The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-02-13
READY FOR
WOULD-bE
SETTLERS
Farmers to Give
Information
Wanted.

in 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
ied assortment Of wisdom about the
farmer being the backbone of the nation
doee no good. What is needed is some
thing specific.
For example: If tomorrow morning,
when you cit 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
orado's hills / was frozen out by
blizzard and the coal trust. / saw a
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. a steady market and a comfort
able living assured, with free schools
Tor the children. That's what l am
looking for, and cleaned up and came
down by the first steamer. Here ! am.
with a wife and four children and 81, 600
IN gold coin. Please tell me where I
can get a piece Of land, what it will
cost. and what / should raise. ! want
to start in right away, because / 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 II can be had for. what Il can
raise. where the products can be sold,
what they will bring; what buildings
tools and animals will cost; what prob
ADle EXPENSES anu Tecelpts VIII pep aho
kindred information?
II you have, you have not impaired
It. If Jared Smith and Commissioner
Boyd know. they keep their information
70 themselves.
You are liable not only to have such
a call from Mr.. John Smith but from
q dozen OF him-perhaps hundred.
II 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
thunder, and who prayed, "Oh Lord,
give US a little more light and a little
less noise" ! suggest that the small
farmer advocates quit talking general
tiles and get down to specific facts, or
else start subscription fund with
which to pay the passage home again
OF busted" homeseekers. j. b.
The above letter was referred to Land
Commissioner Boyd, who replied as fol-
lows:
Il have read the criticism of j. b..
on the land policy of the government
and do not believe from the tone OF
the criticism that he is in favor OF in
ducing farmers to come to Hawaii.
1.-THE information which he says John
Smith would want II he came here look
ing for a homestead is being prepared
and will be sent to all those who have
inquired for II. Some of the questions
asked are unreasonable and M
American farmer would think of max
ing the same sort Of inquiry; al leas
they appear 10 be satisfied with mucl
less amount Of Information from thu
tone Of the numerous queries already
received.
we are getting up a list Of all gov
eminent lands, leased and otherwise
with their quality, location, and Nha
other information Is on hand, TIL
adaptabuty Of The greater portion o
the government lands Is SIN 10 bs dem
onstrated and We viii endeayor 20 cit'
"a many practical Experiences as posi-
bile IN letlrrs from practical farmer
who are now liylng on lands in Hawaii
They are bsins asked also 90 iurnlsl
information 81 shat they think ara an
prospsrts Tor thr future development y
the Islands as 81 diversified forms o
agriculture. plYrrflhsa as1'pl'prs
iarssly ln che Experimental s'ass Ah
90 selilers hefp enl bass 90 lahe 'Ns'
elaHess iusl ~ lhsl ail 10 ihs Nhlr