The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-06-01
ARMY BOOMS !.
LAND PRICES
Site Sought for Soldier
Hospital.
PROPERTY OWNERS OBJECT
Colonel RuhIen Explains That His
Department Will Not Back
Any Schemes.


States Government being used as a
lever to raise property prices in Homo
lulu? Some property owners believe
that it is Colonel Ruben, United
States QuartermaSter for Hawaii, and
head of the army here, says that it is
not-with his knowledge or sanction.
Colonel Ruhlens character is too well
known to permit the thought that he,
even through inattention to the matter,
allowed manipulators of real estate val
ues to run bunko game through the
agency of the army, and the Colonel
himself gives perfectly lucid explana
ton of the matter.
But the fact remains that a number
of Honolulans have been compelled to
pay out large sums of money to pre-
vent the depreciation of land owned by
them on account of the army's Offering
to lease property in the neighborhood
for hospital site.
Many months ago the army wanted a
piece of land on which to erect a tenn
porary hospital. Soldiers taken from
transports, i'll or dying, had to be hous-
ed and given medical attention. 1t
seemed not unlikely that there would
be great numbers of these patients to
be looked after. Colonel Ruhlen, who
had assumed charge of the army's bust
ness here, sought a site. 1t was almost
impossible to get any. Finally G. S.
Desky offered, or was prevailed on to
permit the leasing of the present loca-
| ton of the army hospital on Nuuanu
avenue.
Desky said he was holding the prop
erty to sell it, and would give only a
years lease. A few weeks ago S. Faxon
Bishop and Mr.. Schaefer, who have es-
tates near by, bought the land from
Desky They took it in order to prevent
their own property from losing value
and desirability, as the hospital-whne
a neceSsity-was not desirable neigh
Dor.
They paid big price. Then Colonel
Ruhlen found that he must look else
where and pitched on certain lots at the
Ewa-makai, corner of Judd and Liliha
streets, mauka of the Kunawai spring.
There were twelve acres there, owned
by John Emmeluth. Opposite half of
the twelve acres is a tract owned by
Alfred s. Hartwell Colonel Ruhlen
under instructions from Washington
selected likely sites and submitted
them to Major Taylor, the senior medi-
cal officer of the army here, for his de-
cision as to their healthfulness
Colonel Ruhlen has been considering
the Emmeluth tract for some days
However, yesterday half of 1.-THE SIX
acres across from Hartwells property
was sold to the latter for $4,000
cash. Mr.. Hartwell had no particular
use for the land, nor is it particularly
good investment, but he did not wan
military hospital opposite his prop
erty. He knew that it would lessen II
value.
Colonel Ruhlen, however, still has al
option on the Emmeluth land. Now he 1
considering tract on Wyllie street,
block mauka of the Emmeluth place
but on the opposite side of Nuuan,
stream and of Liliha street. The prop
erty owners there are up in arms abou
the prospective invasion and state bold
ly that they fear being coerced int,
paying excessive prices for the Wylli,
street land, owned by Seaborn Luce, t.
preserve their own interests.
Thus, unwittingly though it be, tn,
army is forcing property holders TO pa.
out large sums to save themselves
Colonel Ruhlen, who has the reputa
ton of being the best Quartermaste1
in the United States army, and as capa
anywhere, regrets the facts.
He said yesterday that he had beer
spoken to about the matter by d mum
Der of people.
MY instructions from Washington,
said Colonel Ruhlen yesterday, "are t.
find site for temporary hospital a.
soon as possible, and to report the SAM
to the medical officer here. l realiz
that those who own property dom
want a hospital near them. l am in
quandary The Government-despit
all sorts of statements-has no propert,
whatever available. We don't wan
particularly to build in the city, bu
must be convenient to the water from,
as most of our patients come from tn
transports. If anyone will suggest
suitable site to me, that will meet tn
approval of the medical officer l vii
be thankful. l will not allow an
scheme to boom prices to be aided d
my department. | am open to any oil
fers of sites, but must obey my instruC
tons from headquarters to hurry tn
matter and to get the best place pos
Sible.
d