Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-02-15
THE SPECIAL TAX PLAN.


Governor Frear has given a brief
outline Of his program for taking care
of the all-important demands of the
Territory for the conservation Of nat
ural resources and the enlistment OF
immigrants to maintain the old and
develop the new agricultural indus
tries
The measure embodying this plan
should have the solid support of the
members of the Legislature who
stand for progress. and behind them
should be eXerted the favorable in
fucnce of all progressive elements OF
the Territory.
The Governor states the case very
clearly when he draws attention to
the fact that the tax-gatherlng power
Of the Territory depends on the pros
pcrity Of its industries and the wis
dom with which the natural resources
are preserved.
This Territory cannot move for
ward, 1t cannot expand industrialIy,
IL It lacks workers. 1t must have the
population capable and willing to go
into the fields of labor that are of
fercd, IL It is to gain the full benefit
OF the advantages that offer for home
building and constructive expansion
in the immediate future.
The outline presented by the Gov
ernor may have to be changed in
= Some minor detail. It may be possible
TO frame progressive income tax
that will distribute the burden of the
special fund more generally on those
best able to pay It. Generally, how
ever, diversions from a measure that
has been carefully studied In order to
carry 1t successfully through the
courts is dangerous business and
practised only by opponents.
The poor man. the man who wants
this Territory Americanized, is the
last one who should raise his voice
in opposition.
AS there have been no outcries OF
capitalists, It is to be presumed that
the Governor has Canvassed the sit
uatiOn pretty carefully previous to
announcing his course. 1t seems roas.
enable 10 believe that at least a good
number of the large industrial and
financial interests on which the bur.
den will fall most heavily will not op,
pose the measure.
This may seem impossible. 1t may
suggest itself to the suspicious mine
as too good to be true. But unit
there is a definite movement in oppo
sitiOn from the vested interests, tn,
man of small means and good inten
tions and high ideals should give
thanks that the coming session may
prove that in Hawaii the vested In
tcrests are not as other interests II
other places; that they are able t
understand the vital necessity fol
special work and willing to pay theil
share of what amounts to specia
tax to carry It forward. The b IN
let ! II would suggest that this is tn,
better view for the legislator to take
There Is no question that the Who'll,
scheme Is In the nature of an expert
ment Necessity is the mother of IN
vention.
This Territory must have immi
grants. This presents no room fol-
argument among men who believe In
progress. The individual who spends
his time talking of the good ole
days" cant see it that way perhaps
but he never would see 1t II he lived
b. TO be n hundred, and his ideas of ret
repression prevailed.
Accepting the immigration demand
ar fact, we know that the Territory
must go after the people. They will
rot come or their own VOlition. Th'
situation has been thoroughly review
ed. The Federal Government hal
been appealed to. And the whole
thing resolves itself into the old prop
osition that Hawaii is on an equallt!
with the Territories Of the MAINLAND
and must work out its own salvation
OIL that basis
Legislators have an opportunity L
prove that they possess the ability Il
continue the reputation of the Terri