The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-10-25

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company
has no hopes TO hold out 10 Honolulu
for any better steamship service than
is being given at the present time. Even
worse than this, the General Manager
Of the company states bIuntly tina,
there is big possibility of the ser
vice between San Francisco and the
Orient being cut out altogether. &.
The paying end Of the business be
ing done by the Pacific Mail has been
the carrying Of steerage passengers be-
tween China and japan and the Coast
and the CARRYING of freight for and
from the Orient. Now, the strict en-
forcement Of the exclusion clause OF
the Japanese treaty and the enforce
ment OF the crate law and the rulings
Of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion all tend TO restrict seriously the
business of the company, without which
IT will be impossible to operate these
large steamers
General Manager Sehwerin has re-
piled TO the circular letter Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce. His answer is as
follows:
san Francisco. October 1s, 1907
ssrr II.
nolulu.
Gentlemen: Your letter Of August
2sth is received and note all you
state in regard TO the state OF affairs
having become so intolerable TO the
commercial interests of the Hawaiian
community that there is a strong
movement on foot 10 petition both the
President and Congress for relief and
asking for a suspension of the coast
wise shipping law, as il applies TO
passenger traffic between the islands
and the mainland: also that before
taking action towards this end the
Honolulu Chamber Of Commerce re-
quests a reply to certain questions.
which I am pleased 10 answer cate
goricaIly.
First: This company has no definite
plans and does not contemplate in
auguratins and maintaining any local
boat between the Hawaiian Islands
and san Francisco at the present time
Second: If sugar freights were
guaranteed II would not warrant the
action suggested in the second qUes-
ton
That your committee may have an
opportunity To judge what you are
asking I enclose you q detailed state
ment Of the earnings and expenses Of
a steamer, such as would be required
to i'll the conditions Of question one,
running between the Islands and the
mainland and making one round trip
& month or 4 total Of twelve trips per
auuUm- The earnings as shown COT
template the maximum earning capa-
city Of q vessel, both in passengers
and freights outward and homeEard
This statement Is based upon a very
careful analysis Of the actual opera
tons OF vessel and If your committee
can find any induceuent in this ven
ture I should be very pleased TO have
them point It out The cost OF a yes
sci 70 Ill your requirements E0uII be
81 $4,000
I can assure you I have been deeply
interested in the promotion of the
American bottom in the foreign trade
and I should be greatly pleased IL the
capitalists % the Hawaiian Islands
would build and operate American
vessels between the Islands and the
mainland such as you suggest, and
believe It would 10 doubt be Of great
value and comfort 10 the travelling
public who would enjoy them Just 80
long as the capitalists would De will
ing to put up the necessary funds 70
keep them in Operation There Is not
4 steamer that crosses the Atlantic
today that could be maintained were
IL not for the enorm01s steerags bust
ness. coupled with the government
subsidy Deprive these vessels Of the
sreerags business and they viii cease
20 operate The only thing that mas
kept the San Francisco line has been
the Azizttc business II this business
l. killed OF II viii b Impossible 20
operate these large STEAMERS On this
FUR for even with q full cabin list
and fun freight they VIII EOt earn
operating expenses let alone the eZ-
penses OF operating the agencies
IF rhere Il any further infornztion
can give you On this subject l shah
Be very pleased 70 ID 20, but a. z
straight business proposition Il would
b Absolutely impossible 70 Undertake
u operate z line between here and
H0zaLuIu q the class q vessel Or veg
seLs you suggest
Yours truly.
r ?. SCHWERIS,
Vice Pres & Gen MgT
COST OF OPERATING & 5 SIBERIA