New Paper Outspoken

"Reputation Hurt Over Hotel"

New Paper Outspoken On Samoan Affairs

American Samoa’s new meoed newspaper News and 'lews Bulletin has already roved itself to be outspoken on variety of topics. Its first issue ontained an article claiming that le cart had been put before the orse in building a jet airport at ’ago Pago before a hotel to ac ommodate tourists. The article fid: — PRECIOUS little has been said or written by the local Govern lent enlightening the public about ow we have gotten into what at lis stage should be called ‘THE

Lotel Predicament.’

“It is about time that the facts re brought into broad daylight, since American Samoa’s plans and hopes ar a prosperous tourist industry are itally affected.

“The useless stagnation of our otel development, at this precise ime, causing extremely bad public elations with visiting tourists as /ell as with the world-wide travel gencies sending tourists to Ameri

can Samoa, will damage American Samoa’s reputation as a desirable tourist destination for a long time to come.

“If there is any question about this, then one only needs to read articles like that in the February, 1963, issue of the respected maga zine Pacific Islands Monthly.

“When the eating conditions for valued tourists at our Rainmaker Hotel are described as ‘American Colonial’; when valued tourists must wait literally hours before having rooms assigned to them somewhere within the town limits of Utulei- Fagatogo-Pago Pago; when the valued tourist en route through the South Pacific decides he would like to see Samoa and is informed he

will not be welcomed without hav ing hotel accommodations, which then become impossible to obtain after urgent letters and wires—these are legitimate matters of real con cern. The public in Samoa wants to know what is going on.

“The present Government Admini stration has been in office for about two years now—from April, 1961.

“When the decision was made sometime around September, 1961, to ‘crash’ complete the jet airstrip, one would think the Government would have given some consideration to what would be needed to house the increased flow of tourists which the jet age would most certainly bring to Samoa. (Over)

“It is true that about this time >vernor Lee started discussions th a well-known San Francisco m, Haas and Haynie Corp., about ilding a resort hotel between the port and Vaitogi, with the idea it the firm must complete the tel by the time of the South cific Conference in July, 1962, or fer penalties under terms of the Dposed contract.

“It appears that these discussions nt on until about February, 1962, icn negotiations broke down.

“All during this time (and since ;n), it seems, Governor Lee was :eiving all sorts of bids to build tels here, or at least, the interest s great among firms and indivi als, other than the San Francisco n, to go into the resort hotel siness in Samoa.

“Many proposals were apparently acceptable to Governor Lee, prob ly for good reasons.

“By the same token, many might ve proved workable and to the ig-range benefit of the American moa economy.

Hotel Venture “Somewhere about this time (was February, 1962, or even earlier?) rvernor Lee, it appears, gave birth his idea of the Samoan Develop :nt Corporation, whereby the moan people would be blessed with the profits (and consequent risks loss) of a hotel venture.

“Governor Lee was heard to say was going to have a hotel by iristmas (1962), but alas! here we 5 in April, 1963, with nary a hotel the horizon.

“Meanwhile, American Samoa’s jutation as a tourist destination s been needlessly hurt —and under \ best of circumstances it will :e years to repair the harm.

“It seems to us that full respon ility for this state of affairs falls

squarely upon the local Government Administration.”

In a later issue, News and Views Bulletin paid a tribute to Governor Lee for his work in American Samoa during the past two years. The Bul letin said:— “We of the Chamber of Commerce want to compliment and thank Governor H. Rex Lee for the many good things he has done for Ameri can Samoa.

“We all know that to be a good leader, a good Governor, and a good public servant requires a strong character, honesty and integrity.

Blessing

“It is a blessing for American Samoa that we have in Governor Lee a man with these qualities.

“To be a good Governor of American Samoa is probably one of the most demanding and difficult jobs anywhere. In all fairness, there fore, no one should criticise Governor Lee as an individual.

“But certainly if we disagree with Governor Lee’s administration, I am sure that Governor Lee himself would be one of the first to welcome and respect another man’s opinions and convictions.

“To you, Governor Lee, our sin cerest thanks for the many good things you have done for American Samoa in the past two years of your administration.

“You have worked hard and the people of Samoa are grateful. Our Chamber of Commerce will continue to support you in those areas wherein we agree with your policies.

“We will also continue as a ser vice to our community, our people and to our Government to challenge and oppose the policies of the Government in those areas wherein we believe that its policies are wrong.”

First Paved Road:

Clinging to edge of coast, the first paved road in American Samoa curves around part of the main is land of Tutuila. The first 10 miles were completed in August last year.— Photo: Govt, of American Samoa.