Page 178 - PGM Compendium

Furthermore, during the Elvidge administration, Public Law 42 was passed, which allowed for

jury trial in certain cases within the jurisdiction of the newly established District Court of Guam.
Cargo handling rates at the Guam Commercial Port were reduced; the installation of a modern,
islandwide telephone system was completed, and new schools were built in Inarajan and Santa
Rita.

At the national level, Elvidge traveled to Washington, DC and had discussions with the
Department of Interior officials and President Eisenhower regarding progress on Guam. Elvidge
desired to clarify how and which federal laws were to be applied to Guam, especially in light of
the Organic Act. He also expressed interest in the territory having its own representative in
Congress, asserting, “I think Guam should have representation. They are not a large unit, but they
are an integrated part of the United States.

Most Worshipful Brother Ford Quint Elvidge was called from labor at the age of 87 on July 14
1982. According to his obituary in the Seattle Times, he had served as a past president of the
Seattle Bar Association, the College Club and the University of Washington Law School Alumni
Association, and was a former member of the board of the Washington State Bar Association.
Elvidge was also a past president of the Seattle chapter of the English-speaking Union and served
as legal counsel to the British consul in Seattle. In 1966, Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him the
title of honorary commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.