Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-09
THURSTONMAKES IMPORTANT,
POINTS At FISHER HEARING


the Hawaiian produce could be ship
ped. that man being an expert in his
lire. and who could make arrange
ments before the produce arrived 50
that it could be all sold reforp the
produce arrived.
Fisher: You have evidently studied
the California fruit question. Didn't
they. as a matter of fact, didn't they
60 through the same difficulty?
Would Have Government Do 1t.
Thurston: They did. and they are
one OF the most intelligent class of
American citizens there are. and il
took them ito % years TO get TO-
gether. Consequently | would have
the government initiate it with a view
that when 1t got into running order,
the people could carry it on them
selves. But | don't think the people
here are capable to begin it.
Fisher: Now you have spoken of
your somewhat discouraging attempt
with the pineapple industry - it has
been brought to our attention that re-
Gently the pineapple industry seems
to be going ahead pretty successfully
both financially and otherwise The
same situation applies to some extent
to sugar. We have found some home
stealing done in the sugar planta-
lions apparently with success-where
the contract with the hOmesteader
seems to be very liberal
Thurston: What | was referring to
was not in connection with canned
pineapples, but in the shipping of
fresh pineapples. which has a greater
value than the canned frnit.
In regard to sugar: / think that it
would be entirely appropriate to have
the government take hold and through
some form which | haven't thought
out assist the hOmesteader in the ne
gCtiation of his contract here. The
reason why | have laid more stress
upon produce of this character than
upon sugar is that | have been in my
mind trying to find something in
which the hOmeSteader could en-
gage in which he could be independ-
ent of the sugar plantations. There
is no use Disgusting the fact that
while many of the plantations here
have been not only willing but have
aided very strongly in assisting home
steaders the general attitude of the
larger landholder here is not favor
able to the establishment of small
holders in his vicinity Little indie
pendent holdings are the foresight for
blind pigs and all kinds of mischief,
so that it has become here, as else
where under those conditions, it is in
the interest Of the large holder to get
and keep control of everything that is
in the general line of their jurisdic-
ton and therefore small owners with
out the plantation are as rule dis
couraged.
Fisher: Now, Mr.. Thurston, what
do you think about the desirability of
establishing a local territorial utili-
ties commission to regulate rates of
fare
Thurston: If it was to be appoint
ed by the Governor, with the approval
of the senate, | would be strongly in
favor of tiff it were to be elected
under the general electorate here, |
think it would be most disastrous.
Fisher: | presume you are think
ing about the existing political con-
ditions?
Thurston: | am:
Fisher: Let me ask you another
thing. A good deal has been said
here about the efforts of plantations
to improve agricultural conditions by
the maintenance Of this experiment
station and so on To what extent
does the general public or the home
steader get the advantage of that sci
entific work.
Thurston: They don't get any di
rect benefit from the planters exper-
iment station, although I will say the
planters have been extremely liberal
their entomolOgists and scientists
have been repeatedly loaned to the
government to make Investigations
Fisher: Yes, but understand they
do good deal of experimental and
scientific work and this is published
and distributed. Do You know whe-
Their the distribution Is confined to
the members of the planters associa-
ton.
Sore Point With Thurston.
ThurstOn: That particular point is
d very sore point Will me, MT. oeC-
rotary.
Fisher: What is the trouble.
ThurstOn: There is an element
among the planters which has grown
up within the last few years by which
an attempt is made to conceal every
development which they make. 1T 1s
policy which | have totally repudi-
ated-I believe that the policy should
be to have the results of experiments
published, which was the policy for
twenty years and experiments pub
lished in the Planters Monthly, and
exchanges were had with the world.
The late policy has been not to pub
lish results. ! do not believe in that
i think that in scientific work re-
suits should be made known as wide /
ly as possible that any one interested
can come in and know what is be-
ing done. | know there is consider
able minority OF the planters who do !
not agree with what is being done |
now.
Fisher: How is the hOmestcader !
bD Of I,-ho