Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-29
proposed amendments touching our

Inc QueSIlO1 Of COuBIeSS pdSShS
an act unfolding the act Of our legis-
lature creating q food commission was
taken up with the committee, also
with Secretary of Agriculture Houston
and Food Controller Hoover. The
committee chairman refused to cali
his committee and both Secretary Of
Agriculture Houston and Mr.. Hoover
said it was not In their province at
this time to ask that the measure be
considered as a war necessity.
Land Law Hearing
The committee on territories has
had only one meeting during the ses-
sion. and that was a hearing granted
Land Commissioner Rivenburgh on
the proposition advanced by the ter.
ritorial officials and backed up by the
Interior Department in Washington.
to change our land laws insofar as
they affect demonstrating. This meas
ure was introduced by me upon re-
quest. Mr. Frank E. Thompson who
presented the bill to me, after con-
ferences wita officials of the Depart.
ment Of the Interior, explained that it
was a measure designed to create
much needed revenue for the territory.
This whole matter rs one that will be
considered by the territories commit,
tee at the next session and ample op
portunity will be given all those who
have opinions on the same, to have
their views spread before the commit
tee. By the papers l am advised that
many here have criticized my action in
introducing the measure. In doing so,
followed out my duties as a repre-
sentative OF all the people, and though
the bill bears my name, the fact thai
the measure plainly shows it was in
PRODUCED by request is plain indica'
ton that the measure has not received
my personal Endorsement.
crltieizes Someone"
The question or the Hawaiian mi
litia which has so stirred the people
here, has been anything but a pleas
ant one for me to attempt to solve.
1t was a blow to me to be advised
by the war department that our re-
organized militia was not to be
called to the colofs To my way of
thinking, 1t is anything but compli-
mentary to US Hawaiians to have the
federal government deny us the right
to fight for our country when our
country is at war. notice that while
those here in authority made no effort
to keep me advised as to the situa-
ton and what recommendations had
been made direct to the war depart
ment, when the setback came l was
permitted to assume a good share
of the responsibility. This is not a
new condition of affairs, but repeti
tons of 1t do not help the territory.
If l am to be blamed for failures,
firmly believe that the courtesy
should be, extended to my position at
least Of advising me of all the facts
in matters pending before the federal
departments and congress so that
will not have to work in the dark.
While the militia matter was pend
ing an effort was made to have more
Filipinos brought in ON government
transports. This matter went directly
over my head, but am glad to say
that Secretary of War Baker showed
good Judgment when he flRtly denied
the request.
viii Demand Inquiry
Economic conditions in the terri.
tory are the sole reasons. given for
the failure to permit US Hawaiians
at this time to join the colors. My
understanding of the matter was that
II the militia were reduced to 5000
men, these men could be spared and
that not the slightest loss wonld come
to crop production. II seems to me
that whoever had the ear of the war
department, whether individuals or or
ganizations, played the economic and
the "let us pillow so that we will not
have to fight" role with great sue
cess. I am. determined to get the
complete record In the Hawaiian mi
litia fasco. / am waiting until the
next session Of the house when ! will
demand q congressional inquiry. The
people of Hawaii should know and
they will know just what was said
department against the calling out o.
our guardsmen. 1t is my patriotic
duty to delay at this time in this
matter for know that the war depart
ment has its hands full in creating, i
equipping and drilling its first army,
a matter that is now under way. By
winter this first army will be in the
training camps and it will then be
proper to find the real reason for
the placing Of the Hawaiian militia
men in the stay-at-home class for the
officers who have the matter at hand
will be able to testify without in
terfering with their important duties.
lone of the first things will do
is to discuss with the governor, Sena- |
tor Chillingworth, Speaker Holstein
and others, the advisability OF bring.
ing to the territory during the month of
Of, a congressional party.
Billions of dollars will be spent the
next few years for war purposes. II
seems to me that It would be the in |
telligent thing to do to have the forti
fications and the naval station at Pearl
Harbor brought up to the highest
point Of efficiency at this time. It
will be well to bring here as our
guests members of the military and
naval committees of the senate and
house. Another innovation in re-
gard to a congressional party I will
suggest is that the party include high
Of the federal government