The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-09-13

ROBT. CATION,
Committee.
There was much questioning when
the Fire claims clause came up. Sena-
tor Burton wanted more facts, asking
principally if there was improvidence
in the caring for the people who were
/ made homeless Mr.. Smith could not
see how this entered into the justice of
the claims, as those bills were paid by
the Territory but Burton insisted upon
having the figures. He said that the
measure was put through the commit
tee under pressure and he voted for it
with reluctance, Senator Mitchell as
we'll saying that he felt there was be-
ing established "a bad precedent and
that he would have TO meet questions,
for any revival of the claim would
meet with hard fight. He wanted all
the possible facts, so that the ques-
ton could be met on the floor.
F. W. Macfarlane said he was the
chairman of the Fire Court, and he
wanted the commission to visit the
quarters and see the system followed.
! Mr.. Irwin, as a banker, explained how
the banks opposed the issuance of war
! rants to prevent speculation, and none
4 could tell of any speculation in the
| certificates.
The Commission gave some more time
| to the Hawaii Ditch Company project,
Mr.. Mechanism being on the stand.
He recapitulated the testimony of his
associates, saying however that he was
never asked to sign any agreement of
! consolidation. After a long hearing he
was asked if he was willing to permit
the people of the dIstrict to settle the
question as to the company which
should be given the right to the water,
and said he was. All of his associates
answered the same question to the same
way, but later Gehr was unwilling to
answer.
When asked if he would be willing
to permit the local government to de-
eide he said no, for there might be
cloud on the title as there had been
so much difference in the opinions rem
dered. He said he knew Gov Dole had
absolute faith in his integrity. He fav
ored the passage of the House bill, with
amendments as suggested by Gov. Dole.
QUESTIONS by Senator Mitchell brought
o. the fact that in the opinion of Mr.
McCIanat4an there would be no other
company possible if the rights were
granted to the Hawaii Ditch Company.
Herbert Gehr, of the Kohala-Hilo
stand and he was questioned at length,
saying that he had talked of the wa
ter scheme with O'Shaughnessy, on the
way to San Francisco, and he thought
the matter was thus brought to the at
tention of McCrosson. His testimony
brought also all the previously told
facts about the meetings and the al
legged agreement of Col. Parker to sign
the document.
A. C. Gehr recalled got into hot wa
ter when he stated that he had ex-
pended some $4,000 before hearing that
Col Parker had in an application. He
was asked why he had not made an
investigation before expending this
money and could only say he did not
think there was any other man inter-
ested. He was finally induced to an
swer a question as to what Col. Jones
was to do, by saying that he was a
man of influence and could assist in
getting the franchise and any stock
! subscriptions needed.
Col. Parker wanted to know whether
: Jones had the most influence as court
t stenographer or adjutant general or
, whatever he was, and got only laugh.
d. G. Camarinos was introduced and
read long statement in which he re-
viewed the SITUATION saying tnat there
} were a great many Orientals in the city
5 who were driving out the white me-
chanics. He thought this could not be
e white mans country with the mass OF
Orientals here and engaged in every
kind of business. In response to ques-
tons he said there was no trouble about
the Orientals on the plantations but
: in the city they came into competition
/ with the white men and caused much
: trouble.
1 Judge Humphreys was heard in sup.
plementing his former statement anC
: said he desired to raise question Of
: privilege, taking it that the comn1ftte,
!, wanted to hear the unprejudiced, un
\ clouded and unbiased opinions of citi.
: zens.. He had appeared and made state
k ments. Within forty-eight hours tn,
Chamber of Commerce received a reso
y luton tending to denounce him. H
: said he did not believe any membe
: wanted to- denounce him, but intended
( to show that any statements from tn,
: lower classes would be frowned upon b,
: the dominating class.
:, He then read the utterances of tn,
i members of the Chamber of Commerce,
d and denounced them.
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