The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-05-07

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main issue was still to be dealt with,
that of rate to attract tourists To
have the Merchants Association take
over a steamer and run it was out of
the question. With the down freights
the merchants could WELD some infiu-
ence, but the up freights, sugar, were in
the hands of Davies & Co.. Haclfeld &
Co and other agents; out of the con-
troll of the merchants
COULD NOT OFFER SUGAR.
Mr.. Macfarlane said also that the Ha-
waiian line and the Planters line of
vessels must also be considered. The
agents of these vessels were WEIGH &
Co. Williams Dimond & Co. and others
and while the sugar men may desire
to help the tourist work, they also had
to provide freight for their own ships.
The merchants were shipping to San
Francisco only little wool and coffee,
and they would have to depend on their
down freights. The sugar men had al
ready provided for their freights and
the proposition to be submitted must be
apart from any action of the sugar
agents so 1t resolves itself down to
the passenger service, said Mr.. Mac
farlane. "Can the merchants of Ha-
wall support steamer on its paSsen-
ger traffic up and down and on the
down freight? The ieavi lg of steamers
at nine o'clock in the morning is I'M
desirable and the directors might take
up this matter also. I believe the best
thing is for the directors to consider
this entire question and bring about
reorganization of the passenger traffic
depend on the sugar shipments.
Mr. Macfarlane suggested that tie
question of amending the shipping laws
might be taken up although he said all
the steamship companies were in the
same pool. He considered it nervy on
the part of the companies to raise the
round trip rate ten dollars.
HOPELESS PROPOSITION.
Mr. Mcclellan said that one of the
most hopeless propositions for the Assoc
citation to consider was that of securing
an amendment to the shipping laws,
when Congress had just extended the
| law to include the Philippines. He said
there was an irresistible sentiment
| against such a proposition in Congress,
and that the utmost the cordage men
!, and other powerful interests could do
was to stave off the operation of the
, law for a year. He thought the plan
impossible, and that it was unwise to
make such an attempt.
AN EXTRA STEAMER
Mr.. Rothwell suggested that it would
! be a matter of courtesy to the Oceanic
Steamship Co. If they were asked to put
on an extra steamer during the present
congestion of traffic. He said even the
old Zealandia was better than nothing
! and they could stand it for some time.
Mr. RothweH stated that when he was
last in San Francisco he saw an adyer-
| tisement of fares to Los Angeles at $3.50
while just below was notice of the
fare to Honolulu-$75. He felt that
some one was taking advantage of the
shipping laws to the injury of Hawaii
AS long as the people sat down and
stood this discrimination, they would
never get reduced fares. 81 favor joint
action, even of practical nature-to
charter a steamer and cut the rates. -
said Mr.. Rothwell. at is high time we
did get it or else sit down and say we
are satisfied
MIR. Gartenberg asked how much SUI
! gar was being shipped by the Oceanic
and Pacific Mail. Mr.. Hamburg replied
that the Pacific Mail was not taking
any sugar.
Mr.. Rothwell said he did not want
hasty action and suggested reference to
a committee. Mr.. Macfarlane thought
the directors should consider the mat
ter, and Mr.. Rcthwell amended that the
directors report back to a meeting two
weeks from date. Mr.. McInerny thought
the time was too short as perhaps the
committee would have to communicate
with the coast. Mr.. Macfarlane said
10 70
: would have to be done with the COM
panies direct. Mr.. Lutted thought there
was a possibility of getting in a line OF
fruit steamers such as ran between the
West Indies and New York.
The motion was finally adopted to
leave the matter in the hands of the di-
rectors TO negotiate with the companies
and report back to the Association be-
fore taking final action.