The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-02-12
READY FOR
WOULD-BE
SETTLERS
Farmers to Give
Information
Wanted.
Boyd Says Settlers
Must Make a
Market.
Land Commissioner Answers q
Query Put to the
Advertiser.

Editor Advertiser: 1 have carefully
read your editorials on the small farmer
i'm Hawaii, also the interview with Jared
Smith and Land Commissioner Boyd,
but fail to get much practical informa-
ton. You want the small farmer:
want him; President Roosevelt wants
him; Governor Dole wants him; we all
want him. This being conceded. con-
tinually repeating platitudes about too
many eggs in one basket and the var
led assortment of wisdom about the
farmer being the backbone of the nation
does no good. What is needed is some
thing specific.
For example: If tomorrow morning,
when you sit down to draw on your
reservoir of small farmer wisdom for
the benefit of your admiring and expect
ant fellow citizens, Mr.. John Smith
should interrupt you and say; MY
name is Smith. fed my fiocks on Col
OIduO Hills. L was 1IOZGIl Jul ny d
blizzard and the coal trust. I saw
copy of the Advertiser which said that
good land could be had here; that the
climate was healthful, neither too hot
nor too cold: the opportunities to raise
vegetables, fruits and poultry at profit
good, steady market and a comfort
able living assured, with free schools
for the children. That's what I am
looking for, and I cleaned up and came
down by the first steamer. Here I am,
in gold coin. Please tell me where
can get a piece of land, what it will
cost, and what should raise. I want
to start in right away, because I have
no income and must make every dollar
count
What would you say TO that man?
Have you any specific information in
hand as to where there is land, and
what it can be had for what it can
raise, where the products can be sold,
what they will bring; what buildings,
tools and animals viii cost; what prob
able expenses and receipts will be; and ,
kindred information?
If you have, you have not impaired
it. If Jared Smith and Commissioner
Boyd know, they keep their information
to themselves.
You are liable not only to have such
a call from Mr.. John Smith but from
a dozen of him-perhaps hundred.
If you are going to continue advising
small farmers to come here, without
being able to back UP your advice with
the necessary facts to enable them to
make a success, are you not assuming /
a pretty heavy responsibility?
Like the old darkey who didn't mind
the lightning but was scared by the
and who prayed, "Oh Lord,
give US little more light and little
less noise,'' I suggest that the small
farmer advocates quit talking general
ties and get down to specific facts, or
Else start a subscription fund with
which to pay the passage home again
If busted" homeseekers. J.B.
hS dOONC ACLlCA W do LC4cIlto " A@e1hN
Boyd, who replied as fol-
ows:
Il have read the criticism of j. B.
N the land policy of the government, 1
md 1 do not believe from the tone of
he criticism that he is in favor of in
Iucing farmers to come to Hawaii
The information which he says John
smith would want if he came here look
ng for homestead is being prepared,
nd viii be sent TO all those who have
inquired for it. Some of the questions
sked are unreasonable and no
american farmer would think of max
ng the same sort of inquiry; at least
hey appear to be satisfied with much
ass amount of information from the
one of the numerous queries already
eceived.
we are getting up list of all gov
rnment lands, leased and otherwise,
nth their quality, location, and what
Their information is on hand. The
daptability of the greater portion of s
he government lands is still to be dem
nstrated. and we will endeavor to cite
9 ,,,ar1- ,,r.a cticaF aIrariaDcas sS uossi- =