Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-01-20
COIN FOR INFECTED GOODS
Council Of State Discussed the $780,
900 Appropriation.
Mr.. Kaulukou'S Amendment-CO Committee Calls
on Board Of Health Will Meet Again
Today and Act.


ters e. A. Mott-Smith, Alex. Young, s.
NJ. Damon and John Mott, w. C. Achi,
A. G.. NJ. Robertson, J. Lot Kaulukou,
NJ. A. Gonsalves, p. c. Jones, c. Bolte,
A. V. Gear.
After Secretary Bolte had his min
utes of the previous meeting con-
flrmed, President Dole called on the
Minister of Finance to submit the bust
ness for which this meeting was called.
Minister Damon read the resolution
of wholesale merchants relating to de-
struction of merchandise from infected
districts, published in yesterdays Bull
letin, also the minutes of the Executive
Council containing resolution, passed
at the instance of the Board of Health,
to call a meeting of the Council OF
State and ask this body to appropriate
5000, 1000 for the settlement of claims
on account of merchandise destroyed in
the interest of the public health.
President Dole recited the reasons Of
fered by the Board of Health for the
proposed action. II would save much
trouble and expense in taking care OF
goods, which had proved in vain SO far
as preventing infection was~oncerned
A source Of danger to the men handling
the merchandise would be removed
The men would be released for urgent
work in building places Of refuge and
detention. AS to the power of the
Council of State in the matter, the
President construed the constitutional
provision as placing no limit upon this
body, under the head of "pestilence"
alike with other matters of emergency
mentioned.
Minister Cooper urged the passage Of
the bill. They were face to face with
one of the most serious crises in the
history of the country. 1t was most de-
sirable that all the inhabitants of Chi
natown be removed as early as pos
sible Cases of infection had been
traced to the handling Of merchandise
from the infected districts. II was ut
terly impossible to properly disinfect
the merchandise crowding warehouses
to the rafters. They ought to be de-
stroyed.
Mr.. Jones. on being Informed that
the expenditures would be made under
the supervision Of the Executive Coun-
Gil, spoke of the great responsibility he
felt as a Councillor in facing the ques-
ton. The proposed amount would
bring appropriations by this body for
suppression of the plague up to nearly
half million dollars. When the
trouble was over they might be criti-
cised for having acted in haste. Never
theless, the situation was most serious,
their fellow beings being taken by the
pestilence day after day. In the case
of young white woman seized the pre-
vious day. he learned from the papers
that infection was traceable to goods
that had been fumigated. Therefore,
he moved that the bill pass.
Mr.. Achi raised legal point as to
the authority of the Board OF Health
to destroy goods without paying for
them.
Mr. Cooper replied that the burden OF
proof was on the Board to prove that
goods 1t destroyed were infected. The
responsibility on the Board was too big
a contract, hence 1t asked for this re-
lief.
Mr.. Robertson asked II 1t was the In
tention to destroy goods In brick build.
ings that had not been condemned
Minister Cooper believed II was not
as the goods in such buildings were
considered less likely to be infected
Mr.. Robertson was further Informed
that the rough valuation Of goods from
condemned buildings was 100000, the
amount asked for being calculated as q
reasonable compromise, The speaker
was not satisfied that the information
on the subject was sufficiently definite
Mr.. Brown suggested and then NOV
ed that one or more members of the
Board of Health be requested to APP
pear before the Council to answer ques'
lions. This was seconded.
Mr.. .Kaulukou moved in amendment
that the bill be referred to commit
tee of the Council Of State. This was
ruled out of order by the President.
Mr.. Browns motion carried, and Q
message was sent to the Board Of
Health.
Mr.. Gear at this point seconded the
motion of Mr.. Jones to pass the bill
when Mr.. Kaulukou renewed his
amendment to refer to a committee.
The amendment carried and the
| praoidant annointed Messrs KaulukOu