The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-11-30
Promises Treasurer Conkling to
Visit Islands and Learn
of Our Needs.
CONVERTED TO SUSPENSION
Local Official Presented Facts
That Probably Resulted
in Decision.

1t is probable that D. l.. Conkling,
treasurer of the Territory, has a right
to take considerable credit to himself
in connection with the cable stating
that Secretary Ballinger has gone on
record as being in favor of the sus-
pension of coastwise shipping laws.
While in Washington, Conkling spent
the greater part of an afternoon in an
interview with the secretary of the
interior, and during his talk with him
attempted to get statement from him
regarding his stand on suspension, and
at the time did not succeed. Balm
ger showed interest in the matter, and
also ignorance, and got Conkling to
explain matters little more fully.
Conkling did so and arrived home yes
terday on the Alameda to read the
cable stating that Ballinger was on
record favoring it. 1t is probably due
to Conkling's representation of the
truth in the case that Ballinger was
won to the cause of Hawaii.
When Conkling visited the secre-
tary, in company with Ernest G. Walk
er, The Advertisers correspondent, it
was with the intention only of paying
his respects and did not intend to stay
more than fifteen minutes. He stayed
two hours and half. Several times
he arose to depart, but Ballinger mo-
toned him to sit down, saying, 81
want to hear more about it. 1t is not
often that / can talk to someone from
the islands,
1t seems, from what Conkling re-
peats of their conversation, that Bal
linger's ideas on the matter were Gull
ed mostly from the reports of the
steamship companies.
"But the steamship companies say
that they carry forty or fifty people
away from there every trip" said
Ballinger, during the course of the
conversation.
"That is the truth" answered
Conkling, "but they have only told
you part of the truth. They do carry
forty or fifty people away from there
every trip, but they leave hundred
! and forty.'
els that so9" asked Ballinger.
cit surely isl Conkling assured
him, and laid before him the unassail.
able fact of the matter. While Conk.
ling was on the sea between Frisco and
| Honolulu, Ballinger came out in favor
of suspension, whereas he had been
passively opposed to it before.
Mr.. Ballinger, says Conlsling, is re-
markably interested in Hawaii. Before
Conkling left Washington, the secre
tary promised him to come to Hawaii
next spring to become intimately ac.
quainted with Hawaii's people and
Hawaii's needs. AT present he is ig
norant on the most vital points before
the Territory.
Ballinger will come here if. Their,
is always an if in the matter and the
present one is that Ballinger may moi
hold his job. Conkling reports a dis
like of the man all through the States
the result of the persistent knocking a
him, which may eventually cause hin
to resign his portfolio.
Conkling not only met him at hi
office but stayed at the same hotel will
him and had ample opportunity to be
come thoroughly acquainted with tn,
secretary. The local treasurer state
that he found him most genial, and on
; of the pleasantest men he met in Wash
ington.
1.-The reason I did not come bac,
sooner" says Conkling, "is because
, could not get line on a booking any
) where. When / left, the agents toi
me that they would not be able t
handle another booking until the latte
part of December. The Manchuri
which will arrive here Monday has o
a board a number of Honolulu peopl
Nearly all the kamaainas who are ava
, from home will return ON her."