The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-01-06
STATEHOOD BILL.
Continued from Page ID

some testimony about the Hawaiian
Commercial Steamship Company and
its contracts Tor shipments of Hawaiian
crops. The following from the official
report of the testimony confirms re-
ports that have been in circulation:
Senator Perkins.-It is reported as a
fact that the Hawaiian Commercial
Steamship Company has made a con
tract with the Mexican Government or
the Mexican Central Railroad, operat-
ing via Tehuantepec, for all the crops
Of the Hawaiian Islands for the next
two years, because, they said, they
were unable to make as advantageous
contract with you. Of course 1t IS
not germane TO this question, bur
should like for YOU to say whether
there is any truth in that statement.
AIR. Shonts.-It was done before L
had anything to do with the matter.
As the Secretary said. the old faciE-
ties of the Panama Railroad Company,
if they were in good condition, which
they were not, were inadequate for the
business. So when the commercial
business increased, as it did for vari- |
Gus reasons, 80 per cent, and then on /
top of that came all the supplies for |
the Commission. they We're swamped. /
The old company had not spent dol /
lar on docks, equipment, or engines for
twenty-five years. We have had, with
this congestion in freight, to 60
through the sweat of clearing up with /
those facilities-we are now clearing
it up-and at the same time to improve
the facilities so that we can take on
more business and handle it economic
ally and promptly. That, I presume,
was the condition which confronted the
people when the question was up, al
though 1t was before my time.
Secretary Taft.-The order from the
President is that there shall be no ex-
elusive privileges on the railroad at all;
that everyone shall have equality with
reference TO the use of that railroad;
and If there is any discrimination,
which I have no reason to believe there
is, we shall be glad to know it,
While L was on the Isthmus / inquir-
ed of the companies running south,
which. before the Pacific Mail contract
was terminated had said they desired
to run north, whether they had any rea-
SON to complain Of discrimination
against them in any way, and their ;
agents answered that they. had not.
Of course, we investigate every com {
plant of discrimination. It is the
purpose of the Government. if we can,
to see to 1t that the railroad is used I
as link by everybody who chooses to ]
use 1t at the same rate ,
Several Senators became interested ,
N that testimony and there were many !
questions The discussion was brought {
to close with the following:
Senator Perkins, understand YOU {
TO say that if the Oceanic Company or :
The Pacific Coast Steamship COMPANY {
'r any other recognized steamship com {
oany on the Pacific Coast had a c
steamer advertised to sail from Pana- :
ma at a certain time-not a regular r
'alhng-you would not wavbin through f
n issue through bills of lad1ng.
MI Shonts.-Not unless thew have q
=, gular sailings- If they come there. q
We treat them just the same. We take i
helr freight on the same rates and 7
DIVISIONS as thai of the other people. h
nj IN order to get competition we have I,
made provision that we would issue Y
trough bills Of lading only +
Senator Perkins.-But If me Of he q
teamshlps Of this company was a,.ver-i +
lsed 10 sail from Panama on a GER X
am date, although not belonging 10 a =
aguiar line, and there beng annie :
inc for the freight leaving New York II
D reach there. world YOU not .ssle q o.
trough bill Of ladingg g,
Mr.. ShontS-We probably would | /,
NJ that question has not vet come ND. | m
Senator Berry.-Whv do you exclude 81
le tramps2 Why not give them &c
lanee2 =.
Mr. Shonts--We do give them n IL
lance on rates and divisions. bu+ tna Dc
amps come there and dupp the stuff ar
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