Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 498, 16 Ianuali 1902 — SHOREMEN'S UNION FORMED [ARTICLE]

SHOREMEN'S UNION FORMED

1 BIG lEETIHG IT THE DRILL SHED LARGE AUDIENCE PRESENT AND 1 LABORERS NEW LABOR ORGANIZATION ROLL. Enthusiastic Union of All Nationalities to Fight Asiatic Laborers — Permanent Organisation is Formed—Herbert Mossman Makes a Very Telling Address. The lamgshoremen's Labor Union was launched last night at an enthusiastic meeting of laborers held at the Drill Shed for the purpose of per footing organization and electing offi--1 cent. Over two hundred men were present and 133 names were signed to the 1 rolls. Owing to several companies having business meetings or drill, the meeting was not called to order until 9 o'clock. In the meantime the leaders of the movement constituted themselves into individual committees of one each, and were kept busy explaining to the natives the privileges to be derived from the organization. Against Asiatic Labor. The opinion of the audience seemed to be unanimous against the employment of Asiatics on the wharves of Honolulu. Here and there small groups of Japanese, Portuguese and Americans were earnestly discussing the situation and many strong opln ions were expressed on the subject. D. K. Kaeo called the meeting to order and Fred. Kauwahi acted as secretary. The chairman, D. K Kaeo. immediately announced that nominations for president of the Longshoremen's Labor Union were in order. and H. Mossman and D. K. Kaeo were nominated. A ballot was taken and resulted in a tie vote. There were 130 voters and both candidates received 65 votes each. Officers Elected. When the result of the election was announced. Herbert Mossman ad- 1 vanced to the platform and withdraw his name in favor of D. K. Kaeo. The other nominations were made unanimously and the officers elected are as follows; President. D. K. Kaeo: vice president. William Alipau: secretary Fred Kauahi; assistant secretary. John Wise; treasurer. M Nika. Jack McVeigh and H. Mossman were nominated for treasurer but both declined the honor. Jack McVeigh was not eligible as he had not signed the roll. Mossman pleaded that he be allowed to decline on the ground that he wou’d be able to do more good for the organization by being an individual member. He advised his audience to unite as. with union, they will be able to resist the encroachment of Oriental laborers on their own field. Mjssman's Telling Remarks. ‘The Japanese belong to the plan tations.” said the speaker, “and not on the wharves of our city. Now they work in the hold of the ships and also on the wharves The Only work which is left for you to do is the running of the donkeys and the handling of the tripping lines and hooks. In a few months they will also capture those places, and then the native Hawaiian will not be able to find work in his own country. “Supposing that they work for the same wages that we do. of what interest are they to the community? They live on almost nothing, a sack of rice will be their means of existence for several weeks: the balance of their money they send to Japan. We work for higher wages, it is true, but with what we earn we support our families; and in a smal 1 way we are doing onr share towards the support of our institutions and th° welfare of the community." Mr. Mossman's remarks called forth much applause. His words were translated into Hawaiian by John Wise. Committee on Constitution. A committee composed of Herbert Mossman. chairman. John Wise, Fred Kauahi. Wm. Alipau. Captain Holi Paul K. Hipa and Captain Nahora Hipa was appointed by the president to draft a constitution and by-laws and report at the next meeting. Thcommittee will meet on the Pacific, Mail dock next Saturday at noon. The next regular meeting of thunion will be held on Wednesday. January 52. at T:SO in the evening, at the Drill Shed.