The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-04-05
CAPITALIST
TALKS SHOP

An interview was obtained by the Nd
vertiser yesterday afternoon at the Ha-
walian hotel with MIR. John a. Buck Of
San Francisco. who came 20 the Is
lands with a party OF capitalists rep
resenting the Germania Bank and Loan
Association, to look into values and in
vestments probable and possible in
Hawaii Mr. Buck was found practi-
cally confined to his room on account
of sprained ankle gained from the
accident to the Hilo stage In which he
and MIR Irwin had "a narrow escape
some days ago. The sprain compelled
Mr. Buck to use crutchcs. which he has
now discarded and packed UP ready TO
send to his friends In Hilo who may
still be in need Of them. The accident
has not prevented Mr.. Buck from max
ing thorough tour of this Island after
having paid visit to every sugar plan
tation OF Importance on the Big Is
land.
while / came down here with the
folks from the Germania Association"
said Mr.. Buck, tenderly nursing his
bandaged foot, II came here for my
own Individual interests. The party are
all friends of mine and we did our Wis
ting together, but primarily ] was
looking after my own affairs. ] am
widely Interested in sugar matters here
and have been for many years. ] ara
practically "a kamaaina, although my
home is in San Francisco and has been
for the last forty years. Still ! visit
Hawaii every year or so. / was here
last two years ago. and needless to say
am surprised at the rapid strides made
by Honolulu In that period.
: I'VE found every appearance Of pros
perity in all the plantations visited Oh
the Big Island the cane in every case
making a fine showing. / was pcrhaps
the better qualified to judge on that
point, having been manager of the
Hutchinson plantation in 1850. ! arn
still president OF the concern besides
being president OF the Honolulu Sugar
Co. and wise president OF Hakalau. /
also possess interests in Paauhau.
feel sure that the representatives, Of the
German bank are returning fully salts
fled of the value and solidity OF most
OF the plantations handled and submit
ted by them. Loans. / am confident,
will be easier to obtain on real estate
and other securities after this visit,
which VIII prove In many ways bcne-
fetal to the community Much interest
was shown In the various plantations
and in the Hilo railroad"
Mr. Buck is interested in the Matson
Navigation Company, but when ques-
toned on the likelihood of direct tran
sit between Hilo and the Coast, dis
claimed any knowledge OF the doings
OF the company in that direction.
There are some members of the
party" the capitalist went on to say.
who think that Hawaiian real estate.
particularly In Honolulu, Is under the
influence OF boom. 1t Is probable
that their views have been altered by
their present visit. The association f.
already largely Interested here and has
the command OF several Millions which,
should they think favorably, Is open
for Investment here. / should judge
that the present trip may advance Is
! land securities.
1T is hard for many people on the
Mainland to realize the difference be-
tween California ranch and the
enormous expenditure and enterprise
. needed in connection with sugar plan
: tation. To them the large amount OF
capitalization required seems an at
tempt TO create artificial values and he
Impressions of capable men who hav"
. visited the Islands Will do muc1 70
counterfeit these ideas.
II think that present values are so'tu
and will remain 80 for many years TO
come. I do not see any indica tons Of
, n boom. While sugar, which Is IF
course the backbone OF the Territory.
viii undoubtedly deteriorate In price
after while, improved machinery and
the consequent decrease OF labIr should
keep the dividends up to the mark. The
:. machinery in general use In the Islands
is now ahead OF that used anywhere
else.
: with regard to the labor question,
= am inclined to judge that the Porto
Ricans, properly accimated and han
died, are the best solution. Their chill
dren should make excellent field labor
y ers. have not observed the negro ele-
. ment at all closely In the sos the
. negroes employed were the riff raft
runaway sailors and others that hap
4 pened along. There Is plenty of lanc
h yet available for sugar while over here
= near Honolulu is produced the biggest
o yield to the acre in the world. Th'
y Hawaiian Islands are an excellent helC
:, for investment In my mind | have
= been interested here for many year.
u and am still satisfied TO keep my flnan
u clal eggs In the Hawaiian basket TIN
q Impressions OF the returning party will
r. / think, coincide with mine"
, Mr., Buck and the other members o.
n the party viii return on the Mnriposa II
n two weeks time, after an exhaustive
y inquiry and survey ~ the interests tina
= have been brought before their notice
. While MIR, Buck disolaims any actut
a connection with the visiting Iinanclers
he IL regarded an an expert on MANI
Hawaiian values and was invited % no
company the visitors and express m
A opinions ~ securities with which h'
n was unfamiliar