The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-02-28


s------------.-----~au-u-
grants. 1t would seem as though under
this bill narrow-gauge street railroad
with 1T" rails such as are used by the
Oahu Railway & Land Company. could
be laid through the city and the park,
, the cost OF which might largely be
made up of the subsidy sought from
, the Territory, and which could be OPP
Grated with steam locomotives at in
of thirty-five thousand dollars.
10. For all that I can ind in the
bill to the contrary this sum shall be
paid whether the road be operated or
not, and in the general absence of re-
strictlons and conditions, which, in this
day. are imposed upon public utilities
as matter OF course throughout the
tervals to suit the convenience of ITS
owners. at exnrbitant rates of fare,
without any speed limit in the park or
over street crossings, except where the
line is itself located on a street, with
the right at any time during fifty years
to change it's motive power, to extend
its lines, to double track, to build power
houses and stations, and to use the
extraordinary powers of Eminent Do
main" in condemning private property
for its purposes.
IL. If the above view OF the posi-
bilities of this measure be inconsistent
with the present purposes of Mr.. Lucas
and his associates, the privileges sought
for, nevertheless, are so sweeping and
comprehensive that 1 feel warranted in
pointing out to the committee in what
manner these rights might be exer-
cised to the great harm, not only of
the public, but of the Honolulu Rapid
Transit d Land Company, which, in
all fairness should not, / submit, be
exposed, through special legislation, to
competition of this kind, nor, indirectly,
through taxation, to the necessity of
paying it's share of subsidy to its
own undoing.
IL. 1t would seem fitting that the
promoters OF this scheme now disclose
their identity and show to the salts
faction of your committee that they
have a fair prospect of building the
line, Mr.. Lucas having informed me
that he had no special interest in the
'ill and had allowed his name to be
used at the request of the Senator who
has introduced it, who is the only other
person who has appeared before your
Committee to champion the measure.
AS per Section "a of Act 80. Laws of
1898, the Rapid Transit franchise was
not made effective until a company
was formed with minimum capital of
two hundred thousand dollars to I'M
dertake and prosecute construction. to
which all of the rights and privileges
of the franchise were unreservedly as
signed.
Finally, / submit that the Honolulu
Rapid Transit & Land Company has
accepted it's franchise and has carried
out its obligations hereunder in good
faith, giving the Honolulu public a
street car service equal to the best
found anywhere in the United States.
1t has invested in the railway upwards
of one and a half million dollars. upon
which, in the five years of its existence.
but SSS,3S4.00 has been returned to it's
shareholders in dividends, while dur
ing this period as stated. the Territory
has received from 1t over $50, 100000 in
taxes.
If there be a need for any further ex-
tension of its service the company is
prepared to meet 1t. and with it's com
prehensive system and free transfers
1t is in far better position to satisfy
any demand than could new company
which would charge a separate fare.
| And I would urge upon your commit
tee that to authorize the construction
of street railroad paralleling our
/