The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-09

His Illness Kept Him
Out of Debate on
immigration.
(Mail Special TO the Advertiser.)

(Mail Special TO the Advertiser.)
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 27.-
The worst legislative luck that Hawaii
has had in Congress for some time came
the other day when the House refused
TO give the immigration bill majority
The defeat of the measure was decisive,
10 to 1s6, so that it has no chance of
becoming law at this session. Repre-
sentative Capron, of Rhode Island, sug-
gested day or two ago that if the bill
were brought up next session, after the
election, members would be less timid
about voting for it. Still the fact re-
mains that the outlook for immigration
legislation is very poor.
There is feeling that Representative
Hayes, of California, who was in charge
of the bill, acted precipitately about
bringing it up. He did not even noti-
fly the friends of the Territory of his
intended action. Delegate Kaianiana-
ole was in the cloakroom when Mr..
Hayes called the bill up and heard of
it by accident from a member. The
Delegate got into the debate which
lasted for about a half hour but it was
plain that members regarded the bill
as virtually sanctioning contract labor
in Hawaii Denials and explanations
.availed nothing. Minority Leader vii
liams, who never overlooks an opportu-
nifty to thump the Territory, denounced
the measure, which proved a cue for
many Republicans and Democrats. The
subject was full OF dynamite politically
If Col. ''Pete' Hepburn could have
been on the floor and delivered one OF
those trenchant speeches of his, the
result might have been otherwise. But
Mr.. Hayes seems to have pushed the
bill forward without consulting Col.
Hepburn who is i'll and has been unable
of late to attend the sessions of the
House. The bill was discussed and
voted on under suspension of the rules.
But passage of a bill now under sus-
pension of the rules requires only a
majority vote. not a twO-thirds vote.
Accordingly had the supporters been
bill would have passed. The fact that
the Democrats were forcing roll calls,
as part of their filibuster, also worked
to the detriment of the measure. 1t
could hardly have been brought forward
at more nntoward time.
The Navy appropriation bill, carrying
increased items for Pearl Harbor, has
passed the Senate in very satisfactory
shape. The. general authorization for
Pearl Harpor was increased by $500, 600.
There was also an increase of $500, ,U001
in appropriations by the Senate, of
which 100000 was for channel work
and 100000 for buildings and $4,000
for general yard development.
In that connection, it should be said
that letter to the Advertiser dated
] February Is, about Gen. Bells testi-
mony before the House Navy Commit
tee regarding Pearl Harbor, contained
some matter that was enormously at
tributed to him. Some of the test1-
monv, as set forth in that letter, was
testimony that had been given by MIR.
George B. Mcclellan. Gen. Bell spoke
several days after Mr.. Mcclellan testl-
fed Gen Bells hearing was an ex-
eeutive one and the Advertiser cor
respondent s informant simply confused
the two.
Representative Littlefield is trying to
get the Hawaiian shipping bill up and
has some hope of securing its enact
ment. There are undoubtedly many
obstacles in his way. Two Hawaiian
steamship lines are opposing it and this
opposition will be reflected in the
House. Senator Frye is interesting
himself in the bill at the north end of
the Capitol. As the chances for the
passage of the mail subsidy bill are
growing very slim, Hawaii will have
no relief in better passenger facilities
to the mainland for a year unless MIR.
Littlefield succeeds.
ERNEST G. WALKER.
THE DETAILED ACCOUNT.