The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-09
SECRETARY COOPER
OUTLINES SOME
OF THEM
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR DOLE
IN WHICH SOME IMPROVE
MENTs ARE MENTIONED-MANY
PEOPLE WISHED TO BE HEARD.

The senatorial commission opened
session at the naval station this MORN
ing promptly at ten o'clock. The ses-
sion was opened to the public and ac-
commodations were provided for the
press. Those who attended on the COM
mission were Governor Dole, Secretary
II. e. Cooper, Special Agent Haywood,
S. M. Damon, E. S. Boyd, Winston,
Fisher, Carter, Crabbe and Atkinson of
the Republican committee, A. >. Hum
phreys, Assistant superintendent of
Public Works Marston Campbell, A. H.
r. Viera and ]. F. Durao of the Por-
tuguese colony and some others who
were in waiting but left before secur-
ing an audience. Both e. S. Boyd and
a. S. Humphreys were present for a
hearing but Secretary Cooper's testi
mony occupied the whole morning and
then left him with several points un-
touched upon. Governor Dole came
first before the commission and after
stating that he would be pleased to
give any additional information de-
sired later, read the following letter
addressed to chairman Senator Mitchell
adding that this was all he cared to
say at the present juncture.
1t is with great satisfaction that I
have received your letter on behalf
of the subcommittee of the Senate
Rico, commissioned to investigate the
general condition of the Islands of Ha-
wall and the administration of the af-
fairs thereof, inviting me to confer with
the committee upon the general ques-
tion of legislation in the interest of the
people and government of the Territory
of Hawaii
I feel that the presence of your corn-
mittee in these islands for the purpose
of inVpSt ri tinor n roll ipc tn 10
subject cannot fail in the acquisition of
information to be laid before Congress,
of resulting in important benefits to the
Territory.
The subject of the administration of
our public lands is one of extreme i'm
portance to the inhabitants of this ter
ritOry, inasmuch as the present system
and policy having developed gradually
in accordance with local conditions and
the topography of the country, and the
public having become accustomed to
it's methods, radical changes should not
be introduced without assured benefits
corresponding with the probable ex-
pense and disturbance of such innova-
tions.
/ shall make it my duty to lay before
your committee all possible information
that may aid it in reaching a full un-
derstanding of this subject in all it's
bearings.
I would further call your attention to
the following matters, the investigation
of which would probably be of benefit
to the Hawaiian community.
Hawaiian coins now in circulation;
the Kohala ditch scheme; payment of
the claims awarded by the Fire Claims
Commission; insufficiency of the terri
forial revenues for carrying on the pub
lie business the necessity of the es-
tablishment of bureau of forestry TO
be administered upon scientific prlnci-
pies; the need of a Federal building IN
Honolulu for the accommodation of the
Federal court, the post Office and inter-
nal revenue officers; the question of the
Introduction of Chinese laborers for
limited periods and for the performance
of agricultural labor only, and protec-
tion of sea fisheries.
Pardon this very brief statement
Not knowing the methods your commit
tee would adopt in making it's investi-
cations, the Government of the Terri
tory had refrained from taking the
initiative but holds itself in readiness to
respond to the plans of your committee
and to aid it in all possible ways. Very
respectfully, SANFORD B. DOLE.
Secretary Cooper was then duly
sworn, giving his age, official capacity
and tenure of office. He was asked, IN
his own words, to lay before the COM
mission what he deemed necessary.
Starting with appropriations, the Sc
cretary commenced on light houses as
maintained by the territorial govern
nent, this not being the case elsewhere.
In answer to questions of Senator Fos-
ter, Mr. Cooper explained that neither
the board or individuals had visited Ha-