Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1911-01-28
Chinese CONSUL
in RIGHT AS
TO TAX
Commissioners Says Had Au-
thority to Collect If Used
Rightly.

Ling Lean Fang, special Chinese
commissioner sent here to investigate
the ch rges against Consul Liang KWo
Yang, this morning made to IA reporter
for the ulletin his first public
statement of the results of the inquiry.
His statement constitutes denial of
the consul has been asked to resign
by the authorities in Washington
Tho commissioners findings include
the fact that the consul had a right to
collect the $1.25 tax about which there
has been 50 much controversy, if that
tax is later used for the education of
Chinese in Hawaii on the latter point
the Investigation is still in progress.
The statement was made through the
English secretary o. the Chinese con-
sulate in the apartments Of the com
missioner at the Young Hotel.
Il did not advise the Chinese Min
lister in Washington to have the local
consul removed or recalled as stated in
this mornings paper" he said Il have
only been here a few days and am not
fully in ormed of the circumstances
which led to the controversy between
the consul and the local Chinese
Il have Investigated the official con-
duct of the Chinese consul here, but
am not yet through with it, l would
like to investigate the matter thor |
oughly in order to ascertain the whole !,
ruth of the case. After that l will
submit my report to the Chinese Min
lister in Washington for action. | have
also investigated and listened to the
complaints of the local Chinese, but
owing to the approach of the Chinese !
New Year, | have not completed my
investigation. | will, however, con-
linue until | have covered the entire
matter"
Has the local con ul been authorized
~ the Minister in Washington TO col
iect from the Chinese here $l25 each
for educational purposes" he was
asked
"Well,' he said, "if he had collected
lhe money for educational purposes and
with their consent, then he has per-
iect right to do so. 1t is customary
among the Chinese officials to collect
money for that purpose, provided he
expended it for that specific purpose,
It is not necessary Tor him to send
tho money to the Minister in Wash
ngton but if he held back the money
sarily use it for that purpose only
"The consul tells me- the commits
sioner continued, that that money is
being used for school building in
which the local Chinese youths will re-
ceive education.
Altogether about 500 Chinese resi-
dents have been registered Fifty
three of them are over sixty years of
age, and they are exempt from the
tax. The total amount of money now
IN the hands of the consul, after de-
lOctlHN lllc expenses, uccoTulllS 10 HllIl
IL S4GG.G0, | have no authority to re-
move the consul. That is the prerog-
ltive Of the Chinese Minister in Wash
ington. The money. / understand, is
being expended for the Mung Lung, on
Beretania street"
The commissioner said in conclusion
that lie would be present at the recep-
ton to be given at the Chinese con-
sulate next Monday, the Chinese New
Years Day. He will remain here for
ONE time, to continue his investiga
tons
The commissioner is up to date. He
had his queue cut. and is considered
one of the ablest secretaries in the
Chinese legation in Washington. Dur
ing his stay here he will be the guest
of honor at numerous banquets planned
by the local Chinese