The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-10-14
THINKS GOMPERS
MIGHT HELP Us
SOLUTION OF LABOR PROBLEM
WashIngtonlan Suggests Attempt
to Suspend Operation Con-
tract Labor Law.

Solving the labor question of Ha-
wall by securing an abrogation Of the
contract labor law is the idea which
has occurred to Robert Stein. of Wash
ington, DC, who has addressed the
promotion committee in the matter.
Mr.. Stein suggests that the matter be
taken up with Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor, and his assistance solicited The
letter IS an interesting one as showing
how our labor situation is being studied
on the mainland.
At the present time it is permissible,
under ruling by the Attorney Gen
eral, at Washington, for the Territory
to assist white immigrants into Ha-
wall, but these do not come in under
contract, nor is there any obligation
upon them to work when they do ar
rive here, or even stay in the country.
Mr.. Stein s letter says:
White immigration.
Having had occasion recently to
study the Hawaiian situation, an idea
has occurred to me which may possibly
be of value. The foremost aim of the
federal and territorial governments,
and / suppose of your own organiza-
ton, seems to be to promote white i'm.
migration. The greatest obstacle in
the way of this aim is the federal
contract labor law To recruit. labor
ers for Hawaii in the United States is
difficult, because wages on the main
biChar +bou IN %hn
Immigrants from foreign countries will
not come spontaneously, because of the
great distance. 1t is highly desirable,
therefore, that Hawaii be exempted
from the operation of the contract labor
law. Hawaiian government immigra-
ton agents ought to be absolutely free
to enlist immigrants in any European
country and make any contracts with
them that may be deemed best for
the Territory.
Federation Could Aid.
'SIt seems to me that congress could
be induced to grant such exemption.
The contract labor law was passed at
the demand of organized labor in the
United States and is maintained in re-
Spouse to that demand Now I under
Sldhu tLdG III la wall OlSdH1HCu idpOI
is not only not opposed to white immi-
grafton but earnestly in favor of it,
in order to strengthen itself against
Asiatic competition. If the trade
unions of Hawaii would address the
American Federation of Labor at
Washington, DC, asking that the fed
Grafton petition congress for law
exempting Hawaii from the operation
of the contract labor law, | am in
clined to think that the federation
| would do so. Mr.. Gompers, its presi-
dent, is a thoroughly reasonable man,
| who is anxious above all to keep the
federation from placing itself in an
attitude of opposition to the public
welfare on any question. He would
perceive that the Introduction of white
colonists into Hawaii direct from Eu-
rope, by the assistance of the Terri
torial government, could not become a
| menace to the labor interests on the
mainland, since these immigrants would
have no greater facility of reaching the
mainland from Hawaii than they now
have of reaching it from Europe. The
officers of the federation at Washing
ton would probably consult the trade
unions of the Pacific coast, and these
would almost certainly vote in favor
of the proposed exemption, since it
would lessen Oriental competition for
them also, by shutting out Oriental i'm
migration from Hawaii.
Gas an additional measure of security
it might be provided that the exemp-
ton shall hold good for one year only,
to be renewed only in case the trade
unions of Hawaii and the American
Federation of Labor continue to de-
mand it. 1t might be further provided
that no assisted immigrant into Ha.
wall shall, during five years from date
of landing in Hawaii, be admitted to
the mainland of the United States.
every truly yours.
"ROBERT STEIN"