The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-30

AIR. FoTaker.-No: $4,000 is the es-
umated cost OF all these sites. Now.
| understand at Pearl Harbor, which. IS
the most important of all. we are TO
nave a site which will not cost us. 5000
900 Tor all the ground necessary.
Mr.. Perkins.-The Senator's opinion
| differs from that of the committee.
! Mr.. Foraker.-It is not an opinion.
L am asking for information.
MIR. Perkins.-We had no assurance
/ from the Department that any sufficient
Quantity OF land could be purchased for
| the S2oo ooo or that it was deemed ex-
pedient or businesslike TO buv II How
| ever, IT the Senator desires to offer an
| amendment to this bill making the
amount $4,000, the estimate, we have
| no objection.
Mr.. Spooner.-I have this feeling
about it, and I will take only moment
hat territory belongs to the United
States. Its people belong TO the United
States. 1t is under the protection of
the United States. II is far outlying in
| the Pacific Ocean. 1t is difficult some
what OF access for warShipS. We can
not always have an adequate fleet. and
perhaps might not be able to utilize an
adequate fleet, for the protection of
those islands. and it seems to me plain
duty of the United States. which must
protect that people at all hazards. as it
must protect those who live under its
nag, TO make timely and adequate pro-
vision for their protection without re-
lance upon the Navy solely.
Mr.. Beveridge.-It is for our own
protection
Mr.. Spooner.-It is for our own pro-
lection.
MIR. Perkins, can not permit my
friend to put me or the committee in
the position of being iniRlical to an ap-
preparation for terrifying Honolulu or
Pearl Harbor. The point is simply this ::
The $4,000 that was in the bill is
simply an invitation for landholders to
advance the price. Appropriate the |
amount necessary TO buy land sufficient |
for Notifications. and we are with YOU |
Mr.. Spooner.-The committee is the |
tribunal if | may call it such. which /
ordinarily recommends appropriations to /
the Senate. This whole acquisition, |
understand, was estimated for by the |
Department. That means, if it means |
anything, If there is anv intelligence be- |
hind the departmental action, that the |
Department recommends it.
| agree entirely with the Senator from
California, and every other Senator will |
agree with him
Mr.. Beveridge-Why do you not offer |
an amendment?
Mr.. Spooner.-I am making a speech |
at the Senator from California, and | |
can not get him to listen
Mr.. Perkins, am all patience and |
am listening with great benefit to my
self, for the Senator from Wisconsin
never speaks without those within hear
ing of his voice getting some informa-
ton, as well as being edited
! Mr.. Spooner.-I am not so intent up
on edifying the Senator as am upon
informing him of my opinion.
Mr.. Perkshs.-We do not differ at all
in the object we have in view 1t is
only the way of getting at it.
Mr.. Spooner.-I was about to agree /
with the Senator from California.
Mr.. Perkins, am delighted.
Mr.. Spooner.-If it will not offend
him, l entirely agree with the PROPOSE
ton of the Senator, that if this proper
ty is to cost Ss5oooo it would be child
pirate 100000 for that purpose.
Mr.. Perkins-That is the view of i
your committee
Mr.. Spooner.-I do not agree with
him that because the Department is not
able to guarantee that all the land can i
be acquired for $4,000 we should wait
before beginning the work
of fortifying adequately those islands,
and of course to begin the work we
must acquire the necessary land.
| understand we have acquired Pearl
Harbor, for which we paid seventy-odd
million dollars in RENTED duties on SUI
gar, and have not any land upon which
to place Notifications for its protection.
| did not suppose that was the situa
ton
Mr. Perkins-It is one of the mis-
takes which was made when the harbor
was purchased not to buy sufficient land
with it.
Mr.. Spooner.-Does the Senator think
it ought to be rectihed at the earliest
possible moment?
Mr.. Perkins, certainly do.
Mr.. Spooner-Is there any way to
rectify it except to appropriate $4,000
for that purpose?
Mr.. Perkins.-That is for the Senate
to determine. 1t is question of policy
Mr.. Spooner.-I will prepare an ]
Mr. Foraker-Mr President, | en-
irely agree with all that has been sug- /,
gested by the Senator from Wisconsin. |
think we should be making provision :
@ fortify Hawaii. 1t has been my un-
Outstanding, however, that we were to :
rect Notifications at a number of points,
md of course, therefore. we were to
ecure sites for Notifications at num-
'er of points. 1t was my impression-I
10 not know how | got it-that when
n the House they incorporated this pro-
'ision that 100000 should be appro-
'riated it was sufficient amount to Sc
ure the sites at the most important
laces to be fortified. The idea was TO p
commence the Notifications by securing 2
ties with the 100000.
Now, | have just looked at the estin1- q
te of the Department. and find that it t
oes not mention the sites separately. L
simply in a lump sum estimates $500
90 for sites for Notifications in Ha- A
7aii. If we are to do all or to do moth
lg, | am heartily in favor OF doing all.
therefore,. | suggest that the Senate dis
fn the of tt,a | -