The West End News

Hodge Fights Back
At Public Meeting, On Aluminum Plant

The question of the Harvey Aluminum Company establishing a plant here in St. Croix was the topic under discussion this past Wednesday night when the St. Croix Citizens Association held a public hearing on the subject. Before the meeting was adjourned around midnight, civil rights and philosophy were also covered.

Chairing the meeting was Miss Nora Amritt, well known beautician and President of the Association. Miss Amritt opened the meeting by saying that since she is a Jamaican she would not have too much to say. At once, the venerable president of the legislature was on his feet. Said the Hon. Walter I. M. Hodge. "I am from here and I intend to die here, therefore, I will have a lot to say."

Sensing the hostility of the audience which was largely made up of continentals, Senator Hodge observed:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I realize that I am in the Lion's Den tonight." At this point a few persons nodded, indicating that he was right. Continued Hodge, "there isn't one god dam lion in here that I am afraid of."

From that time on the meeting was at a high pitch. Present also were Senator Alexander, Anduze and Lawaetz. But it was Hodge who dominated the show, and was strongly supported by Alexander. They are known to be in favor of the establishment of the aluminum plant.

On the other hand, Senator Lawaetz was skeptical about the proposal, but he has not taken a final stand. Senator Anduze has yet to declare himself. Hodge subjected Miss Amritt to sharp questioning about whether she had smelled fumes from the aluminum plant in Jamaica. Miss Amritt replied that she "didn't go looking for fumes." Senator Hodge reminded her that when there's fumes around "you don't have to look for it."

The Senator remarked that he was in favor of the aluminum plant because, as he put it, there is no reason why the native people should be relegated to positions of servants and chauffeurs. A continental woman then said that the reason why the native people are relegated to these positions is because they only want to live off of relief. Hodge resorted to strong language to set the record straight.

Another continental referred to an item in the San Juan Diary which was headlined, "Harvey Aluminum Plot in St. Croix. Why the Hush up?" Snapped Senator Alexander, "That periodical is a scandal sheet."

Senators Anduze and Lawaetz, more or less, skirted the issue all evening. But Anduze did say that he agreed with the remarks made by Hodge but that he would not have used the same words.

Others in the audience accused Hodge of deliberately raising the civil rights issue for reasons best known to himself. Hodge had let it be known that he feels many of the persons who were opposing the aluminum plant were doing so as to raise other questions about the civil rights issue.

Cruzians, for the most part are looking forward to the next public hearing on the aluminum plant.

Meanwhile, the St. Croix Avis has come out editorially against establishment of the plant....St. Croix News Current