CHAPTER 6
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF TERRITORIES
SHOULD REFLECT U.S. TERRITORIAL POLICY
influence
have
--Is
federal
the
Pacific
lessened
to
the
point
territorial organizational relationship,
Matters, is raising such questions as:
the
government
territories and
the
autonomy
and
greater
The federal presence
where
the
particularly
federal-
its
to meet
the
broad
economic and social
~-Is the Department of the Interior, which is primarily
responsible for territorial affairs, except Puerto Rico,
effectively addressing territorial and federal concerns?
--Is a new federal organizational structure needed to better address territorial concerns and implement U.S. pol-
icy objectives?
OVERVIEW OF TERRITORIAL
ADMINISTRATION
Because
U.S.
interests
in
territorial
acquisition
at
the
turn of the century were largely strategic and defense-oriented,.
early administration was vested in the military.
The territories, except for Puerto Rico which was under military control
for only 2 years, were administered by the Navy--for 14 years in
the Virgin Islands and nearly 50 years in Guam and American
Samoa.
Military administration set the stage for federal relations with its territories, a period marked by direct supervisory control and limited self-government.
With no congressional framework for territorial government,
all authority was vested in the naval governors who administered
the island's internal affairs.
Military governors generally
concentrated their efforts in the areas of public works, sanitation,
health,
and
education.
Little
effort
was
local self-government or economic development.
made
‘
to
foster
Early civilian administrators
continued direct control
over
territorial
affairs
By the early
1950s,
the United States had transferred
administration of the territories to civilian control under the
40
200024 1
;
in policy
effectively coordinating
administrative
and
policy efforts
objectives of encouraging political,
development?
;
a
ae
and
years,
assumed
increased
their own affairs.
Mal pid ingle! bia
15
Cie bet ate 8
past
Ln
the
Cap eile
In
Virgin
Islands
have
control for managing
‘