Hearings, in two parts, before the Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions, United States Senate, Sixty-eighth Congress, first session, on S. 2448, S. 2571, S. 2572, and S. 2573, February 16, 25 and March 7, 1924. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS Social and political conditions. The principal political events of the year in the Philippine Islands were: The resignation on July 17, 1923, of all members of the council of state, exclusive of the secretary of public instruction, who is also the vice governor, and the acceptance thereof by the Governor General. The details of this event are set forth in the annual report of the Governor General for 1923. The special senatorial election in the fourth senatorial district, resulting in the election of Ramon J. Fernandez. The annual reports of the Governor General of the Philippine Islands and of the Governor of Porto Rico cover fully governmental events of importance in those islands. The annual reports of the Dominican and Haitian customs receiverships cover fully the progress made by these services in their operations under the supervision of this bureau. Generally, the year has been one of prosperity and progress. Annexed hereto are the usual statistical tables on commerce and government finance. PERSONNEL Since the last annual report, the following changes have taken place in the officers appointed by the President to the services reporting to this bureau: Philippine Islands.-Manuel Araullo, chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands, died July 26, 1924. His successor has not been appointed. Edward M. Fullington, insular auditor, resigned January 24, 1924, and was succeeded by Benjamin F. Wright. Haiti.-William Wilson Cumberland was appointed general receiver of Dominican customs on April 1, 1924, succeeding A. J. Maumus. William S. Matthews, jr., deputy general receiver of Dominican customs, resigned March 31, 1924, and was succeeded by Everett A. Colson, who entered office on May 6, 1924. Bureau of Insular Affairs.-Col. Charles C. Walcutt, jr., after an efficient and zealous service of approximately 12 years in the bureau as assistant to the chief and acting chief of the bureau during several long absences of the chief, was relieved from duty in the bureau by operation of law which required him to return to service with troops. This was a serious loss to the bureau, and evidences of appreciation of Colonel Walcutt's services have come from the various islands reached by the activities of the bureau. FRANK MCINTYRE, APPENDIX SPECIAL LAWS RELATING TO PORTO RICO, ENACTED BY CONGRESS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1924 [PUBLIC-No. 243-68TH CONGRESS] [S. 2572] AN ACT To purchase grounds, erect, and repair buildings for customhouses, offices, and warehouses in Porto Rico Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to purchase or otherwise secure grounds where necessary in the municipalities of Aguadilla, Arecibo, Arroyo, Guanica, and Fajardo, in Porto Rico, and to build or rebuild thereon customhouses, offices, and warehouses, the grounds and buildings not to exceed in cost as follows: Arecibo, $30,000; Aguadilla, $25,000; Arroyo, $30,000; Fajardo, $40,000; Guanica, $30,000; for repairs to the customhouse at Ponce, $18,000; for repairs to the customhouse at Humacao, $4,000; and for repairs to the custom warehouse at Mayaguez, $8,000. Authority is also granted the Secretary of the Treasury to pay said amounts as needed out of duties collected in Porto Rico as an expense of collection, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury: Provided, That not more than $65,000 of the total expenditure herein authorized shall be made in any one year. Approved, June 7, 1924. [PUBLIC-No. 244-68TH CONGRESS] [S. 2573] AN ACT To amend and reenact sections 20, 22, and 50 of the Act of March 2, 1917, entitled "An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first paragraph of section 20 of the Act entitled "An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes," approved March 2, 1917, be, and the same is hereby, amended to read as follows: "SEC. 20. That there shall be appointed by the President an auditor, at an annual salary of $6,000 for a term of four years and until his successor is appointed and qualified, who shall examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenues and receipts, from whatever source, of the Government of Porto Rico and of the municipal governments of Porto Rico, including public trust funds and funds derived from bond issues; and audit, in accordance with law and administrative regulations, all expenditures of funds or property pertaining to or held in trust by the Government of Porto Rico or the municipalities or dependencies thereof. He shall perform a like duty with respect to all government branches." SEC. 2. That section 22 of the said Act be, and the same is hereby, amended to read as follows: "SEC. 22. That there shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of Porto Rico, an executive secretary at an annual salary of $5,000, who shall record and preserve the minutes and proceedings of the public service commission hereinafter provided for and the laws enacted by the legislature and all acts and proceedings of the governor, and promulgate all proclamations and orders of the governor and all laws enacted by the legislature, and until otherwise provided by the legislature of Porto Rico perform all the duties of secretary of Porto Rico as now provided by law, except as otherwise specified in this Act, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Governor of Porto Rico. In the event of a vacancy in the office, or the absence, illness, or temporary disqualification of such officer, the governor shall designate some officer or employee of the goveroment to discharge the functions of said office during such vacancy, absence, illness, or temporary disqualification." SEC. 3. That section 50 of the said Act be, and the same is hereby, amended to read as follows: The "SEC. 50. That, except as in this Act otherwise provided, the salaries of all the officials of Porto Rico not appointed by the President, including deputies, assistants, and other help, shall be such and be so paid out of the revenues of Porto Rico as shall from time to time be determined by the Legislature of Porto Rico and approved by the governor; and if the legislature shall fail to make an appropriation for such salaries, the salaries theretofore fixed shall be paid without the necessity of further appropriations therefor. salaries of all officers and all expenses of the offices of the various officials of Porto Rico appointed as herein provided by the President shall also be paid out of the revenues of Porto Rico on warrant of the auditor, countersigned by the governor. The annual salaries of the following named officials appointed by the President and also those appointed by the Governor of Porto Rico so to be paid shall be: The governor, $10,000; in addition thereto he shall be entitled to the occupancy of the buildings heretofore used by the chief executive of Porto Rico, with the furniture and effects therein, free of rental; heads of executive departments, $6,000; chief justice of the Supreme Court, $7,500; associate justice of the Supreme Court, $6,500. "Where any officer whose salary is fixed by this Act is required to give a bond, the premium thereof shall be paid from the insular treasury.' Approved, June 7, 1924. |