The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-10-09

be shown. That same rate should be ex-
tended to all shippers, large and small.
Abs Special Favors.
"From information that / have,'
said Mr. Tenney, "that has not been
the case in the past. Special favors
have been extended to certain shippers.
Whether or not that system will con-
tinue do not know. The sum and sub
stance of it all is-that where a mer-
chant is engaged in business he should |
receive as favorable freight rate as
does his competitor; otherwise he is GO
ing to be placed at disadvantage, |
which will result sooner or later in his |
elimination as q factor in the business
life of these Islands. 1t is the inten-
ton of the Matson line to treat all fair
| ly, not only its competitor in the trans
portation business, but its patrons as
well.
"Captain Matson has said it is our
intention to meet any competitive rate
which is extended. we are not desir-
Gus of slashing rates or doing any in
discriminate cutting. 1t would be sui
cidal to do so. But we are in the trans
portation business, and the company
proposes to remain in the business, and
if, in order to remain in the business
it is necessary to do it for time with
out profit, well and good, we will do it.
But we want the goodwill and the CO.
operation and assistance of the shippers.
We will extend to them our cooperation
and assistance in every way in our
power. We will treat you right if we
can, and l think we can do that.
| Tnterstate Ocean law
"In regard to the freight rates of the
American Hawaiian line and the favors
granted to special patrons, it was a
proposition along lines which, if car
!. ried into effect, could only result in
one thing finally-a movement on the
part of the smaller shippers to take up
the question of interstate transportation
on the ocean with the Congress of the
United States, with the result of having
an amendment passed to the interstate
commerce act which would extend its
provisions to the Territory of Hawaii.
In that case it would not make any diff
ference whether one key of beer or ten
thousand were shipped, the rate would
be the same.
81 have heard that this is the propo-
sition of the Americ an Hawaiian Steam
ship Company to the Hawaiian shippers
2 and importers. 1t carried an exclusive
, contract for certain term 1t pro-
vided for the amount a shipper paid to
be considered for a rebate. For in
stance, for $4,000 and under $4,000 as
freight sums paid into the company,
the shipper would receive rebate at
the end of the year of 2h per cent.
$4,000 and under $4,000, per cent !;
: $4,000 and under 100000, 71a per cent.
!. 900 and under 100000, 10 per cent.
, $4,000 and under $4,000, 1914 per
: cent; $4,000 and upward, Is per cent.
, Rebates Are Outrageous.
"You can easily see what the posi-
, ton of the shipper whose freight bills
l were $4,000 and under would be, as
against the shipper whose bills amount
ed to $4,000. Quite little item.
"My individual opinion in regard to
/, freight matters is that such situation
as that is outrageous to say the least.
+ 1t is proposition of rebates along the
Q lines that have aroused the American
: people, and the fight that they are car
e rying on against trusts and combina-
: tions is due to the fact that this re-
n bate system was practised to such an
: extent on the railroads. To extend the
0 proposition to the cea-carrying trade
i would have the same result here. 1t
v would take only short time before
e the conditions were known. Certain
Y small shippers would be unable to do
a business at profit, or they would be
t curtailed to the extent that they would
n >only be able to receive a new dollar
for an old dollar, and representations
would be made to Congress and legis-
lation would undoubtedly be enacted
a extending the Interstate Commerce
i Act. covering the Territory of Hawaii
:. at least.
, 81 would not be surprised if it came
a anyhow in a few years.
o Praises Rival Line.
d "While making this criticism l
: would like to say that the American
t Hawaiian Steamship Company has been
t a great benefit to this Territory and
J. will continue to be and they should
e be praised. 1t deserves support from
this community. The company is re-
g ceiving that support now, but as far
n as the Matson Navigation Company
o and Castle & Cooke, Ltd, and every
n shareholder in the Matson Navigation
e Company go, / will say this company
a has been in the transportation bust
d ness in the Pacific for a great many
. years, long before the American-Ha
iwaian line was thought of, and it pro
poses to continue in that business
While we gladly testify to the efficiency
of the American Hawaiian line, at The
same time we think we have done
something and we ask the cooperation
and support of the shippers in and ou
of this Territory. All we ask is fail
field and no favors.'
Captain Matson in answer to a ques
tion said it was proposed to have 9
steamer come from the Sound every
forty days, while the San Francisco
Honolulu schedule would be maintain
ed regularly, as now. The first boat
will leave the Sound on December /
In answer to question from Mr.
Moore, banana shipper and agent fol
banana raisers, Captain Matson said
the plans, at present, did not contem