The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-09-10
COOPER
TELLS OF
OUR NEEDS
Continued from Page II

under which there was always GepoSiI-
ed with the Treasury department suf-
icient funds to carry back such Ia
borers to the other side. He traced the
growth of agriculture in this country
when there was sufficient labor and
showed how in 1900 there was a trade
of some $40, Uuv, 600 with the mainlano
on account of the prosperity mere
Since the going into effect of American
laws he aid there had been a shutting
off of labor and a consequent increase
of price which operated against the in
dustries with the effect that there was
a reduction of the profits and at the
same time of the trade, which he said
was not now more than forty or nifty
per cent of what it was formerly.
He showed that there had been a re-
duction of the unskilled forces of some
thing like $500 Chinese, who had re-
turned to their native country having
accumulated their competence. The
Japanese were about holding their own.
AS to the price for labor Mr.. Cooper
said the advance was about forty per
cent which made the rates here some
thing like thirty per cent higher than
in Louisiana. To make it all the worse
there was no native field labor here
from which the estates could draw.
Asked as to the Porto Ricans he said
there had been some 1000 imported,
that at first they had not been a sue
cess but that they had acted well upon
the other laborers in a moral sense,
making them see that there. were other
sources of supply. He said he would
ask for the Introduction of Chinese Ia
Dor to remain such time as they work
ed on the plantations then they to be
returned to their own country.
Governor Dole referred to the rice
industry and Mr.. Cooper taking this Up
showed how the advance in the rates
of[wages for labor had made it almost
impossible for the Hawaiian planters to
! compete with rice grown in Japan. In
esponse to questions by Senator
Mitchell Mr.. Cooper said that the rates
of wages now were from SIG to $40 per
month on the estates, which must be
taken in addition to free houses,
schools, water, fuel and medical atten-
ton.
Commenting upon he leaving of
skilled laborers Mr.. Cooper contended
that this was due to the fact that there
was an arresting of prosperity. He cit
I'd the Honolulu Iron Works which for
merly employed some 600 men and now
a not more than 200 or 300. He de-
MED that there had been watering of
stock and said that there had been
only increased capitalization on account
of improvements out of earnings.
senator Burton called attention to the
fact that Mr.. Cooper had not mentioned
white labor on the plantations and ask
ed if there was no amount of such
labor. Mr.. Cooper said there were no
white men on the plantations as field
hands. After some questioning Senator
Burton got at the meat of his conten-
ton thus:
with the door closed to cheap labor
here and opened to cheap labor in Gu
ba, with reciprocity there as well, Ha-
wall would face a serious condition,
is that not the case?"
81 think we would responded Secre-
tary Cooper.
1T would amount to almost a prohi-
bition of your product, would it not?'
asked Mr.. Burton.
u THAT is my opinion was the reply.
y q would like to ask Governor Dole,
if he agrees with the statement and
opinion of Secretary Cooper" ther
asked Senator Burton.
I Il do" emphatically answered Gov
t Dole.
E There was then some talk of the let
ters which Secretary Cooper was asked
to submit to the commission. when he
> interrupted to say:
) There is one word on the matter
of the Lepers which l wish to say
} now 1 believe this matter is one which
+ we hould retain entirely in our owl
! control. This is a misfortune to oui
people with which we have always cop
: ed. There is a deep set sentiment con,
l nected with these un~fortunates and
: think we should not ask for Fedora
e aid. We all feel a lively interest il
5 their welfare and they ave been vel
cared for and will always be so pro.
tected. Federal control might lead t.
; the coming here of lepers from tbs
D mainland and this is a stigma will
: which we should not be branded
Committees of the Portuguese resi-
, dents on Punchbowl, Messrs. Vierrs
> and Durao, and from the Republican
= Central Committee, consisting of Sena,
: tors Carter and Crabbe, A. L. C. At
: kinson. E.. c. Winston and Col. J. H
: Fisher, were introduced. When the lat
: ter came in and presented their com.
pliments Senator Burton asked t
which faction they belonged, laughing.
ly, and was told that there was no fac,
: ton, that all were Republicans. Sena.
e tor Mitchell spoke up quickly, how
e ever, saying: 1T does not matter abou
: factions, any Republican committee Il
n good enough for anybody"
V DAMON ON COINAGE.
h S. NJ. Damon, who was formerly min
\ lister of finance under King Kalakaus
= and a member of Queen Liliuokalani'!
cabinet and minister of finance unde,
> the Provisional Government and the Re
public, was present when the afternoon
session was opened. His subject wa.
q the silver currency. He said:
In 1886 Mr.. Spreckels introduced int
the country a million of silver TO
c which he received gold bonds at six De,
: cent. This currency was of the sam,
Il intrinsic value as the United State
t coins and was legal tender for $40 il
: any n payment. The amount was to-
large owing to u population and rela
lions with the United States, which lat
ter made it necessary for US to max,
r payments at San Francisco. This wa,
a burden and is so today, as the coli