, 1956-09-07
demands. The i~nsistence of the department that staff per-
sonnet periodically undertake further training is indica-
tive Of a well-defined program.


The Department of Social Welfare has been active
sin attempting to eliminate the ceiling Of Federal contri4
button, and the Executive Branch has been cooperating
with il, assisting in every way possible. AS you know, the
Congress of the United States heretofore fixed the sum. of
$4,000 per year as the maximum for assistance in the
Virgin Islands, and this is divided into four categories-
namely, the aged, the blind, the disabled, and children.
We have worked with the United States Department
Of Health, Education and Welfare to remove this ceiling
entirely, and base the Federal contribution On the criter-
ion Of need. MI. Roy Bornn, the Commissioner Of Social
Welfare, has made trips to Washington, where he has ap-t
peared before Congressional committees and department
tai personnel to testify III support Of our position. We have
had the cooperation of the Department of the Interior
through the Director Of Territories. We have also been
endeavoring to have individual allotments in each group
raised. These matters are now under consideration, and
we are optimistic as to the outcome.
The matter Of sufficient water supply IN the Virgin
Islands has posed a ~perplexing problem for a long period
Of time. / have read many reports concerning the history
Of the Virgin Islands since they were discovered by Col
umbus in 1923, and have noticed a continuous thread
through all the accounts, mentioning the water shortage
in the Enthusiastically ST. Thomas. Many water sur
veys have been made, with numerous suggestions being
offered as solutions, We have, through appropriations
voted by this Legislature, secured the services Of the
Gibbs-Hin Engineering Company, to give US a thorough,
~up-to-date report on the water problem. cannot tell
you the results Of this survey at this time as I have not
yet received the company's report. We trust that a real
istic solution will be the outcome of their study.
In the meantime, we are confronted with the pro-
blem Of meeting our water needs today. Over the years,
during the drought season, the United States Navy has
transported water to the Virgin Islands from Puerto Rico,
without charge.The Navy has indicated that it would have
to make a charge for transporting water to us in the flu
ture, however. Last year, it transported about 1917 mill
lion gallons to US We bought from a commercial source
last year an additional 100000 gallons, at a cost Of $4,000.
With these facts before us, I requested an appropriation
during the Special Session of $2OOyOO0, in order to secure
a water barge. The appropriation being made, negotia-
tons were started to obtain q selfpropelled barge from
the Navy. It was disclosed, after the barge was partially
removed from moth-balls, that the Coast Guard would re-
quire US to carry q crew Of seventeen and quarters for
that number of persons would have to be available on
board. As the operation of such a vessel would be too ex-
pensive and as additional quarters would have to be con-
structed fsince the Navy had operated the barge with q
crew of eleven1, we sent the st Thomas harbor pilot, Cap
tain Ben Yates, to Washington to assist in finding a solu-
ton Following his discussions and mine with Navy and
Interior Department officials, ! decided to secure a tug
and 3 wafer banker. instead If the ooIfnroro51ol 49,