The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-03-11

The only otder amendment made in
the bill by the subcommittee is the add
ing OF another section at the end, which
reads:
Congress or the legislature of the
territory with the approval OF Congress.
may at any time alter. amend or repeal
this act"
THE HEARINGS.
The two hearings. the last of which
was held this morning. were attended by
Hon. w. o. Smith, Mr.. A. Gartley, Mr..
d. L. Wilmington, Mr.. G. b. Mcclellan
and others. No stenographic report was
made of the hearings but the time was
largely occupied in explanation of the
features of the electric light and gas
bills, particularly of the clauses affecting
the price to be charged and the length
of franchise. Mr.. Smith expressed a
willingness that the price to be charged
for electric light should be fixed by the
courts at a reasonable figure. There
was considerable support for that pro-
vision but it also met with strong OPP
position Mr.. Thayer, a Democrat, of
Massachusetts, declared that the poor
devil would have hard time getting the
price fixed in court" adding that the
litigation might last two or three years,
during which prevailing prices at the
time the suit was brought might con-
tinue. Mr.. Gartley was asked to state
price which he would regard as reason
able, but he declared his inability to fix
a minimum rate without further con-
sulting figures and other information not
Immediately available.
The changes made by the subcommit-
tee. as already explained, will probably
stand, although that can not be stated
positively. The full committee or the
House has the power to change them
* it wills.
The subcommittee will undertake at
once further consideration of the gas
bill. The same provision will undoubt-
eddy be made regarding the life of the
franchise as has been made in the cleo
trio bill. There has been some dis
cussion in subcommittee about the price.
Some members think $2.5o per thousand
feet is too much and favor reducing it
to 81 per thousand feet.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.
There is believed to be something of
an opportunity for securing authority
from Congress at this session for a
survey by army engineers of the Harbor
at Honolulu, with view to its i'm
provement by the government. Dele
gate kalanianaole stated today that he
had been consulting with different menl-
bers of the Rivers and Harbors COM
mittee about it, although thus far they
had stated nothing definitely to him or
been able to take up the subject III
meeting.
Representative Burton, of Ohio, chair
man of the committed, said to me today ::
Il think it quite probable that Congress
will pass small bill at this session,
authorizing surveys of harbors. 1t is
not fully determined yet. We want to
put in few worthy projects, SO that
surveys can be made and the govern
ment be put in possession of information
to guide our action with reference to
future improvements
"That, | suppose, means the harbor
at Honolulu, could not be included" was
remarked
mot at ALL" replied Mr.. Burton. "On
the contrary, | am distinctly in favor
of doing something towards the i'm
provement of harbors in our territorial
possessions. think such action would
go far towards stimulating the idea that
the government at Washington intends
to deal fairly with them and that they
are a part of the government and re-
ceiving some of its material benefits. /
think we shall include some harbors for
the outlying possessions. if we have a
bill | have not looked into the matter
at Honolulu yet Therefore l can not
of course, speak definitely what I think
ought to be done with that project. But
/ am not disposed to be against it,
ERNEST G.. WALKER