, 1963-10-24

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press releases, copies Of which were already made available to you
Question: In regard to the Sugar-Citrus question: y s generany
understood that you prefer citrus to sugar for ST. CroAxa despne
the Cochrane Report prepared by the U. S. Department OF Agrl-
culture which advocates the continuance of sugar growth and does
not recommend citrus growth on this Island. Is this true?
Answer: NV position on Sugar has been clearly expressed IN
several speeches made on this subject. The local Government q
not justify remaining in this industry at q cost OF $4O0OOO or more
each year, whereby only a handful of sugar growers and q fW
merchants reap the major benefit. I have asked several Questions
in NV last speech on this subject. 1t may help you understand te
entire matter as well IS my position if you secure the answers 9
these questions and make them known to your readers as well VINO
desire a clarifcatoin. I attach hereto a list OF these questions.
Regarding Citrus, the Cochrane report gave four reasons why
citrus cannot be grown successfully in St. CroIx. Actual experiments
being conducted here in ST. Crox, contrary to the 1Cochrane report
indicate that citrus can be grown very successfully. Another import
ant consideration is the fact that q private concern was and Jul
willing to risk several million dollars Of its capital IN this venture
without cost to the local or federal government In the opinion OF
the experts in the Department OF Agriculture and outside a e
partment. all agree that at best the sugar industry in St. Croix
without a substantial subsidy to cover losses can only survive a few
years. Sooner or later a substitute must be found to replace sugar,
whether it be citrus other fruit or vegetable crops-or expansion
of Tomism or other industrial DEVELOPMENT
Question Nc. 4: If you advocate both sugar and citrus to be grown at
once on St croix, where, if the 100 acres in question are leased
10 Bulk Carriers, Inc would the sugarcane be grown?
Answer: The 100 acres of land in question produces only soy Of
II the sugar grown in St. Croix. Ward Canadays Gordon Skeoch,.
Selwyn Fleming and others who advocate the continuance p sugar
cane own much Of the land in st. Crox. These gentlemen should
devofega little more of their land to sugar they wantdt to continue
A PROPOSAL was made to free the sugar mill of the burdens ofs(a
interest, b) depreciation, and e) alocated overhead, which would
be a net gain to the sugar mill which would more than offset the
los, Of the s1garcane from the 100 acres. This proposal was rejected
by Mr.. Gordon Skeoch, the spokesman for the sugar growers.
This compromise. proposal woul have given the islands both citrus
and sugar-both operated by private industry.
Question No 8Do you. think that Crucians would rather harvest
harve t citrus than sugarcane?
Answer: Yes. The people of the Virgin Islands are no different
Than tbair American brothers and sisters. In all citrus states both
men and women harvest citrus fruit while I am sure they would
refuse to cut sugarcane. Citrus picking is q different KIND OF labor
from that Of cutting cane, and the wages are higher
Question No. 9: Do you think the price Of sugar will go up IN 1864?
Answer: Commodity speculation is a dangerous and hazardous
game at best. The future price Of sugar may depend on a number OF
factors including supply and demand. The winter freeze IN the Us.
and Russia Destroyed much of the sugar beet crop last year. II there
is repeat performance of this sort again this winter, then sugar
might become in short supply in the world market The Cuban situa-
ton may aggravate somewhat the situation, however other sugar
cane areas around the world have increased their production. Mexico
is now a big producer. The Agriculture Department Of the Y. Sis
of the opinion and have so stated publicly, that the sugar price will
return to normal around 61h to 7 cents. There are SO many factors
involved to be considered, therefore anyones guess is as good as
mine.
Question No. 10: In many Of your remarks you have shown that
the tourist business has increased during your administration and
therefore more jobs are available for the people Of the Virgin Is
lands. Do you consider this kind Of employment the hes tfr the