The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-08-13

fifteen to twenty years, and tina
the company was undertaking t,
r. icy two cables. The line cost
$1,000 a mile. This Is So, 900, ooc
for the line before it leaves London
The ship will cost $3oo, 900. Their
is the cost Of the land lines anc
inter-island cable, cost of shipping
and current capital. Receipts are
problematical. Outside figure.
500 600 per annum. This will
require sixty messages a day be-
tween here and San Francisco. The
Western Union people and Mr..
Mackay have declined to listen TO
the business proposition of cable to
Hawaii. Money cannot be enlisted
unless the franchise is exclusive.
Col. Spalding's proposition is clear.
Is it worth while for us to give a
subsidy. Four times have exclu-
sive franchises been granted. Why
is it that the men who had these
charters were not able to place
them' Every effort was made.
Judge Hartwell and Sir Audley
Coote have made the trial. Mr..
Fleming's proposition was different
from Col. Spalding's. All that Mr..
Fleming promised for $35, 600 sub
sidy was a tap line from Honolulu
to Neckar Island. He did not
mention an inter island cable and
his termini were to be in Australia
and Canada. Mr.. Fleming had to
have the cooperation of seven diff
ferent governments before his pro-
ject was perfected. Then he had
to fight the Eastern Extension
Company which is against Pacific
cables. As to the idea that more
than one cable was desirable. Rail
road competition merely reduces
freight rates. The Eastern Exten-
sion Company will battle to keep
down rates if our line is extended
to the Colonies. No other cable
company could come in here
and materially reduce rates.
If we do not grant an
exclusive franchise the likelihood
of securing a cable is remote. 1t
will be long time before there is
business for one line, and a second
is only speculation.
Mr.. Spencer said, if the Govern
ment could afford $4,000 it could
well afford to grant the exclusive
franchise. This seemed to be
most timely and favorable oppor-
tunity. There seemed to be fear
that Col. Spalding would make
some money. Mr.. Swanzy said
he mad heard of no such fear and
that if Col. Spalding was successful
he deserved to make money.
Mr.. Thurston said the Oceanic
Steamship Company had once been
paid $37, 500 year. There could
be saved here 200, 900 by dispensing
with the mounted police and half OF
the military.
President Schaefer believed that
subject of such great magnitude
should go over to the Legislature
to give chance to hear from the
outside. Perhaps, however, it may
be necessary to act at once. This
had all been very sudden, as Mr..
Swanzy had said.
Mr.. Thurston said Col. Spalding
had been delayed two mouths by
illness and that it was desirable to
get the matter before Congress in
December to avoid the presidential
campaign of next year.
Mr.. Swanzy inquired if there was
any connection between Col. Spald-
ing and the California company in
Guiding Messrs. Craig, Stone and
Admiral Irwin. Mr.. Thurston
answered in the negative.
Mr.. Jones spoke of his motion as
an endorsement of the conclusion
of the Cabinet, which probably had
still further information and recon-
mended haste. Much Legislation
had been postponed. He believed
the Chamber of Commerce should
endorse the Cabinet.
Mr., Lansing thought there was
evidenced a fear that we were
threatened with a cable. He did
not believe we should ever have
line without giving an exclusive
franchise and subsidy. There are
cables to every part of the world
except Hawaii.
Mr.. Hyman quite agreed with
Mr.. Lansing. There should be no
delay.
Mr.. Bolte thought the provision
for free transmittal Of government
messages an inviting one. He be-
lieved in the exclusive franchise in
this case. He did not believe
there would ever be cable unless
there was granted a subsidy and
exclusive franchise.
Judge Widemann again said that
an exclusive franchise could be
specialized upon.
Mr.. Waity said this proposition
differed from the ordinary applica-
ton for an exclusive franchise. He
believed the safe guard should be
thrown about the schedule of rates.
]. 7. Warehouse said the sub
sidy would soon be forgotten in the
increased business. We are isol-
ated and need a cable. We shall
have to grant an exclusive fran
chise. The speaker said he had
entire confidence in Col. Spalding
and the Government and believed
the contract should be approved.
| Mr.. Swanzy said Mr.. Jones had
intimated that opposition to the
contract was tantamount to vote
of want of confidence in the Cabinet.
Personally he repudiated this sug-
gestion. Mr.. Swanzy offered an
amendment that the chamber ex-
press itself to the effect that the
Legislature had best postpone ac-
ton to the regular session. Lost.