thing to be proud of. I was most willing that you should see the whole picture, your fresh perspective may help us to clear away the weaknesses. That is the purpose of your coming. I know the people of Hawaii have been very happy indeed to have the opportunity of meeting such a distinguished group from Congress which we do not often have a chance to meet as they do on the mainland. If I have done something to help you, it is not only a personal pleasure but it also expresses the feeling of the people. 1300 Chairman KING. I know you want to go on record to show your appreciation for those who have assisted us in this room and for everything done to make this a smooth and orderly procedure. I want to go on record that the stenographers and others who have assisted us have our sincere thanks. Representative HOPE. I just want to make sure that in all these resolutions that we have adopted we have included the people at the hotel desk there who have been so very kind to us, all the members of the committee. I want the records to show that they are included. The CHAIRMAN. So ordered. Senator CONNALLY. I feel that the press ought not to be overlooked. I suggest that we express our appreciation for the liberal manner in which the press has given publicity to these hearings. I think the thanks of the committee should be extended to the members for their service here and attendance; after all, if hearings are not given adequate publicity over the islands The CHAIRMAN. I should have added that I received a number of communications from charitable and other organizations, such as the Salvation Army, expressing their welcome and extending invitations. I have not brought them to the attention of the committee. Representative FULLER. Thus far this may be construed as a senatorial meeting. I want to have something to say for the Members of the House. I do not think it is only appropriate that we should extend our thanks to the officials, but I think we should express a heart full of gratitude to all those people of the Territory with whom we have come in contact. In my short years of existence I have never seen a more genuine hospitality and friendship than we have received at the hands of these people. Regardless of the effect of 1301 statehood, regardless of what may be the result of these investi gations, they have ingratiated themselves into the heart of this committee. They have given us knowledge that none of us who have never been here could have otherwise obtained. To me this is one of the greatest countries in the world. I think this island is a great asset to America; we are going to hold it against all contenders, and we are going to hold the friendship of the people here with the good treatment we can give them. As far as the big interests are concerned, they found themselves in an isolated country, they have made this country blossom like a rose and made it a wonderful asset to the great American continent. We shall leave here with the friendship of these people. We thank you. We have you fast in our portals, we will not let you depart, but we will put you down in the dungeon, in the round tower of our hearts. Representative RANKIN. As a ranking minority member of the Committee on Territories, that has to do with the legislature for the welfare of the people of these islands, I feel that I owe it to them to say just a word. Regardless of this question of statehood, there are questions that vitally concern the welfare of the people of these islands that we are going to have to pass upon, and on this question I desire to lay down my policies now. The people of these islands are entitled to justice economic justice. They are entitled to the same treatment in tariffs, quotas, transportation rates, and every other thing that touches their economic welfare, as are the people of the continental United States; and I wish to recognize now that regardless whom it pleases or displeases I shall pass no legislation at any time that 1302 discriminates against them or denies to them a full measure of justice in that respect. I believe in the old fundamental doctrine of a tariff for revenue only, and I am not willing to discriminate against the people of Hawaii or the people of any State of the United States by the imposition of quotas that deny to them the full freedom of an American. I represent no self-interests. The products of these islands are used by the masses of the American people-sugar, pineapple, citrus fruit-and opening up the channels of trade not only helps these people but the great masses of the American people, and the people of these islands have every right in the disposition of their goods to the mainland. On the matter of transportation I feel we should go into that question and see that transportation rates are such that the people on these islands can afford to grow and market the things that these islands most bountifully produce. I agree with the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas that whatever may happen in the future these islands are now and must forever remain American. Representative SNELL. As this seems to be a personal experience meeting, I think that I should tell my experience. I appreciate all the good things that have been said about the people of these islands from each one of my colleagues. I agree 100 percent. There is one item in which I am especially interested. They tell me they vote the Republican ticket so I am interested and for them. I think we talked for everyone I can think of. I have listened, unless we have not included the Chamber of Commerce and Earl Thacker who is our majordomo, and above all, I want to thank the individual people that have done so much to make our stay on the islands pleasant. 1303 The CHAIRMAN. The Chairman officially announced that the work of this commission as far as the islands are concerned is concluded. We have given an opportunity at the opening of the session that any person desiring to be heard to appear and express their views, many have appeared and we appreciate the testimony they have offered, and the chairman now announces that so far as their labors in the islands are concerned, the hearings are adjourned. Subcommittees of the Joint Committee on Hawaii inspected conditions on the island of Maui October 18, the islands of Lanai and Molokai October 21, and the island of Kauai October 20. Announcement that residents of those islands would be given an op portunity to express their views was made, but none came forward. except to reaffirm their testimony in the hearing conducted in 1935 by the subcommittee of the Committee on Territories, House of Representatives, Seventy-fourth Congress, first session. (See exhibit 1, p. 693 [p. 211-264.]) However, residents of the island of Maui addressed the joint committee in the Honolulu hearings (see p. 192-210), as did certain residents of the islands of Kauai (p. 210-217) and Hawaii (p. 182192). Hearings were held by a subcommittee in the city of Hilo on the island of Hawaii October 17. (See p. 219-246.) 1304 PART III. SUPPORTING DATA The following pages containing material supplementing or referred to in the hearings. It is grouped under the following general headings: Finances of the Territory of Hawaii.. Hawaii's contributions to and receipts from the Federal Treasury. Data on commerce and foreign trade.. Data on Territorial taxes Data on agriculture in Hawaii. Business statistics_. 607-623 624 625-627 627-629 630 631-638 639-646 |