The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-01-24
TYyASHINGTON. January 1.-THE
" effect OF wireless telegraphy on

" effect OF wireless telegraphy on
the future OF the submarine cable
was developed to some extent today
by the House Committee on Commerce
in connection with the hearing on the
proposed Pacific cable. The hearing
was largely attended, Nice-President
Ward of the Pacific Cable Company
continuing his statement or yesterday.
He said he believed that the company
he represented would be able to make
exclusive traffic arrangements from
points beyond the Philippines and con-
Meeting with China and Japan. he
maintained that while there was no
purpose to set up n monopoly yet II
was likely his company would have eX-
elusive traffic arrangements with the
Far Bast. He also stated that there
would be questions as to the right OF
the United States to land a cable on
foreign shores.
Representative Stewart OF New Jer-
sey interposed the statement that Ger
manys present course against Vene-
zuela showed that the German govern
ment made little distinction between
public and private rights; so that
government cable station would have
about the same status as a private sta
tion.
Chairman Hepburn asked series Of
questions as to the effect of wireless
telegraphy on the submarine cable
Ward replied that the new system pre-
sented a serious question. He was not
sure that the Pacific cable project
would have been undertaken IL the
long distance experiments had been
held earlier. As to the claims that
wireless signals had been conveyed 1000
miles across the Atlantic, Ward said
that II the claims were made good they
would deter people from laying any
more cables.
When asked as to the effect thus far
on the cable business, Ward said 1t had
depressed cable interests
Stewart wanted to know II the cable
companies had not chased Marconi out
of Canada" to which Ward answered
that he believed the cable companies
had insisted upon certain exclusive
rights which they held.
James Foord stated that the Asiat!c
Association, doing business In the
Orient favored a cable under private
control. 1t was opposed to the govern
ment entering the field of private en-
o>O>0>O>O >O>oAO>O~O<to
Chinese and Japanese goods coming
into Hawaii which never are sent TO
New York or San Francisco, and II Is
for an examination OF these goods that
n visit to Honolulu is desired by the
importers. One appeal which has peen
pending for nearly year. Is upon the
appraisement of beanstick, a product
sent here from Japan. The collector
has assessed the duty as upon Vege-
table compound, while the importers
claim 1t is manufactured product.
which bears a lower duty. However.
| the shipments of the stun sun con-
tinue. and the difficulty is obviated by
the payment of the higher duty by the
importer. If the collector Is reversed
! by the New York appraisers the excess
duty is repaid to the importer. A de-
cision as to the appraisement or this
import is expected now. very shortly.
as the matter has been up for consid-
Grafton for n long time, and the pro-
tests continue to pour into New York.
A recent difference of opinion be-
tween the importer and the collector
is upon the classification of Chinese
wine which the collector has appraised
as medicine, and as subject to duty
OF 55 cents per pound. Consequently,
the duty Is much greater than the
value OF the importation. and az the
wine is very expensive, an appeal to
New York is rather costly proceed
ing, in that a sample bottle of each
brand is sent to the appraisers for test
! ing. A sample OF every shipment OF
wine, however small. must be sent to
New York, as In the case OF the slip
pers and unless a decision Is made
soon by the appraisers, they will be
well stocked with Chinese wines.
| Considerable OF the difficulty is at
present remedied by Special Agent
Sharp, who was sent here for the pur-
pose, but there are still many ques-
| tions which the importers believe re-
quire the presence OF one OF the ap-
praisers.
The court order signed by Judge Es-
tee yesterday in the Ramano case. and
which was forwarded to Washington
by the Sierra. directs Hon. II. NJ. Som
erville to take further testimony, but
whether In New York or Honolulu Is
not, specified. The only evidence
/ brought before the board at the first
/ hearing OF the case was the pair OF
slippers in question, and n chemical
analysis OF these furnished the basis
for the decision. The appraisers often
go to San Francisco, Portland and New
Orleans. and 1t is believed that upon
the occasion of the next visit to San
Francisco. one OF them might be induc-
ed to extend his visit to Honolulu Only
recently a bill has been agitated chang
ing this feature Of the tariff law which
compels the appraisers to visit any
part of the United states, and an effort
| will be made at the present session
of Congress to allow the appointment
OF commissioners in some OF the cities
/ furthest from New York.
| After reciting the causes leading up
| to the order, Judge Estees order says:
Now, therefore. upon consideration of
the premises, upon the motion OF Thos.
Fitch, attorney for said applicant and
| petitioner, 1t is hereby ordered that
the matter be referred to Hon. II. NJ.
Somerville, one of the said board OF
/ United States general appraisers, on
| duty at the port of New York, or to
such one of them as they may desig-
nate under their rules, to take and
return to this court such further evil
dence as may be offered by II. Ha-
mano. petitioner herein, or by the gov
ernment Of the United States. said evil
dence to be taken in the manner and
under the rules prescribed by this court
for the taking OF evidence before the
United States commissioner.
And it Is further ordered that this