The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-12-10
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REvERSES ITS ACTION


Governor r7rear, Secretary Garfield
Messrs. Schwerin and Hartman of the
Pacific Mail, Mr.. Thurston, Captain
Matson and himself participated. In
conclusion he announced his support
of Mr.. Tenney's resolution.
Mr.. McInerny supported Mr. Castles
resolution. We have now the oppor-
tunity to open our doors to the finest
steamships afloat. 1t would not hurt
the Matson line as that would have
more passengers than ever.
Mr.. Ivers understood that the Cham
Der originally supported suspension
on condition that none of the steam
ship companies would put on steam
ers to meet the emergency. More
steamers were now provided and a
new one promised. He did not think
the abandonment of suspension now
would look ridiculous at all.
Mr.. McStocker believed in protect
ing American steamships but did not
think the conditions of three adequate
steamers had yet been met. The pro-
posed suspension would tend to COM
pei the companies to let us have the
service we require.
Mr.. Castle had always felt that a
clause should have been placed in the
Organic Act to exempt us from the
operation of the coastwise laws, with
regard only to passengers. American
shipping was today inadequate to car
ry American commerce. 1t should be
aided by the grant of a very liberal
subsidy. Another reason why the
coastwise laws should not apply to us
was that Congress had no right to
restrict the freedom of travel of any
American citizen. What right had
Congress to maroon citizens on ISL
ands of the sea? He disputed the
premises of Mr.. Tenney. The Hawaii
an Islands were not a conquest. They
were an autonomous power and be-
came annexed with equal rights to
those of the United States. The re-
solution of annexation embodied
rights which Congress could not take
away. IF the question ever arises the
Supreme Court of the United States
will hold that we were annexed by
speaker took it that Mr.. Schwerin was
in earnest when he talked of the pos
sible withdrawal of the Pacific Mail
steamers. The interstate commerce
rules operated against them and
might cause the withdrawal of five fine
A
dition be if those vessels were with
drawn, or even if they came here so
crowded with through passengers that
they could not take any here? He
thought the Chamber should take the
presented to it.
Mr. Gait strongly urged the rights
of citizens to travel when and how
they pleased. Mr.. Tenney asked him
if he could travel from Cleveland to
Detroit in a Canadian boat. He re-
piled he did not know about that. |
The visiting Congressman saw for
the conditions here. |
Though there were differences of OPP
nion here, he had not heard anything
to change his opinion. There is no
on this earth which will be |
while you restrict the free
right of its citizens to travel" Mr. |
Gait received the first applause given |
TO any speaker.
Mr.. Dillingham; related that when |
Messrs. Cullom, Morgan. Hit, Dole
and Frear, constituting the Hawaiian |
Commission, were framing the Organic !
Act he was one of a committee of |
-hree to make representations to them
in favor of eXempting Hawaii from |
The coastwise laws. There were some |
who were very patriotic, believing
hat we ought to submit to anything |
American shipowners might require. |
We should have the same freedom |
with steamers as people on the main |
and with railway travel. When that |
happened there would be ten people |
TO come here for every one now. The |
local steamers would have every cabin |
filled. From a purely selfish stand
point it was to the interest of our |
to have the restrictions
removed.
Mr.. Lowrey, introducing his resolu- |
ton, spoke of the large number of
people that would be coming here in |
with the Government SER
vices-hundreds if not thousands. AS |
a contributor to promotion work the |
Chamber was interested i'm having |
adequate steamer accommodation. The !
Governor would be placed in a very
awkward position if the matter was
left to his discretion. Therefore he |
moved his amendment He appreciat- |
ed what the Matson people were do |
ing but it seemed that, with the CON |
dition that suspension ceased when /
American ships were provided no in |.
Justice was done to the Matson Navi- !
cation Co.
Mr.. Castle said he had merely NOV /
ed a resolution placed in his hands
since coming and would withdraw it |
I'M favor of Mr. IOWrpV's