The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-08-09


One Of the largest and most repre-
sentative bodies of business men ever
gathered together at an afternoon
meeting in Honolulu assembled yester
day in the makai pavilion Of the Young
Hotel roof garden to greet Secretary
Of Commerce and Labor Straus and
through their spokesmen, L. A. Thurs
ton and J. A. MeCandless, present to
him the commercial needs of the Terri
terry. The meeting had been called by
the Chamber OF Commerce and the
Merchants Association, and the com
bined membership OF the two organiza-
tions was present.
Tae addresses Of the representatives
OF the commercial bodies placed IN a
graphic and concrete way the pressing
needs CT Hawaii before the Secretary.
Both speakers dealt particularly upon
the hardship to Hawaii of the enforce
ment OF the Coastwise shipping law
and in his reply Mr.. Straus pledged
himself TO assist the efforts OF the Ter
.ritSry TO have this hardship removed
In his closing address the Secretary
was laudatory of the islands and most
complimentary in his thanks. He prom-
Used to work as a friend for the Is
lands and especially IN the matter Of
providing Us with a better steamship
service.
George ". Smith, president Of the
Chamber Of Commerce, presided at the
meeting, with Lim and Secretary Straus
on the platform being Governor Carter.
L. a. THURsToN's ADDRESS.
There were no Introductory remarks
by the chairman, Elr. Thurston being
first called upon. he spoke as follows:
7 do not propose to make any set
address here today, but do propose 10
present what seems necessary 70 me Of
the few things We would Ike Secre-
tary Straus 70 know Of our conditions
and OF our necessities In these things
we court the personal investigation Of /
Washington, from the members Of the
Executive and from the members or 4
Congress. We are only sOrry 50 few
have come. We are constantly sending
individuals 10 Washington. both il Of
fciaI and in private capacities. but few
have come from Washington 70 US.
Taft has been here only incl
dentaIIy as he has passed TO and from
the Philippines, and Secretary Straus Is
the first member OF the cabinet 10 come
60 investigate for himself. Up until
last year we have only had few
strazgling parties Of Congressman, here
for pleasure and investigation Iheh
this wear a party of thirty members OF
congress came here officially and now
hat We have a member Of the cabinet
here I feel that we are IN better po-
sitfon TO be understood. am glao
that YOU are here. Mr.. Straus, ana
hope that you VIII enjoy yourself ana
see enough 70 interest you into coming
pack again.
I'VE do not want very much from
Congress. You viii find that we are
7ere a contented community and
,rosperous community, the most pros
,arous OF any outside OF the ma1nlano
!, the United states. We are the only
ysle-s77r,norrfus community Of the uFe
,utlving portions and possessions OF
he country. Guam and samoa are
places only for the supplying and coal
ny of o1Ir varships. and for that pur-
Use they answer. Porto Rico occupies
an anomalous condition, her cltlzehs
re not citizens Of the country hes
-ara7ues are retained by herself ana
ven the revenue received as custom
iuties on goods imported into tHe
--nfras states are returned 70 her Inc
7bi1;nniDes. Ike AIahoHets CONN
re neither in heaven nor on the eartn'
.nd are possessions that viii be SING
r+o which the millions Of United
states coin viii pour for some time 70
ONE. +,s 2
Hawaii. on the other hand, mas
yrned into the United states treas :
nv every year since annexation al's ;
.avfng an the expenses OF Federal ao-
here. one million Go--<ars. :
va are not objecting 70 this we aEe
americans and are willing 70 pay our
hare OF the taxes. II Is said tilat Ne
% not pay q higher Per capita TAX