The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-09-26
CHEAP ICE ON
HAWAII MONEY
Eyton-Walker, Honolulu, Thinks
Rice Mill and Ice Plant in
Manila Would Pay.

MANILA. August 22-The establish
ment of rice mill for the rapid husk-
ing of rice, the planting of better rice
than that now grown all over the IS
lands, the establishment at the same
time OF an ice plant, selling ice to the
people at half the present price, and
the planting of tree cotton in the Philip
pine Islands, thus creating a new in
dustry, are projects which have been
undertaken by F. G. Evton- Walker, a
rice miller of Honolulu, who passed
through Manila on the Chiyo Maru.
This was not the first visit of Mr..
Walker to the Philippines, and he came
this time only to have another look
over the ground. He bought nearly
half million cigars and placed orders
for million and a half more while
here. Mr.. Walker was here about one
year ago, and at that time, he said, he
became convinced of the commercial
possibilities of the islands.
Il think YOU have a beautiful and
bountiful country he said, land so
thoroughly am I convinced that the
islands have great commercial future
before them. | have about decided
either to remove our rice-milling plant
from Honolulu to Manila or erect an
other one here which Will he similar to
and every bit as large as the one we
now operate IN Honolulu.
The Walker Rice Mill Company op-
IInaol,,1,, Of tba 10
mills of its kind in the world. 1t has
a capacity of 5000 bags of rice in
twentv-four hours. if run continuously
s'There is no reason, he continued
"why the Philippines should continue
to buy rice from foreign countries. OF
course the methods of milling here are
often crude and therefore draw back,
but this obstacle can be overcome by
the employment of modern machinery.
Another thing, the Filipinos don't get
the best out of the soil. They do not
plant the right kind of rice.
GIVE propose to import the Hawaiian
seed. which is originally from the great
rice belt of South Carolina. The grain
is fine and large, and very white. My
plan is to plant a few acres of 1t, just
to show the people how much better it
is, and then give them the seeds so they
can plant it also. We will mill the rice
for them.
"Another thing have noticed here is
the exorbitant price of ice. That should
not be. I believe in mixing the humanl-
tartan spirit with business, and ] believe
that it PAYS To my mind it does not
seem right that people living in tropl-
cal countries can not have ice at rea-
sonable price, and the price charged for
it here I certainly do not call reason.
able. 1t is not question here OF
whether people can afford ice, but they
simply must have it. I believe in meet
ing the people half way and giving
them ice at the lowest possible figure
consistent with legitimate profits.
eve can make ice and sell it for
half a centavo pound, and still make
good profit. My plan is to erect an
ice factory in conjunction with the rice
mill, using the mill power at certain
hours for the ice machines. We are
willing to let the people benefit by the
saving thus made.
Mr.. Walker explained that he would
use distilled water exclusively in the
manufacture of his ice, and would de-
liver it to houses, in not less than
twenty pound lots, at half the price now
charged.
In reference to the introduction of
cotton trees. he said that he would
transplant the trees from Hawaii. The
variety he proposes to introduce here
is not so valuable as the sea island
cotton. but is more stable, stronger and
has larger yield. His opinion is that
it is the ideal cotton to plant here, since
it is easy of culture, will furnish not
too hard and profitable labor for the
Filipinos, and can be sold in any guam
tity at a good profit in Japan. Accord
ing to Mr.. Walker, to the individual
planter the tree cotton industry will
prove even more profitable than sugar
raising.
Mr.. Walker stated that he would re-
turn TO Manila in about four months,
at which time he will have decided
whether his company will remove the
Honolulu plant to Manila or erect an
entirely new one here. From. Manila
Mr.. Walker went to Kobe. where one
of the branches of his firm is located
and where the company owns factory
that turns out over hundred rice ma
chimes month, which are sold through
out China and Japan. The company
a isa has auot her branch at Hpl5 Qhama