The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-01-09

ready Go admit that American archi-
tects and engineers perform wonder
ful featH, and possibly American states
men can do as well, but there In no
indication as yet OF their paying any
attention to the problem that Is pre-
scented here In Hawaii.
Thus the first thing needed Is a
modification OF our immigration laws
by which we can In some way build up
the population OF these islands and re-
enforce the supply OF labor that is now
slipping away from u.s.
The second question is finances.
Hawaii shares In Americas debt and
she contributes her full share to the
support of the Federal Government
Since annexation the contributions
from customs revenues alone have
amounted to s6,05s. 17l.51. more than halt
as much again as the entire debt of
the Republic of Hawaii which the
United States assumed at that time.
History shows that England has found
by experience that she failed with ev-
cry dependency from which she ex-
acted tribute and on which she depend
ed for financial support.
An able senator. chairman Of the
Committee on Pacific Islands and Por-
to Rico, once made a statement to this
effect: I'VE are taking a million dol
lars year out of Hawaii which we
do not need and do not want. and
should find a way of stopping it."
Is there any area of 6640 square miles
on the mainland (this is about the size
of Connecticut and Rhode Island to-
gether) which, with only $4,000 peo-
pie, could stand up for five years un-
der such a strain as Hawaii has met?
Were 1t not for the exceptional produc-
tiveness of the soil in these islands,
the high price of sugar and the low
price of labor, it could not have been
met. How long it can be sustained in
the face of the constantly increasing
price of labor is a question which the
future alone can answer.
A few figures which gathered to-
gether over a year ago from the best
available data showed that every per-
son in Hawaii was taxed for local pur-
poses $3.50, and further indirect tax
for the support of the Federal Gov
eminent of $7.9O-a total of $23.10 a
year.
In Porto Rico the total taxes coll
lected amounted to 1929 per capita
per annum, and the whole of that, as
they contribute nothing to the sup
port of the Federal Government, was
expended in their own development.
Our people have endeavored to make
good this drain on Hawaiis finances
by asking Congress for liberal appro-
priations, such as for public buildings.
These demands have been met with
the reply that cities with much
larger population have been clamor-
ing for years for such recognition
without success, and though congress-
men will admit the justice of our posi-
ton, yet they claim they can not vote
for u public building in Hawaii until
the claims of their own constituents
are first met.
We believe that with the large num-
Der of people from other countries
passing through here on the steamers
that stop at Honolulu, the Stars and
Stripes should float from a Federal
building commensurate with the cul-
ture of our great Union and that would
dignity America in the eyes of foreign
ers. In addition to this there is ac-
tual need for such a building. The
old ramshackle structures that were
used by the kingdom and republic OF
Hawaii as a custom house were taken
over by the Federal Government and
are still in use. The building that the
community had previously erected as
a post office is now entirely inadequate
and inconvenient besides. Since an
| nexation the Federal courts have &C.
| cupied $685. square feet of space on
the ground floor of the Territory's
Judiciary Building, without as yet pay.
| ing a dollar for rent.
Our people do not care to ask to bs
| relieved from burdens that every 9th
er American bears, and therefore
| have in my annual report made as tn,
first recommendation in needed legis
lation for Hawaii the following sugges
| ton:
That Congress pass an act unde
which the Secretary shall cause to b.
set aside for a period of twenty year
seventy-five per cent of the Fedora
revenues from Hawaii as a specia
fund, TO be expended in this Territor
as directed by Congress for the fol
specific purpose.
First-The erection of educationa
and public buildings.
Second-Harbor improvements an
military and naval defences.
We have precedent for this in tn
act, approved June II, 1902, relativ
to the reclamation of arid lands, wher
Congress created special fund in tn
Treasury of moneys received from tn
sale of lands in certain States for
specific purposes.
The American people have ever bee
jealous to provide literally for edu
cation. Hawaii can tax her people n
higher. Her current revenues ar
barely sufficient for her needs, and tn
difficulties of administering the Gov
eminent are enhanced and increase
from the fact that the Territory
cut up into small islands, so that sh
has been obliged to borrow the none
with which 10 erect her school build
ings. II the people OF the Unite
, States only knew how we are strug
, Cling to supply teachers and building
for the natural increase OF children
> and the rickety structures we AT