The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-12-05
THE OTHER SIDE or 4.
THE MAIL QUESTION

81
Honolulu, T. H., December 2, 1911.
Editor Advertiser-Refe to the
sttlcle appearing in this mornings rs
sue, headed "siberia Captain Refused
to Wait Minute to take Christmas
Nail Away we would. ask. you to
pleasc publish, the following statement
in Justice to Captain A. Feeder, who is
nov on his way to San Francisco and
nngble to defend himself;
zcAs soon as the discharge and loading
of the inward and outward cargo of the
c. S. Siberia was finished, the wharf
superintendent .telephoned to the post
office, notifying them to the effect that
the steamer was ready for sea and
awaiting the mail, requesting them to
send down at once whatever Of the mail
was ready, as the steamer would leave
sharp on time.
At about 4:50 p. m, the assistant to
Mr.. Geo. w. Carr, assistant super
intendent of the railway mail service,
/ telephoned to our office, asking Mr..
Klebahn as to the possibilities for hold
ing the Siberia about fifteen minutes.
He was informed that in this instance
have sailed for San Francisco on De-
it would be a matter of impossibility as
the steamer was already at least twelve
hours late, owing to the storm she en-.
countered shortly after leaving Yoke.
hama, and that the connections to be
made at San Francisco made her sail
ing at p. m. imperative.
The first lot of mail was met by Mr..
Klebahn, who left the Office after the
five clock whistle had blown, just
rounding the corner of Merchant street
into Fort street, and, according to the
time taken by those in charge of the
mail and the wharf superintendent, the
first lot entered the gate of the Alakea
street wharf at 500 p. M. at which
time the Siberia was gradually moving
away from the side of the dock. The
second load came in through the gate
at 500 p. m, and the third load at
SIP p. M, and consequently it was not
a matter of having to wait GA Min
ute f" for the mail, but, considering the
loading, it would have meant quite one
half an hour.
For quite length OF time our office
has been approaching the postal, aui hor-
ities here in an endeavor to get them
to forward to the wharf mail for steam
ers bound to the Coast or the Orient,
whenever there is a likelihood of a rush
at the last moment in such quantities,
from time 70 time, as the pouches are
made ready, and not wait until the last
moment, when everything is complete,
before sending any of it TO the wharf.
In the case of the Siberia, had she
not encountered the storm referred To-,
she would have arrived at the port Of
Honolulu, at the very latest, on Novem-
Der 80, at about ] p. m, and would
cember ]. at about 9 or 10 a. m, In all
! probability, however, she would have
arrived at daylight on November 80,
and sailed during the afternoon Of the
same day.
The reason the commander had for
sailing for San Francisco promptly on
time Was that be had, besides 4 yalua-
! bic cargo, the party Of engineers 90
, bohTd, who bad made railroad FeseryA,
J lions aeF0ss the continent, and the fail
uFe 10 connect would mean for them 4
! delay IN San Francisco 0f three days.
/ The only blame 10 the matter, IN ous
!. opinion, Il 10 be attached 70 the Homo
I lnsu postal authorities on account 81
! their failure 20 gei the mali down en
tina. They Hiil 20 doubt admit that
u Is rare occurrence that steamers
: sailing for the Coast, whether n transit
or iaeni, gel Heay o. time, eyeH II fhl
I dflay on aeeounf " ne mails be BOT /
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