The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-01-02
TO PAY THE CLAIMS THE CIRCUIT COURT.
CONGRESS MAY DIVERT CUSTOMS
RECEIPTS.
Representative Mondell Writes Hope
fully From Washington on the sub
ject-Milllon and a Half in Question.

There is every probability Of a bill
being presented in Congress at an early
date providing for the appropriation of
one million and a half dollars of the
customs receipts from the territory of
Hawaii to be diverted toward the pay
ment of the fire claims issuing from
the disastrous fire during the plague
of two years ago.
Fire Claims Commission j. G. Pratt
has received an encouraging letter from
Representative J.. w. Mondell on the
subject. Referring to its possibilities,
Mr.. Mondell writes from Washington
on the 18th ult as follows:
with an overlooking treasury and
the liberal disposition that is being
shown towards our new territories 1
think that there is possibility of car
rying through the matter"
Mr.. Mondell, referring to a request or
suggestion made by Mr.. Pratt that he
himself introduce such measure, an
swers that he thinks the matter would
be expedited by getting one of the
committee on Way and Means to take
an active interest in it although he
himself promises to do all that lies in
his power to help the project
Mr. Pratt who desires to see the
work of his commission completed in
satisfactory shape is elated over the
answer received and believes that a
few energetic efforts from the territory
would result in the bill going through
with the accompanying results of the
introduction into the territorial cireula-
ton of a million and half of badly
needed currency which would not only
relieve the stringency but alleviate the
position of many who are in INDECENT
and almost desperate circumstances
through the loss of their property.
There is a general feeling among
those who have watched the progress
,of the fire claims court closely, thai
when the hearings are ended and the
people realize that there is no money
Immediately forthcoming, there will bt
general howl and an endeavOr viii
be made through this issue to bring
about an extra session which will pro
vide amongst other matters for the is
suance of bonds to meet the claims.
1t is this forced issue, resulting il
further debts of the territory meaning
also further property taxation, that i
is hoped that the Mondell bill ma!
avoid. The receipts of the local Gus
toms for the year average about
million dollars and II the money wa
paid over quarterly the debt would b.
cleared in year and a half while tn
merchants would readily honor the frs
fifteen per cent as soon as the arrange
ment was concluded, a ninety day
note of this kind on Government secur
ity being as good as cash. The hard
ship of the pressing cases could thus b
Immediately removed and the none
be placed in circulation. Endeavor
will be made to interest prominent me-
in the project, both locally and a
Washington.
Mr.. Mondell is a prominent contrac
tor in Wyoming and was the discovere
of the Newcastle coal mines in tina
state now owned by a railroad cOrpor
alton. He has always been intereste
in Hawaii and spoke again in this las
letter of the possibility of his comm
to the new territory to engage in bust
ness. He further mentions having see
Samuel Parker. on the street Decembe
16 and having been introduced to Edga
Caypless by Delegate Wilcox with tn
announcement that Edgar Caypless wa
looking for judgeship.