The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-10-22
FIRST RUSSIAN
LABORERS ARRIVE
Continued from Page onel
of arms in the name of the Little
Father of all the Russias.

of arms in the name of the Little
Father of all the Russias.
ALI Family Groups.
Families were what Mr.. Atkinson
wanted, and families were offered by
the scores, with children so plentiful
among them they were like weeds. Big,
strong fne.looking young men, with
the strength to fell an OK with fist
blow, applied for opportunity to come
to Hawaii and work, but without wives
they, too, were turned down.
Married to Come.
One young man came several times.
but was told that, being unmarried, he
could have no chance. He came again,
almost the last day of Mr.. Atkinson g
stay in Hardin, and again asked to
join. "You re not married, said Mr..
Atkinson. "But / am he replied
and he showed his wife of only few
hours. He and his wife arrived yes.
terday on the Siberia.
Scores of other families from Alex
Jeff can be had for the mere asking
should the board of immigration de-
eide that the Russians are the class of
people wanted here.
AJhluSOu lS IleaSeu.
Mr.. Atkinson is pleased with his
charges. They were from among the
pick of all Alexieff and vicinity. They
have undergone many examinations,
medical and otherwise. Their physique
is as perfect as critical officials could
ask for. They are agriculturists pure
and simple, and none hail from the
cities, nor have they had any taste
of city life. For generations back they
have lived in farm villages.
Cheaper than Coolies.
The Gar wished to colonize Siberian
agricultural areas and families of Pol
tava, Kieff and Volga went to Hardin
and settled in villages, but the living
derived there was of the poorest. They
worked for little or nothing, and even
the Chinese contractors for railroads
discarded many of their coolie laborers
to take on Russians, because the latter
worked for such pitifully small wages.
They received from $3.50 to So and
the best $40 month, and bought heavy
clothing for their families and supplied
food for hungry mouths. Yet they are
hardy, resolute people.
One Pessimist.
They are apparently contented lot
and glad to have reached their jour.
ney's end. There is possibly but one
in the crowd of men who may be classed
as a pessimist, but even he is glad to
be away from Russia. 1t is said of
the party that when they finally left
Japan for Honolulu they threw away
passports and other papers which held
them to Russia, scattering them upon
the Pacific Ocean, and even when asked
to sing Russian national airs, declined,
saying that they were glad to be rid
of all that held them to the Car.
Want No Priests.
Prests2 None came with them and
they have said they want none, at least
just now. Some of them have said
very quietly that the priests only ham
per them and rob them, and they are
better off without them until they be-
come settled down in the country.
Education Something New.
Education? 1t was strange thing
to them to be told that when they
came to Honolulu that their children
would have to attend the public schools.
Why should their children have to go
to schooli In Russia they were not
educated Why, after seven years the
children entered into the wage. earning
habit and never gave it up until death
overlook them. They laughed at the
idea of education, but it tickled their
fancy, and they took an interest in
something SO radically new to their
lives. And there are many children
who will. now be added to the school
census list.
Looking for Frost.
They have queer ideas, these simple
peasants. A young man of twenty-one
years came on deck yesterday as the
steamer neared Honolulu wearing a
huge sheepskin coat. When told that
it would be unnecessary in Hawaii he
replied that that was joke. He had
lived twenty-one years and he knew
that every year there was winter and
snow and ice, and therefore when ht
was twenty-five another winter would
come along and he would need the big
coat.
Tucking in Their Shirts.
In Russia they take pride in being
mere peasants, and one of the ear
marks of peasantry is the smock shirt
or blouse which is not tucked in under
the trousers band. They are to be
come Americans in a short time ant
gradually as the steamer came closer t.
Hawaii blouse ends were tucked in anC
yesterday few were shown outside tn,
trousers band. But Russian caps, Rus
sian boots made of the softest of leath
er, Russian blouses of garish colors
| Russian belts, were everywhere to b,
seen among the men and boys. Few o
the women wore the characteristic peas
| ant dress of Russia, although man.
pretty holiday costumes are tucked
away in the bottom of queer-lookinl
chests and boxes inscribed with quee
looking letters of the Russ alphabet
When "A Russ holiday comes along thes,
gay costumes may be brought out.
Sam johnson Busy Man.
After being taken to the Bishop
wharf the people were directed TO eros
the road to the immigrant station
Col. Samuel Johnson, once of Russia
now ex-c0lonel of the National Guart