The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-12-01
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-
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 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 COM
mittee was named to draft resolu-
ton for presentation at special meet
ing of the Association to be held at
ten '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
strong one. F. w. Dohrmann, presi-
dent of the San Francisco Merchants
Association and member of the Ho-
nolulu Association, cautioned the mem
81 condemnation nf the
Washington authorities, however, ad-
vising a strong appeal and then, II thus
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 n letter received from Washington,
dated November IL, 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-
nuTtu IHt ~
present to Congress in December.
"The Treasury Department say that
it has been represented to them thai
there is a considerable sentiment II
Honolulu favoring such change,
wrote Mr.. Mcclellan, "and | may ado
that one of the Treasury officials in
clines to the same opinion.
'In view of this immediate possibil
ity of having the site question reopen
/ ed, / would be glad to be advised o
: the present attitude of your organlZa
t tion on the question; in view of tn
4 claim made here that considerable pull
= lie sentiment favors change of Location
:. | would suggest that if your body do
d sires to stand by its previous action,
Q would be advisable to circulate ne
K; petition asking that the appropriate
;, already made be promptly expende
7, on the site already acquired by the go'
Z. ernment, and have this petition gene
!. ally signed by business houses an
II prominent citizens.
{. alt seems certain that unless
]. prompt show of sentiment is mac
!. against reopening the site question, II
S. agitation will at least tend to della
= work on any building whatever; it HI
i. no doubt been a factor already in d
}. laying the actual preparation of pla'
l.. for the Honolulu Federal building -
" Discussion Invited.
: Mr.. Smith briefly reviewed the stat
y of the matter. referring to the vario
~ statements published He then invit
discussion from the members.
,e' Robert Cation was the first to {
" " press an opinion and the only one
~ :. express a preference for the Irwin s.
is' without condemning the metho
"a taken to secure it. He said that
- o. preferred the Palace Square locati
- as one better architecturally. He re
~ ized that he was in minority at
meeting, he said.
+. w. Wakefield stated that he
ne had favored the Irwin site original
en- hut that preference for sites was !
he now the question. He wished to
ng press himself as very strongly oppoi
re. TO the policy which had been sho
nat of overriding the wishes of the ct
di- munitv. If this matter of an
not change be allowed to go through w
ln- out protest il would show up
lile Association in very bad light.
Irwin has other property to dispose