The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-29
What HaWaiiNeedS
to Relieve the
Strain.
WASHINGTON TALK
OF Mr.. THURSTON
Development Of the Islands Since
Annexation-Et!ect on
Honolulu.

" Evening Star says: Mr.. L. A
Thurston. former Minister from
The Republic OF Hawaii to the United
states, who accompanied Governor
Dole of Hawaii TO Washington. talked
entertainingiy TO Star reporter this
afternoon OF the conditions In the new
possessions In the Pacific.
since annexation there has been an
enormous development Of the resources
Of the Islands" he said. There have
been new enterprises. such as rail-
roads and street railways. foundries
and machine shops. an expansion of old
sugar plantations and the establish
nent OF new ones. involving altogether
an expenditure Of more than $4,000. 900.
This has all been done since 1898
"A large amount OF the capital has
come from the United States. although
the bulk of II has been invested by and
through local residents Of the islands
The chief need OF Hawaii today. as
In any undeveioped country. Is capital.
as the opportunities OF profitable de-
vefopment- are greater than the avail
able capital The rapid development IN
A kdicated has been severe strain on the
A,,u.munity. as the people were trying
10 do more business than the capital
available justified. This has resulted in
a tight money market. but with
scarcely any failures owing thereto
The financial situation Is improving.
however. as most OF the new enter
prises have reached n producing stage
and are now making returns III II were
not for the present abnormal low price
of sugar the Islands would be In an
exceedingly prosperous condition. As II
l. they are holding their own.
THE LABOR SUPPLY.
.-One OF the most serious problems
the people OF Hawaii have to face Is
labor supply. The sudden change from
the contract to the non-contract sys-
tern unsettled TO a great extent the
minds of the iaborers. and for year
or more after the organic act became
operative the Iaborers were in an ex-
tremeIy restless condition. No one
seemed to know just what TO expect.
Wages went up from $3.50 and si5
= month to $50 and s22 for unskilied Ia
bor. The situation Is now much I'M
proved The restlessness OF the labor
ers has disappeared, and many are
working who thought that American
institutions meant living without Work
ing. The present wages are SIS To so
:. month for field laborers. Teamstefs
and plowmen get about III a day. whne
ALI classes OF skilled labor. such as me-
chanics. are better paid than on the
mainland
Three general railroads have been
incorporated since annexation one
company has constructed and mas IN
operation forty miles OF track on the
Island of Hawaii Two others with Ia
yorable prospects and good locations
through rich districts are seeking 10
finance their companies in this coun-
1ry. but so far unsuccessfully. The To-
cations are so favorable that. with
profitable installation. they must event
ualiy succeed.
Artificial irrigation has received an
immense impetus since annexation
Pumping machinery for elevating water
To irrigate sugar cane has been import
ed from the United States during the
last four years to the value Of $2.0o0.009
and water Is being prOfitably pumped
for irrigation to an elevation OF 900
feet
The chief item OF expense IS 70. fuel.
coal costing at plantations 50 ton.
The pumping fuel bill alone on some
plantations amounts to from S150.OOO
10 500 900 a year. The bulk OF the coal
used comes from Australia An i'm
rrtense saving in fuel cost Is about 10
bs- achieved by the introduction OF
erude oil from California The Union
oil Company of California has made
contract with a number of plantations
~ which IL delivers oil I'm bulk The
company Is now having three tnna
ships built in San Francisco the OIL
y delivered in pipe lines In California
,ss--ctIy to the ship and pumped OFT az
The Islands Four barrels OF oil ~
equivalent for fuel purposes TO a ton
II coal The contract price. debverei
at the Island Is s1.4O per barrel. which
gives plantations oil fuel equivalent 10
q ton Of coal for $3.50.
DEVELOPMENT OF HAWAII
The most marked advance In deVei-
apu,er.s Ia In the City OF Honolulu. dnd
AZ electric street railway system OF the