The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-12-11

Greater harboE facilities, ii is
stated. are needed at the ports OF
Honolulu and Hilo. as vessels are
often detained far beyond the time
specified in their charters.
The principal sources Of revenue
for government of the islands are
from taxes levied upon real and per
sonal property. taxes upon Income.
sale of Territorial internal-revenue
stamps. license fees. penalties. and
costs In civil and criminal actions. in
heritance taxes. rates from water
works and rents from land. and pro-
ceeds from land sales. Taxes levied
upon real and personal property are
limited to / per cent upon the as
sessed value. and the income tax
is fixed al . per cent upon the net
profit or income Of all persons re-
siding In he Territory over and above
81 Geo. A similar tax is levied upon
the income Of all corporations, with
out however. giving the benefit of the
81 600 exemption. The assed value
OF all real estate is S5S.547.S9O and
personal property S62.62503S; total,
S121. 172. 92S
Estimated receipts from all sources
for the present fiscal year is $3.50
500. The Territorial appropriation for
salaries and pay rolls for the biennial
period ending June So 1903. is 81
1Aq.SlS.50 and for current expenses
S3.523. 5S0.53. This last amount is ex-
pended for the general running ex-
penses OF the government. repairs TO
public buildings and public roads, and
for the erection and construction OF
minor public improvements.
During the prevalence OF the bu-
homie plague in the city of Honolulu
In the months OF December. 1899, ana
January and February. 1900. the board
OF health. after many futile efforts TO
place that portion Of the city known
as Chinatown in q sanitary condition.
became convinced that extraordinary
measures would have to be adopted
n the disease was to be brought under
control and decided that the only
speedv way OF solving the problem
was 10 destroy by fire such buildings
as could not be satisfactorily renov-
nted and which had been declared 10
be infected BY aNplague. and number
Of buildings were destroyed by nre.
In attempting 20 burn block OF con
demned buildings on January 20 the
fire department lost control Of the fire.
owing 10 a sudden and violent change
OF wind resulting in the destruction
OF the entire district To relieve the
distress occasioned by this unfortu-
nate event. the executive Of the Ter
ritory has endeavored 10 have the
losses determined. with the intention
OF ultimate settlement and payment
Under the authority Of an act pass
cd by the Territorial legislature,
commission was appointed for the re-
ception and determination of these
claims. Six thousand and eightytwo
claims. aggregating Ss.4T2, 45l.SS. have
been filed and are now In process OF
adjustment. The legislature OF the
Territory appropriated $500 600 for
the payment OF a6iudicated claims,
the amount 70 be distributed over a
period OF three years at the rate not
10 exceed $500 600 per annum. Atten-
ton Is called 10 the fact that expen-
ses were also incurred in Graduating
the plague amounting 10 $3.50, 4SS07.
In view Of the fact that this heavy
financial burden has been placed on
the Territory. the suggestion is made
that some relief be granted. and that
Congress authorize the retention OF
the custom-house receipts by the Ter
ritory for the purpose of paying such
sums as may be awarded by the CON-
mission.
Attention is called 70 the scarcity
OF unsdlled labor necessary for car
rying on work on the plantations. Il
is asserted that unless some means are
devised whereby an ample supply Of
desirable labor can be obtained that
great hardship win follow. which viii
result In severe financial loss 10 all.
II Is argued that the working OF a
large number OF Chinese and japanese
by the planters does not interfere with
American skilled or unskilled labor;
on the contrary. IL the successful and
economical cultivation ~ IN. min.