The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-12-03
GROWTH RETARDED.

Tourist travel TO these Islands
sometimes a prolific source of revenue,
Is less than il has been for several
seasons back, and il shows no signs of
immediate revival. The plague, which
broke out a year ago this month Ode
cember 12), brought transient immi-
grafton to sudden stop; and after the
plague had been suppressed, the tour
list multitude took a superior interest
in Europe, the Exposition being the
peculiar magnet. In the past, many
Of our visitors stopped here while on
the way TO Asia, but the troubles in
China have cut down this source of
supply. Were IL not for the army
people and the traders hurrying to
Manila. westbound passenger traffic
on the great Pacific routes would be
\ much lighter than II Is.
II we are to draw tourists here In
considerable numbers during the next
few years. some special efforts must
be made. The Advertiser does not
think that Hawaii needs to be. adver-
tised as III II were new summer
resort. 1t Is as well known now as
Florida or Southern California; but Il.
lacks one essential advantage which
those localities enjoy, namely, cheap
means OF access from the large centers
OF population. In brief, tourists Of the
middle (and most numerous) class,
are deferred from coming by excessive
steamship rates.
One may go to Europe from New
York In very good style indeed at a
passage price of s45. At times compe-
tftion has brought the first cabin rate
20 $35. For the sum of Sos palatial
accommodations on the fastest and
most sumptuous liners are to be had.
Yet the cost of ticket from San
Francisco to Hawaii on small steam
ers OF moderate speed is $75. For a
sum but s. in excess of that, one may
get first-class passage across the con-
tinent. three thousand miles, though
land travel should be very much more
expensive than sea-voyaging. Viewed
comparatively the price between San
francisco and Honolulu seems extor-
tionate. 1t certainly costs us a multi
tude OF tourists. Hawaii ought to
draw the teachers, who make long
Mainland excursions every year. San
Francisco, Portland, Seattle. Los An
geles and San Diego people and the
well-to-d do Inhabitants generally of the
trans-Rocky Mountain States and Ter.
ritories, should be our frequent guests
But between SIS trip ~ honolulu
or $40 to $50 trip to Chicago, they
prefer the latter as giving them more
for their money. The truth Is. as
respects our main source of tourist
visitation, the western part of the
United States. we are under a competi-
tive status with the item of cost hear.
ing heavily in favor Of our rivals. Ha-
them IL IL wants to make sure of q
steady, unfluctu1ting and permanent
income from the tourist class. OF
course, in any event. in the future nc
In the past, there Will he seasons when
people will come in large numbars
But we should do something to close
\ up the gaps between.
Can the steamship companies be in.
duced to make the experiment of lowe,
lares! III so, we believe the results
would be as gratifying to them as to
us. Not only would more tourists
come, but the Islands would get the
AGRICULTURAL homeseeker. Back East
the railroads organize excursions OF
land-huters, and the West has beer
Duilt up by them. With 10000 acres o.
Government land still open on the Isl.
and OF Oahu and we don't know how
much on the other Islands. there are
plenty of home sites to look for. Blu
the prospectors do not come; the,
can't afford the trip. Once put the reg
ular rate down to $50, with specia
rates TO parties, and hundreds of farm.
ers from the drouth-stricken districts
OF Southern California, alone. would
put In an early appearance. And o.
the $4,000 visitors from the East who
swarm over California in summer and
winter. we ought to get at least 5000
Would not trial of such rates BIZ
worth the while Of the steamship com.
panies? Might not they greatly prof
by 1t? Is there any business merit ii
carrying a few passengers at a large
price over many passengers at a fail
price? II is a question which the
steamship companies ought to consider
on its merits