The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-10

INTERVIEW WITH EAST
ERN RAILROAD MAN.
Believes that Asiatic or Cheap
Labor Is Essential-Country
Should Be Widely Advertised.

w. M. Hopkins, General Freight
Manager Of the Minneapolis, St.
Louis railroad, and his charming
wife leave for their home in Mime
apolis on the steamer Australia to-
day, after ENJOYING for a week the
scenic beauties and social pleasures
of the Paradise of the Pacific. They
leave reluctantly, for less than ten
days of travel will land them again
in the blizzard swept and ice clad
streets of the Minnesota metropo-
lis. They have made many friends,
too, who will be sorry to lose them
so soon.
During his stay on the islands
Mr.. Hopkins has been making a
study of their resources from rail-
road mans point of view, and his
observations will prove of interest
to those who are most interested in
the development and upbuilding of
the islands from a commercial point
of view.
In my opinion he said, in an
interview at the Hawaiian Hotel
this morning, there is future for
these islands, regardless of any 9TH
er country. | am somewhat of an
annexationist myself, but do not
believe that annexation is vital to
the development of the islands from
a commercial standpoint. You have
here a soil and climate that is un-
unsurpassed anywhere on earth.
Sugar can be produced here by
careful management, | am told on
reliable authority, for about one
half of what it costs in other coun-
tries, and you compete in that pro-
duct alone in any market in the
world.
Cheap labor is a strong point IN
favor of the development of the
islands. | do not want to go on
record as believer in cheap labor,
| for | am not, but | do say that the
Asiatic labor that is here now can
be utilized to the best advantage in
the development of the country.
Geographical position is another
point in favor of the islands, which
must prove a strong factor in their
development, enabling the greatest
possible distribution of your pro-
ducts. Bananas and many other in
digenous fruits are source OF
great wealth, and coffee is fast be-
coming established as standard
product. All kinds of tropical fruits
are raised here cheaper than any
place on earth, and the market OF
the world are more accessible than
from any other point. The wealth
of the country is great enough, but
a greater distribution of it is essen
tial to its welfare.
Il have been most impressed
with the hospitality of the people
here. 1t is contagious. Even the
steamship people seem to have be
/ COlllC lllllOCllldlCu, lllOSl ilcldDlS lllS
officers of the steamship Australia
Il am surprised that the islands
are not more widely advertised as
the most charming summer anC
winter resort on earth. Honolulu
can easily be made most attrac-
tive place. 1t needs railroad and
street car development more thar
anything else. But most OF all il
needs a big hotel, one on a Dalatia
plan, with rates according to the
style. Such a hotel would un-
doubtedly pay handsome dividends
| say advertise this city as ,he
greatest health and pleasure resorr
on earth. Place descriptive circulars
in the hands of every one OF thc
10000 ticket agents now in th(
United States, that they NAV n
duce travellers, and seekers after
health and comfort, to come ;hi'
way. ! have been surprised and IN
eXpressably charmed at what
have seen. shall certainly come
again, and do all in my power tc
induce my friends to come.