, 1954-04-17

tanned it viii be absolutely necessary that We practice the most aus
tere economy and at the same time keep our government services
up to high standards. This means that we must collect all our taxes
and collect all monies on which our budget was based.
It is going to be or task to make every attempt possible to
bring our old age benefits and social security payments on a par
with other territories Of like location and situations. Our Social
Welfare Director and our Health Department can depend on this
administration to cooperate and lend every assistance to increase
the usefulness Of the two services.
Some effort has been made and will continue to be made to e-
tablish a unit of the National Guard here. ! know Of no better way
to raise the morale Of our young men than BY 50 doing. There is
also some revenue attached to this operation
We are cognizant Of the problems affecting agriculture, water
supply and immigration. I am informed BY the Agriculture Depart
ment that there is a favorable opportunity to have our sugar quota
raised to 20 thousand tons this coming year. Our water supply pro
blem will probably be with us some time although there are some
expedients affecting agriculture such as ponds and storage that
could be put into practice without any great expenditure OF funds
/ am informed that our immigration problem will be solved, at
least on a workable basis, with a passage OF the new organic ACT.
We have on these islands a diverse population, the French
the only ones in which we will bend our efforts. We do not claim
that we have a oanacea for all the Ills that beset- uss but w 40
pledge to you our unceasng efforts directed toward results that viii
he lasting. None Of these areas can be successfully attacked alone.
We need the help, support and unqualified cooperation OF all y
vou. The test Of our progress is not whether we add more to the
abundance of those who have much; It IS whether we pfoWoe
enough for those who have too little.
We have on nthese islands a diverse population, the French,
the Continental, the Puerto Rican, native islander and others.
Some differences and prejudices. exist-but prejudice is born in ig-
lnorance and dispelled BY knowledge. If we could have easy and
frequent contacts if we could but meet in the familiarity Of the IN
tercourse, we would say each to the other as did that Jewish daugh-
ter In that DeauLlIu1 lQVl Ina DteH HduuSu8 uo"H - -, oM"
from the beginning Of time. "Entreat me not to leave thee n to e.
turn from following after thee-for wherever thou goest, ], too, will
lgo, Thy people viii be my people, thy God, my Cod
We have room these islands but for one flag, the American
flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars
against liberty and civilization just as much as sit excludes any
foreign flag of a nation with which there may be hostI1tIes.
Let us hope and ray to a benevolent God that we shall always
be able to lift our voices and sing. my country tbs Of Thee SWEEP
Land of Iiberty-Lat us plan together-Let us labor together-Let
us build together with noblity-Let us unite IN every phase ~
governmental life and make these islands the framework 8 2 nuo7
tue where men may dwell in peace, amity and harmony togetner.
tThe balance Of the text Of former Governor de castros Fare