annual meet-
ing of the Southeastern Chapter of Travel Agents held in Nassau,
Bahamas, in May 1959. The Commissioner was designated by the
Governor as the official representative to the Caribbean Tourist Asso-
ciation meeting held in Bogota, Colombia, in May 1959.
The publicity campaign of the department included the writing
and publishing of many articles, and the publicity office served as
liaison for directing writers and photographers to the islands. This
has resulted in voluminous free publicity for the islands.
A full-page advertisement in Spanish appears in a newspaper with
the largest circulation in Puerto Rico. This is a joint venture be-
tween the Department of Tourism and Trade and the Commonwealth
Public Relations office of Puerto Rico.
The department's photographic file was maintained and enlarged.
It has now an up to date and complete file in the form of contact

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 53

prints, captioned and numbered, from which prints suitable for re-
production are furnished on request.
The two main local events in which the department participated
were the Virgin Islands Carnival and the St. Croix Festival. Assist-
ance was given by providing trophies, and local and stateside promo-
tion and publicity. The department also assisted with the Women's
League cleanup campaigns, the local athletic clubs, the St. Croix
Landmarks League, the museum committees of both islands, as well
as the United Service Organizations (USO) in arranging entertain-
ment for visiting servicemen.
Transportation Services
The Virgin Islands continued to be served by the Caribbean Atlan-
tic Airlines, British West Indian Airways, and Pan American World
Airways. Traffic on Caribbean Atlantic Airlines increased almost
30 percent. British West Indian Airways increased their service to
daily flights which resulted in more than 900 additional passengers
making stopovers in St. Thomas. Pan American World Airways
maintained the same service to St. Croix only, but increased their
traffic by 800 stopover passengers above the previous year.
With the ever-increasing number of airlines using San Juan, P.R.,
as a terminal or stopover point, the traffic flowing to the Virgin
Islands from these "feeder" lines has shown a material increase.
Delta.Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Pan American Airlines, and Trans-
Caribbean Airlines increased their advertising campaigns for the
Caribbean area from which the Virgin Islands received excellent
publicity.
The continued bimonthly service maintained by the steamship
Evangeline of the Eastern Shipping Corp. between Miami and St.
Thomas for approximately 8 months of the year has proved a boon
to the merchants of the Virgin Islands and has done much to level
out the curve of the tourist traffic and revenues.
For the first time this year a large transatlantic cruise ship visited
St. John. It is anticipated that in the next fiscal year cruise ships
will also resume visits to St. Croix.
The table below graphically illustrates the increase in cruise ship
visits to St. Thomas:

Year Number of Number of Year Number of Number of
cruiseships passengers crulseships passengers
1949-50...------ .-------. 15 7,692 1954-55 ----33 16,000
1950-51 ............-------- 7 3,124 1955-56.------- --------- 36 18,500
1951-52 ....-------------. 12 5,293 1956-57 ----48 22,035
1952-53 ........ 20 12,300 1957-58---- 74 35,420
1953-54---------..............----------. 30 13,323 1958-59..--------------------- 89 36,900

54 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Tourist Visitors
From 16,000 visitors in 1949 to 164,000 visitors in 1959 is a 10-year
record in which the Virgin Islands can take great pride. The table
below giving the figures for fiscal year 1959 is interesting. Combined
with the preceding tabulation on cruise ships, this table shows the
healthy steady growth of visitors to the Virgin Islands:

Visitors St.Thomas- St. Croix
St. John

Caribair ----------------.-- -------------6 73,600 28,000
Cruise ships.- ------- ---- .--------------------------------- 37,000 --
Pan American _______ ..-------------------------.---- ------------ 3,400
British West Indian Airways. --------------- ------------------ -2,400 --
Armed services, private yachts, regular steamers---...................--------. 18,000 1,600
Total----------......... ------------------..--------.. 131,000 33,000
Grand total ........ ------ ------------------.------------ 164,000

Estimate of Gross Tourist Expenditures
The following table shows tourist expenditures in various categories
during the past year. As in previous years, this tabulation shows that
retail tourist establishments of St. Thomas produce more tourist reve-
nues than the hotels, whereas in St. Croix, for the first time hotel reve-
nues have surpassed the retail establishments there. Gross tourist
expenditures for St. Thomas and St. John increased approximately
331/3 percent, while those of St. Croix doubled in the past year.

St. Thomas- St. Croix
St. John

Hotels and guesthouses.---- --------------------- $6,100,000 $3,350,000
Retail tourist establishments.---- ------ -_-- 7,800,000 1,800,000
Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, not including hotels ---....-------- 670,000 258,000
Other tourist interests --- ------------ -------------------- 1,550,000 210,000
Total.......................-------------------------- 16,120,000 5,618, 000
Grand total ..---................ -------- ------ ---------- ---------------. 21,738,000

The average expenditure per tourist in the shops was $59.50 in
St. Thomas and $54.50 in St. Croix. Both these revenue figures repre-
sent an encouraging increase. The average income per bed on the
islands of St. Thomas and St. John was approximately $3,850 and in
St. Croix $4,200. Again, the heartening figure for St. Croix can be
attributed to general increase in the number of visitors, increased hotel
capacities, increase in the average length of stay, and excellent off-
season business.
Reviewing activities in the area of tourism in the three past fiscal
years, we find that total tourist visitors in 1956-57 were 120,335; in
1957-58, 132,000; and in 1958-59, 164,000. The estimated gross tourist

Ms s
r (.. .

.-: --- _..- ** .--- .__

The growth of tourism is demonstrated by three cruise ships at dock in
St. Thomas at the same time. From 16,000 visitors in 1949 to 164,000
in 1959.

expenditures in 1956-57 were $13,170,000; in 1957-58, $16,070,000;
and in 1958-59 they were $21,738,000.
The total expenditures of the Department of Tourism and Trade
were $163,507.18, as compared with $88,976.05 in the preceding fiscal
year. It is particularly interesting to note that of this total expendi-
ture, only 21.4 percent was for salaries, whereas 70.9 percent was ex-
pended for advertising, literature, solicitation, travel, and community
activities.

Selective Service Operations
Aside from the 807 men inducted from the Virgin Islands during
World War II plus 128 enlistments, the selective service operation
boasts 1,217 inductions since 1950 and approximately 600 direct or
initial enlistments. In addition, 539 armed services Standby Re-
servists have been screened as to their availability to the armed serv-
ices for recall to active duty in time of emergency.
Registration
As of June 30, 1959, a total of 4,128 men were registered in the
Virgin Islands, reflecting an increase of 307 during the year. In
keeping with the present order of selection of registrants for induc-

56 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

tion, the age distribution of the total registration is tabulated below
and represents such inventory from an estimated population of 30,000
persons in the islands:

Local board Local board Total
No. 54-1 No. 54-2

17 to 18 years of age--... --.. .....-------------............. ........ 3 3
18 to 18 years of age.--- ------.. ------ -------------- --- 46 51 97
18i years and above liable for service.........---------------------- 1,399 1,364 2,763
(a) Classified available under 26 years--. _---------___. (330) (317) -
(b) Classified not available, or in service...-------------------- (1,061) (1,045) ------
(c) Over 26 years, liability extended-.----- ------- (8) (2) .-----
26 years and above--over age of liability for service ..---------------- 729 411 1,140
Not yet classified .-- ----------- --------------------- 78 47 125
Total --------------------------------- 2,252 1,876 4,128

Classification
The two local boards serving St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix
met at least once each month and accomplished 547 separate classifica-
tions and actions.
The quota for the Virgin Islands was 55, identical to that of the pre-
ceding year. Sixty-one men were actually inducted, all going to the
Army. Volunteers decreased in the early part of the year, but in-
creased shortly thereafter and continued to be the prime source of
manpower for induction. By the end of the year, volunteers had in-
creased from 15 pending induction to 44. This rate of volunteer activ-
ity. is expected to continue during the next fiscal year. Of 61 induc-
tions, 49 were volunteers.
Enlistment activity showed little change from that of the previous
fiscal year, although the total decreased from 109 to 81. Enlistments
in the Army were more active than other services, 55 as against 70
for the previous year. Enlistments by branch of service, inductions,
and separations are tabulated below:

Total
Branch of service Enlist- Indue- Total separations
ments tions gains reported

Army --------------- --------- 55 61 116 117
Navy.... ------- ------------------- 13 8 13 8
Marine Corps -- ----.---------------.-..-----------. ------------ ----- 3
Air Force---------. ------------------- 13 .. 13 20
Coast Guard------------------------------ ----------- ------- ---------------
Total-----.......--------------- ------------- 81 61 142 148

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 57

Standby Reserve
During the year there was an overall increase of 101 Standby
Reservists in the Virgin Islands. There were 539 members of the
Standby Reserve as follows:
Army -----------------------------------..------- 483
Navy -------------------------------------------- 4
Marine Corps -------------------------------- 19
Air Force--------------- ------------------ 32
Coast Guard ------------------- ------- 1

Total ----------------------------------------- 539
Total operating expenditures amounted to $28,551.59.

Virgin Islands Employment Service

The Virgin Islands Employment Service was reestablished as an
independent agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands under
the Office of the Governor. It is financed entirely by grants from the
U.S. Department of Labor.
With a total of 3,077 workers placed on jobs during the year, job
placements increased 9.5 percent over the past fiscal year. There was a
92 percent increase in the number of placements of skilled and semi-
skilled workers. Continued efforts were made to recruit workers in
Puerto Rico but the results were not encouraging as there is no signi-
ficant difference in wages between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The demand for alien labor to fill the need for hotel service workers,
farmhands, and other agricultural and nonagricultural workers re-
mained constant. Two thousand and eight non-agricultural openings
were certified for the importation of alien workers. Approximately
1,000 other openings were certified for the importation of agricultural
workers.
There has been no lessening in the need for outside workers to aug-
ment the local labor force. The jobs now held by aliens in the Virgin
Islands have achieved a permanence far beyond the intent of the pro-
gram. Although the fact exists that the local labor force does not
meet the present demand for workers, careful consideration has to be
given to the effect of the employment of foreign nationals on the area
wage and salary structure.

58 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

The Virgin Islands Employment Service also conducted counseling
interviews serving high school seniors; school dropouts; the mature
worker who, because of age or industrial and economic changes, finds
that his skill is no longer in demand; the ex-serviceman, with little
or no industrial or commercial experience; and other similar cate-
gories. The Employment Service also administered occupational
testing to high school seniors and specific aptitude tests to others in
order to give employers the advantage of hiring test-selected
applicants.
In January an economic outlook for the year was prepared and
published. Highlights of the findings were that the Virgin Islands
are experiencing a boom in the construction of new private homes and
the renovation and improvement of old dwellings, retail stores, and
shops; that representatives of several manufacturing firms in the
United States have inquired or have conducted local spot surveys of
economic conditions with a view to locating additional small plants
in the area; that gross revenues for the wholesale and retail trade
will reach an alltime high; that real estate values, already high on
all islands, continue on the rise.
The findings of this economic study also indicated that the price
levels of commodities, especially foodstuffs and rental or purchase
real estate, are rising at a considerably greater rate than wages and
salaries and that, if the need for importation of alien labor reflects the
employment situation as a whole in the area, it might be assumed that
the labor market area in the Virgin Islands could be classified as one
of substantial labor shortage in many occupational categories.
Summary of employment service activities is contained in the
following table:

Summary of Employment Service activities
New applications--------.---------------------------------- 1,854
Counseling interviews ------------------------------------------ 460
Employer visits---------------------------------------------- 409
Promotional telephone contacts--------------- ----------------- 545
GATB's administered--- ------------------------------------ 162
Specific aptitude tests administered---------------------------- 416
Proficiency tests administered---------------------------- 42
Placements (nonagricultural) ---------------------------------------, 061

Professional and clerical----------- --------------------- 238
Skilled and semiskilled------------ ---------------------- 1, 225
Unskilled----__..--------- --------------------------- -- 833
Service -------------- --------------------------------- 729
Daywork and casual-------------- ---------------------- 36

Placements (agriculture) ------------------------------------ 16

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 59

Claims activities
Veterans' claims:
New intrastate claims----------------------------------- 13
Total weeks unemployment compensated----------------- 457
Total amount of compensation paid----------------------- $11, 475.00
Total number of final payments------------------------------ 14
Federal employee claims:
New intrastate claims-------------------------------------- 31
Total weeks unemployment compensated---------------------- 212
Total amount of compensation paid---------- ------------ $4, 069.00
Total number of final payments ---------------------------- 5
TUC claims (to close of program, July 4, 1959) :
New intrastate claims----------------------------------- 103
Total weeks unemployment compensated -------------------- 511
Total amount of compensation paid------------ ----------- $13, 497.00
Total number of final payments------------------------------ 10
Ex-servicemen's claims:
New intrastate claims----------- .. --------------------- 41
Total weeks unemployment compensated-------------------- 118
Total amount of compensation paid---------------------- $4, 743. 00
Total number of final payments----------------------------- 0

Total benefits paid, all programs----------- ------------ $33, 784.00

The Virgin Islands Employment Service operating budget
amounted to $74,646.
Municipal Courts
St. Croix
A total of 1,504 cases were added to the calendar of the Municipal
Court of St. Croix as follows:
Preliminary hearings----------- --------------- 46
Criminal cases-------------- ---- ----------------- 424
Civil cases------------------------------- 436
Traffic cases----------------- -------------- 343
Juvenile domestic relations cases------------ --------- 132
Conciliation hearings-------------------------- 123

Total --.---------- ---------------------- 1,504
Of these, 1,437 cases were terminated. The overall increase of cases
terminated as compared with those terminated in the previous fiscal
year is 380, or 36 percent.
By an agreement between the National Park Service and the Gov-
ernment of the Virgin Islands, the Municipal Court relinquished its
quarters located at the fort in Christiansted and moved to Government
House. Sessions of the Municipal Court are held in the District
Courtroom.
By the end of the fiscal year the uniform traffic ticket prescribed
by rules of the municipal courts had been printed and it is expected

60 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

that uniform traffic ticket procedure will be established by the Depart-
ment of Public Safety early in the new fiscal year. In connection with
this activity, the office of Violations Clerk will be established for the
purpose of accepting pleas of guilty and collecting fines for those
offenses which do not have to be tried by the court.
There were 115 marriage licenses issued. Of these, 108 marriages
were reported as follows:
Roman Catholic Church _____________--------------_______ 31
Municipal Court .---------------- -----------31
Lutheran Church-----------------------------------------_ 12
Anglican Church --------_------- ------_------ 12
Moravian Church --------------------------- 7
AME Church ------------------------- ----- 7
Seventh-day Adventist Church--------------------- 3
Jehova Witness Church---------------_-----_--- __- 2
Spanish Methodist Church ---------- -----------_ 1
Pilgrim Holiness Church -- ___------- --------------___- 1
Pentacostal Church..-- ___------- ------------------- 1

Total---------------------------------- 108
There were seven coroner's inquests during the year.
The number of matters handled by the Municipal Court of St. Croix
has increased. It is anticipated that they will continue to increase.
Citizens are making good use of the conciliation division of the court
wherein matters of a civil nature may be heard by the judge in private
chambers. Expectations are that there will, be an increase in the in-
come of the court as the result of the passage of legislation increasing
the fees collected by the court for civil matters and marriage licenses.
It is also expected that more traffic fines will be collected with the en-
forcement of the uniform traffic tickets.
The operating cost of the Municipal Court of St. Croix was
$24,971.77. An amount of $6,224.65 was collected from criminal and
traffic fines, fees for civil cases, and marriage licenses.
St. Thomas and St. John
During the year, 2,786 cases were disposed of. This was an increase
of 20 percent over the preceding fiscal year. Divisionally, they are as
follows, including preliminary hearings:
Criminal cases -- ______-----------__ _-----------_ 1,452
Conciliation division ___ ___ ____-------------------------__ 397
Civil and small claims __ __ __--------------------------_ 834
Juvenile and domestic relations division_-----__------__ 103

Total -___---- ______---------------------- 2, 786

'REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS + 61

Two hundred and five marriage licenses were issued. Of these,
195 marriages were reported as follows:
Anglican Church ----------------- ------------------- 26
Calvary Baptist Church --------------------------------- 1
District Court--------------------------------------- 2
Dutch Reformed Church ------------------------------ 1
Jewish Synagogue--------------------------------------- 1
Pilgrim Holiness Church -------- ------------------------ 2
Lutheran Church -------------------------------- 18
Methodist Church --------------------------------- --- 50
Moravian Church --------------------------------- 22
Municipal Court------------------------------ -------- 32
Roman Catholic Church ---------------------------- 35
Seventh-day Adventist Church --------------------------- 5

Total---- --------------- --------------------- 195
There were two coroner's inquests during the year.
Although extensive repairs and improvements were made to the
courtroom and offices in recent years, the age of the building is such
that major repairs are once again necessary, but these are not eco-
nomical for the reason that there is insufficient space for the per-
sonnel and equipment of the court.
This inadequacy of space and unsuitability for the court's present
personnel emphasize the desirability of giving thought to the con-
struction of a suitable building to house the courts of the islands and
other important departments.
The Conciliation Division, as in St. Croix, continued to be an im-
portant part of the court's activities. A large number of citizens
look to this division of the court for guidance and help.
Due to delay in printing, as mentioned in the St. Croix section, the
uniform traffic ticket prescribed by the Virgin Islands Code, with its
attendant beneficial procedure, could not be placed in use during the
year. This phase of the court's activities will become effective during
the new fiscal year.
One of the immediate needs of the community in St. Thomas as
well as in St. Croix, is for detention centers where children may be
temporarily detained and cared for pending the Juvenile Court's
disposition of their cases.
Since the appointment of a probation officer, this office has rendered
valuable services to the court by providing it with presentence reports
and by supervising probationers and reporting to the courts their
progress or retrogression.
The total cost of operating the Municipal Court was $24,617.75.
A total of $12,180.45 was collected from court fines, court costs and

62 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

fees, notary fees, and other miscellaneous charges, representing an
increase of 73.8 percent over the preceding year.

Conclusion
This report shows marked improvement in the operations of the
Government of the Virgin Islands during the past year. It shows also
that considerable strides have been made in the advancement of the
economy of the islands. The new administration has recognized that
a comprehensive program for the continued development of the econ-
omy of the islands must, of necessity, depend upon the composite
energies and interests of all the people. The Governor has called and
. will continue to call upon leaders in all spheres of community life to
counsel the administration in developing programs designed to pro-
mote the cultural, economic, political, and social welfare of the terri-
tory and its people.
The objective of the administration, the objective of the legislature,
and the objective of the people they represent, must be one and the
same, namely, the advancement of the well-being of the people of the
Virgin Islands and the creating of conditions to make these islands a
showplace of democracy. In his inaugural address, the Governor
promised that he would work diligently in gathering around him a
group of young as well as experienced native leaders who would add
vitality to the government and provide first-class leadership for the
future. By the end of the year, the Governor's cabinet-for the first
time since the 1954 Organic Act was enacted-was nearly complete.
and active and intelligent teamwork was being developed for the solu-
tion of the problems of the territory.
With the islands' total revenues from local sources approaching a
figure which should-in the next 2 years-balance the territorial oper-
ating budget without Federal matching funds, consideration may now
be given to meeting the aspirations of the people for a greater voice in
their government when they are self-supporting. Unquestionably, the
present administration, under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and
Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton, has provided the territory
with the closest approach to self-government which they have ever
enjoyed.
The provision of a Resident Commissioner for the islands in the
Congress of the United States, and the eventual election of the Gover-
nor by the people of the territory, are the next steps which may be
considered in due course in the wisdom of the Congress of the United
States. The islands are achieving a degree of intelligent leadership
and financial responsibility which appear to make these goals entirely
possible of achievement.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1960 0-538322

	Front Cover
	Title Page
	Table of Contents
	Progress and goals of the...
	Office of the government secre...
	Department of agriculture...
	Department of education
	Department of finance
	Department of health
	Department of property and...
	Department of public safety
	Department of public works
	Department of social welfare
	Department of tourism and...
	Selective service operations
	Virgin Islands employment...
	Municipal courts
	Conclusion