The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-11-30
SENATOR THOMPSON
.FAV0RtS RESIDENTS
ALE OFFICES
IS Convinced Islands Have Not
Been Fairly Treated In Mat
ter Of Observation-Disclosures
GREATEST PROBLEM is
HOMESTEAD QUESTION
Thinks Prohibition Would Be One
Of Greatest Steps Forward
~ People Could Take

81 90 away convinced that the Isl.
pnds have not been fairly treated l..
the matter Of appointments to fill fed,
eral positions Ia the Territory "a d
Senator VIM. III. Thompson OF Kansas
in statement to Tho Advertiser al
believe that you have plenty of good
men here capable OF filling all the fed.
crul' positions and I do not believe
that there should be mainlanders sent
down here 20 be your postmasters your
Judges and your collectors. must say,
however, that ] have heard no resi-
dent here complain of the quality Of
the men who have been sent here, nor
have seen the slightest evidence of
any cold shouldeTing of mainland Office
holders
Hawaii Is the most- ,toleran. place
/ was ever in. In Kansas, If we kCrt
getting outsiders for our Federal pcsi.
tions, we would never stop kicking.
81 have enjoyed every minute Of r.y
stay here and I especially enjoyed
your AID Club luncheon. In Kansas we
would call that club ai'' booster club y.
with motto of Boost or Bust, - but
Hawaii does not need boosting II
boosts itself is atE
Our Big Problem
"The greatest problem Of the Isl
ands, as / see il, is the land and home
stead question, It will require much
careful attention properly to solve:
While ! have not come to any positive
and irrevocable conclusion, and my
mind may be changed by more mature
consideration and reflection, yet now
feel convinced that the long time leas
ing system is mistake and should be
gradually eliminated; and that the .op.
portunities of the people TO secure home.
steads should be increased. rather than
made more difficult. Landlordism Is
reppgnant to the fundamental princi-
pies of American government, and
should be reduced to the minimum. The
facts that the. ownership of two entire
Islands of the Hawaiian group has
practically passed into the hands OF
two families should DO warning TO the
people and enioin upon them duty
, to see that no such ownership and con,
troll can possibly be acquired Of the
remaining islands. The home is the
foundation Of all stable governments
and to own one is the first duty of
good citizenship. 30
"About half a dozen great corpora.
tions seem to own or control the great
err part of the most productive land of
the Islands and hold most of, it by lease
for a nominal consideration, The in.
come from only four companies from
the use of government land has been
enOrmous--about three million dollars
last year, from which the Territory
received less than ten thousand dollars
rental. Any other landlord than the
government would have received mil.
lion dollars rental. FtE ia "EslasI
If any of these leases are renewed
they should be for not; 10, exceed ten
years and for a consideration fairly
commensurate with the profits derived
by the tenants; and all made subject
to actual and bona fide homestead en-.
try upon reasonable valuation basis.
Make Oahu Impregnable s4... /.
Gas to the National defense: The
Island of Oahu should be made absol,
ntcly impregnable no. matter what the
cost. This is the key to the entire
western coast Of the mainland. II
should be made, impossible for any
enemy to ever take the Islands. II is
the most valuable Pacific defense for
our whole country, and nothing should
be left undonc, including the establish.
ment of all necessary military roads,
to make it perfectly safe and absolute.
~ secure. .' ','.
Urges Prohibition .ni'2 o.. ..t''
~. The adoption of prohibition in the
Islands would be one of, the greatest
steps forward the people could possibly
take We have had prohibition in
Kansas for thirty,seveh years and
would never think Of going back to the
saloon. IL has done more for Kansas
in a moral, financial and educational
way than any other one thing. THE
proof of the pudding is, in the eating.
eff were asked what one law in
Kansas we think the most of and
would fight for the hardest to retain.
l would have TO say the prohibition
Z liquor law. What is best for the PEG.
pie of State is best for the people of
a Territory, Not single argument in
theory against prohibition has ever
: materialized in actual practise. II
produces better business, Increased
wealth, less drunkards and lawness,
ness, better fed, clothed and housed
people and happy and confronted citi.