The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-10-25
FAVOR AMERICAN
HAWAIIAN PLAN

That many OF the citizens of Homo
lulu fail TO agree with the sentiments
expressed by General Manager Schwer-
In, OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany. could be plainly seen yesterday
when the subject was one which occa-
stoned considerable discussion on the
streets. In speaking OF the matter Z.
A. McInerny said:
The letter which Mr.. Schwerin has
given out seems to me to be one Of the
most contradictory things OF its kind
that l have ever seen. He states that
a ship such as we, need would cost
$s.5o0.0oo. Why. the American Hawai-
ian offered the plans OF such a vessel.
which would carry $50 first-class pas
sengers and would cost but $1,000. 600.
There should be better service between
here and San Franci'co and believe
that there are ways in which 1t may
be obtained
The offer of the American Hawai-
ian company Is a good one. l believe
there can be a contract made by which
the freight rate will be settled and also
rate on passengers. The steamship
people do not want contract for
freight from the local people. II the
business men of Honolulu are interest
ed in the line they will ship by that
boat and not by others. The fact that
they have money invested in such a
vessel will be enough to ensure her
cargoes."
L. G. Kellogg, the Pineapple King of
Wahiawa, was strongly in favor of a
vessel which would carry fruit to the
Coast. He said:
Take the shipment of bananas from
this city. The rates which are being
made have forced the banana growers
out of business. The rate is forty
cents a bunch. Now this zone thing
must be noticed. The charge is by
the bunch. not by the pound. The
steamer companies will not make
rate by the pound At wahiawa I
have acres of land which could make
more money off with bananas than
with pineapples. could / get a rate
to the Coast by the pound.
The bananas we grow there are
better keepers than those grown at
Waikiki, and have a better flavor, but
grow in smaller punches. They have
>nly six hands to the bunch, where
he others have from ten to twelve on
IN average. They charge me just as
much for the small bunch of six hands
Is they charge for the largest bunch
which the other man produces. OF
curse my small bunch of bananas will
lot pay. If there was rate on bana-
las made by the pound would, with
n two years, be ready to ship 100000
lunches of bananas from Wahiawa
very twelve months. We could drive
he Nicaragua fruit out of the mar
let.
The great thing about bananas is
hat the little man, with only a few
ores. can do as we'll as the big grow
r. He can ship at practically the
anne cost as his larger competitor,
nd that means a great deal in this
'erritory. With the present rate, by
he bunch. only the large shipper has
ny chance and one of our best indus
ries is cut off completely"
FIFTY THOUSAND TONS.
When asked what he thought of the
respects for shipping fruit to the
cast should a suitable vessel be pro-
ided for the trade, Jared G.. Smith,
f the United States Experiment Sta
on, was outspoken and voiced, from
he position of the best informed man
/ the Territory on the subject, a
rophecy which is remarkable.
IF a proper steamer, in which the
ruit could be carried to the Coast
nder the best of conditions, should be
arted between here and San Francis
}, within five. years the exports of
'esh pineapples would reach $4,000
ms per year. There is no reason
lat such a ship could not be run be-
veen here and the Coast and pay
pod profit.
1T is my belief that the steamship
)mpanies are, trying to hold up the
cal merchants for long contracts at
Ugh prices for carrying the freight,
nd that they can be compelled to
,me down. The shipments of fruit
ill be increased with a wonderful
ipidity as soon as proper facilities
IT its shipment have been provided.
he market for our pineapples is wait
g for us just as soon as We reach
II for it"