The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-10-23
THE MERCHANTS
ASSOCIATION
THE WORK OF THE PAST YEAR
AND THE EXPECTATIONS AND
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

The quarterly meeting of the Mer-
! chants Association was held yesterday
afternoon. The report of the officers
was presented by Secretary Helm set
J ting out the work attempted and ac-
complished during the year, and the
hopes for the future was presented.
The work done includes the putting in
motion of the machinery for an au-
| thoritatiVe definition of the meaning of
fair cash value" as applied to mer-
chandise, for purposes of taxation; the
! securing of considerable legislation for
| the benefit of the business community;
the matter of the fire claims, and the
! beginning of systematic advertising Of
! the city and territory.
An annual dinner was proposed and
a special committee was appointed to
arrange for it, and will be given the
first week in January.
In the matter of future work the fol-
I lowing matters were pointed out as be-
| ing worthy of the attention of the as
ISOLATION:
The identifying of our city;
The systematic and thorough clean
ing of our city streets;
The installing of underground con-
Quits and the removal of the unsightly
and often Dangerous electric poles
throughout the business section of the
city; =, 80
/ Inc revision of our taxation laws, in
| Guiding the repeal of the Mercantile
License tax;
! The securing and enforcement Of
regulations governing awnings, signs,
and curtains;
| The early and thorough reformation
Of the Honolulu telephone system;
To assist in the formation of an An
nual Territorial Fair to aid the devel-
opment and settlement of the Territory
and foster a better feeling between the
islands.
The securing of the building of coal
bunkers with the latest and most eco
nomical methods of handling coal. In
our work to secure the making of this
a port of call for the U. S. transports
the most serious difficulty we encoun-
tered was the antiquated and very ex-
pensive methods of handling coal in
this city. 1t has been impressed upon
US that if this is to become an impor-
tant seaport, which our strategic posi-
ton in the Mid-Pacific, together with
the building of the canal should make
us, that our harbor charges must be
reduced. Otherwise not only will we
fail to hold the government transports
but on the completion of the canal, if
not before, vessels will coal at cheaper
ports on the coast and in the Orient,
taking the great circle route and leav-
ing us out. This a matter which we
believe needs our early attention and
action else we will become so thor
oughly reputed to be an expensive port
that it will be difficult to rectify.
The adjustment of inter-island trans
portation rates which will enable the
ghiI1D1ant hptWaGn nj no
produce of the islands, keeping in the
country funds which are constantly
flowing to the coast. This we believe
would materially add to the receipts Of
the iRter-island transportation COM
panies.
If possible to effect an arrangement
whereby the inter-island shipping will
not be crowded so largely into one day
of the week, making that day almost
superhuman rush and the others the
natural reaction.
The through steamers have recently
! inaugurated a policy of remaining in
our port the shortest possible time, al
lowing passengers no opportunity to see
our city and often leaving before
schedule, working a hardship on the
| business community. In view of the
vast sums spent by this community to
exploit the attractions of these islands
the first and greatest returns from
which will be received by the steam
| ship companies, we feel it is but right
and just that a longer stop be made in
this port and believe that the Promo
| ton Committee and the commercial
organizations should take steps at once
to bring this about
One of the most important matters
for our early consideration is the be-
1 II.
cure an appropriation for a naval yard
| at Pearl Harbor, Notifications on this
island, and the establishment of a reg
1 mental army post