TERRITORIES: Awakening the Virgins

On the sunny, sluggish Virgin Islands (pop. 27,000), even an ordinary walk seems like a mad rush. Into the languid territory last year charged a fast-moving new governor: Archibald Alfonso Alexander, 67, self-made Des Moines building contractor and onetime first-string football tackle (Iowa, '12). Last week Reformer Alexander, the island's second Republican governor,* was making some progress with the beautiful, backward Virgins. He was also making some enemies.

"Stealing Going On." In the islands, family income averages only about $400 a year. The territory badly needs roads, schools, sanitation, even water, despite $100 million in past U.S. subsidies. Surplus federal property...

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