Evening star., 1935-05-05
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

HURRICANES IN the CarlDpean
area are devastating events,
but political strife. 1t seems
l. i evident, works for worse
havoc in the otherwise para
disial West Indies.
Just now 1t Is over the Virgin Is
lands that partisan thunder is rolling
and partisan lightning Is flashing.
The storm is expected to break in
full fury Friday when Senator Robert
Rice Reynolds Of North Carolina, rep
resenting the Senate Territories and
Insular Affairs Committee, will begin
at st. Thomas an oficial investigation
Of the administration of DR. Paul M.
Pearson, Governor since 1881.
Such an inquiry has been threat
ened for q long time Indeed, agita-
ton for 1t traces back to the date OF
DR.. Pearson's arrival in the islands.
A militant portion Of the population
SO per cent colored-preferred Navy
control to civilian, and resentment
against the change personifled in the
new chief was a factor in his initial
difficultieS.
Also, it happened that a fortnight
after the governors induction Pres
ident Hoover visited him and, seeing
the poverty of the people and wishing
to dramatic their need, made the
tactical mistake Of referring to the
place as "a poorhouse"-a remark
which the already discontented ele-
ments seized upon with avidity.
H.
Perhaps DR.. Pearson was not
enough of a politician. A Swarthmore
Quaker who had spent long years in
educational work and had had little
contact with practical political mat
ters, he was not skilled in compromise.
His principal capital was interest in
his problem, idealism and enthusiasm
a sincere wish to make good and to
do good. Those who understood his
objectives appreciated him. but the
unreconciled minority resolved to pre-
vent his success regardless of the cost
to themselves or their neighbors.
Unfortunately, the obstructionists
soon began to attract allies. And
among the number was the man who
had been the Governors chief spon-
sor-Herbert D. Brown, former head
Of the Efficiency Bureau and the
original author Of what currently is
called the Pearson plan for the re-
habilitation of the islands.
On August 3. 1881, the rift between
the two erstwhile friends became
known through the publication of a
letter written by Mr.. Brown to Mr..
Hoover. demanding Dr. Pearsons re-
moval on the basis Of II charges sum-
married ir the claim that he had
exceeded his authority.
The complaints we're Endorsed BY
the Governors premier critics, but
made little impression In Washington.
DR.. Pearson's appointment had been
understood to be non-political in
character, and it was commonly
agreed that he was entitled to a fair
chance to show what he could do in
situation no one else particularly
desired to occupy.
Excitement Furry Dies.
A momentary outburst occurred in
December, 1891, when the Governor s
formal reply to Mr.. Browns indict-
ment was broadcast. but it soon died
away. The year 1882 was relatively
quiet. The Senate, on June 8, passed
o bill to admit all natives to citizen
ship, and the effect of that action
was helpful for the moment. Forces
generated BY the worldwide depres-
sion. however, we're rendering Dr.
Pearson's task additionally tedious.
The rum industry was paralyzed by
prohibition, the sugar trade was hurt
by competition and ships putting in
for coaling and other service we're in
creasingly few and far between.
Bankruptcy and starvation we're the
aflictions of the urban communities;
agrarian troubles made the lot of the
rest of the population miserable. The
Governor could not perform miracles.
All his efforts lay under the blight
which prevailed on the mainland be-
tween election day, 1882, and inaugu-
ration day. 1888.
The New Deal. possibly for that
reason, If not because of its own es-
sential merit, was good news" to the
islanders. DR.. Pearson, philosoph-
ical Progressive Republican, joined
in the optimism Of the period. His
continuance at his post, of course,
depended upon the wishes Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Secretary Of the
Interior IckeS. And to the horror and
dismay of Morris Davis, leader of the
Roosevelt Garner Club and an active
campaigner for drastic changes in
policy, the Governor was requested
by his new superiors to stay on.
Works Hard on Program.
DR.. Pearson, naturally, resumed his
labors to render the island inhabitants
self-supporting. His ideals had been
given q second lease of life, and he
applied himself to his duty with re-
vived spirit. But his antagonists were
not discouraged. BY July a, 1888,
they had filed q formal demand for
his dismissal.
Passionate anger blazed among them
when Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Ickes
again expressed their faith in the Gov
ernor as "a good man for the job. u
Failure stimulated another drive. Mass
meetings were held daily, the speakers
attaining unprecedented heights OF
eloquent denunciation.
Even in far-away Harlem, whittier
beginning in 1900 hundreds OF
islanders had removed, there were
large protest gatherings. A familiar
figure at the latter assemblies was
Casper Holstein. an amateur philan-
thropist of large means, born in the
islands. His enemies said that he
had gained his fortune through con-
troll of a numbers racket in New York,
but they could not deny the gener-
osity of his expenditure Of his money.
Even DR.. Pearson on occasion con-
suited him. recognizing in many diff
ferent ways his undoubted power
among the members of mis- race. But