The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-07-19

| governing passenger traffic between
ports of the United States in and during
periods OF emergency.
Under Section 2, Act of February IL
1898, being an Act TO amend the laws
relating to Navigation" which was put
into effect in this Territory on June IL,
1900. there is n statutory penalty of
$4,000 (Two Hundred Dollars) for each
passenger transported and landed be-
tween ports or PLACES in the United
States in foreign vessels. The enforce
ment OF this statute, by reason of con-
ditions below mentioned, is causing
serious loss and damage to this Ter
ritory and it's citizens.
1t is submitted that, with the ex-
ception of one vessel, the Alameda"
of the Oceanic line, plying between Ho-
noluiu and San Francisco, all passen-
ger travel between Honolulu and Pa
cifc Coast ports is of necessity carried
by steamships running through to
points in China and Japan, or to the
Australian Colonies, no reservation be.
ing made for Honolulu passengers be-
yond what may be available on arrival
here Ell route to the terminal ports.
For some time past these vessels have
Dttll 50 NloNutu Will lnTOuSn DdSSbH-
gers that it has been almost impossible
to obtain passage no matter how urgent
the occasion.
In view of anticipated additional
through travel to and from the st. Louis
Exposition during the coming months,
covering a period in which local travel
between Honolulu and San Francisco is
always largely increased, 1t Is submit
ted that these conditions of congestion
are certain to be augmented with the
result of serious consequences to the |
people of this Territory, both from
sanitary and financial standpoints. |
There are few individuals, or inva!ids, |
whose immediate departure is neces-
sary, or ordered, who can afford to de-
posit, or who can by any means de-
posit, the sum of $4,000 in addition to
their fare, in order to go on a foreign
vessel, and without this deposit it is
now impossible for the large majority
of Honolulu passengers to leave for
mainland points at n given or within
a reasonable period of time. 1t is need
less to assert that in most cases such
a penalty is entirety prohibitive.
Heavy loss also accrueS to the mer-
chants and retail dealers of this Ter
ritory from the fact that intending
tourists will not stop over as soon as
they learn that no opportunity of pro-
ceeding on their journey is guaranteed,
as all steamers that are
able to carry passengers without penal
ty are booked several months ahead.
Wherefore, while this Association
loes not, and cannot ask, that the pro-
visions of the above section of the stat
ute be permanently waived or suspend
ed in any of its requirements. we do
most respectfully ask and petition that
The peculiar conditions arising from
our isolated situation, and the conse-
luent difficulties of travel, be taken
nto consideration, to the end that if
possible sufficient and adequate modi-
ication of the penalty of $4,000 be
made pending a return to a normal
tatus of travel or until adequate facil-
ties are forthcoming, in order to admit
departure of those of our citizens whose
health or business demands their visit
ng the mainland, even if by foreign
teamers, this modification to remain in
orce until such time as it is possible 4
or the ordinary and available means
# travel to insure passage to the Unit
d States from the main points in this
territory without unnecessary and
ostly delay, the term of continuance
f such modification to be determined
" your representative officer at this
ort, or otherwise, as you may deem ,
nore expedient.
1t is further respectfully represented
hat this being now an American COM q
lunity penalty equal to ten per cent d