Department of the Interior.
The transfer occurred in recognition that territorial problems were largely economic and social
in nature.
By 1951, Interior had jurisdiction over Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
tory of the Pacific Islands.
Centralized
federal
authority
Samoa,
in
and
the
the
Trust
territories
Terri-
remained
‘constant, however, and Interior's role included many supervisory
functions, including
-*
--appointing territorial governors
—~-managing territorial
governors; and
in American Samoa;
government
--administering and coordinating
programs in the territories.
operations
federal
throuqh
the
assistance
and
Puerto Rico's move toward self-government
marks the beginning of decreased direct federal
involvement in territorial administration
When Puerto Rico achieved commonwealth status in 1952, it
was removed from Interior's jurisdiction and assumed responsibility for its own internal affairs.
No single federal agency
was directed to replace Interior, and Puerto Rico has continued
its singularly unique relationship to the federal government
Since that time.
In 1961, a presidential memorandum directed
that matters pertaining to Puerto Rico were to be referred to
"The Office of the President."
The White House continues to
have responsibility for Puerto Rico, and, according to an admin-
istration
official,
arbitrates
problems
involving
Puerto
Rico
and federal agencies.
He said the White House tries to ensure
that the Commonwealth's administrative and policy concerns are
adequately presented, and that high-level attention is given to
Puerto Rico by federal agencies.
Other territories move
toward greater autonomy
As discussed in chapters 3 and 4, the other territories and
insular areas have acquired or are moving toward increased local
autonomy--largely
self-governing
entities.
Their
political
development, resulting from a series of specific legislative and
administrative actions by the Congress and the executive brénch,
has contributed to the U.S. government's reduced
authority and presence in the territories.
TRENDS
As
IN
FEDERAL
the
INVOLVEMENT
territories
self-governing,
and
insular
areas
became
increasingly
federal administration has been marked
41
IOT024U8
administrative
by
(1)
a