The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-04-01
How the Soons Of the Upper House Restored
the Item Which the Committee Had Cut
Out...An Interesting Discussion.
AS TO FORTIFICATIoNS IN HAWAII, IF WE ARE
TO DO ALL OR DO NOTHING 1 AM HEARTILY IN
FAVOR OF DOING ALL.-Senator Foraker.


Your committee, therefore, believed
that it was the part of wise Legislation
for the Department to come to Con
gress with a definite recommendation
for an appropriation after they had Sc
cured an option upon sufficient land for
the erection OF the required fortifca-
tions.
In my own State. where we desired
to purchase land for public buildings, it
was found that it was only an invita-
tion for those who had lots adjoining TO
put up the price when we required more
land. Theref fore your committee be-
leved it wise, as ! stated before to make
no appropriation this year and in the
meantime to request the Department to
have an estimate and an option on what
ever land may be deemed necessary.
Mr.. Foraker.-I should like to ask
the Senator before he takes his seat,
whether this estimated cost of S5oo,ooo
for land on which to erect Notifications
contemplates that there shall be only one
place where fortifications shall be erect
ed? Is it not true that Notifications are
contemplated at additional points?
Mr.. Perkins. That is very true.
Perhaps / had better read what finally
determined the committee in their recon-
mendation.
Mr. Foraker-Nlav / further ask the
Senator, before | sit down if he will
allow me, whether or not for 100000
there could not be procured ample
grounds for fortications at some OF the
points where it is contemplated that for
ticatons shall be erected?
Mr.. Perkins.-We have no bond and
no option upon any land there, so the
Department informed us.
Mr. Foraker-I understand there is
no bond and no option, but there was
knowledge, as | understand it, before the
committee of the House of Represent
tatives, where the provision was framed,
and also knowledge before the commit
tee that struck out the House provision.
| am inquiring simply for information.
Mr.. Perkins-The estimates for this
bill, Mr. President, were $2I,573Io7. 1t
has been cut down from the estimates
to S7,o37,Io2. Therefore, when we in
creased the appropriations in the bill in
the Senate we had this provision under
consideration as well as many others
that were presented to us. After pre-
sentlng the matter to the Board of En-
glneers we received a communication
from them, and while urging the appro-
priation OF the full amount they had
asked for, they made this statement:
This increase is respectfully recon-
mcnded. If, however, the committee can
not see its way clear to such increase in
the aggregate of the bill, and some item
must be correspondingly decreased, it is
suggested that the item of 100000 for
land in Hawaii is the one which will
probably best stand a reduction, while
no work OF construction at Pearl Ear-
Dor with funds here appropriated is an
ticipated. Such reduction in the land
item would, nevertheless, be regretted.
The fortfying of Pearl Harbor and Ho-
nolulu is OF much Importance, and as
no work can be commenced until land
is purchased, it is desirable that as early
action be taken in such land purchase as
is practicable. The total cost of such
land is, however, estimated at $4,000,
and even with an appropriation of $780,
900 but a portion OF the desired land
could be secured.
Mr.. Spooner-Wc have no fortifca-
tions | understand. at Pearl Harbor2
MIR. Perkins.-We have none.
MIR. Spooner.-Does not the Senator
think ii is time we entered upon the
work OF fortitying the Hawaiian Is
lands?
Mr., Perkins-There is no question OF
it.
Mr.. Spooner-Shall we wait until
there is immediate use for Notifications?
Mr. Perkins.-There is no question