The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-01
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
STANDS PAT ON site

err the same, that Congress be most !
earnestly invoked not to approve or
any action changing the Federal build !
ing site in Honolulu, and that its as
sistance be asked in carrying out the
understandings and agreements alrea-
dy made and entered into in accord |
ance wherewith the Federal building
for Honolulu was to have been erect
ed upon the Mahuka site; and it is
further
Resolved, That a full statement of
all circumstances leading up to the
final selection and purchase of the Ma
huka site, with such comments on the
proposed exchange as are pertinent,
shall accompany this resolution and
be made a part thereof; and it is fur
Their
Resolved. That copy of this res
olution be transmitted to the President
of the United States, to the Secretary
of the Treasury, to the Secretary of
the Interior, to Hawaii's representative
in Congress, and to such appropriate
committee of Congress and others as
the officers of this association shall
deem proper"
In addition to the resolution the
committee submittec the following
drafts of cablegrams to be sent that
day:
Secretary Treasury, Washington:
Honolulu Chamber of Com
merce and community respectful
| ly protest against change Federal
building site and urge that action
be suspended pending receipt writ
ten communications from Cham
! Der Commerce.
"Kalanianaole, Washington:
Oppose any change Federal
building site. Community united.
Particulars mailed. Notify Per-
kins, Frear, Hatch.
COMMERCE"
In its review of the case the COM
mittee made this statement:
"The value of the Mahuka site has
been greatly enhanced by the extern
sion of Bishop street, and a recent sale
of property on the opposite side of this
street at So per square foot indicates
that the property is worth double what
it was when the United States ac-
quired it although the purchase price
lat that time was made lower than far
values then were for the reasons stated
above. In view of the increased value
of the Mahuka site, the vendors feel
that if any disposition is made of this
property. other than for the erection
of a Federal building, it should revert
to them rather than be exchanged with
any outside private owner. Real es-
tate experts regard the value today
of the Mahuka property as conserva-
lively double that of the Irwin, or
Palace Square, property"
Mr.. Spalding objected to the state
ment that the sentiment of Honolulu
was unanimous in favor of the Ma
huka site. He mentioned a memorial
that was presented to Mr., Taylor in
favor of the Irwin site. AS a support
er of the Irwin site he complimented
the committee on the temperate tone
of the report, which was in contrast
to the resolutions presented the 9TH
err day.
Mr. Lowrey replied that the COM
mittee by the qualifying word 'prac-
tically" had fairly met the objection
in advance. He recalled the fact that
= the mass meeting had preliminarily
agreed to unanimity in supporting the
= choice of the majority.
Mr.. spalding was not yet satisfied
and told of Hon. Sam Parker's leav'
: ing the meeting on account of the ef'
l forts of the Mahuka site promoters tc
= corral the public sentiment.
: Mr. Tenney, after giving the usua
: opportunity for remarks, put the
, question to a rising vote. All present
rose as one man excepting Mr.. Spald
ing and Mr.. Ivers.
. The chair not having seen Mr.. lver'
announced the vote as unanimous ex'
: cept for one dissenting.
, "There was another" ruefully cor
> rected Mr.. Spalding.
"Mr. Ivers also voted against 1t,
3 said Geo. p Castle.
I "I am sorry Mr.. Cooper is not pre-
t sent" Mr.. Spalding comically remark
l ed
Laughter and applause succeeded
5 and, there being nothing further be-
fore the meeting, the chair declared
, adjournment