The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-05-17

which does not now exist Those rail
roads on the islands have a natural
monopoly. They ought to be regulated
and are properly regulated. The waters
there are free to everybody who has
500 or less, who can build little
sloop and participate in the water
traffic. 1t takes million dollars or
more, nobody knows how much, to en-
gage in rail traffic. That should be
regulated, and is regulated.
Mr. Dawson.-Mr. Chairman, think
the House understands the condition OF
affairs that prevails in the Territory
of Hawaii. The bill, as 1 undersand it,
would affect the two small railroads
that operate on two Of the islands in
that Territory. AS everybody under
stands, the railroads in the Territory
of Hawaii are Of comparative unimpor.
lance in handling the business Of that
Territory. The Territory comprises Ave
large islands, scattered about there in
the sea, and the principal means of
transportation is by boat from one is
land to another IT seems to me that
the benefits of this bin ought to be car
ried to the people of that Territory
out there in the middle of the Paci-
fc, and if they are TO derive the
benefits of this bill. then certainly
the interstate commerce commission
fought to have the right to regulate
the interisland water rates, as prac-
tically the only means of transporta.
ton they have there is by boats be.
tween the islands.
Mr.. Kahn.-It frequently happens
that vessels go from the mainland to
II To-, A,tp
one island to another, and they have
no regular runs at all. Does not the
i gentleman believe that il this amend
ment were adopted, it would prohibits
those vessels that make those occa-
sional trips from carrying passengers
between the island ports.
Mr. Dawson--I do not think so. ]
think if you give the interstate com
merce commission power over those
rates, that power would certainly be
exercised with wisdom and discretion.
1t will be exercised in n way that will
be beneficial to the people.
Mr. Butler.--I presume the gentle
man from Iowa heard the speech made
by the gentleman from Minnesota TMr.
Stevensl, giving his opinion as to the
effect of this provision in this amend
ment.
Mr.. Dawson.-Yes.
Mr.. Butler.-Does the gentleman
agree with the gentleman from Mime
sofa TMr. Stevens] that this win create
monopoly
Mr.. Dawson.-With regard to the
presence of monopoly there7
Mr. Butler.-Yes.
Mr.. Dawson.-I think no one doubts
especially anyone who has been in the
Islands, the existence of monopoly
there that is enjoying the interisland
traffic.
Mr.. Hinshaw.-But the gentleman
from Pennsylvania asks If this amend
ment would produce a monopoly.
, Mr.. Dawson.-I can not see how in
vesting the lterstate commerce com
2 mission with oi,ower to supervise rates
in the Islands will perfect that monop
, oily.
Mr.. Butler.-will this amendment
! prevent competition7
4 Mr.. Dawson.-I am unable to SEE
how it would perpetuate monopoly
And so long as there is no competition
Z IN transportation there, then certninl,
the public should be protected b.
making provision for the regulation o.
rates.
. Mr.. Mann.-The gentleman under
stands that when anything is covered
. under this bill, it goes a great dea
further than the interstate commerce.
commission regulating the rates. M
one could carry passengers without fill
ing a schedule thirty days in advance
Mr.. DawsOn.-I understand that.
Mr.. Young Of Michigan.-Would tina
apply to rowboatsq
Mr.. Mann.-Certainly
] Mr.. Dawson.-Some of the island
! are $50 miles apart, and they coul,
hardly use rowboats there.
Mr.. Stevens of Minnesota.-The.
,, have sailboats.
Mr.. Mann.-It would apply to any
. thing carrying people for hire.
Mr.. Dawson.-Yes; I assume
: would. Like the gentleman from Hi
, nois [Mr. MANN and the gentleman
from Minnesota [Mr. Stevens1, I de
sire to be practical about this thing
a Do I understand, under the terms o
this act, they would have to transmi
r these schedules to Washington by mai
T or could they not be sent by cable, i
/ desired7
Mr.. Mann-No; they have to b
d transmitted by mail here and file
J. | printed schedule with the 1nterstat
:. commerce commission thirty days be
d fore they would carry anybody.
Mr.. Dawson.-Tf the provisions o
e this law were extended to Hawai-
= would there be no means within tn
/ control of the interstate commerce
commission, in the administration o
d the law, that would prevent
a The Chairman.-The gentleman
time has expired.
d Mr.. Miller Of Kansas.-Now, M
II Chairman, want to say just word i
e favor of the amendment. The steam
IS ship company that is doing cuisines
l. over in the Hawaiian Islands, or froI
II one island to another, owns practical
everything over there. There is nc
IS any question about the existence O
/. a monopoly now. The gentleman aske
the question whether the territorif
legislature might not do this. Th
* territorial Legislature in the Hawaiia
+ Islands is under the influence of tn
a steamship company and other simila
| Mt % aa la n