The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-05-19
ULTIMATUM IN
SHIPPERS TAX
-----
Merchants Association
Inclined to Suspend
Payments,
IN HOT DISCUSSION
One More Request Made
for Representations
The Letters.
IN HOT DISCUSSION
frrom rhnrsdnv,s Adveffiiser.,


(From Thursdays Advertiser.)
Only on second thoughts did the mem
bers of the merchants association cool
down sueciently yesterday, at its meet
ing in the Young building, to take one
more chance at keeping up the shippers
wharf tax, Of which they approve.
After the presentation of resolution
to suspend the payment of such tax
after a certain date, it was amended to
read, unless the shippers wharf tax
committee would admit three members
of the association without strings,
as it was expressed.
But this was again amended by John
T. Warren, striking out what was re-
ferred to as threat, and simply in
structing Secretary NJ. Braseh to write
to the committee requesting" it to
admit three members of the merchants
association to membership. 1t is I'M
derstood that this is without any pro
viso as to what action the association
shall take.
1t is believed, however, that unless
the reply is, favorable the association
will take quick action at its next meet.
ing. What this action will be was IN.
dicated by the resolutions introduced
yesterday and the sentiment expressed
by the various members.
The special committee appointed at
the last meeting to investigate the ship
pers' wharf tax and confer with the
committee having it in charge with the
idea of securing membership for mem
bers of the association, made its re-
port. This committee consisted of
4 Fred L. Waldron (chairman), Col. j. H..
Soper and G. W. Macfarlane. At the
same time the correspondence between
Chairman Waldron of the special com
mittee and Secretary Petrie of the ship,
pers' wharf tax committee was placed
before the meeting.
Submits Conditions.
The letter from Mr.. Petrie, in which
4 he stated that three members of the
association could become members of
the committee con condition. that the
merchants association passed unani-
nous resolution to continue the tax for
two years was commented upon Sc
verely.
Mr.. Swain stated that the representa-
ton asked for by the association was
no more than it was entitled to, as the
members pay large percentage of the
proceeds of the tax. and he could not
see why the association could not insist
upon representation.
at think we should insist upon the
right of representation, - he said.
Asked and Refused.
Waldron-e'We have asked and been
refused. The conditions would tie the
hands of the members of this associa-
ton who might be appointed to the
committed -
F. M. wakefeld-s'I think the de-
mands are perfectly reasonable. 1t is
simply consent for the proceedings as
at present to continue for two years.
Waldron-''I don't think any man
in this rooms can say how that money
is spent: they could only report that
sit is said that the promotion com
mittee gets part of the sum, or at is
said that something or other is done
with it."
Colonel soper-''The conditions are
not lust to the merchants association
Mr.. Richardson, agent for the STANDARD
Oil company, told me that he couldn 7
find out anything about the fund, al
though his company pays about 5000
month to the fund"
Waldron added that nobody coul(
find out. Other members wondered VIII,
mystery was made of the disposal o.
the fund. but no charges were made.
TIE Refuse Payments.
Secretary Brasch held that the asso
citation was entitled to representation
on the committee by the money now il
the fund, as well as on account of flu
ture collections. Then he introduced
the resolution that it was the sense o
the association that the payment of tn
shippers wharf tax be refused after
aaAa on1 Npo ldrnu caaondad II
One of the members thought that tn
association ought to move slowly, as b,
disseminating the tax it would meai
subscription lists.
There followed considerable discus
sion as to the purpose of the tax in th
first place, also the place held in it
raising by the chamber of commerce
Norman Watkins stated that it wa
started by both the chamber of con
merce and members of the association
He said the tax committee should cor
sist of seven-three from the ehambe
of commerce and three from the asst
citation, who should elect a seventh
and the whole committee should be II
organized.
Colonel Soper stated no one coul
ever get civil answer TO inquire
about the tax.
Emil Berndt stated that no informi
ton has been received for three year
and suggested shutting down on TIL
tax, and starting another double I
large aud devoting II TO promotio
work.
waldron said that the committee vi
disbursing money i had no right to d
Resolutlon Amended.
After some more discussion Brase
proposed an amendment and Wa
ren amended the amendment.
ToEae added that The committee aa a
independent body was handling publ
money and BY refusing 10 account Il
u Wa acting, 70 say The least, Ia
curious mannfTH
Tue Warren amendment wau eauls