The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-03-30
That's the Trouble With the Pres
emf Administration, Says Rich
ard .lVers, Witness 4 Before
House Investigating Committee
SMALL FARMERS HAVE
: a NO REAL COMPLAINT
Conditions Are Such That Cane
, Planting Is Not a Thing That
Citizens Can Engage In With
Prospects of Pleasant Life

"That's the only objection I have
against the present administration
generally. Since they have been in
rover they have done nothing but in
vcetigate business, and it has raised
Hell generally"
This statement was made by Richard
, Ivers of Brewer s. Co. before the house
committee on agriculture at the hear
ing dealing with the relations between
the plantations and the small grow
Grs, which was continued in the house
of representatives yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Ivers had read lengthy and
clear statement of the conditions
existing between the small growers and
the Eve plantations represented by
Brewer & Co.--the Hilo, Hakalau,
Onomea, Honomu and Pepeekeo Sugar
companies. i e.. ~.
Would Hide No Fact
Attorney Harry Irwin on behalf Of
the small planters was questioning Mr..
Ivers in relation TO whether or not he
opposed the adoption Of the proposed
concurrent resolutions calling for a
federal investigation Of the relations
between the plantations and small
growers. Mr.. 1vers pointed out that
ehe, certainly would not oppose such a
course provided it could be shown that
4 grievance really exists, adding that
the fact that out of the hundreds of
hofnesteaders and small planters en-
.gRged in raising cane, few had come
forward TO present their grievances to
the committee.
The fact, that so few persons had
failed in this industry, he stated, is in
itself sufficient proof that those en-.
gagged in the business have prospered.
In the case of John T.. Gamalielson OF
Kaumana, who claims to have lost fifty
thousand dollars in cane raising, Mr.,
Ivers showed that this man also en-
Gagged in the mercantile business in
connection with his farming venture
and IL was in this enterprise that he
lost most of his money. '..>
r Failures in Every Business
~ Because of the fact that few per
yons complain against the increased
cost of living, the committee would
have just as much right tohcall for al
Investigation into the affairs Of every
line of business that entered into thu
advance as to pick out the sugar in
dJstry at the behest of few who havt
made n failure. He added that in al
lines Of business, no matter the mum
her who succeed. there are always som,
who fail While admitting that tn,
companies represented by Brewer & Co
lave been operated at a profit, he saiC
wat if these properties were placed il
charge of those who now complain, i
you'd not be long before they woulc
~ in the hands of a receiver.
No Reason For Fear
'""The sugar companies representa-
W Brewer & Co. have no reason t.
T w ah investigation of the Brewe
Contracts" said Mr.. Ivers. "for tn
frures show that they. will con1pHr
fn"orably with the prices paid b.
Carnations in other sections of tn
w"r'd. Bot this resolution doea an in
'uIire to the sugar industry of Hawai-
-" CARRYING with il the imputation tina
'ha Tmall planters are not getting
"auhre deal. TnIess you can show tina
~" small planters are complainin
'd'nst the conditions or have jus
cause for complaint, | am opposed
~" .r"sOlutiOn.''
IL was at this point TINT Mr., liver
sliced his objection against the pre'
ut administration, as quoted at tn
c,Ttset.
irwin Called to Hilo
The hearing was shortened to COZ
"NlabIe extent by reason of the faC
thht Attorney Irwin was compelled I
~ Lave for Hilo, where legal bushes
r"'n require his attention this weel
D.. Chairman d. p. X. Isenberg did M
Question the witness, burt it is possib
that Mr.. Ivers will be recalled at til
n. 1, Y a Il. a.,
evening.
Small Farm Returns
Mr. Ivers subm itted figures shoV
ing the small planters had received a
average of sl72 gross per acre for h
cRn raised on their land. The averaS
rielA on the holdings of the sma
PAINTERS has been forty tons Of car
ner acre. These returns, he made elea
were based on the cane of the smA
nlaHters who disposed Of their crops Z
the companies represented by Brew,
4 60. They showed that tho smh
nlanter has made a net profit of $780,
per annum per acre of his holdings al
that this represents q net annual 7
turn of about sixteen and oRe-half n
"""t on the investment of the srna
planter
Continuing. Mr.. lVers, who SHOVE
i''"t he rOssesses thorough know
"'tge Of the sugar business in all
- e"bha notrted out that IL costs h
plantations $66.S5 for every ton
tugar produced With sugar sellil
. Hidhit dhIlard per tn tfis wou
lcave net profit Of $l3.l5s per Il
from which the companies must no
"a INV lust return on the immen
,u'tal invested. .r.rat. '.E
IN answer to question, Mr.. I've