The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-06-06
PRATT ON FIRECL
A LETTER FROM HIM ON THE
SUBJECT.
Tells w. II. Hoogs and Through Him
The Public Just What the Status and
Probabilities Are.

The following letter from Joseph G..
Pratt to w. II. Hogs gives very
clear and concise review of the status
and probabilities of the effort to secure
aid from congress in the matter of the
fire claims. The letter is as follows
You will, no doubt, be informed as
to the status of our case by Mr.. w. o.
Smith, who was present and greatly as
sisted, as did Mr.. f. NJ. Hatch, in the
presentation to the Committee on Paci-
fic islands &C. We had hoped to have
had the Committee further consider
the matter on last Monday, but Sena-
tor Foraker had a speech to make on
that day on the philippines and
very able one it was. So Ne are now
looking forward to next Monday as a
possible day. However the Hawaiian
Ditch bill, which is being vigorously
pressed by Mr.. McCrosson and others
has the preference, in fact, It had at
the date of our hearing, but he very
graciously gave us an hour of his time,
and | am rather afraid he will not wish
to grant any further Courteses. Along
this line, as in conversation with him
yesterday, he remarked that he had
been here a long time at heavy eX-
penses and wanted to get through as
soon as possible" and so it may be we
will have to wait still another Monday
Chat being the day this Committee
sits) before we can get recognized.
Then too Porto Rico has been wait
ing to present a matter and may want
to cut in. However this delay is not
altogether prejudicial to us, as it en-
ables me to patch up and supply addi-
tional data and to do some missionary
work in the interim. In talking the
matter over with Senator HOar the
other day he remarked when | told him
how the matter stood, that, the vari-
Gus Committee are in effect miniature
legislatures to pass upon the matters
presented or referred to them, and Con-
gress acts as a usual thing upon what
these Committees recommend" also
that if the Committee on Island Affairs
take kindly to the measure it is equi-
Valent to a favorable report on it
whether a bill has been presented or
not, and if the Committee adopts or
suggests a bill it becomes it's measure
and has further weight when presented
to the Committee of the Whole.
81 speak of this at length that you
may know, and from your knowledge
of legislative matters generally can
better understand the situation. Then,
too it is exceedingly desirable that the
Committee should know the exact
amount of the awards as while they
may legislate a gross sum, or so much
thereof as may be necessary they do
not like to deal in any uncertainties or
set aside any more money than is ac-
tually necessary, and so l am anxious
ly waiting a certified statement of the
Commission and of the Attorney Gen
eral, as Senator Foraker suggested,
would be desirable as to the exact
amount.
Il find the Territory has an addl-
tional item of about $l6S,OOO to it's cred
it, of moneys it formerly had from In
ternal Revenue which are now paid in
to the United States Treasury, and
which reduces our revenues by that
amount in addition to the 81, 600 of
customs duties.
1t is a bit uncertain as to when Con-
gress will adjourn. Some say about
the middle of June, others put it at
later date. Senator Clair remarked
that it would be a more prOtracted ses-
sion than usual on account of the inn
pOrtant matters yet to be considered,
such as the Canal the Cuban Recip-
rocity and the Philippines bills, on all
OF which there is likely to be political
opposition and friction, and these i'm
portant matters now engaging the at
tention of Congress, and especially of
the leaders, makes our affair more diff
ficult to press. However we will do the
best we can, and hope with the assist
ance of many kindly and substantial
influences to get a measure of our des-
erts. l find that my letter has grown
beyond the proportions intended at the
beginning, but if it will serve to inform
you, and you can and will in turn ac-
quaint your friends who are similarly
interested, it will in this way serve a
dual purpose, as it is impossible for me
TO write at length to many.
81 have just learned that the Cham
Der of Commerce and Merchants Assoc
citation of Honolulu have taken steps
to acknowledge the friendly action of
the San Francisco commercial bodies.
l am exceedingly pleased to learn of
this as it will go further to strengthen
our cause by showing of an apprecia-
ton of these actions in our behalf Mr..
w. c. Gregg was here a couple of days
doing good service with the Minnesota
people"