The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-08-02
CONF ERENCE ON
WHARF PROPOSAL
The Business interests Warmly
Urge Granting of the
License.
ONLY FOUR FIRMS OBJECT
Increased Wharfage Facilities
at HiIo Mean Increased
Prosperity.
ONLY FOUR FIRMS OBJECT

Lined up on one side or the other.
on question of the building of new
railroad wharf in Hilo harbor, are all
the biggest firms and corporations of
Hawaii, and the matter turns out to
be one of the very greatest Importance,
the government wharf policy
for the whole Territory and having a
direct bearing on the future CONNER
cial growth of all the Islands.
At conference held in the office Of
Governor Frear yesterday afternoon to
consider The petition of the Hilo rail,
road and a large number of other bust
ness concerns for license to construct
a wharf in Hilo harbor, vigorous eff
fort was made by four firms to block
the granting of the license.
The arguments advanced at the con-
ference were spirited and sharp but
no conclusion was announced by the
Governor in regard to the granting Of
the license. However, it is fairly Ger
tain that it will be granted. though
there may or may not be some altera'
ton of the terms of the license as
submitted
Marston Campbell. superintendent OF
public works, was one of the most ar
dent advocates of the granting of the
license. his arguments being based Oh
the fact that shipping accommodations
at Hilo at present are entirely made
quate to the demands of business and
there is no appropriation under whicf
the Territory can now construct the
wharf that is so badly needed
The proposal of the petitioners IS
in brief, that they be allowed by the
government to build a wharf at Hno
within the area protected by the break
water. They ask to be allowed t.
charge storage in the amount of hV'
cents a ton for all freight passing
over the wharf and to charge storage
on freight remaining on the whar
longer than fortv-eight hours, ant
wharfage charges not to exceed twt
cents for each twentv-four hours TO
each registered ton of vessels using thu
wharf.
An important provision in the pro
posed license gives the Territory at any
time the right to take over the whar.
at a cost not to exceed the cost O.
construction. This insures the people
of Hilo and of the Territory agains
any monopoly and leaves the whar
virtually in the charge of the govern
ment.
Professionals Reasons.
The protestants advanced four rea
sons why the license should not b.
granted. These. as contained IN tn
formal protest read by c. R. Hemen
way, attorney for the protestants, wer
in brief as follows:
The license provides only for a rail
road approach to the wharf, no Prov
sion being made for a public approach
The protestants contended that. If tn
license were to be granted, the concern
constructing the wharf should be re
nuired to build public approach, 0
wait until the government built It.
The charge of five cents per ton Of
general freight passing over the Whar
shonld not be permitted. The prln
chile was wrong and ought not to b
recognized.
Storage charges for merchandise re
naming on the wharf for fortv-elgh
hours were not right. This shoui'
either not be allowed or should b
modified so as to protect the shipper
Even, according to the terms OF TN
license. after the government shoul,
take over the wharf only public rail
road companies would be allowed t
operate over the rails. The protestant
thought there should be provision
which would allow private rallroa'
companies to DO the same, though non
Of them seemed able TO explain Jus
what a private railroad company l
and why it should want 10 operate owe
the approach to the wharf.
Petitioners Ask License.
After the Governor had stated tn
purpose of the gathering, Marsto
campbell, superintendent of publ
works, briefly outlined the situation t
date. The subject Of the conference
he said, was the application Of tn
Hilo Railroad Company for license t
construct a wharf in Hilo Harhor. IN
license was p&pared some time las
Nav. and at the harbor line hearln
in Hilo last month II was made pubil'
that it had been applied for and Woul
nrobablv be granted Messrs. Petrl'
kennedy AMI Faxon Bishop had eH
PRESSED desire to see the terms 0
The license. and permission was promp
TX GRANTED. Then e. R. Hemenway, a
attorney for those above mentlone'
asked for time in which to file VIII
tan protest. petition was receive
from Bishop & CO.. the Amerlcan-Hf
waiian Steamship Company, AieXande