The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-02-22

compressed air use. 1t is pretty well
settled that the storage battery is not
yet a success. Underground trolleys
would be out of the question for this
place, but the ordinary electric meth
DDS and compressed air plans can
readily be had.
Geo. R. Carter said that to get capi-
tai into this enterprise it was essen
tial to proceed in a business like man
ner. 1t must be shown that the lines
will pay 1t seems proper that there
should first be looked after the mat
ter of getting a franchise, then the
power. and then the routes.
Mr.. Low-These details should be in
the charter. Let both power systems
be included in the application.
Mr.. Weldon thought the subscribers
should be kept in touch with the direc-
tors and seconded the motion of Mr..
Castle
Mr.. Ena inquired about Manoa
line and Mr.. Hall spoke up for the
valley sufferers.
E. A. Mott-Smith suggested the COM
mitee lose no time in securing the
best available expert advice.
Mr.. Kennedy thought the committee
ment. He was in favor of all motive
agencies excepting alone the pictures
que but slightly out of date mule
| power.
| Mr.. Castles motion for reporting
back was adopted after final endorse
| ment by Mr.. Bowen.
Mr.. McStocker said he wished to,
| introduce vital matter that he DEEM
| ed appropriate for consideration at
any meeting of representative citizens.
He would suggest that it be voted as
the sense of the gathering that IL
Tramway franchise terms had been
violated by the corporation either King
or Beretania street should in future
be kept clear for boulevard purposes.
Mr.. Kennedy so moved.
Mr. Desky was of the belief that
it would be ample to reserve one Of
these streets beyond (Waikiki of Ala
pal street
Mr.. Lansing-You cannot get to Pa
lama or Kaiihi without using King
street.
w. R. Sims-Say no main artery or
street
Mr. Ballentyne-We will make se-
rious mistake and will show a lack
of wisdom if we cut away from our
selves any street that We might want
to use in the future. l do not speak
for the Hawaiian Tramways Company,
but | have looked into this matter to
some extent and / do not believe
finger can be placed on section of
charter that the corporation has vio-
lated. Then it must be remembered
that in this instance we are approach
ing matter of vested interests. Ii
this Government could initiate and
carry out condemnation proceedings
against an existing transit company,
then why would not this same or
some succeeding administration do the
same to our company A contract is
in question and there must be good
faith to the very letter. To have any
thing else happen would be to cause
calamity that would injure the re-
putation of the country and it's people
abroad.
Mr.. lansing concur in the views
of Mr.. Ballentyne. 70 take such a
step would be to drive capital away
from the country deliberately.
Mr.. McStocker-I do not want to see
condemnation proceedings carried out
unjustly. / thought it was stated at
our meeting last week as a positive
and verified fact that the Tram Com
pany had really forfeited it's charter.
I would not want to take part in any
action that to any degree or extent
smacked of bad faith.
Mr.. Dillingham-We are treading on
dangerous ground in this matter.
Contracts are not made to be set aside
at the pleasure of one party. To touch
vested rights is a delicate and serious
business. Such action would indicate
an instability of government. In
handling a matter of this nature (rap-
id transit plans) in 1892, l became
convinced, or rather satisfied myself
that at that time the Tramway here
could have been leased for the remain
| der of the life of the franchise. IL
anyone has grievance against the
| Tram people, let it be carried into
the Courts and there determined. I
| hand the committee some correspon-
dence, estimates, etc., from the Hous-
| ton-Thompson Electric Company
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