The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-05-12
MAY ORDER A
GENERAL
STRIKE
Waipahu Working---De.
mands of Laborers
at Aiea.

Letters from the Higher Wage Asso-
citation went out to plantation COM
nlittees of Japanese on the islands of
Kauai, Maui and Hawaii by yester-
days steamers, apprising them of the
strike movements on Oahu Island
plantations. Should the association
see a chance of winning, one word
by wireless to each island committee
will be the signal for Japanese labor
4ers there to strike for more pay.
Formal demands were presented to
Manager Ross of Honolulu plantation
at Aiea yesterday, signed by COM
rnittee Of twenty members. The de-
mands are identical to those which ap-
peared in yesterdays Advertiser
Although the millmen on Oahu plan
fatior. at Waipahu struck on Monday,
the striking of the field laborers has
been postponed for various reasons
the principal one being that the High
er Wage Association does not want to
have too many unemployed laborers on
its hands at once.
Getting down to the basis of this
decision, it is said that financial am
snunition is absolutely necessary ta
the strike agitators, and one planta-
ton at a time is all that can be han
died. The striking leaders therefore
hope to obtain funds from those en-
ployed. The original plan was to com
mand strikes on two plantations at d
time. but this plan has been modified
and Aiea alone will remain in the
breach for a while. However, lit was
given out by one of the leaders who
was in conference yesterday with the
editor of the Nippu Jill, the strikers
organ, that Waialua might have to be
brought into the strike zone in a day
cor two.
A mass meeting is to be called in
Honolulu some time this week, and
representatives of the laborers from
each plantation on this island are in
vited to be present. Contributions
will be asked for today and also at
the mass meeting.
The higher wage leaders have sent
word to the strikers that they must
refrain from drinking sake or becom-
ing intoxicated during the strike
tenure. so that no difficulties may
arise from overheated brains. Fred
Maxine stated last night that if any
striker commits violence or ineites to
riot the association win take a hand
in assisting in his prosecution in the
courts of law.
Maxine blames w. o. Smith, secre-
tary of the Planters Association, for
the present labor situation, and als)
states that the press has been an
agent in bringing the Higher Wage
Association to it's determination to call
a strike.
There is a vein of humor in the
situation at Aiea, in that the higher
wage leaders here express their adj
niration for Manager Ross for aeced-
ing to the humble request of the
strikers that they be allowed to draw
firewood supplies for their quarters in
the camps.
..All the people on the plantation are
satisfied with Mr.. Ross said Mr.. Ma
lino last night. "He is a gentleman.
The Chinese laborers at Aiea went
back to work yesterday, the Chinese
Consul having been active in showing
his countrymen that they had No
cause for joining the Japanese.
The places of the striking lnillmen
at waipahu have been filled by Por-
Pipan Ia hOFPrS
One or two of the leaders have ex-
pressed the opinion that the manage
ment of Aiea plantation can not evle'
the laborers from the plantation nm
its. and if they attempt it they VIII
resist in the courts
The formal demands made by the
strikers to Manager Ross of Honolulu
sAiea) plantation, presented In writ
ing yesterday, are as follows.
Demands of the Strikers.
Aiea. City and County of Honolulu,
May 10, 1909.
Mr. George Ross. Manager, Honolulu
Plantation Co., Aiea.
Dear Sir: We have the pleasure 10
express our keen appreciation OF your
past kindness and favor, and 1t Is par
ticularly pleasing to us to reeoiiect tha'
we have taken part IN the deVeiop-
ment of the Honolulu plantation, there
by not only contributing to the up
building Of the splendid and prosper
Gus plantation of which you are man
ager, but also contributing our part Id
the upbuilding of the Territory OF ia.
wall in its economic progress. 1t shah
Continued on Page Two.)