The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-04-07

Ell. III was crlllclZeu Dy HOsJ Oh UnOSe
present, for various aneged defects,
but all were of the opinion that the
new system would be welcomed, even
if the cost of the two systems involved
a greater expense upon them. The mat
ter was finally referred to n special
committee which is to report back to-
morrow evening at 1880.
THE DISCUSSION.
President Smith said the meeting was
called to consider the bill now before
the Legislature for the construction of
new telephone system. Mr.. Smith
said that two years ago a committee
reported on the present telephone sys-
TEN, with reference to the franchise
which was being sought for by a com.
petitive company.
In response to call for an ex-
preston OF opinion. Col. Soper said
the company was one organized in Ho-
nolulu, and that DIR. Wood was presi-
dent; d: Kawananakoa, vice-president;
r. Barnes, treasurer; Col. Soper, secre-
tary; j. X. Brown, director.
The company would seek all capital
here.
Mr.. Barnes said he had letters from
at least n dozen places where the sys-
TEN is installed, all speaking highly of
it.
j. o. Lutted saiu the new company
should be given liberal inducement. The
present system could be improved upon.
There should be some resolutions
against merging with the old company
X. b. Porter was in favor of the new
system, but it would require most bust
ness houses putting in two phones.
Jim Quinn had had lots of experience
with phones here, and he had always
come out second best. 1t might be
cheaper for business houses to have two
systems.
+. j. Waldron felt that letting in
new company would be like the Rapid
Transit Co., coming in and eating up
Pains system.
II. II. Williams said the present sys-
TEN could be improved upon. A man
who came around to look at phones
said the present trouble was all the
fault of the Exchange girls.
Mr.. Wichman said that much of the
abuse heaped upon the present system
was not deserved, when taken into con-
sideration with those in other cities.
He thought the proposed franchise was
too liberal. He thought the conduit
system should be extended to one and
one-half miles. The Government should
be reimbursed for valuable rights
given by per cent on the capital stock
Mr.. Emmeluth said he did not believe
in granting franchises at all. The en-
gineer of the new gas Company had
told him their franchise was the most
wi do. ha ho1 -,
tact with. The network of wires over
head was a disgrace to the city. He
made some suggestions to be added to
the bill. He wanted provision in
serted preventing the company from
selling out to the opposing company, or
from buying out the older company.
w. w. Hall favored all wires going
underground. If a better system than
the present one could be installed he
favored it.
Q. II. Berrey shared Mr.. Hall IS views
+. w. Macfarlane felt there was
great opportunity for improvement. He
was on joint investigating commit
tee two years ago. Both the Chamber
of Commerce and Merchants Associa-
tion favored the report, whereunder
the mutual system was condemned. The
mercantile bodies paved the way to
getting the new system, and the bill
was introduced by Mr.. Andrade, but
it was turned down on the first reading.
The community came to the front and
endorsed the new proposition, but the
enterprise did not have financial back
ing~ There should be limit to the
charges. He suggested the company
should pay the Government two and
one-half per cent of its earnings from
the start.
Col. Soper said the new telephone
system would be as great an improve
ment over the old Mutual as the pres.
ent Raplu Transit Co. is over the old
mule car system operated by Pain. He
did not think it reasonable to compel
the new company to conduit its wires
to mile radius.
AS to backing, the company would
be cooperative as far as possible. AS
| to a possible increase in the capital