The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-26

cndHSe ana the business community
represented by them doubtless did not
| expect him to do anything unreason-
able. Furthermore, there were GER
tain instances in which the govern
ment would not be justified in limiting
its patronage to local contractors and
supply men, as they might combine
and the taxpayers would not want him
to allow $4,000 to be paid for a job
which could be obtained for $50, 200,
merely to keep the work at home
Mr.. Avery assured the Governor that
while the Exchange asked that some
rule such as the one suggested be
made, it did not anticipate that there
never would be an exceptional in
stance in which the government would
be justified in making it's purchases or
awarding it's contracts to non-resi-
dents. But, as to the combination
idea, that was far from possible under
existing conditions, even if such a thing
were to be attempted. And there was
not the slightest indication of any de-
sire, even. to attempt such a combina-
ton.
The Governor stated that the last
Legislature had removed from the ex-
ecutive department any option as to
whom should be allowed to bid on
government work and he thought the
amendment to the law had been made
under influence of members of the \
Builders & Traders Exchange. This
the secretary of the Exchange claimed
was an error. saying that the interests
of the Exchange lay in the opposite
direction if anything.
With a promise from the Governor
to take the matter up with the heads |
of some of his departments, and re- |
newed assurances that he would do all |
he reasonably could to assist the |
home patronage" campaign, the con-
ference ended
The following is the letter which the !
Builders & Traders Exchange at it's
last meeting instructed the Secretary
to draw up and, upon approval thereof
by the president, to present to the
Governor:
Honolulu, H T., Feb "a, 1904.
honorable George r. Carter, Governor,
Territory of Hawaii, City
Sir: By direction of the Builders &
Traders Exchange 1 have the honor
20 respectfully call your attention to
he subject matter of the communica-
ion from this Exchange dated Dec. 2,
1903, and presented to you through a
committee consisting of Messrs. W. W.
Harris dewers & Cooke. LTD, l. E.
Pinkham Concrete Construction Co.,
It'd, VIM. w. Hall &c. O. Hall & Son,
LTD, A. Harrison GA Harrison Mill
20, LTD, Geo. Rodiek Oh. Hackfeld
z Co., LTD, G. F. Bush (Honolulu
ron Works Coz. and J. H. Craig Gen
raj Contractor).
We have the honor to further repre-
tent to you through this organization
hat the business and tax paying com
nunity of this city feels keenly on the
question of taxpayers money going to
nonresident supply houses and con- /
FACTORS who do not contribute to the
Import of the Government of Hawaii (
The sentiment is very. strong that !
very dollar of the Territorial funds
hat can be kept in Hawaii is needed
uring the present condition of bust
ess.
Merchants with enormous stocks and
ontractors with expensive plants must t
lake living for themselves and in
crest on their invested capital. A {
1aterial reduction of these stocks \
leans both loss of revenue to Hawaii {
y way of taxes and sore inconvenience s
} the consuming public But for the
aired and expensive stocks carried by r
honolulu merchants the purchasing p
ublic would be largely dependent up i
n the mainland for their everyday
lpplies. t
we submit every legitimate govern c
lent support is due the actual resi- b
emit taxpayer.
BY vote of the Builders & Traders Il
xchange of Honolulu, Hawaii, 1 am ii
rected to advise you that it is the f;
ense of this Exchange representing 81
lie materia. supply houses and con- Il
actors of this city that tenders on n
erritorial government work for the
land of Oahu, should be called not Il
niger than ten days prior to opening Il
e same and not longer than twenty S
Iys on work for the other islands, and b.
respectfully request that you issue n
e proper directions to department a
ads affected thereby. W
you for your expressions rs
appreciation for and sympathy with +
csc sentiments as presented to you
our Committee on Dec. End last, 1 st
We the honor to remain, th
Yours respectfully, III
j. D. AVERY, al