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THE GARDEN ISLAND TUESDAY, OCTOBER J, 115,
THE GARDEN ISLAND
Issued Every Tuesday Morning
Luther Dermont Timmons
Editor
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 5
A Lesson Of The Convention
The Civic Convention has been of value to Kauai in a number of
wavs. and the first is that it has acquainted our people with what the
Civic Convention itself is. Up to a few weefs ago a large majority of
good citizens of this island did not really know what a civic convention
was like. They had an idea that it was something between a carousal
and a Methodist "camp meeting", but the rest was outer darkness.
But we have heard, we have seen, we have learned; and the ver
dict is that "it is good".
Last year we had to run through this commuuity as though with
a 6ne-tooth comb to secure a delegation to the convention on Maui,
and succeeded, after much effort, in inducing six members of the Ka
uai Chamber of Commete to brave the terrors of two turbulent chan
nels, to say nothing of a week's absence from business. They came
back filled with enthusiasm themselves, but somehow our people were
too busy with their own affairs to absorb much of it; and it was not un
til the printed reports of the Maui convention were distributed on this
island some two or three weeks ago that the public became really in
terested. And a great change has come about. The Civic Convention
has itself proved the teacher that was needed, and its lessons have
struck home. Kauai is now fully aroused to the value and importance
of the movement, and however unconcerned we may have felt, and
backward we may have been, in the past, in regard to it, we are now
prepared to move forward in the full light of the civic convention
spirit.
It is along, tendious pull from Kauai to Hilo, but we believe that,
in view of the new and keen interest now felt in the matter, the local
Chamber of Commerce will have no difficulty in mustering quite a large
delegation of our most prominent citizens for the convention in the
second city in 1916.
As To Homesteading
Replying to an editorial in this paper, in which the suspected
failure ot homesteading at Kuiaha, Maui, was contrasted with success
ful homesteading at Kalaheo, Kauai, the Maui News said: In the
second place, the Kauai homesteads are comparatively new. Their
hope is based almost solely on pineapples It is scarcely likely that
tLey are growing them at a profit, either, under prevailing prices,
though their owners possibly don't know it yet. But they will when
they come to balance up the returns of several crops with what they
hive made."
Since penning the above the editor of the Maui News has visited
the Kalaheo region, on this island, and, while we have not yet heard
from him on the subject, we take it for granted that his opinion has
changed somewhat in regard to local conditions. While he saw only
the homesteads along the belt road he undoubtedly noticed that thev
were older by quite a few years than those of Kuiaha, while the evi
dences of prosperitv were unmistakable. He doubtless noticed another
thing, too: The homesteaders of Kalaheo are not engaged exclusively
in the business of raising pineapples. They raise cattle and horses,
corn and potatoes and vegetables, enough for their own use and some
to sell; and on suitable lands they grow cane, which is sold to the
mills at a good profit.
Moreover, many of thein have money in the savings banks, earned
from their homesteads, while practically all of them settle their bills
monthly at the stores, as is the practice in cities.
The point we wished to make, however, in our original editorial
on this subject was to another end. We have had enough experience
with homesteading in these Islands to know that under average condi
tions of soil and climate it can be made profitable, and men who have
followed the subject closely are reaching the conclusion that failures
are due to the inexperience or in capacity of the homesteaders them
selves. School-teachers, preachers, store-clerks and the like, who could
n't tell a watermelon tree or cabbage vine from a cucumber stalk have
jumped into the business and have failed before they were not able to
intelligently grasp its details.
The government invites settlers upon its lands and expects them
to succeed. If they fail, there are reasons: and those reasons should
apply generally to all similar localities, or they are extraordinary. If
extraordinary, the facts should be made known, and it is unfair to
homesteading that a cry of "a homesteading failure" should b raised
unless the causes are simultaneously imparted.
We believe in a thorough investigation oi all cases of supposed
failure of homesteading in Hawaii.
Steamers Before Rest Houses
Were the project entirely feasible, a rest house at the head of
Waimea Canyou would be a very lint thing. In fact su h an institu
tion may in time become a n-cessity, and we doubt not but that,
eventually, one or several such places will be eftablished in various
parts of this wonderful ravine.
lust at present, however, Kauai is more concerned in the first sec
tion of the proposition of affording entertainment for visitors than in
the tail end of it The matter ot steamer accommodations is fretting
us. We have steamers now that make regular schedules, but we afl
know that they are not of a class and the accommodations upon them are1
not of a character to appeal to or satisfy the travelling public. Build
all the rest houses you may, equip fine hotels and do everything that
you can think of to sive tourists or vour visiting friends a good
time htte. and all will be knocked out bv the hardship, suffering and
even danger of the present arrangement for ocean travelling.
Of course there may be arguments on the other hand. The
steamship company is not in business for either love or glory alone.
If it could be shown that there is business for larger steamers, larger
steamers would probably come to us. But it must be remembered that
while business develops facilities, facilities also develop business; and
it may easily be a fact that the development of Kauai business is being
retarded seriously by the lack of facilities right now. At any rate,
we are coming to feel that a company less conservative than the Inter
Island seems to be would take a chance on the proposition and give it
a fair try-out.
Nawiliwili Breakwater
Eastern newspapers seem to be of the opinion that unusual econo
my will be the aim of the majority in the coming Congress. Although
hardly loud enough to be heard over the new wireless telephone, there
is a murmur throughout the land against the present, light "war
taxes." so called, and a more pionounced howl is raised when it is
suggested that a larger tax may be necessary to tide the government
over the current world crisis. An influential section of the American
press is working overtime just now urging upon Congressmen the wis
dom, if not necessity, of eliminating trom appropriation bills all items
not immediately urgent or important; and naturally the first andmost
'determined attack will be made upon appiopriations for rivers and har
bors. This territory has been relying upon the coming Congress for sev
eral appropriations, not only for uncompleted work but for new pro
jects of importance. In all prebahility the former will be taken care
of; but it is plain that a fight must be made for the latter. Thus, al
though the need of a breakwater at Nawiliwili has been emphasized in
various wavs, and the visiting Congressmen of a few months ago con
ceded the importance of the improvement, the appropriation will have
a slim chance of running the gauntlet of Congressional scrutiny unless
it has the united and determined support of its friends.
There is a chanrp rialif t,.r f- ru..t. t-i-: i
iui Lt-guiE ivaiauiauauii: lu C
big with the people of Kauai. His Congressional colleagues were un
animous last May in admitting the need of the Nawiliwili breakwater!
and a maioritv of them vnlnntoriiu nrnn-r.i ..-, t .t
tion in Congress. ' .
Let our worthy Delegate make claim for the fulfillment of those
promises.
For Permanent Organization
The civic convention has developed from a small affair into an
institution of larcrp immnrlinni al LA...... A1.1.....L i t
. , j r ! ""i uu iiiuucuu, nuuuuKu oniy luur rears
old. it already engages the interest and activities of our citizenship
I. "j "v . U1C country storeKeeper. tfased primarily upon
the idea of lninrovincr ri vir mnitmno ;t .nn i. .1 ,
lengthened and broadened to include the best ideals of numerous or-
6....ow.,a mat nave run ineir respective courses in tne Islands in the
oast twenty vearn nr ar ctiii d.,'..,.... t. 1 1- -
characteristic of being non-political, although destined to have a bear
ds .,v, r oiiKic upuu me pontics ot tne tuture.
' To the present time the civic convention has run itself, largely
It was set going bv a certain species of "spontaneous combustion" at
Hilo (probably peculiar to that town), and its momemtum has been
accelerated by a general response to a feeling that such an institution
was needed in the Islands. And thus it gained the proportions and
VI cor which it was our nlpaeitr n . r :i. .. 1.
From the beginning there was an undercurrent of opinion that the
ul iuus uouiu oe acnievea only by and through definite and per
manent organization, although there was (and perhaps still is) more
or less strong and honest opposition to this idea. We confess that
Lfor reasons which could not be fully set forth in a single editorial
our convictions were, for a long time, on the side of the latter. But
conditions have changed. The theory that tne ideals and aims and
work of numerous organizations might be brought together at analo
gous points and merged into a combination of power and public value
is noloneer a theory. The Maui convention almost proved that, and
the Kauai convention has settled the question beyond the shadow of
doubt.
The committee, or commission, appointed to draft a plan for the
permanent organization of the civic convention has an important duty
ahead of it. but we believe that it will succeed and that that success
will mean much to the Territory.- v
, Philippines A Territory
The forecast has been semi-officially made on the Atlantic side of
tne mainland that the question of erantine the PhiliDDine Island n
territorial form of government will be considered bv the approaching
Congress in connection with the Jones Bill. It is doubtful that the
proposal will be favorably considered at this time, but in becoming
matter ot serious, concessional discussion an advance will be made
wlucli should be encouraging to the proponents of the idea.
The present government in the Philippines is not American. It
is a system created to meet the peculiar conditions of the time con
ditions wlucli. by the way, have greatly changed. We have nothing
in our Constitution nor in our conception of popular government
wntcn includes a civic organism such as we have in the Philippines;
and it is probably a fact that no one (not even the father of the v-
tern) presumed that it would last more than a few years, and would
men De replaced ov something more American.
At the same time, territorial government carries with it responsi
bilities which the people must be prepared to meet (es we have found
out in these Islands); and if for any reason thev are unable to assume
the duties and responsibilities imposed, the government fails. A Vast
majority of the people of the Philippines know no more about popular
government man a mongoose, and to thrust it upon them and expect
them to succeed with it would he an exceedingly hazardous proposition.
that the drift is in that direction, however, is admitted. There will
come a time when the Philippine Islands, will be fully justified in lay
ing claim to a territorial status, and we have reason to believe that
when that time comes the reauest will be cheerfully in-anted.
Make of Hawaii a buffer State in the Pacific and we will thetV be
prepared to make suggestions in regard to a territorial form of govern
ment for the Philippines.
Some consideration should La given to the proposal that the
Ravmond Teal Company make a tour of the playhouses of Kauai. It
is hardly likely that a guarantee would be possible, but it should not
be hard to arouse sufficient enthusiasm in the various towns to ensure
the success of a tour.
I ' ' T' - J i;-..v.,. ..,. ..,: lU.;:x . ,.
COPYRIGHT UNDERWOOD 4 UNDtRWOOO, H. V.
LATEST PICTURE OF THE CZAR AND CZAREVITCH WHO
ARE DETERMINED TO KEEP UP THE WAR.
A new military photograph of the Czar of Russia and his heir t he
Czarevitch garbed in the uniform cf officers of the Russian army. The
young heir to the Russian throne appears a likely youngster who seems
to have outgrown his invalidism. lie is as imposing appearing a young
fellow as one would wish to see.
I Be sure, early, that you have carys
for that Thanksgiving Turkey.
We have Carving Sets from $3 to
$4 made by Standard manufacturers.
and we 11 pick out a set that will be sure I
to suit.
We pay delivery charges.
Lewers & Cooke, Ltd.
Honolulu
S. OZAKI
WAIMEA
Wholesale Liquor Dealer
Telephone No. 102.
The Blaisdell is a new,
sanitary, cool Hotel
' The best place to stop when you are in Honolulu. Every
room an outside room. Handy to any place in town. Rates from
$1 per person per day up. Weekly ' and monthly rates on
application.
J. F. CHILD, Mgr.
FORT STREET, half-way between HoUl and Beretania Sts., Ewa Side.
Let Us (Do All Your
Laundry and Dr Cleaning.
Address
Territorial Messenger Service
HONOLULU
a a
F ff tg Agent for Kauai 6
I hi MILES THE BEST TIRE YM
II r I They average 25 per Cent I
l t I more than other Tires. I tjj I
vk v V A full stock carried at the J jjll I
wSw NAWILIWILI GARAGE
I
THE STANDARD GAS ENGINE CO.,
of San Francisco
received the highest award,
The Grand Prize
at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition for
Marine and Stationary
Gasoline and Distillate Engines
Honolulu Iron Works Co., Ltd.
Agents for the Territory of H&waii.
I
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