Page 171 - PGM Compendium

member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Washington Alumni Association, a Past President
of the Seattle Bar Association and at present a member of the Board of Governors of the Washington State
Bar Association.

In 1953, President Eisenhower tabbed Most Worshipful Brother Elvidge as the second appointed civilian
Governor of Guam. He would remain in that office until May 1956. According to historians Paul Carano
and Pedro Sanchez, his administration was defined by a determined effort to reduce government spending
and improving the territory’s medical facilities and school system. In addition, he tried to encourage the
local population to engage in western style commercial agriculture, but this effort was met with little
success.

He did, however, have several notable achievements. Using his experience as a lawyer, he was able to
negotiate with the naval authorities an agreement to increase power and water allocations for the general
public. Governor Elvidge also worked to get Guam included in the Federal National Mortgage Association
program, which helped provide funds for new housing or to build additions to existing housing for local
residents.

The Elvidge administration also developed an islandwide cleanup program. Upon his arrival on Guam,
Elvidge had observed that the island was littered with surplus military materials, abandoned automobile
wreckage, piles of dumped trash and other eyesores which presented a potential health hazard. The cleanup
campaign focused on education on proper sanitation procedures and village level efforts to remove
garbage. In January 1954, Elvidge focused on acquiring over $100,000 worth of surplus military property,
including plumbing supplies, heavy equipment, tools and typewriters. Many of these items were used by
the government and also by the newly opened vocational school.

Another of Governor Elvidge’s significant achievements was his proposal to convert the newly
constructed nursing school building at the Guam Memorial Hospital to a general hospital ward. The
nursing school was part of a new hospital complex being constructed in Oka, Tamuning. Elvidge feared
that funding would run out during the construction of the hospital due to decreasing tax revenues.
Although Elvidge’s plan was initially rejected by the Legislature, eventually by 4 June 1955, a new 6-
story, 65,000 square foot structure became a new wing of the permanent Guam Memorial Hospital.

Elvidge also worked toward the reopening of the Guam Museum in the garden house at the grounds of the
Plaza de España, forming a Parks, Monuments and Museum Committee to reestablish, equip and operate
the museum, as well as conduct studies and restore and preserve important historical landmarks.

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

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