The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-02-15

olIheultles Of the project, and told how
much money had already BEEN spent
for labor and material.
W .. Smith spoke in favor of grant
lng the waiver OF the forfeiture clause
asked for by the railroad people.
Carl Smith wanted to know whether
the projectors wanted the government
10 enter into q new contract, or Just
exactly what was wanted. He knew
that the people Of Hilo were vitality
interested in the construction Of this
read by somebody. He would not favor
taking snap judgment but if these
people could not build the road. then
other parties should be given a chance,
W. O. Smith said that more time
was wanted
tier
Two years. replied Peck. 'I know
that if I cannot finance this road in a
year cannot do it at ALL
What we want" said Attorney
Lewis, SIS an assurance from the SUI
perintendent of Public Works that the
government viii not exercise its right
of forfeiture under the franchise"
do you expect the government to
give you a written assurance asked
Carl Smith.
! yes"
Then" said Carl Smith. u think
| the government is entitled 10 more
| explicit statement of what Mr.. Peck
| has to go upon in the way of financial
| backing. If he is asking for an ex-
tension merely upon the chance that
| he can raise the money to build the
road then I think the franchise should
be forfeited and somebody else given
a chance"
New people would not have the
money showed at them any quicker
! than we would" said Mr.. Peck
c. NJ. Cooke did not think that the
request of Mr. Peck was unreasona-
bic. If he could give any assurance
that he could finish the road, even az
far as Hakalau, in two years, then
he should be given the extension ask
ed for.
You think he should have three or
four months to find out whether he
can raise the money!" asked Govern
or Carter.
Il do replied Mr.. Cooke
L. A. Thurston then arose and gave
an interesting statement of the history
of the Hilo railroad situation. going
back TO the first charter of the Hilo
railway. He told how. in interest with !
Mr. Dillingham;, he had procured a /
charter covering the very country to
he served by the KohaIa- Hilo line, and
how, upon the statement of the Gehr
crowd that they had the money to build
that particular road at once the Dill
bingham people, not having the money
and not desiring to stand in the way of
progress had withdrawn their protest
against the granting of the Kohala- |
Hilo franchise, Heretofore successfully
maintained.
The Hilo road had been built to
Puma, had acquired wharves and ex-
pended money in improvements at Hilo
during the six years that the Kohala-
Hilo project had lain in allegiance, and
had been at all times friendly to that
project, Notwithstanding the suspicion
with which it was regarded and the
hostility of the KohaIa-Hilo people to-
ward it. 1t was to the interest of the
Hilo road to- have the other road built,
because that would build up Hilo.
II regard the building of the Hilo-
Kohala road as vital to Hilo," said
Mr.. Thurston. 1.-The people need 1t.
And if Mr. Peck will assure US here
that anybody will furnish him the
backing to build the road within the
next sixty days, then I say by all
means give him the extension asked
for And give it to him under fran
chise that is worka BILE. I do not be-
lieve that any power on earth could
this project in the time speci-
fed in the franchise"
You are correct" broke in Mr.. Peck. J
''The Hilo railroad isn't anxious to
put any stumbling block in anybody's
way" went on Mr.. Thurston. but the ;
Hilo road is willing to go ahead. if 8
there is no other franchise in the way, !
and put a railroad through the Hama
kua district. And the HilO railroad is ,
in a position TO do this. having an !
established base to work from and not
starting as a project de novo.'
Does the Hilo franchise cover this !
territory? ''' asked Governor Carter.
1T does" replied Mr.. Thurston.
ct will require no action by the Iegis-
lature or by Congress-"
None
There is no time limit interjected
Mr.. Peck.
None said Mr.. Thurston. THE only +
limitation is that it is provided in the ,
franchise that after any section has =
been surveyed and the survey accepted,
it must be finished within five years"
1t developed on further discussion G
hat the Kohala-Hilo road had issued 6
no bonds, Mr.. Peck having paid all I
the bills himself, and then Governor Q
carter said he wanted legal light on
he matter.
Attorney General Andrews had never 7
seen the franchise of the Hilo-Kohala
2, I,
lot prepared to commit himself upon '
irst reading. 1t was a question, in his g
mind. if the superintendent of Public
Works would consent to a waiver of I
he forfeiture clause. whether any citi- I
zen might not have the power to go I
nto court and compel its enforcement.
Governor Carter expressed the idea t
hat a deadlock had been reached. in 3
smuch as the kOhala-Hlo people a
ould not ask for money unless an ex- g