The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-10-01
The Secretary's Report.

the committee:
The Secretary's Report.
Honolulu, Sept. 80. 1909.
Chairman and Members of the Hawaii
Promotion Committee.
Gentlemen: While we all know that
our work Of the past several years is
bringing continually greater results IN
the number OF persons who are turning
their attention in this direction. and
the public geneally is beginning also
to appreciate the fact; there are
number of features in this very success
that are difficult TO handle. I refer
to the increasing number Of inquiries
from persons Of small means who want
TO come to Hawaii TO take up agricuI.
tural pursuits, or to obtain employment.
Now the policy Of the Hawaii Pro
motion Committee has always been
conservative and honest. All of our
printed matter speaks for itself in this
regard. We consistently advise per-
sons against coming here unless they
have means sufficient TO maintain them
selves and get away again if they are
unable to find any occupation open
which suits them. With the purely
tourist class there is no trouble; but
in the very nature of things we are
bound 10 get some Of the other classes.
And in the natural order of conditions
we ought TO be glad to get them. They
are mostly citizens-American citizens
of the great middle class" the
kind of people that every community
under the American flag needs.
I realize that this is no new problem,
and that this committee has not the
power 10 solve it. Still we are the
ones who are daily brought face to
face with the situation, and as citizens
| feel that we should at least give the
matter serious consideration, and the
community the advantage of our SUI
perior viewpoint. For this is one Of
the things that cannot be altered ex-
cept by the crvstalization of popular
opinion on some course or policy.
Now here are some samples of let
ters which your secretary has to an
swer. on the average of about dozen
by every mail:
..Having obtained your address
through a friend Of mine, l am taking
the liberty of writing you as regards
Hawaii. I would like to know the
price Of land, location, quality. fertility
and what it viii produce and whether
there are any close markets; the china
tic condition; whether it is necessary
to irrigate; in fact all about the Is
lands that you think will interest
Thanking you for your kindness,
I am
Here is another:
KINDLY send me your descriptive
pamphlet Of the Territory of Hawaii.
Also any information regarding chances
of a fellow-college man, pretty well
busted but delighting in outdoor work
will be appreciated. -
A great many inquiries are coming
from the Northwest, where our exhibit
at the A-Y.-P. Exposition has evident
" made deep impression.
Here is a letter from Tacoma, Wash
ington:
e.Will you kindly send me detailed
and illustrated pamphlets
descriptive of Hawaii.
"What are the business chances
there for a young married man, and
how does the cost of living there COM
pare with the salaries, etc.
:" Am thinking strongly Of coming to
Honolulu with my wife, if [ can sat
isfv myself that I can do well there.
Thanking you in advance for any
Won may be able to give
me. I am
To such letters as these, some of our
printed matter is already sent in reply,
together with letter calling attention
to the qualifying paragraphs. Persons
asking about lands. we generally refer
10 the Public Land Office or send them
copies Of the public land laws. which
cannot be said to give any very def
mite promise We always advise per
sons 70 come, provided they have means
sufficient to make purely pleasure
trip Of several months. with the chance
that they viii find something here TO
interest them.
Here is a letter along rather differ
ent lines from physician of South
ern California. The letter is addressed
10 Mr. Wood. and follows:
q have been thinking for some time
that I would visit your Territory, and
at present l have the opportunity to
visit the Islands on missionary tour.
~ do not know whether you VIII
remember me or not, but I remember
You and often heard of your work in
connection with the Chamber Of Com
meree. and knew you very well by
sight. but I do not think I had the
privilege Of a personal acquaintance,
but possibly you heard of NE through
some Of the different enterprises that
I was interested IN. You viii remem-
her the Paradise Valley Sanitarium at
City that l started, and pos
siblv you knew Of my treatment rooms
in the city.
"Now the work the company has
asked ne 10 do Is to go to Honolulu
and see what can be done IN the way
Of starting treatment rooms IN the city
and as soon as possible start good
sanitarium on the Battle Creek plan.
I think there was one there some time
back bat through mismanagement 1t
was allowed 10 60 10 the wall. but the
institutions that I start do not do that
vav. The Paradise Valley Sanlta1um
is running full. while others here have