Evening star., 1954-04-25
Statehood for Hawai-
Has Byrd's Opposition
Senator Sees Proposal Harmful
To Notions Best Interests
By Fronk R. Kent


By Fronk R. Kent
Craftsmen Of national political
party platforms too frequently overlook
the majorities in their campaign ap-
peals to the minorities." This trenchant
and truthful-Sentence is contained
in a statement recently made by Sena-
tor Harry F. Byrd, of Virginia. It ap-
plies to both. parties and all platforms.
It points finger at one Of the worst
forms Of humbuggery under our sys-
tenn of government.
Senator Byrd used that sentence in
connection with the bill to admit
Hawaii to statehood. To this he Is
strongly opposed Not only did both
the Republican and Democratic con-
ventions pledge themselves to pass this
bill but they have similarly pledged
themselves several times before. Actu-
ally, since 1900, when Hawaii became
a territory, 1t has petitioned Congress
Is times for statehood; and since
1920, bills for that purpose have been
introduced 81 times. Many hearings
have been held and much debate en-
dured. But Congress has never even
come close to passing any Of these bills.
The prospect of the present Hawaiian
bill, supported as it is by President Eli
senhower and passed by the House. Is
dim, indeed. When the Senate insisted
on adding Alaska to the House bill 1t
more or less sounded its death knell.
X
Regardless of that, the case against
Hawaii is so devastating and convinc-
ing that it is difficult to see how it can
be seriously debated. Hawaii, as Sena-
tor Byrd says, is an archipelago OF
islands, islets and atolls which are
neither contiguous to themselves nor
to the United StateS-nor to anything
else. The latest cenSuS-1951-Showe
population Of 10000 japanese, 30,-
900 Chinese, $4,000 Filipinos, 10000
Puerto Ricans. 1000 Koreans. 10000
Part Hawaiians, $4,000 Hawaiians, IT,
600 Caucaslans and about 1000 in other
races, creeds and colors. The area sim
ply has none of the characteristics OF
an American state. Internally. 1t Is
dispersed and heterogeneous. Extern
ally, says Senator Byrd. ut Is vulner-
able-contiguous to nothing. It's destiny
is that of an outpost. Whatever you
may call it. 1t can never be anything
else"
AS to its competence to govern itself
with the responsibility Of q state. the
record shows that the big Five" labor
unions control its economy and that
there Is abundant evidence Of intensive
Communist infiltration Of island poll
tics. "This is not" says Senator Byrd.
"a question to be determined by the
votes Of Chinese, Japanese or Puerto
Rican minorities in this country. Nor
is it a question to be determined for or
by the people Of Hawaii. 1t Is matter
to be determined by ourselves only and
in our own best interests. The fact
that Congress for the moment is closely
divided makes stuffing its membership
with heterogeneous people from re-
mote islands dangerous and unfair to
the Nation and to the people OF our
States"
IF Hawaii is privileged to two mem
bers of the Senate, each person IN
Hawaii will have q voice in the Senate
80 times as great as each citizen OF
New York If Hawaii Is privileged to
send members to the House. 1t will be
at the expense of representatives from
the States. Who knows what States
must reduce their representation in
Congress to let in the Hawaiian, Japa-
nese, Chinese, Puerto Ricans, Koreans
or whoever. they may send here? Just
as these distortions will result In re-
duced representation Of our own people
in their own Congress, they will follow
directly in the Electoral College, where
the President Is elected"
X *
Besides, Senator Byrd points out,
if they affect the presidential election
and the Senate they also would affect
the American judiciary and all the
principal officers, including ambas-
sadorS, who are appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate.
His opposition to the statehood for
Alaska, Mr.. Byrd says, is essentially
on economic grounds and its inability
to support state government. Sem
ator Byrd also makes the fiat state
ment that there is among the people
of the United States no demand what
ever for the admission OF Hawaii to
statehood.
1.-THE chief agitation comes from the
official Hawaiian lobby in the United
States, known as the Hawaiian State
hood Commission. which in four years
spent nearly half million dollars in
service, supplies, publicity, entertain
ment and other instruments Of propa-
ganda.' It does seem that Senator
Byrd has said enough to make any
member who is not considering the
interests Of minority above that OF
the majority hesitate quite q while
before voting Hawaii In.