The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-01-17
WORK
FOR HAWAII
CONTINUED from page one.

the question, he made a re-eXamina-
ton of the act which led him to think
strongly that it would also authorize
work in Hawaii. And it was upon
this that he promised to give the mat
ter favorable consideration.
If the commercial bodies of Honolulu
and Hilo and also the Farmers Insti-
tute were to address formal requests
to Secretary Wilson that soil survey
work in Hawaii be commenced as soon
as possible, it would doubtless help in
securing the desired result from the
| Secretary of Agriculture.
The secretary also promised me his
friendly offices in trying to get an an
nual appropriation of $4,000 for an
agricultural school in Hawaii the
same as is already given to the other
states and territories. This would, if
secured, necessitate the provision of
land and buildings for such a school by
the territorial legislature. But there
are few ways in which local funds
could be better spent; and if my APP
portionment bill is passed, the build
ings could also be provided by Federal
funds.
The Honolulu papers just received
show a very commendable spirit in the
community to assist in securing the
passage of my apportionment bill.
There appears naturally however some
misrepresentation as to how the desired
result can best be reached.
In the first place the best chance of
success will not be furthered by mere
ly rushing a hastily chosen delegation
to Washington.
To attempt with hammer and tongs,
and in headlong haste, to force this
measure through would result only in
its defeat.
The dozen men, more or less lin Con-
gress who will decide whether or not
this bill is to become a law, have other
very important legislation on their
hands, for which they are more direct
ly answerable to the country at this
years elections.
There are always two wrong times to
every right time at which a bill in
Congress should be advanced through
it's several stages. In the flood of
bills and pressure for recognition few
measures ever reach final enactment
save either those that have the direct
backing of the majority organization
in the House and Senate, (Which is a
separate thing from executive suppOr)
or else those particular measures which
are carefully carried by a member from
stage to stage by keen watching for
opportunities, and striking just when
the conditions are most favorable
There are often entire weeks when
nothing can be done but to wait with
alert patience while quietly strengthen
ing the position by personal interviews.
Then again there are single days when
the matter must be pressed toward a
conclusion in committee or otherwise.
In the present case our chances be-
fore the committee on territories will
be improved by allowing the statehood
and Alaskan bills to be first disposed
off.
The general attitude of the commit
tee toward us is friendly but the strong
support given the Philippine tariff bill
by Hill of Connecticut in the Ways
and Means committe, shows that we
can never take for granted the help of
a supposed friend of Hawaii 1t is
therefore all important that the hear
lllS DGlOIG the COlIiIIHllee OH lGIIllOIleS
shall be both planned and timed with
extreme care.
Some of the Honolulu comment i'm
plies that work of this character can
be done without taking any account of
the Territorial member of Congress. 1t
would seem that that idea had already
cost Hawaii sufficient in the loss and
delay of possible legislation, so that a
measure Of the importance of this one
ought not to be threatened by ats re-
cuTrence.
If delegation of capable business
men come to the capital to work
through and with HawaiPs member of
Congress, they will greatly aid the
work, and 1 shall be very glad of their
Incorporation. But if a group of men
come with varying ideas, and intend
ing to work independent of the official
delegate their presence is quite as apt
to do more harm than good.
Few members of congress have been
as little insistent upon their official
rights and honors as have been. But
I am speaking thus frankly because
this measure is of far reaching import
ance TO the Territory which / have