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

states 0tnSuS
COAST OF COAL IN ELECTRIC
PLANTS.
Average
Tons. Cost. per ton
United States. 4,25O, 600 So. $50, 900 81 .06
Massachusetts :. 203, 800 $685. 3.97
Honolulu Q9O2) 1916 39.73S 500
considering that the Australian coal
has but IS per cent of the value of
American coal, the equivalent cost of
coal in Honolulu is 1912 per ton. The
per cent of cost of coal in Honolulu to
the average cost in the United States
is 462 per cent; to average cost in Mas
sachusetts is 240 per cent. In other
words, the cost of coal is four and one
half times the average cost in the
United States, and two and half times
the average cost in the State of Mas
sachusetts.
THE distance from the base of sup
plies requires the company to have in
stalled in its plant an excessive amount
of equipment, and to keep on hand at
all times an excessive amount of spare
parts and supplies.
1.-The climatic conditions being warm
and moist, and Honolulu located at the
sea level, causes an excessive depreci-
upon the poles, lines, transformers,
meters, and distribution service.
Taking into the consideration that
the investment is large, materials and
la Dor high, depreciation excessive, and
the quantity of coal and supplies to be
kept on hand are great-thus render
ing a large amount of capital unpro
ductive-the committee proposes a rate
of II cents as a maximum rate.
I'm connection with the maximum
rate, the committee proposes that pow
er be conferred upon the courts of ap-
propriate jurisdiction, at all times and
upon the petition of any consumer or
the company, to hear and determine,
from time to time. what rate or rates
are reasonable and to enforce the same
by appropriate judgment or decree"
THE GAS BILL.
The favorable report on the gas bill
has also been made, the report having
been drawn by Ex-Gov. Powers, of
Maine. Mr.. D. l.. Wilmington, of Ho-
nolulu, has been at the Capitol much
of the time during the past week look
ing after the interests of his company
in that legislation and he has been
aided by Mr.. A. B. Browne, a very able |
lawyer of this city.
visions as to reasonable price for gas as |
was made for electric light and also in
serted an identical provision for an ap-
peal to the courts to determine what |
rates are reasonable or unreasonable. |
The term of the franchise is struck out |
and a new section added Civ |
ing Congress the power to alter, amend, |
or repeal the act at any time.
POWERS REPORT.
Ex-Gov. Powers report on the gas bill |
is much briefer than Mr.. Rob:nsons re-
port on the electric light bill. All of it |
of Importance follows:
Honolulu is a city of about 10000 |
inha bitants. A gas company was or |
ganized in 1859, which put in a plant, |
but subsequently failed and the COM |
pany went out of existence. There is |
a company furnishing electricity for |
light. Light for the public buildings |
and for street purposes is also fur |
nished by a separate plant owned by |
the Government. There is, however, a |
strong demand for the introduction of |
gas for fuel purposes, and also as an |
ilIuminant, in the latter of which it |
would come into competition with the
electric company.
The act, the approval of which as |
with but one dissenting vote in the |
house, and two dissenting votes in the |
senate of Hawaii. and approved by the |
governor. AS originally passed by the |
Hawaiian Legislature, it provided for |
maximum charge of $3.50 per thousand |
feet and for a thirty-five year fran |
chise. The franchise is subject to the |
payment of 212 per cent of the gross |
receipts to the treasurer of the Terri |
tory, and also in case of supplying il |
Eliminating gas, to furnish gas free for |
fifty street lights the first year and Ave |
more in addition each succeeding year.
The press OF Honolulu, of all parties |
and factions, and the prospective con-
sumers representing various occupa-
tons and employments, by petition
have urged the passage of the bill with
out modification, and so far as your
committee is advised, there is no oppo-
sition in the islands to it's approval.
But the committee have modified
the franchise by striking out the grant