The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-03-22
ELECTRIC LIGHT BILL.


subcommittee has agreed upon.
ELECTRIC LIGHT BILL.
The terms OF that amended measure |
forwarded in letter some ten days ago.
1t was expected that the subcommittee
work would be adopted by the full COM
mittee early last week but two or three
meetings were held and the matter went
over, as members of the committee had
other important business to take up. The
subcommittee fixed a maximum rate
OF fifteen cents per klowatt for cleo
tricity i'll Honolulu but the discussions
in the full committee have shown some
inclination to put the price back to
twenty cents, as provided in the bill that
passed the territorial Legislature. Mr. A.
Gartley who has followed the proceed
closely with Hon. w. O. Smith, has ap-
peared before the committee with some
carefully prepared statements about the
cost of furnishing electricity. His statis-
tics about the cost in Massachusetts
cities showed that a price of fifteen cents
for Honolulu, everything considered, was
far below what is being charged now
in these massachusetts cities. Mr. Cart
ley's presentation has gone far to-
wards persuading the members of the
committee that fifteen cents would be
too low figure Some think the COM
mttee will agree upon an upset price
OF twenty cents with ten per cent dis
count for cash payments.
There is also some agitation within
the committee for fixing the term of
franchise at ten or twenty years 1t is
expected, however, that these matters
will be decided by the full committee
and probably be sent to Honolulu by
cable before this letter reaches there.
The gas bill is coming in behind the
electric bill and little of a decisive char
acter has yet been done regarding it,
The understanding is that the provisions
which the committee adopts for electric
bill will in the main apply to the gas
bill.
PHILIPPINE SHIPPING BILL.
The Philippine Shipping bill, in which
Hawaii is vitally interested, is still pend
ing before the Senate at this writing,
but probably will be considered anew
within a few days and passed. 1t was
considered for two days in the Senate
and extensively debated, when the Naval
Appropriation bill was taken up, having
the right of way. The important amend
ment, from the standpoint of Hawaii
was that providing the law, requiring
all trade between the Mainland and the
effect until July I, 1905. 1t is now free
y stated about the Capitol that the ex-
pectaton is to have free trade with the
Philippines by that date. 1t was the ex-
pectation of this which persuaded Sec
retary Taft to yield his opposition.
Nevertheless ii IS not altogether assured
that such bill for free trade with the
Philippines can pass Congress at the
short session next year.
However. it is probable that the Ship
ping bill will pass Congress at this ses-
sion. The House Committee on Mer-
chant Marine and Fisheries has not been
giving the matter any attention during
the past week but hearings will be re-
sumed at an early date. 1t is probable
/ that the Senate bill, which is expected
soon TO reach vote there, will be taken
/ up by the House committee and prob
ably it will be that bill which the House
/ Committee will report
| MIR. ARMSTRONG'S LECTURE.
An interesting stereopticon exhibition
of Hawaiian views was given last Friday
night in the banquet hall OF the Shore
ham by MIR. w. Nj. Armstrong, OF Hamp-
ton, Va, and Honolulu, who has re-
Gently returned from a visit to the Ha-
waiian Islands. The exhibition was
given for the entertainment of a number
of Mr. Armstrong; friends in the city
the especial guest of the evening being
Mr.. w. O. Smith, OF Honolulu. Many
OF the views, especially those depicting
mountain scenery. tropical foliage, clouc
effects, and Honolulu flower women
were OF remarkable beauty. The run
ming comments OF Mr. Armstrong oil
the pictures were an additional sourc
OF delight to his guests.
The House Committee on Territorie
was to have neld meeting this morn
ing to consider Hawaiian bills but wa
prevented from doing so by the absenc
, OF quorum I'VE shall probably NEE
dav after tomorrow" said Representa-
tive Hamilton, the chairman, this after
noon. Il have no doubt the franchis
: bills will be reported favorably."
= 1t is learned that one OF the Difficult
ties besetting Hawaiian legislation i
the House is complication over state
r hood bills. The House Territories Com
c mittee is a peck of trouble over thos
E measures, which are absorbing thei
j time and attention.
D Mr.. Wilmington, representing the II
5 tercsts in the gas bill, has Just returne
/ from a second visit TO Massachusett
He was a guest Saturday evening OF II
n Bar Association at Newburyport, Mas
$ LIGh HOUSES.
: Delegate Kalanianaole was at Il
+. Treasury Department a few days az
i regarding construction OF lighthouses
e Hawaii lie was informed that Il
y board had decided to send comm
IS Sioner 10 Hawaii to examine the que
: tion OF lighthouse sites, The boa
r would take no action till report hi
been received. mat probably means
d construction OF new lighthouses for II