Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-26
BACK AT MAXIM"

| Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Sir: have read MaXims letter
in your issue of Jan 90 inst. and beg
10 say that he seems 10 me to be
strong on sarcasm and weak on sound
arguments, but would like to remind
/ him that such stuff has no weigh;
| with reasonable people.
| notice, toe. that Maxim has got
me down this time as sailor; but
should Judge by The tone of his letter
! that he is one himself, and that he
knows more about handling a Delay
ing pin or a marlin spike than he
does about the Coast-Wise shipping
| laws.
Maxim also says that in his opin.
ion some people could hide their
light or all they know about the coast
wise shipping laws under a thimble.
, but it is the opinion of this writer
that some other writer's that are no
less cock-sure could hide their knowl-
edge of the same under an article just
| as small.
Now about that dare" that Maxim
has so much to talk about and which
shows that if he does not know that
| there is any amount of people here
who dare not advocate the suspension
: OF these laws, he knows very little
about the conditions here
In regard to the Japanese cane
planting contractors. it is admitted by
anyone who knows anything about the
, sugar-cane industry that this is no
laughing matter. In fact, it is we'll
known by them that this contracting
business, On plantations, has been a
most expensive method, and which
alone has helped to cripple many of
, the plantation. and has been a serious
loss to nearly all of them.
And could mention one plantation
which IS possibly in the worst condi-
ton of all, that expects to succeed by
cutting out this contract method. So
/ don't see just where the laugh comes
, in in this business.
1t may also be admitted that | did
say that | might be wrong about these
laws. but l showed conclusively that
:; was right, and that i think as a
great many other men do is no rea-
son that | should. say that l do not.
!, however, claim to have an op;n-
/ ion on this subject, Maxim notwith-
standing.
Maxim asks why the plantation
owners do not build ships to carry the
sugar if, there is SO tmuch money to
be made by them; but If he does not
know this it is another evidence that
he knows but little about the condi-
ton of things here. But for his ben
! eft, will say, it is generally sup
posed to be because. the agents own
the chief interest in these ships. and
, though they do not own the planta-
tons they dominate and control them,
and the shareholders are nothing but
puppets in their hands. Here is an
instance: A short time ago the agents
of certain plantation called meet
ing to discuss certain improvements
that were to be made on this planta-
ton, but when they, the stockholders
arrived there, they were told that the
directors had been called together the
day before and had decided to do SO
and so, and they supposed that the
, shareholders would approve and the
meeting was dismissed.
This is one of the ways things are
cone in Honolulu. but very few peo-
pie seem to know it.
Here are few things in a nutshell
that are likely to cripple. if not de-
stroy, the sugar cane industry of these
islands, and incidentally endanger the
prosperity of this city and county.
First, the high salaries paid to man
ayers and others; second, the con-
tract system, Unless greatly modified;
third, the high commission and inter
est paid to the agents for furnishing
the plantations with supplies, and for
selling of the sugar, as we'll as for the
monopoly they have in ships and in
shipping the sugar
And last, but not least, the coast
wise shipping laws. which give them
this monopoly.
AS to the inoppOrtune time of writ
ing about the condition of the water
supply. will say. if the authorities
could he induced to attend to this
| matter at once it would be a good
| thing, even though the letter was writ
ten at this time of the year
1t may also be said that if this is
not attended to, it may be the cause
CT driving away the tourist altogether.
for all that is needed to do that is
TO have an epidemic of some kind
Ir regard to boosting. Y. y. Z. mas
probably done as much to boost this
county as Maxim has, or for that mat
, ter, anyone else, and he will continue
to do so. in spite of anyOnC's cheap
Wit, or sarcasm. do not write in the