Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-07-17

and fairness, the Government was dis
posed to take advantage of the mer-
chants, making assessments as high as
they dared under the supposition that
most people would rather pay than go
to the expense and trouble Of an APP
peal. 1t was believed that the time was
ripe to act definitely in the matter.
Merchants we're willing to pay reason
able taxes and, no doubt, many would
prefer paying two per cent on fair
valuation of property than one per cent
on a practically unknown valuation.
This was one Of the many things in
this country today that needed adjust
ment
Reporting on the interview had with
Assessor Pratt by the directors of the
Association on the question Of taxation
of merchandise, F. w. Macfarlane stat
ed that the directors contended that
the inventory value was not the cash
value, the assessor claiming that 1t
was. Attorney Lewis had given the
opinion that the association, as such,
u
the assessments.
An individual or a corporation would
have to bring suit
The present system was wrong
one.
To Bring Test Cases.
II was finally decided to bring q
couple OF test cases before the SUI
preme Court for the purpose Of OBJ.
tanning an official opinion as to the
Interpretation of the terms full cash
value" and enterprise for profit"
For this purpose Wilder's Ship
Chandlery and Cation & Neil will con-
test the assessments made on their
goods and business. Cation, of the lat
ter firm, stated that they had been as
sessed 100000 on business worth only
$4,000. Captain Soule said he had
been assessed $4,000 above his inven-
tory.
President Wight Of wilder's Com
pany said their material had been as
sessed at cost price while much of II
was not worth near that. He knew by
experience, having attempted to dis
pose of lot of stuff in San Francisco
for less than IT was assessed at. The
Merchants Association will assume the
expense OF conducting the test cases
The directors were authorized 10
bring whatever other test cases were
required to secure an opinion upon all
contested questions relative to taxa.
ton of merchandise.
To Increase Committee.
The tourist committee asked for an
increase In its number OF members as
not enough men were on the commit.
tee 10 attend to the business properly
a motion was entertained to this effect
and the committee will be enlarged Il
the Chamber of Commerce joins in tn,
proposition.
Pratts Expenses.
+. w. Macfarlane reported that tn,
appropriation for the reimbursement
of the association for Pratt's expenses
. to Washington had been knocked on
near the end of the extra session of tn,
, Legislature.
: Thanks to Representatives.
The report OF the public affairs com
} mittee. given below, gave the result o
, the associations efforts to secure de
sired legislation. The association, up
= on motion OF p. r. Helm unanimousl
D adopted resolution of thanks in ap
D probation OF the work OF Representa-
r tives w. w. Harris and Frank An
drade. The report follows:
Geo. w. Smith, Esq, President Me-
4 chants Association.
= Dear Sir:-Your Committee on Pull
= lie Affairs appointed beg leave to r,
3 port as follows:
D The first work presented to you
D committee which called for immediat
: action was the proposal under Count
Q Government to re-establish the old syi
J. TEN OF levying license on the mel
o chants Of the Territory both wholesal
t and retail. AS the business interest
y OF the country are already taxed
. other ways for all they can stand yor
= committee felt II incumbent on thel
Y to combat this proposition with all ii
; vigor possible. An interview wa
r sought and obtained with the Republ
9 can Central Committee in caucus, wit
the members elect to the Legislatul
:, and the views of your committee wei
r fully and freely expressed as oppose