The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-12
PLANTERS and MERCHANTS
SOCIAL FOR SENATORS

The local Elks will, at their regular
meeting this evening discuss plans for
a social session and reception for Sem
ators Mitchell. and Foster both of
whom are members of the order. Mr..
Sammons, sergeant-at-arms for the
Commission, is also an Elk. The invi-
tations will include Senator Burton,
and be practically offered to the Com
mission as a whole, but the initiative
Of the movement was furnished by the
desire to entertain the distinguished
visiting members of the order.
The session will be of a similar char
arter to that recently accorded Bishop
Restarick. Tomorrow a committee will
wait on the senators before they leave
and endeavor to arrange for an even
ing soon after their return from Ha-
wall. Wednesday, September "a, is a
possible date.
Observation-Disclosures
ing plants were erected. Much Of the
work may be accomplished by white
men, but pickers were necessary, and
the supply at critical harvesting mo-
ments was not forthcoming. With an
adequate supply of labor the coffee in
dustry should be satisfactory.
THE rice industry is a large one be-
ing rapidly restricted by the departure
of the Chinese, the considerable rent
ais, mostly paid to Hawaiians, are also
being Withdrawn for the same reasons
I'VE would, embracing this opportuni-
ty of communicating with your honor
able body, draw your attention to our
closing points. That the principal ISL
and industries are sugar and rice,
mainly sugar. That the well-being of
all, with the shipping and extensive
purchasers. on the mainland, depend on
the welfare of these industries.
That the success depends upon the
labor supply. That there is no indigo
nous supply. That the mainland trade
with these islands is the largest of any
country of this size. That the indus
tries and consequent well-being Of the
entire community must fail if the full
protection of tariff is curtailed or the
labor supply proves inadequate. The
memorial was signed by w. G. Irwin
as president, and w. o. Smith as sec
retary of the Planters Association.
Senator Burton: Have you organ
lied unions here and are they opposed
to restricted immigration? Can Chi
nese be brought here without injuring
skilled labor?"
Mr.. swanzy: "Chinese field laborers
will not injure skilled labor"
been made. Are the statements true
or misleading?"
Mr.. Swanzy: Some statements made
are absolutely false
Senator Burton: THE former law for
failing a man for breach of contract is
not in force?'
Mr.. Swanzy: 1T is not. There was
an old law to that effect 1t has been
supposed that we were slave drivers"
Senator Burton: II think the idea
was that there was a little of it prac-
ticed."
Mr.. Swanzy: "I would like to briefly
refer to few remarks made the other
day in justice to the sugar industry. l
think we should be allowed to respond.
Laborer's houses are not unfit for hab-
itation; such statement is prompted
from ignorance or malice"
Senator Burton: "On Eva they are
good enough"
Senator MitchelK "Are they fair
samples?"
Mr.. Swanzy: 81 think so. I must
remark that Louisiana provides no
quarters"
Senator Burton: 1--WE want to show
that laborers would be we'll treated
here"
Mr.. Swanzy: I'm regard to the food
supply Inc Plantations 90 not ana
never have supplied their laborers with
food, except that when the Japanese
first comes they are unaccustomed to
meat as a food. We gave them meat
free; good meat-some of it came from
Parker's ranch. When they had ac-
quired the taste the free supply stop
ped. Sincere efforts to secure white
laborers have been made since, 1 think
81, even back in the Co.'S
Senator Mitchell: HAS question of
negro labor been considered from
Southern states?"
Mr.. Swanzy: I'VE tried; an agent
went for that purpose. There was no
l-disposition to come. Those who did
come were unsatisfactory"
w. o. Smith: "At Spreckelsville they
quarrelled all the time. Some of them
went to Jail. Many are there now.
Government labor approp priations:
Much of this was applied to introduce
tion of Portuguese now so valuable
members of the community. The Sec
retary of the immigration board travel
ed constantly to find cases of ill-treat-
ment and apparently only found two in
1897. He was employed for this pur-
pose showing the solicitude of the gov
ernment. Hundreds of Japanese We're
brought in anticipation of annexation.