Mr. KNUTSON. There has been more work done toward agricultural development under the new administration? Mr. ALEXANDER. No, sir. I would not say that. Unfortunately, just at the time of the change of administration they were confronted with a very difficult proposition. The West Indian Sugar Corporation, which consists of Danish capital, ceased to function at that time and they were employing the major portion of the people of the islands and the banks are not advancing any money, and we have to advance certain trust funds we had, to lend out to these people to work up the soil, which, of course, was a great handicap. Mr. WILLIAMS. What is the approximate part of the revenue raised by the islands for the support of the Government? Mr. ALEXANDER. About $100,000. Mr. WILLIAMS. What is your tax rate? Mr. ALEXANDER. On land? Mr. WILLIAMS. On property. Mr. ALEXANDER. Property is based mostly on a monthly rate basis. Mr. WILLIAMS. On the revenue-producing basis? Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes. That is, if property produces about $60 a year, usually the taxes would be about $5. Mr. KNUTSON. You do not mean $5 per month, but $5 out of the $60. Mr. ALEXANDER. No. It is usually about a month's rent, or onetwelfth of the total rental. Mr. KNUTSON. What is your tax on land? Mr. ALEXANDER. Land which is cultivated for sugarcane around 70 cents an acre. Mr. KNUTSON. What is the average rent on land not in cultivation? Mr. ALEXANDER. That is 70 cents an acre, plus an immigration tax of 10 cents, which makes a total of 80 cents an acre, and uncultivated land pays about 23% cents an acre. Mr. KNUTSON. That is grazing land? Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes, sir; pasture land, as we term it. The CHAIRMAN. Has the council authority to change those rates under the present act? Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes, sir; to raise them, but they can not lower them. Mr. KNUTSON. You say you raise $100,000 a year? Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes, sir. Mr. KNUTSON. Is that for all of the islands? Mr. ALEXANDER. No, sir; only for St. Croix. Mr. KNUTSON. Would you put into the record, if you have not already done so, your budget, showing collections and expenditures? Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes, sir; I will do that. I wish to present the budget for the municipality of St. Croix. I will also present the budget for St. Thomas and St. John, which is incorporated in one municipality. (The two documents referred to are as follows:) Budget for the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John, for the fiscal year, July 1, 1932, to June 30, 1933 Maintenance-Consumable supplies and services necessary to the operation of the council, including travelling expenses for members from St. John at 25 francs per member, per meeting; subscriptions to newspapers; expenses in connection with the various committees; and for rental of colonial council's office- Total.... Judiciary department: 1, 015, 675 572, 000 4, 250 1,500 2, 500 8, 250 3, 225 11, 475 Judiciary department-Continued. Maintenance Consumable supplies and services necessary to For stenographic work included in this section. Police court, St. Thomas Salaries Judge of the police court. Clerk of the police court Maintenance-Consumable supplies and services necessary to the operation of the police court.. Government attorney's office Salaries-Clerk, government attorney's office... 1 matron.. Maintenance consumable supplies and services necessary to the operation of the department, including 1 uniform per patrolman and sergeant, subscription to newspapers; subsistence or prisoners; pay of police commissioners; and maintenance and operation of 1 automobile___ 11, 475 104, 238 850 11, 950 Maintenance consumable supplies and services necessary to the operation of the department, including maintenance and operation of motor-propelled fire engine.... Total.____ Department of health: Maintenance-consumable supplies and services necessary to 2, 500 Department of health-Continued. Electoral board: Total... Maintenance all necessary expenses for the operation of the board.. 85,000 196, 289 200 21,000 2, 500 1, 500 25, 000 1 assistant librarian 1 janitor... Equipment-nonexpendable articles, including books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, and furniture Maintenance consumable supplies and services neces- Equipment-nonexpendable articles necessary to the operation of the department.. |