Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-17
Commissioner Pratt Presents
HaWaii's Claim to Favor

Washington. May 5.-The Depart.
ment of Justice today ratified the com.
promise affecting price to be paid for
lands to be used by the United States
for a quarantine station in Honolulu
harbor proposed on the part of the
Government by District Attorney
Breckons, and by the owners of the
lands in controversy. The details in
cident to carrying the compromise
agreement into effect will be proceed.
ed with by the department without de-
lay. w. o. Smith, representing the
Territory of Hawaii. who came here
last week in the interest OF the COM
promise. left today for Honolulu. T. VI.
Hatch. representing the land owners.
will remain in the city a week or so
longer.
The Senate Committee on Pacific
Islands accorded hearing this morn
lag TO Joseph G. Pratt, representing
the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce
and the Merchants Association OF Ho.
nululu. who presented the matter OF
claims growing out OF losses by fire
originating in the suppression of bu-
bonic plague in the Hawaiian Islands
during the latter part of the year 1899
and the fore part OF 1900.
Mr.. Pratt. in a clear and comprehen-
sive manner. detailed q history OF the
epidemic. and efforts made to suppress
it, He submitted official proof OF the
epidemic, calling especial attention to
the official reports and dispatches OF
d. A. Carmichael, Surgeon L. S. Marine
Hospital Service at Honolulu, TO the
Surgeon General of the L. S. Marine
Hospital Service at Washington. and
also to the official reports of William
Haywood. Consul General at Honolulu
to the Assistant Secretary of State. and
Health from December 81. 1899. to
April 6, 1900. Mr.. Pratt also directed
the attention of the committee to cor
respondence between Sanford B. Dole
and President Mckinley. relating to the
fire in Honolulu. and to a telegram
from John Hay. Secretary OF State.
authorizing the appointment of a COM
mission to make awards for losses of
property destroyed. Mr. Pratt also re-
viewed the work of the Fire Claims
Commission. and detailed the expendi-
lures of the local government in pro-
viding and caring for the people whose
homes and property were destroyed at
the time of the destruction. He also
reviewed the financial condition of the
Territory, as follows:
Finances Of Territory.
beg to submit letter under date
of April 9. addressed to myself from
II. c. Austin. Auditor OF Hawaii show
ing the condition OF the finances of the
Territory, which letter. together with
Sec. 25 OF the Audit Act referred TO in
said letter, is hereto attached marked
Exhibits IA and l4a.
II will be observed from this report
that the appropriations to be provided
for from the general funds in the
treasury, should acquisitions be made
amounts to $6.GG9. S97.31; that the esti-
mated receipts on account OF the gen.
eral fund, including all sources of
revenue Tor the biennial period ending
June 80. 1903. amounts to s4.767, 993.l5,
leaving deficit of $l.9O1 ,9O4 l6, from
which may be deducted, however, the
s1.000,000 which It is hoped will be
paid by the United States, which is in
cluded in the amount appropriated. so
that the net deficit at the end OF the
biennial period will be 1901 ,904.16.
Previous to June IA. 1900, the govern
ment Of Hawaii was in receipt Of the
custom duties and postal revenues
amounting to over 100000 annually,
and constituting a very considerable
portion of the Territorial revenue used
by the government in making neces-
sary public improvements and paying
.>.-.-.1-.-.