The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-12-11
CASTLE QUITS AS
FOOD COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Tenders His Resignation On Ac-
count Of Great Increase In
Work Of Local Red Cross
URGES DIVISION OF ...-... f..
.. WORK BEING DONE
Price Regulation Says Retiring
Official, Should Come Under
Federal Administration

~. L. Castle has resigned rs execu
tive officer Of the territorial food com
mission, giving as his reason the .grea
increase of Red Cross work, of which
he is the head in Hawaii. His resigna
tion as executive is embodied in let
ter to Richard Trers, acting ehairmar
y of the commission ...-...'.'....ss.
Castle win step out on January 1
or sooner if q successor is appointed
prior TO that time. He does not rec
ommend anyone to succeed him, mere
ly stating that the man for the position
should have knowledge of food cond,
lions and particularly of marketing.
In his letter to Ivers Castle point,
out the fact that many of the under
takings started by the commission
should be carried, out by the fedora
administration, while in other case,
the initiative should come from the
federal administration entirely, as ~
the case of price regulation. The only
instance of price regulation so far in
Honolulu Is the agreement reached with
the dairymen's association by which
milk became fourteen instead of f:fteef
cents a quart. This was started and
carried through by the food commission
. The work of the county agents
which is properly q part of the food
commission s endeavors, in Mr.. Castle :
opinion, should be continual. He -. .
gests that the federal governma'
chould be asked by the Delegate t.
Congress to extend the Lever Bill un
der which payment of county agents
Is made, and the Farm Loan Act, tC
Hawaii.
Mr. Castles letter of resignation
follows: ,
"ln accepting the position of cxecu,
tive officer of the Food Commission
did 80 purely on the understanding that
would only act temporarily, as ] had
already undertaken Red Cross work
which was to stand first Since Sep.
TENDER the work of the Red Cross has
grown to such an extent that it is i'm
possible for me to do both and dc
justice to either. therefore tender
my resignation, the same to take effect
on the appointment of my successor
but in no event later than January
" The work of the territorial commits
sion has reached point where O
proper division can be made between
purely territorial work and the federal
work. The proper functions of the
territorial commission it seems to me
are to continue its work in the increase
of production of food products through
out Hawaii, and through its women Z
committee to spread the doctrine OF
food conservation. These committees
are all at the present time doing eff
fcctive and self sacrificing work.
Price Regulation
1.-The territorial commission should not
attempt to regulate prices, but this
should be left to the federal admins
tration, which has far broader and
greater powers than the local body. The
territorial commission did come to O
voluntary agreement with the Dairy
men 5 Association on the price of milk
which has resulted in a saving to the
public, but this is the only instance.
'Wheatless Day and 'Meatlcss
Day both came as suggestions FROM
the territorial commission, but this
should lie vigorously followed W
through the federal side. The food
pledge is also federal proposition
which however, can be greatly aided
by the various women = committees OF
the territorial commission.
'Thc work of the county agents, q
system installed by Doctor Dean
should unqucstionably be continued. II
is cffertive aud although results arc
not sensational / believe it is safe t.
say that Hawaii will see a decrease il
food products imported in the next
twelve months of over 81 100000.
Assisting Homesteaders
"But the most valuable feature of the
county agent system is that actual ait
and assistance is at last being given
to small farmers and hOmesteaders
both on practical methods of farming
and marketing, Some hOmesteaders OF
the lands above the cane lands which
are suitable for the growing of corn
potatoes, and crops usually looked upOI
as belonging to the temperate zone
have made a success this year, and
believe n larger percentage of success
can be assured to farmers through the
scientific continuance of this system
If through any such system diversified
agriculture on suitable lands can b,
made successful the food commission
will have more than justified its exist
ence.
The Territory, however, should no
be called upon to foot the bill for the
county agents. On the mainland fed
eral assistance is given in the Lever
Bill through the State colleges am
universities. The food commission
through the Delegate to congress
should make an endeavOr to have thu
bill amended to include Hawaii. Sc
also the provisions of the Farm Loar
Aak ghnttll 10 Ial - l.,
wall.
81 sincerely hope my successor car
he Il man with knowledge of food con
ditions, particularly on the marketing
end. The food business, just like an,
other, is one requiring expert advice.
WATER RIGHTS LEASED
L.. ~