The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-06
THE HAWAIIAN LAbORER
How He Works by Contract on the
Large Sugar Plantations.
ray Tn,lor's Report From Homo
lulu to the State Departmept-Thc
ToiIcrs and Those Under bond
Life I'm the Camps on the Islands.


by Wray Taylor Secretary of the Bureau OF
Immigration at Honolulu A copy of the
report has been sent to the State Depart
ment. which in part is as follows:
The ordinary manual work on a Ha-
*aiian plantation is performed by unskiled
labor which may be divided into tive
classes-contract and free Contract labor
consisting of japanese. Chinese Portu-
guese, Italian, Hungarian. Hawaiian, and
Others, is held under contract for three
years when coming direct from foreign
countries under agreement, and for the
same OF shorter period when contrasting
after a previous sojourn in this country.
Free labor. consisting Of the same national
titles mentioned above. is employed by the
day or month, without contract and has
come into the country as free labor or has
fulfilled previous three-year contract, and
is then free TO work where employment
may be obtained
This free-lahor contingent is a fluctuat-
ing and uncertain quantity-here today and
there tomorrow-working a will. and SEEK
fng the places where most favorable condi-
tions and highest wages are in vogue. The
laborers receive higher pay than contract
men, but may be discharged at moment 5
notice, and the plantation owes them moth
ing but shelter and wages for work d5ne.
The contract man occupies quite dill
ferent position with reference to his en-
ployer He is assured Of steady work at
fixed sum per month. He can claim and
receives not Only unfinished lodging FOR
himself and family, but fuel, water, taxes
paid medical attendance. and certain other
privileges; and for this he must work.
when able. certain fixed time per day,
and certain number OF DAYS per month.
whenever it pleases the employer. and full
fill in other respects The terms OF his con
tract
When contract labOrers are needed from
abroad application is made TO the Govern
ment for permission TO import laborers OF
the desired nationality. If permission Is
granted the order 10 recruit them is given
10 immigration companies authorized by
law. who employ recruiting agents in the
localities whence the men are TO be drawn.
These companies are then responsible for
the delivery of the required number Of men
to the final employer
In obtaining European labor the
planters have the benefit of the authority.
forms. and official connection Of the board
of immigration: and. while ali expenses
are met by the planters in the first in
stance. afterwsrd a sum, not to exceed $3.50
for each family, IS paid by the Government
TO cover recruiting expenses aud passage OF
women and children accompanying the i'm
migrants.
The only other laborers noN imported
are Japanese The companies supplying
these are chartered by the japanese Gov
ernment and have their principal offices in
Japan. They are under heavy bonds and
are compelled to submit all arrangements
TO the governor OF the district in which
the agency If located. and be is held re-
sponslble by the General Government
The quarters furnished by the planta
ton for its laberers are grouped together
In camps. located with reference to con
renience 10 work, and TOR the most part
With regard 90 drainage and sanitary con
ditions. The kind of building varies with
the class Of labor. European labor has for
g family or for two single men. two rooms
fn four-room cottage. Chinese being
single men, are housed in barracks with
from six to forty men in a room. Single
Japanese are often provided for in the
same way; sometimes. however only two
occupying the same room. Married Japa-
nese are furnished with small room for
each family.
Tho staple article OF diet among Orien-
tails, here as elsewhere. is rice. Chinese
add pork, or vegetables and certain Chi
nese dried sailed. and otherwise preserved
food. imported from their own country
Ducks are in favor with them and tea in
quantity is never-failing beverage
Japanese add beans in various forms
sauces, vegetables. etc, imported from
their own country. Beef milk. and wheat
bread they soon learn TO eat and become
partial to. Tea is the principal drink.
European laborers do not fare differently
from those in their own country
Contract laborers are expected to do
agricultural and mill work The former
comprises clearing land. cutting wood and .
brush, grubbing out roots, moving rocks
and brush. teaming and blowing care of {
horses, ditching, hOeng. irrigating. fer
tilizing. planting. stripping and cutting ,
cane. loading and unloading cane cars. and
any other necessary farming operations.
In and about the mill they are occupied in
feeding the cane carriers and furnaces.
tending any of the mill machinery. han
ding sugar. loading cars. etc. From the
labor class the carpenter, black
smith, engineers. and sugar boilers select
heir assistants and these. as they learn
and become competent obtain higher
wages and often command from $50 to 500
per month
When the profit sharing system is in
practice, contract men. If deserving. are
allowed TO take these special contracts and
have made from SO 10 s35 per month In
, few places. men have been allowed TO
AXE small pieces Of land and cultivate
hem at their leisure In order TO do this.
hey are compelled to work early and
ate. Sundays and holidays and the mill
Juys the cane al a fixed rate per pound.
Between one-third and one-half of the
women work in the field and about the
nil. az the lighter kinds OF labor There
s no compulsion. They have many ways
Il earning money in the camp. After at
ending to their household duties. which
re few aud simple they find time TO wash
.Ook and sew for others In these ways
be woman often can earn more than her
husband
The number ri hours is settled In the
ouiraet being usually ten hours in the
eld aud twelve in the factory The day
egns al an hour varying with the season.
aking advantage OF the light in the early
morning. rising bell or whistle wakes
he men at say. i.3O a. m At $50 they
re ready TO proceed to the field, and at
o'clock the worlEday commences From
1870 TO j noon there is an interInission
or lunch IN the field; then they work TIL
30 y II. The mill man begins at $50
!. m. and is relieved by the night shift
I p. M. Overtime is paid for at a con-
raet rate IN some cases, time is counted
rom the time Of departure for the field.
Wages vary according 10 supply OF la
or, and in many instances are governed
Y the price Of sugar. The contract price
, now SIS per month for Oriental and SIS
or European lsborers Old contracts call
or only sl2-50 for Oriental. but In most
asses $3.50 bonus is given to these latter.
Onditione0 on good behavior Women re-
Give $3.50 to $40 per month"
Regarding the nationality Of laborers.
he reporf SAVE there were Is gsT laborers
4 Hawaii on October 81, 1899 OF this