The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-12
AND
MERCHANTS
CONTINUED from page oneI

these sanitary fires viii be forced into
bankruptcy.
co. We respectfully suggest that
your Honorable Body examine with
care the records of the Board of Health
which controlled the welfare of the
port and city during the epidemic of
the Bubontc Plague, as also the re-
cords of the proceedings of the Fire
Claims Commissioners, and we believe
these records will fully satisfy your
Honorable Body that no wanton or un-
necessary waste of property was per-
mitted, and that the whole purpose of
the sanitary fires was the eradication OF
the Bubonic plague.
a. The inability of the Territorial
Government to meet the payment of
these claims has been rendered evident
by statements now and heretofore made
to your committee.
We would therefore urge the appro-
priation by Congress of a sufficient
amount to cover the awards made by
the Fire Claims Commission.
Public Health: We wish to bear tes-
timony to the efficient work done dur
ing the past two years by the United
States Marine Hospital Service, and we
would respectfully urge your recon-
mendation for such appropriations as
will provide for the extension and fur
Their equipment Of the Quarantine sta
ton in Honolulu.
Harbor Accommodation We respect
fully suggest that the cost of main
tanning and improving the condition of
our .harboTs be borne by the Federal
Treasury, and the burden of main
tenance and improvements necessary to
meet the changing conditions, resulting
from the ever increasing tonnage of
vessels built is too heavy for this COM
munity to bear when deprived of the
revenue from the customs receipts.
We beg respectfully to emphasize the
fact that the benefits from the eXecu
ton of public work of this character are
more of national than local value. More
American shipping tonnage puts in at
island ports than at any other ports of
the world, outside of those of the
mainland. 1t is highly desirable for
the fostering of United States shipping
that our harbors be deepened and con-
tinually kept clear of mountain silt so
that ships of large tonnage can be
brought into harbor and to a wharf in
saefty. Shipping interests between the
Orient, Australian Colonies, and west
ern American ports will be greatly fur
thered by having safe, deep harbors,
and good wharf accommodations at
Hilo and Honolulu.
To provide for the larger class of
vessels, both of the merchant marine
any navy, which are now coming into
use on the Pacific, it is a matter of
great Importance that channels should
be deepened and harbors enlarged to
admit of safe entrance and speedy
| handling of cargo and fuel.
Federal Buildings: The necessity is
apparent for better provision for offices
for the various departments of the
Federal Government. The Post Office
and Customs house are not adequately
provided for prompt handling of the
| business which comes to them. Other
! departments are using rooms in build
ings which are needed for the use of
! the Territorial government, and it
! would seem to be for the best interests
of all that a Federal building should be
J erected without loss of time where
Federal offices and Courts could be
established and the rooms in the build
ings which were formerly used by the
| Territory given up again for such use,
Currency: The existence of two sets
of silver coins is an anomaly which may
cause much trouble, if for any reason
or without any good reason, the repu-
diation of the "Kalakaua" dollar comes
about 1t is in.trinsically of the same
value as the United States dollar, so
that the cost of retiring it would but
slightly exceed that of recoinage, a cost
SO small in comparison to the advan-
tages to be derived, that we trust Con-
| gress will take the necessary steps to
! insure the passage of the bill recently
before it for that purpose.
Light Houses: We heartily indorse
the statements made before your Hon
orable Commission, by the Secretary OF
the Territory as to the necessity of
having the island coasts properly light
ed.
Transport Service: The Merchants
Association would urge that the Port
of Honolulu Ian American porO be the
mid-ocean stopping place of the Trans
port service between Manila and San
| Francisco
Contracts for Supplies: The Mer-
chants Association would urge upon
the Federal Government the advisable
! ity of offering tenders to the local mer-
! chants for supplies to the Departments
of the Army and Navy, stationed at
| Honolulu, and, other things being equal
to award the contracts to local bidders.
Coffee: This, one of the minor indus
tries of Hawaii, has suffered of late
years chiefly from the increased supply
of the South American product. In any
further readjustment of the tariff we
would bespeak your consideration for
| Hawaiian Coffee.
| Custom House: In conclusion, we
would respectfully submit that the
| withdrawal of the customs receipts
| from the Territory is responsible, to a
very great extent, for the existing
| financial stringency. Figures have
been presented to you in the memorial
from the Builders and Traders Elk
change and it is unnecessary for us to
repeat them. In view of this large con-
| tribution to the Federal Revenue II
would seem to us that the cost of such
improvements and appropriations, as
have been suggested, is well provided