The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-01-08

urday last in connection with the contin-
uation of the relief camp. 1 told him we
heartily appreciated the interest he had
taken IN the matter of providing homes
for all these people but that the Board
had taken action in the matter and the
evidence mad showed the place was
unit for human habitation, and that ac-
cor ding to DR.. Pratt's report it would be
some two months before it could be put
IN good condition. Even after that it
would De necessary to connect the prem
ises with the sewer system. 1 told him
the sewer contractors were doing all they
could to complete and extend the system
pul that there were more urgent demands
upon them to connect some thirty or for
ty places in Chinatown. | explained ia
Mr.. Richards that l thought there were
mere urgent demands upon the Govern
ment to give its entire attention to these
PAGES on account of public health, than
to the relief camp. 1 said there were a
NUMBER OF persons who owned property
In Old Chinatown, who since they had
been burned out had been kept out of
their incomes for about a year and could
not rent their property on account of
their inability to connect with the sew
er Inc owners should be considered be-
fore the relief camp owners.
also stated in answer to his question
as to the disposition of the tenants that
IL these people went from the camp to
other places which were unfit for human
haoitatlon, they would have to leave
them also. l cited the Winam case as
an instance where the premises were
closed and the people turned out in the
interest of public health. 1 spoke of the
expense of the odorless excavators only
IN the sense that we were endeayorins to
get that part of the City known as Chi
natown in perfectly sanitary condition
lot araf rx,.x1 L. L
by the Board and in accord with the eco
nomical plan). These excavators are
very expensive to run and when they
can be withdrawn it will be saving of
several hundred dollars per month to the
Government I said nothing to him
about the growth of the City.
Saturday morning Mr.. Richards walk
ed into my office with copy of this let
ter which he printed in the Advertiser,
and handed it to me for my perusal. /
returned it to him saying that it did not
interest me in the least and that I would
read 1t when it appeared in the paper
and would answer it, 1 am at a loss to
know why he came to me with his let
ter.
l would like to reiterate that it is the
purpose of the Board. which is composed
OF men of high standing, and whom ]
know to be honest in this work, to do
what is best for the people and show no
partially. 1t is purely business propo-
sition, and we are working hard and
earnestly to accomplish something, and
we feel we should have the support of
every citizen in the community, no mat
ter what his standing may be. We will
give every one fair chance, prospect
i've of his financial, social, political or re-
ligious station.
Mr. Richards said there were many
places in worse condition than the relief
camp referred to; if such is the case, /
told him it is his duty as a good citizen
to point them out and we would willingly
correct them.
1t is indeed commendable enterprise
admit, but / can not see where the
Board of Health is justified in extending
privileges to the owners of this property
even though it is a philanthropic meas
ure at the expense of the many poor Chi
nese and property owners who by neces-
sity have been in many cases almost
forced into bankruptcy by this Govern
ment in an extraordinary emergency.