The Daily News Of The Virgin Islands

Felix In Temporarily As Monsanto Resigns

Jack M. Monsanto resigned as Commissioner of Public Safety yesterday after a conference with Governor Paiewonsky.

Monsanto's withdrawal from the post he has held for more than two years came on the heels of a request from the Legislature that he be asked to quit.

Monsanto had testified at a budget hearing Thursday that he was a member of the controversial St. Croix Country Club.

Senate President Walter I. M. Hodge in a letter to Paiewonsky wrote: "As you may know, the St. Croix Country Club is one of those clubs practicing segregation on St. Croix.

The Legislature feels that in view of Commissioner Monsanto's statement to the (budget) committee, he can no longer be regarded as a person fit to enforce the provisions of the Civil Rights Act, as is his duty."

Monsanto's resignation becomes effective tomorrow. He will be replaced by Otis L. Felix, deputy commissioner of public safety.

Felix will be acting commissioner until such time as Governor Paiewonsky is able to hire an expert law enforcement officer "from outside."

Paiewonsky said the new commissioner, when selected, will be hired on a contract basis—"perhaps for two years."

The governor said he would be within the law in hiring a cabinet-level official on a term basis in that manner.

In addition to Acting Commissioner Felix, former District Judge Herman Moore will devote "much of his time" as special adviser to the governor on public safety matters.

Judge Moore will serve without salary. Paiewonsky pointed out that he is not available for appointment as commissioner pro tem because as an attorney he is an officer of the courts.

Paiewonsky said that with the assistance of Moore and others

See FELIX, Page 8
FELIX
(Continued from Page 1)

"We are going to overhaul the entire department."

Monsanto, following his resignation, will take leave for the "between two and three months" that have accrued to him.

Prior to his appointment as commissioner in the Merwin administration he was associated with Antilles Beverages, Inc. Before that he operated a charter flying service.