, 1958-07-23

Regular Session of this year, and | urge its enactment IN
order that the Government may discharge It's obngauons
in this regard.
You will recall that the enactment of Act No. 70 pro
Vided for standardized salary rates in the Government OF
the Virgin Islands, including the pay plan for nurses, SUI
pervisors, and directors in the general and public health
nursing systems Of the Virgin Islands. You will recall, also,
that certain pay arrangements in existence at the time
Of the enactment of Act No. 20, and subsequent to that
Legislation, another pay plan renamed IN effect Whlcn con
ficted in part with the new legislation. An effort to put
these positions in line, and to effect repayment to deserv-
ing personnel was accomplished during the Regular Ses-
sion with an appropriation of $4,000 for retroactive pay
for nurses. A detailed study OF the retroactive pay due
nurses amounts to some $42,0 900, and I am requesting that
the Legislature appropriate the balance of $31 800 in order
that all eligible individuals may receive monies due them
under the existing pay arrangements.
In a special session of the First Legislature, there was
appropriated $4,000 for the activation Of the ST. Croix
Port Authority, an organization whose mission embraces
the planning, design, and bond issuance for the c~onsruc-
ticn of a deep-Water pier at Frederiksted. AS a result OF
drawn out negotiations between the Authority and pri-
Vate engineering organizations, a contract was not execut-
ed prior to the termination Of Fiscal Year 1857 and, IS a
result, the monies for this organization were caused to
lapse. | am requesting that the Legislature Inappropriate
the original amount Of $30,000for the St. Croix Port Auth
ority and an additional $4,000 for contingency expenses
relating to the activation of the Authority. In this regard,
would also like the Legislature to appropriate the monies
- remain available until expended, rather than confne
Essential Public Projects appropriations to fiscal year
limitations.
The Commissioner of Public Safety advised me of the
disrepair Of his vehicular equipment for fre-fghting pur-
poses. There is no doubt that the Government of the Vir-
Gin Islands is in dire need of fire-ighting vehicles, and
I am asking the Legislature to appropriate $4,000 for Tho
current fiscal year for the purpose of acquiring two addi-
tional fre-fghting vehicles and related equipment in order
that threat to the safety Of the community may be reduced.
This message covers the items which l announced
would be on the agenda at the time the call for the special
session was issued. | am hopeful that you will agree with
the Importance of these appropriations and will give
speedy approval to them.
In addition to the six items which l have announced
on the agenda for this special session, / will, in ample
time, submit to you several more items for your consid-
Grafton and action. There will be some additional appro-
priation requests, and some matters of importance for the
orderly operation and conduct of Government / assure
you, again, that nothing will be presented that is not
most urgently needed, and at the present time, for the
benefit OF all OF the people of the Virgin Islands.
If at any time during this special session you require
or desire information concerning fiscal, budget, or pro
gram matters of any department Of Government, the Di-
oto q tho R1dnnt nd donartrnnn4 LoaLaaaa-aA:LL1-