The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-12-01
COMMERCIAL BODIES CONDEMN
THE SITE EXCHANGE SHUTTLE
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should first come from the Secretary.
prefer not to discuss the propriety
or the wisdom of the exchange SO far
as values are eoncerned.''
There being no further questions
coming, Mr.. Smith and Mr. Cooper ex-
changed compliments and thanks and
Mr.. Cooper withdrew.
Discussion on Resolution.
The resolution which had been read
was then taken up, some amendments
being suggested. Mr.. Waldron thought
that clause should be inserted de-
nouncing the secrecy with which the
negotiations for the exchange had been
carried on. There was a feeling in
the town of contempt for the secrecy
which had been shown.
President Smith thought that the
community was too small to begin de.
nouncing anyone and advised against
the use of the word contempt" in the
resolution.
Mr.. Paris stated that deplorable
condition of affairs had been shown to
exist if the Federal officials at Wash
ington were able to set aside the de-
L
ons had stated that the United States
government would be up against it if it
tried to exchange the sites. The gov.
ernment certainly ought to abide by
the decision of the majority after it
had invited N decision and the reopen.
ing of the question was certainly to be
deplored.
A number of letters which had pass
ed between the Waterhouse Trust com.
pany and the government officials dur.
ing the negotiations for the Mahuka
site and the statement of the govern,
ment that the site was for Federal
building were then read, this CORE
spondence being printed elsewhere il
this Issue.
l Mr.. Dohrmann's Advice.
+. w. Dohrmann, president of the Sar
!, Francisco Merchants Association, ask
ed leave to speak, stating that he be
lieved himself to be member of tn,
: Honolulu Association. He stated tina
. in this case the business community ha,
the advantage of possession, which CAV,
! them nine points of the law, the fac
l that the Mahuka site had already beel
$ bought giving that site the possession
which it would be hard to take away
, He advised the business men of Homo
: lulu to go at the question clamly, how
J. ever, and make their protests in dig
!. nifed way. His experience had taugh
J. him that it is wiser to approach ma
|. with the assumption that he thinks
;, is right than with he assumption tina
|. he knows himself he is wrong. An
i, denunciatory protests might not accon
e plish the ends sought, might rattle
e work against those ends. He did nj
le think that the case stood in Washin,
ton just as those advocating the e,
change would make it appear. He b
4. lieved that they had been influenced
~ change their views on the sites and hG
as not had any precOnceived convictions
IN favor of the Irwin site. He did n
c believe that Secretary Winthrop war
ed deliberately to override public OPT
ion and thought that the impression gi
IN en- out that he did was not correct.
e. He advised asking the authorities
=; a hearing in the matter and then pr
eu senting the reasons against the Q
It. change. If this did no good, then b
~ fight would have to be made in Co
~ gress. If the associations here wou
Y ask the cooperation of the commerce
n associations on the Coast, that assi'
IN ance would be given and the Paci
g. Coast Congressman instructed to qua
Honolulu 8 interests in the matte
With this it would seem very stran
III if the Honolulu business men cam
IN succeed in Congress.
), Mr.. Dohrmann was applauded VIII
il he sat down, the applause being rene
as ed when President Smith stated that
he was through the initiative of N
Dohrmann that the Honolulu Nj
c. chants Association had been form
,r and that he was not only memt
n of the association but was entitled
Ia be known as the father of the assoc
,r- tion.
he Mr.. Waldron then moved that t
,s advice be taken and that a commit
10 be named, to draft another resolution
ot be presented at special meeting
.os be called for ten 'clock on Mond
he morning. He also urged that the me
is bers all attend the meeting. This I
In ton was carried and the chair nan
wv Messrs. Waldron, Berndt. Wakefield q
ON Won Hamm to act with him on the &C
he nlittee.