6 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

available for the building of additional schools, hospitals, and other
public projects.
 After careful study and proper consideration and evaluation of the
facts and discussions with Congressional committees, and with the
Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Board of Directors of Vicorp
will make a final determination based upon what will ultimately be
best for the people of the Virgin Islands.
 During this fiscal year steps were taken to upgrade educational
standards at all levels. The professional staff in both elementary and
secondary education has been strengthened and the necessary task of
improving existing school plants and construction of new ones was
commenced. Accreditation of the high schools of the islands has been
fixed as a goal for the year 1964. After a year of study and intensive
efforts, the College of the Virgin Islands became an accomplished fact.
It will open on July 1, 1963 as a Junior College offering 2-year courses
in liberal arts, and such other subjects as may be prescribed by the
Board of Trustees, to about 100 students.
 Medical services were strengthened by the addition of a modern
annex to the hospital at St. Croix to meet the need of the out-patient
clinics and the addition of an up-to-date formula room in the hospital
in St. Thomas.
 An apprenticeship and training program was started. The Home
for the Aged in St. Croix was renovated and, with improved staff,
is resulting in 100 percent improved care. An inspection of prisons
was made by the Director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons who
recommended that a new and modem prison be built.
 In public works, a contract was awarded for hauling garbage to the
sea in St. Thomas. The money value of construction completed and
initiated was $6,945,000 on 40 projects, principal of which were six
schools, airport extension on St. Thomas to handle turbo-prop planes,
construction of a deep water pier at Frederiksted, and construction of
a jet airstrip on St. Croix. Jet planes service from the mainland to
the Virgin Islands commenced in June 1962.
 A management survey and design for a new centralized accounting
system were prepared to commence operation in July 1962. The in-
come tax administration program was surveyed by the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service and reorganization to improve tax collection serv-
ices is in process.
 A professionally directed real property reassessment program re-
sulted in an increase of 44 percent in real property tax collections
from $348,000 in 1961 to $503,000 in 1962. These taxes should increase
well over 100 percent within 4 years.