The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-03-08
HILO HAS LIVELY
MEETING over THE
STREET CAR BILL

eighteen feet in width, the tracks will
be laid outside that distance. If the
street railway scheme is carried out,
there will be plenty of work for
laborers and skilled mechanics. The
Honolulu Rapid Transit has forced
the growth of the capital city, and 1
feel that a similar system here,
would be very good thing for Hilo."
Heen Objects.
Heen was on his feet in an instant
and he said: This meeting was called
to ascertain the feeling of the public
on the subject. 1t is up to the citizens
to say whether we want street rail-
way or not. The franchise will be
valuable property, and safeguards
are necessary. But this is not the
time to discuss the matter; we should
pass a resolution to the effect that we
do not want an electric car system in
Hilo. That does not bind us to swal-
low any franchise that may be handed
out to us. If all the bills are sent
to Hilo first for discussion, the citi-
zens will be able to consider the prop
osition properly"
mot Behind Bill" Metger.
D. E. Metzger asked to be allowed
to say few words: Some people
think that l am in on this matter Of
franchise for street railway.
say now, that l am not behind the
measure. have been considering
such a scheme for four or five years,
but could never figure out how it
would pay. A Rapid Transit service
! would be a good thing for Hilo, but 1
do not think it would be a paying
! proposition. l have been told that
there is capital behind this present
! proposition. 1t is up to you people to
say if you will endorse the affair. You
should not throw a wet blanket on the
project. You can say that, If the
| franchise is a good one, then you want
an electric car system. Do not defer
action and, by inference, say that you
are suspicious of the affair, and that
you want to see all the other mans
hand before you agree" Metzger's re.
marks were listened to with interest
and there was applause when he sat
| down.
Wears Resolution,
G.. H. Wears then suggestion thai
he had motion that would obviate
any trouble, nd convey the sense Of
the meeting on the subject
mot Behind Bill" Metzger.
James D. Lewis then made a speech
in which he stated that eight years
ago he introduced bill in the legisla
Uure and that he, as a representative
!; protected the public of Hilo "Tht
!, people who were after the franchise
then, wanted a lot of things that WI
could not agree to" said Lewis, "ant
, the consequence was that when th,
, bill had been passed by the house ant
: senate, the Governor vetoed the pro
} posed franchise. At present all w
! have to do is to say whether we wan
t a Rapid Transit company here or moi
j The resolution of Mr.. Wears says
: to protect the people, That is good
and now it is up to 10 say what W
want When the bill reaches Hilo w
r can consider the matter and any
a thing we do not like we can eliminate
l The street railway pays in Honolulu
4 but have my doubt about Hilo. Still
t people years ago laughed at the ide
J, of car system in Honolulu, and nov
a look what has happened in that city
3 The suburbs are built up, and tn
!, city is much larger and more beaut
q full than it was before the cars wer
n installed"