Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-09
PANESE PAPER
CRITICISES ANTI
ALIEN MEASURE
NIppu Jill Says Attempt to Shut
Non-CitizenS Off Federal
Work Is Wrong

Strong criticism OF the res button
i'll the lower house looking toward the
employment or only citizen labor on
federal work in the territory is voic-
ed by the Nippu iii! edito-lalIy. The
Jill says
AS TO the sudden appearance IN the
legislature Of a resolution calling for
a memorial to Congress to provide for
the employment of ttZen labor on al
federal contracts tor public improve
ments in the Terri C;y Of Hawaii we
can't help but express Gu. most pro
found regret.
Hawaii has in hCl statute books an
anttalien labor law. which prohibits
the nOn-citizen labor from participant,
ing in all territorial, municipal and
county work in this territory Many
thoughtful critics have already seen
the error of the way, especially when
the desirability of making these is
lands an ideal place where no racial
prejudice should flourish, is taken into
consideration.
While We sincerely long for tho
later, some of our ill-adViSed frien Is
who seem to care 50 little for har-
mony of various races residing in this
peaceful Hawaii, are striving hard m
an effort to extend the scope of the
anti-alien labor law, so as to make it
applicable to all federal work in the
territory. When the attention Of the
public was first called to the fact that
a Japanese contractor easily landed
the job, being the lowest bidder, OF
enlarging the hospital buildings at
Fort Shafter several months ago, the
Chamber of Commerce of this city
launched a movement to ask Wash
ington to provide for the employment
of only citizen labor on the federal
improvement work in Hawaii. i he
Washington authorities, however did
not listen to the appeal from Hawaii
and today the non-cit1Zen contractors
and laborers are still enjoying their
privilege in participating in any Of
the federal works as freely as ever.
The presentation in the legislature of
the resolution by Representa- Ly-
man can be termed trying to dig a
piece Of red-hot charcoal out of the
dead ashes We deeply deplore. for
the sake of Hawaiis honor, that such
partial as we'll as unreasonable anti
alien law is being sought by the Hl-
waiian lawmakers.
"The state of New York once had a
similar law, requiring that all labor.
ers on state OF municipal work must
be citizens. But the first attempt to-
enforce the law exposed the folly of,
it and the state legislature has al
ready repealed the law. Those who
voiced a complaint DIT the repeal of
this unfair clause IN the New York
labor law were the labor unions. which
only a tenth of all the
in the state. The rest OF the
class was happy at the wise
action of the legislators. Isn't tbs
of the New York legislature
1 lesson to the Hawaiian Legislature?
I'VE believe firmly that the enact
nent of Lynan's resolution will tend
10 suppress competition among many
thus bringing a sad result
which will bar~the steady progress Of
Hawaifs industries. We urge our
wise legislators not uniy to kill the
yman resolution. but to work for
he repeal of the existing labor law. SO !
70 give u.s., the nonzc1tizen labcrers
IN equal chance to take hand in all
If the public works. regardless whe-
her federal, territorial, municipal or
of the land in WHICH We are :,
enjoying our life" ~ !