The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-07-23

in the port of Honolulu charac-
~ terize the present conditions ex-
listing between them and their sailors
and the Sailors Union as savoring of
a reign of terror. With seven ships
captains brought before the bar of JUS
tice by men who work for them, on va
rious charges, cruelty the principal one,
the landlubber has come to believe that
the crimes committed on the high seas
are nothing short of piratical.
The enlargement between the ships
captains and the Sailors Union is moth
ing new, but there are certain features
of it which are decidedly embarrassing
for the masters. Many of them are
now held under bonds for their appear
ance before the United States court,
there to answer to the charges prefer
red against them by fo'castle hands.
Either their vessels must remain in the
harbor, idly frittering away valuable
charters, or new captains must be sup
piled by the owners to take their places.
The expenses in all cases are piling up
at a rate to make the owners look as
kance at this port, and the result is
that the shipping interests of Honolulu
will be seriously affected. The imme-
date trouble existing here may not be
so apparent as to anticipate serious re-
suits, but the ships captains state pos
itively that unless matters assume
different aspect Honolulu will surely
suffer.
a dozen sea captains who have dis
eussed the matter at considerable length
In the last few days have drawn UP
statement of the conditions as they see
them Captain Mcleod of the Rufus B.
Wood, who has fought the Sailors
Union for years, has written out the
views of these captains, which are as
1.-THE port of Honolulu at present is
no desirable place for sea captain.
Any irresponsible being on board of any
ship coming into this port can chum in
With the Sailors Union agents and wa
erfront harpies, and under the pauper
act swear out a warrant against the
captain of any ship Especially if she
las the misfortune to be an American
hip) and the captain is arrested and
placed under bonds for a thousand dol
ars. One captain was arrested for run
ling out of his cabin and stopping a
ow. Another captain was arrested be-
ause he was asleep and did not hear
ow, and still another was arrested be-
ause he took bottle of whisky from
thirsty sailor and threw it overheard.
The men concerned appear against
lin and cook up a story which they
ell brazenly in court. 1t would seem
rom this that no matter whether he
ommitted a crime or left it alone, it
mounted to the same thing. Under
hese conditions it would appear hat
Justice is totally blind
1T is time these conditions were done
way with. Merchants and ship-own-
rs can do much toward settling this
natter by getting up a petition intimat-
ng that the shipping laws of the United
states are badly warped and changes
re absolutely necessary. In conse- !
uence OF. the outrages committed upon
american ships captains coming to Ho- /,
olulu, trade and commerce of the port
sill suffer, as the life of the Islands lies
4 the ships that sail over many oceans
ringing wealth to the group. To I'M
Justly hamper and prosecute the cap
aims of these vessels is both destroy
ng the Islands wealth and seriously ,
njuring the good name of this port We
ntreat the United States Government
ot to kill the hen that is laying golden
ggs, for it is the American sea cap
aims who have made of Honolulu a bee
i've of industry"