The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-02-27
Minister Has Plan
To Settle Strike
Rev. A. W. Palmer Makes Suggestion
That Has Attracted Wide AtteRt-
ion And Demands An Expression
From Both Sides - Outline OF Plan

Much interest is manifested in
proposed plan for settling the strike
Of the labOrers on The Oahu planta-
ions, submitted by the Rev. A. w.
Palmer, pastor of the Central Union
church, Honolulu. Up to the present
nue the planters association has re-
used to express itself on the suggest
ion, but there is a strong. if morgan
led, demand that the matter be given
consideration. At least portion of
the japanese press seems to be in
-avur of Mr.. Palmer's suggestions.
An outline of what the Palmer plan
IS best given in Mr. Palmer's own
words as follows:
Mr.. Palmer's Plan
Representing as feel do the gen
eral public, owning no sugar stock, able
earn my living elsewhere. and
pledged in advance by my profession
i ethics to an attitude of candor. i'm.
artially and human helpfuness, |
'enture to call upon the Federation
Dt japanese Labor the Filipino Labor
federation and the Planters Associa-
ion to consider and give to the public
IN answer on the following proposals:
81. To the Federation of japanese
-abor and the Filipino Labor Fedora
tion, | most earnestly suggest that
they recognize the unwisdom and
1rril of any such organization along
racial or nationalistic lines and that
they therefore call off the present
strike, abandon the field of plantation
labor, thus leaving that field clear for
IN organization of the employees with
IN the sugar industry itself and so ar
ranged as TO be intcr-racial in scope.
Il cannot over-emphasize this point.
II is the cruX of the whole situation.
Public opinion must be convinced that
there is no nationalistic plot of any
sort behind the strike. No labor or
Sanization which is along racial lines
ma nationalistic in spirit can ever
succeed
THE only wise thing il can do for
me working man is to withdraw and
give his economic grievances a chance
10 be heard.
y. To the PlanterC' Association. |
would suggest, with equal earnestness
hat, as an expression of its progress
I've spirit and purpose to treat its en-
ployes in the most generous and en-
.lghtened fashion to announce that
| VIII arrange iOr an election by secret
ballot on each plantation of an en-
2ioyes' committee to confer with the
plantg ti0n manager in securing the
utmost cooperation between the man.
lgement and the men. Such election
10 be hclj within one month of the
late tho men return to work
without attempting to go into the
letails OF the organization and func-
ion of such 4 committee, it may be
loted that it should embody the fol-
owing principles:
"a. That it consist of several labor
rs, a member of the ce or labora-
tory force, and the manager, eX-oficio.
"b. That less than half the mem
bers shall be of any one race.
&C. That it should have regular
meetings with entire freedom on the
part of each member to present com,
plants and make suggestions without
prejudice to his position and standing
in the plantation organization.
I'd. That all matters of wages,
hours, living conditions, etc, be con-
5idered by said committee.
sc. That at least once each year
one member of the committee on each
plantation shall, at the expense of the
meet with similar delegates
from all the plantations in a meeting
with the officers of the II. S. p. A., to
consider and settle general labor pro-
blems affecting the entire industry
or the coming year. Such a meeting
should be held this year within two
months after the cessation of the pres
mt strike.
in an organization along the lines
above, wherein the members
" the Planters Association meet rep
of their own employees for
he purpose of arranging the affair
common to both, | feel that the mat
ers of wages, and working and living
can be fairly and freely
discussed and adjusted without sus-
Dicion. or danger of outside influence
lr racial issues preiudicial to the best
interests of all, especially if some
ADEQUATE provision be made for i'm
partial arbitration in cases of dis
agreement"