The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-11-12


garding demonstrating within the ter
ritory, but rather feel that the success
or failure of the same VIII depend up
on the question of transportation FACT.
lities, the intelligent subdivision of the
property available and a systematic adj
ministration of the law and perhaps.
may be added, facilities for disposing
of the products raised when reaching
market.
TRANSPORTATION. l do not favor
the government, federal or territorial,
guaranteeing the interest on bonds is
sued for the purpose of constructing
railroads within the territory. Any
railroad constructed within the terri
tory must depend to a very large ex-
tent for its income upon the sugar
plantations. There is no justification
for the construction of railroads at the
present time except as they reach out
for the sugar plantations trade and
this will be true until the economic
conditions of the country change.
Those primarily benefited by the con-
struction will be the owners of the
system (if it is profitable), the sugar
plantations along the line, and the
owners of real estate other than plan
tations. l am not in a position to
state what area of government land a
railroad say through the Hilo, Hama
kua and Kohala districts in the ISL
nd of Hawaii, would benefit, but l
think l am safe in saying that much
over so per cent would be private hold
ings. Again much of the construction
would be along the sea-coast in order
to reach the plantation mill, the only
trade that would make it possible. In
other words such a road would cater
to highly developed land the most of
which is owned and controlled in large
holdings by private individuals. The
homesteaders would derive advantage
but not to such an extent as would
justify the guarantee of bonds by the
government. The building of railroads
in this territory would no doubt have
progressed very much more rapidly
were it not for the condition existing.
This is a small community and a large
part of the value OF the property of
the territory is controlled by a COM
paratively small number of individuals.
There is but one company operating
any regular line of steamers between
the islands and water transportation
is controlled largely by the same peo-
pie who control the plantations, and
interests are so interviewer that it is
difficult to obtain capital or contracts
for railroads which would interfere
with the other method of transporta-
ton. | believe that a railroad through
the country aforementioned will be
constructed Notwithstanding the fact
that it has been checked in the past,
and that the same will be of great adj
vantage, but l believe that it is one
that should not be encouraged to the
extent of the governments guarantee
ing bonds issued for construction. The
present development of the country
itself justifies the establishing of
road. AS stated above, water trans
portation between the islands is in
the hands of one concern and believe
that ratpc ora In como INSTANCES avooS
sive, transportation charges being
greater in many cases upon inter-island
shipments than they are from the
mainland to Honolulu. l also think
that great discrimination is made be-
tween small shippers and the large
shippers. This in itself works against
any successful demonstrating policy in
the territory Probably the federal
law now in effect will meet this situa-
ton.
In my opinion there should be a
large appropriation made, say of $780,
900, for the purpose of constructing
roads to and through homesteads, and
that all payments on account of home
steads hereafter be set apart and placed
to the credit of special fund to be
available for the construction of such
roads. Lots should not be subdivided
nor allotted nor sold until such roads
are completed.
believe that large discretion should
be left to the executive officers of the
territory. The nature of the land
varies greatly in it's productiveness,
and there is a great difference in the
character and habits of those seeking
homesteads which should be taken into
consideration in fixing the areas. From
the lessons Of the past we have been
taught that safeguard should be taken
against speculation and acquiring pro-
perty for the benefit of third parties
who are themselves large land own
ers. These abuses should be pro-
vided against in every way possible,
bearing in mind that the terms and
conditions should not be so stringent