The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-09-19
ms. BERGER HlEEs 4 REPORT
The COMING OF PORTO aIcANs
TO THE CITY is DIS
cUssEp.
They Seem To Desire To Live On
Charity In Preference to WORKING
FOR a uisins-wm Receive Vsy
Little encouragement

The regular monthly meeting OF Ine
Associated Charities was held yesteT-
day afternoon In the new apartments
OF that organization on Alakea street,
Governor Dole presiding. and ali the
officers being present
After the reading OF the minutes
Mrs. Berger, Manager Of the Associat-
ed Charities, read her report. showing
the number OF applications made TO be
20. recurrent cases i, total u Appil-
catiOn for work, 10; situations report
ed found. !; cases sent to lncura0ie
Hospital, L. number OF other persons
given relief. 8. number Of Office in
tervieWs, III and amount OF funds
received s4SL
Treasurer Carter reported cash bal
ance on hand TO be $150.S9. the
amount expended since that time be-
ing S6s6.75.
The business formalities were fol-
lowed by an informal discussion on
matter that has been a source OF great
perDlexity and difficulty TO Mrs. Ber-
ger in her work recently. During the
past month As applications for assist
ance have been filed by Porto Ricans.
American negroes and American Por-
tuguese, and the problem presented by
the continually increasing number OF
applications from this class is one
that requires consideration from many
points. These applicants are runaway
iaborers from the plantations and the
advisability OF Offering them assist
ance was brought up for discussion by
Mrs Berger who has been troubled
continually with these cases. She
reported that work had been obtained
fer several of these men, and that
they had refused to accept the work;
they often presented themselves al
the Associations rooms and waited
help. saying that they were actually
hungry. and some had claimed to be
in. although only few had shown evil
dence Of actual distress or sickness.
In many instances they cannot
sneak English, and there Is no means
OF communication. 80 the problem for
Mrs. BERG, has ften q perpicxlng
one Several cases had been sent to
the hospital upon advice Of DR.. Al
iavez. who has been acting in the
capacity OF Interpreter as well as that
Of medical adviser Tor the organizes
ton. Mrs. Berger stated that many OF
the applicants were sent to her by
one Oppenheimer from the Waialua
plantation. a note asking her 10 direct
the bearer TO the Qneen's Hospital
being written by this man, who seems
TO have no authority. Recent expert
ences has shown that II the applicants
are assisted literally the number of
other applicants has increased, and
that the wisdom OF making the situa-
ton too comfortable in Honolulu for
these laborers is doubtful. as they In
form their runaway friends from the
plantations that life in this city Isl
preferable 70 plantation life. and the
consequence is that more leave their
work and come into Honolulu to beg
or steal iisN&
George R. Carter explained at some
length the plans OF the planters for
keeping their lahorers. An under
standing has been had In regard to
runaway laborers. through which
those that desert from one plantation
can not be employed at another
plantation. the applicant being ieconi-
mended 20 return 10 his former work.
OF 10 bring with him a letter Of dis
charge. which he could obtain by ne
questing IL from his former employer.
This means was taken 70 prevent the
continued shifting about OF the labor
ers from one plantation to another.
II IS not difficult for any laboreF COM
plying with these conditions 20 get
work on any plantation. When they
come TO Honolulu and say they cannot
end work. II they are treated too well,
they prefer to remain and induce their
friends TO remain although there Is
abundant work for them on the plan
tations. Mr.. Carter proposed that the
Associated Charities use discretion in
making existence q little dificult In |
Honolulu by Withholding assistance 10 |
these people, thereby acting In con-
currence with the plans # the plan
ters and avoiding the responsibility |
% aiding those who are not worthy: !
Of course cases Of distress. actual hun |
ger. and sickness. were 90 be eonsid- ]
cred differently. Cases were given to |
show that Il Is unwise from any stand |
point 20 assist the Porto Rican. and /
other iaborers 10 any great extent in /
Honolulu .oe us account, and the
meeting. after , lengthy discussion. /
decided 10 follow out Mr. Carter's sug-
gestion
4 letter Is 10 be prepared Ia Span
ish through the assistance OF Dr.. Al
rarex. which letter win warn the PoF-
60 Rican applicants that they viii end /
existence on the plantations much 1
easter than - Hen, afa. as there are
already toa snane int'sea. sn.i p3or
people in this city. and that they can
not expect aid, other than for the
very sick and very distressed. from
sources. These letters will i
Be given % the applicants. sad for
mnls Of questions n Spanish. which
they viii be required 20 answer. In
regard % the plantation they hava4
eft. and ether pafticaiars TIE vag
-ancy Law win be pointed ou1 10 them. II
md they vim Be advised to 20 back
q the work they have left. or Il they Il