The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-11-21
THE BUILDERS
AND TRADERS
MEET LAST NIGHT AND APPOINT
A COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO
THE LABOR SITUATION.

The lengthy discussion that was eX-
pected at the meeting of the Builders
and Traders Exchange last evening
over the proposed endorsement of the
circular of the Merchants Association
regarding a bill for restricted Chinese
immigration for Hawaii, was realized
in two hours talk resulting in the APP
pontment of a committee which will
look thoroughly into the labor situa-
ton and resolve certain pertinent ques-
lions before reporting to the exchange
for final decision.
The committee will consist of eight
members and the president, A. Gartley.
The committee will consist of represent
tatives of trades, industries and mate
rial furnishers represented in the eX-
change. Their Investigations will in
clude the following issues. The extent
of displacing white men or Hawaiians
by competition of'imported Oriental la
borers. If the shortage of labor cannot
be supplied by the sugar plantations
from the $4,000 Orientals now in the
country who are not employed on plan
tatiOns. If an amendment to the alien
contract law allowing importation of
Portuguese would not solve the pro-
blem. If, granting the superiority of
Chinese over japanese labor for plan
tation purposes, the introduction of
the latter would not supplant Japanese
now employed by sugar men and these
in their turn make competition still
harder for the citizen of this territory
and Illustrate the promotion of the
trade and industrial interests for which
the exchange was primarily organized.
Would the Planters, in the event of Il
restricted immigration bill being sue
cessfully passed, be Willing to dis
charge, within six months, all Orien-
tails not American citizens who are en-
ployed upon their plantations in any
capacity except that of a field hand.
The committee will compile their an
swers from the most authentic forces
and in view of the serious nature of
the matter involved and the necessity
of bringing it before Congress at the
earliest moment, will report to the eX-
change at a meeting to be held on
Monday next until which time further
consideration is postponed. A copy of
the resolutions was mailed to the Mer-
chants Association and also to the
Planters Association and the Honolulu
Trades and Labor Council respectfully
inviting any suggestions or co-Opera-
ton that they may care to give.
AS foreshadowed in the Star, there
are many members who insist upon
concessions from the Planters in eX-
change for the immigration endorse
ment. The committee is formed of A.
Gartley, j. F. Bush, James Mott, Jr.
John Emmeluth, ]. II. Craig, j. f.
Bowler, Guy owens, Thomas Sharp
and w. w. Harris. Their first step
will be to meet with the Trades COun-
ell this evening if the labor men are
agreeable. At this meeting Victor S.
Clark, representing the Labor Bureau
of the United State and investigating
condition here will probably be present
and add the sentiment expressed TO his
notes and report At last nights meet
ing the following trades and industries
were represented. Electrical supplies,
plumbing supplies and foundres, paint
ing and builders supplies, master build
ers master painters, master plumbers,
master electricians, and general con-
tractors