The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1927-03-12
|. Another Virgin Islands Inquiry
2. Polidcs-Inside Out
,. Music for the Masses
preston News Service)

1. Another Virgin Islands Inquiry:
Sailing Friday, March 4th, on the
transport St Mihiel, certain congress
sional members Of the House Commit
tee on Insular Affairs are journeying
to the Virgin Islands, where they viii
check and recheck varied reports re-
lating to the political, economic and
educational status Of the Virgin
Islands, purchased by the United
States from Denmark in 1917, since
which time they have importuued I'm
Gle Sam TO give serious attention to
their signals Of dire distress.
A number Of previous Investigations
OF the Virgin Islands have been con-
Quoted since 1917. Congressional
agents visited the islands shortly after
their purchase; later an all-colored
commission was dispatched to the
islands by President Coolidge and the
T. 5. Secretary of Labor. Following
this, various economic experts OF the
treasury department, in conjunction
with the navy, submitted voluminous
observations bearing upon the present
and the future of the Virgin Islands
In the meantime, courageous Virgin
Islanders have repeatedly visited the
United States. petitioning their friends
and officials in and out of the govern
ment to give heed to the distress which
it was alleged predominated in the
islands. And now, as a finale, It ap-
pears that congress desires direct evil
dence of its own witnesses, in order to
formulate an opinion which will fairly
and justly prescribe a remedy for the
suffering islands.
1t really appears that the briefs al
ready on file here in America wildly
portray the true conditions OF the
islands. That some substitute for the
falling bay rum industry is necessary
needs no proof; that the coal trade OF
ST. Thomas has vanished is a self
evident truth: that livelihood is diff
cult now to obtain in the islands is
also self-evident; that avaricious pro-
motors are desirous Of exploiting Viz
gin Island labor has also been brought
to light from time to time: and that
the judicial system might be reor-
ganized and revised seems to appear
from allegations of island citizens.
In all, it would seem that the chief
concern of America should be that the
islands are now flesh OF its flesh and
blood of its blood, and as such should
undergo preparation to reap the full
benefits of American democracy, no
matter what particular phase thereof
is first to be applied. Hence we shall
await the return Of the congressional
committee in the hope that it will aTg-
ment the conclusions already adduced
by its own learned and magnanimous
opinion; and that in addition to the ben
efts OF citizenship which Congress has
recently bestowed upon the islanders,
new day Of unaIIoyed Americanism
may be announced for the Virgin
Islands OF the United States Of
America.
Some time, when you boys get to-
gether. maybe you'll get full political
recognition, said a grizzled white
Republican, who is a familiar with
interracial politics as boil weevil is
with cotton You fellows have too
many species" he continued. You're
like the biological min1ics. who change
their coats every time the leaf Of
tree changes its color"
But what's that got to do with po-
IiticaI recognition-with such things as
outstanding appointments, the aboli
ton OF segregation, antilynching legis-
lation. farm loan benefits. the ballot In
Dixieland, and such other benehces as
the race is striving for at this time?"
I sputtered-
-It's got just this much to do with
II" the sage replied: The politics
Of today is a scientific, unsentimental
business, through which unified organ
ization looks for results. It's ques-
ton of getting the money and the
votes, and delivering the goods"
aHmi you must be thinking Of Tea
pot Dome and Of the Illinois and Penn
sylvania elections" l oountered. with
a tinge Of sarcasm.
Not exactly" answered the Nodic
wizard, half smiIingly. TO come
down to brass tacls." he continued:
Look at the delegations yOur group
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