The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-03-11
PLANS To
AID COFFEE
Merchants Will BE-
Active in
Effort.

Tee on lTdue ana FINANCE VIII lIvNf'H
with measures which may have the re-
suit of making new markets for the
product.
There was nearly score Of members
Of the Association present when Vice
President Dimond called the meeting to
order in the Stock Exchange rooms
yesterday afternoon. The meeting was
called for the purpose Of considering
the report Of the committee to which
was referred the letter Of a. j.. Louis
son. The report was presented by
Chairman Lowrey, OF the committee,
who said the members had a most
pleasing interview with DR.. S. a..
Knapp, and that it had been hoped to
have that gentleman present at the
meeting. He then presented the follow
ing written report:
To the Merchants Association Of Homo
lulu:
Gentlemen Your committee appointed
to confer with DR. Knapp Of the Bureau
of Agriculture, Washington, on the sub
ject of coffee, would report that an in
tcrvicw was held with the gentleman and
1t proved to he one of great interest to
the members of the committee.
1T was found that DR. Knapp was In
tcnsely Interested in the subject and was
willing to give US the benefit Of Ms
knowledge and experience, and TO give
Us his opinion upon what might and
could be done to foster the trade.
lie referred to the desire to keep out
OF Congress at this session any modin-
cation of the general tariff laws and did
not believe that the matter could be pre-
scented In any such way at this tine as
would result in tarim being aced on
coffee. II. however, anything was done
10, FOL wi TptIlI Ia, OK
pectcd would be a duty of cents per
pound. ana experience extending over
great many years had proved that tarin
was protection only to one-half the
amount of the duty.
1t has been the custom In the United
States Army in calling for tenders for
certain articles to restrict the bids to
those of American production. DIR. Knapp
believed that upon proper ropr, sensations
being made to the Secretary of War he
might name coffee as one of the articles
to be purchased in this way.
lie stated that the cultivation of coffee
had not had the study and attention
which almost al other crops had had,
and that upon his return to Washington
he would urge the department to take UP
this matter and have a station ror the
special study of coffee taken up on these
Islands. If this is done the circulars
gong forth as giving the results OF work
here would pr.ng Hawaii to the front
as one OF the coffee growing countr es.
+ 1t Is his belief that the flavor of coffee
can be greatly improved by scientific
culture, and If the coffee growers here
could have the benefit of the services of
an expert in such matters that a name
could soon be made for the product from
here which would insure 1t a sale re-
gardless OF the tariff. In other words.
that the American public was prepared
at all tines to pay liberal price for an
article which was Just right"
Stress was laid upon the matter of
carefully grading the coffee according to
flavor and the necessity OF roasting and
packing 1t In such containers that pur-
chasers would know It was the original
article which they were getting, as we'll
as keeping all OF the profit here.
The matter of pruning the trees was
referred to incidentally. and II was his
idea that root pruning instead OF so
much top pruning. would have the same
effect of keeping the fruit within reach,
and ut the same time greatly improve It.
He very kindly offered to see the Sec
rotary upon his return to Washington
and to try and interest him in this sub
ject TO the extent Of at once establish
Ing such station as has been indicat-
ed. Also to confer with any representa-
tives OF the coffee producers or traders
"iNi tllt ltl't VI ElNlnS tItn any nuNlce
which he could, upon raising the coffee
or marketing II.
1t was the idea OF the committee that
II such station was to be established
hat arrangements might be made with
Makaha Coffee Company by which they
would set aside the land and trees need
ed for the experiments: thinking that
such an arrangement might he mutually
profitable in that the company would
have tho hlraFf NJ - l,, 81
ments and the government he saved tho
time ana expense of commencing at the
beginning.
We think the community fortunate IN
having had a VISIT from one so 'ntelli-
gent and active In fostering the acricul-
tural interests Of the States and Terri
tories, and we feel that much good Will
result TO this Territory from action
which will be taken ms a result OF tho
report which he will make.
Respectfully submitted.
+. J. LOWREY
w. w DINOND.
H. p. ISENBERG.
Chairman Dimond said when the re,
port had been read. that perhaps II
would be wise to continue the commit.
tee that IT might carry on the work II
had inaugurated. following the sugges.
lions which had been made by DR.
Knapp, TO see II there could be secured
beneficial results, He said there would
be further steps necessary TO place the
matter before the proper authorities
w. w. Hall moved that the report OF
the committee he accepted and the
committee continued, so that II might
proceed TO follow up the matter in any
way the Circumstances might require
The motion was carried and to 1t was
added a vote OF thanks IN Dr Knapp
for his interest In the work OF the com,
mittee. There was nothing new in tn,
matter OF sanitat ton and that commit
tee was passed.
Chairman 0i~ond suggested that IN,
matter OF permanent quarters for tn
Association was one which would b.
considered AVID called rvon Chairman
Smith OF the conmittee on that sub
tect, to rerOrt. I've report which wa
verbal said tNRt tro-a wrro to room
In the NcIntVra hui's'nr which cou',