Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-03
COMMISSION READY
TO INSPECT SAMOA.
Congressional Group, With
Navy Officers, to Leave
Early Next Month.

A congressional commission Is pre-
pairing to leave this country early next
month to study conditions In American
Samoa, to decide what legislation is
needed for the government of the
islands, now that Congress has for
mally accepted the cession of SOW
ereignty.
The group, consisting of two Sena-
tors, two members of the House and a
representative of the Navy Department,
will sail from California early in Sep
TENDER, spend two weeks inspecting the
islands and comforting with the native
chieftains, and upon its return will
make recommendations to the House
and Senate.
The members of the commission in
clude Senators Bingham, Republican, of
Connecticut and Robinson, Democrat,
of Arkansas; Representatives Beedy,
Republican, of Maine and Williams,
Democrat, q Texas They will be
high chiefs ara one chief of Samoa.
Capt w. r. Furlong, in charge of the
Office of Island Affairs, will accompany
the commission as representative of the
Navy Department.
Arrangements in Islands.
The Samoan Islands are divided, gen.
orally, into the eastern and western
areas, the former under the control of
the United States and the latter OF New
Zealand. American Samoa comprises
the group of islands known as Tutuila
and Manua. Native chiefs agreed about
80 years ago to cede sovereignty over
eastern Samoa to the United States,
and their action was concurreds in at
the time by the executive branch OF
this Government, but it was not until
last year that Congress formally rati-
fed and confirmed the cession.
During the 30-year interval, the
American portion of Samoa has been
under the supervision Of the Navy De-
partment, which established naval
coaling station there in 1900.
In the same resolution by which
Congress ratified the ceSsion of the
territory to the United States. last year,
provision was made for the appoint
ment of the commission now preparing
to begin its work The resolution also
stated that until Congress has provided
for the government of the islands, all
civil, judicial and military powers shall
be vested in such persons as the Presi-
dent of the United States shall direct.
Supervision over the islands has re-
manned with the Navy Department thus
far.
question Oh Laws.
The steps now being taken to see what
laws are needed for American Samoa
are similar to those that were provided
for, by Congress, with regard to the
Virgin Islands and Porto Rico. In all
probability, Congress will consider the
enactment of an organic law for the
government of this territory.
American Samoa is not very large
area. the population being something
over 5000. In 1900 the population of
the area was 5,679. The SomOan Is
lands are described as of volcanic
origin, and the natives are regarded as
among the finest specimens OF the
Polynesians.
The United States naval station is
on a portion of Pago Pago Bay, Tu-
tuila. the bay being so located as to
form an exceptionally safe harbor.
Copra Production.
One of the chief products of the Is
lands is copra, described in Govern
ment report on American Samoa as
the dried kernel of ripe coconut, which
is shipped to foreign countries and an
oil extracted from it. Some years ago
it was customary for the inhabitants
to use copra as the medium for paying
the taxes required for local purposes,
each district being assessed a given
number of pounds of the product.
Later a new system was adopted un-
der which a cash poll tax and school
tax was paid into one native tax
fund. general report by the COVER
nor, compiled in 1927, explains that,
because of the lack of early birth rec
ords, every male Samoan who has
reached the height of feet ! inch is
taxed.
AS a part of It's study of the islands
the commission will hold hearings
with the native chiefs. The resolution
provides that the commission shall
recommend to Congress such legisla-
ton concerning the islands as it shall
deem necessary or proper.