The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-11-28
Denounce Exchange as
an Outrage.

/ The proposed exchange of the site
purchased for the erection of the Homo
lulu Federal Building for the site
which W. G. Irwin has for disposal at
the Palace Square was denounced as
bad public policy, an outrage, breach
| of confidence, a breach of contract, an
act of dishonesty and various other
things at the meeting of the Mer-
chants Association yesterday, meet
ing very largely attended. There were
several of the speakers on the site ex-
change question who stated their pref
erence for the Irwin site as a site.
but only one of them was in the slight
est way in favor of the proposed deal
now to exchange the selected and pur-
chased site for any other. Some of
those who favored the Palace Square
site for reasons of desirability or for
personal reasons were the strongest in
denouncing the deal.
No definite action in the matter was
concluded at the meeting, but a COM
mittee was named to draft a resolu-
tion for presentation at special meet
ing of the Association to be held at
ten O'Clock on Monday morning The
sentiment of the meeting was, very
plainly, strongly against the transfer
and the resolution, if it expresses the
sense of the speeches yesterday, will be
a strong one. F. w Dohrmann. presi-
dent of the San Francisco Merchants
Association and a member of the Ho-
nolulu Association, cautioned the mem
bers against any condemnation of the
Washington authorities, however, ad-
vising strong appeal and then, if this
were not effective, an appeal to Con-
gress. He stated that he could very
safely assure the Honolulu commercial
organizations of the cooperation of the
Coast associations in the matter of
bringing this to the attention of their
Congressman.
Mcclellan s Warning.
The matter was introduced by the |
reading by President George w. Smith |
of letter received from Washington, |
dated November II, from George B.
Mcclellan, the Association representa-
tive at the Capital. The letter stated !
that it was not unlikely that bill to
authorize the exchange would be pre-
pared by the Treasury Department to
present to Congress in December.
''The Treasury Department say that
It has been represented to them that
there is considerable sentiment in
Honolulu favoring such a changer
wrote Mr.. Mcclellan, "and / may add
hat one of the Treasury officials in
lines to the same opinion.
''In view of this immediate possibil-!
ty of having the site question reopen
d. I would be glad to be advised of
he present attitude of your organiza-
ion on the question; in view OF the
lain made here that considerable pub
c sentiment favors change of location,
would suggest that If your body de-
Tres to stand by It's previous action, 1T
rould be advisable to circulate a new
etition asking that the appropriation
lready made be promptly expended
n the site already acquired by the gov
and have this petition gener-
llv signed by business houses and
rominent citizens.
-'It seems certain that unless a
rompt show of sentiment is made
gainst reopening the site question. the
citation will at least tend to delay :
-ork on anv building whatever; it has
q doubt been a factor already in de- ;
wing the actual preparation of plans
1r the Honolulu Federal building.
Discussion Invited. /
Mr. Smith briefly reviewed the status n
f the matter, referring to the various d
continued on Page Two.) III