The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-02-27

and the balance of the bonus will be paid hin at the end of the
year, depending on the price of sugar.
1t should be borne in mind that the 5000 per month men are
a very small minority of the employees on the plantations.
The value of the house, fuel and medical attendance furnish
ed varies on the different plantations, but it certainly is not less
than $1,000 per month on the average.
All men not blinded by passion or prejudice must concede
that the compensation of plantation hands is not only adequate
but most generous. In this connection it is interesting to note
that, Notwithstanding the fact that the Japanese have been on
strike for a month, we have been informed and read in Japanese
newspapers that there have been very few requests made of the
Federation of Labor for assistance, and laborers have stated that
they have sufficient money on hand to live in ideness for some
months. This is an absolute contradiction OF the charges made
concerning the impoverished condition of the laborers and their
inability to save.
We are forced, therefore, to the conclusion that this strike
was not brought about by the conditions of employment. From
statements made by Japanese plantation hands to managers, we
know that The majority of the men are satisfied with their earn
ings and conditions of employment and do not want to strike,
and if free to exercise their own wills would return to work
Immediately.
The movement was started by the Japanese newspapers and
agltators, aided and abeted by the Japanese school teachers and
priests.
The Federation has impressed upon the laborers the absolute
necessity of obeying their leaders and, to keep them in line, has
appealed to the Japanese national spirit and has made use OF the
well known national feelings and characteristics of the Japanese
to hold them together. Working upon the sentiments of their
less educated fellow countrymen, they have effected an organiza-
ton which is a menace to every man, woman and child of this
Territory of whatever nationality.
Perhaps you are not aware of some of the workings of the
Japanese organization. We do not profess to know all that is
going on, but certain things have come to our notice.
The Japanese on the plantations struck on order of the Fede-
ration of Labor without making requests or demands of any ma
ture. The excuse that they were instructed to furnish was that
the FiipnCs were preventing them from working, Then when
ample protection was afforded and they could no longer hide
behind this pretense, they were told to say that they were laying
off to show the Filpinos that they were with them and would
return to work shortly. All the while they were perfecting their
organization and appointing surveillance committees on each
plantation.
When this was completed to the satisfaction OF their leaders,
they then assumed an attitude of complete indifference, and, still
without demands in most instances, absolutely refused to work.
Now as to the methods adopted by the Federation of Labor:
We soon became cognizant of the oath taken by the men
that if one man should be discharged all would consider them
selves discharged. Statements of this nature have been made by
the men to the managers secretly and at night and that they wish
ed to work but were bound by their oahs.
Their we had the bylaws of the Federation of the Island Of
Hawaii. and without doubt each Island Federation has adopted
similar rules and regulations. We found therein a provision that
any member failing to obey the orders of the Federation would
be reported to the officials of his permanent domicie in Japan,
where his family would be sCOrned, ridiculed and ostracized.
Because of the characteristics of the Japanese people, no more
powerful weapon for keeping plantation laborers in line could
have been devised by the Federation leaders.
That this was intended as a real threat is shown by the adj