The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-06-02
QUICKER ACTION
ON IRWIN SITE
LETTERS PROM WASHINGTON IN.
INNATE THAT IT COULD
BE OBTAINED.
zion ThuFadayla Advertl.nr.l


Further proof that action might be
obtainable sooner IL the Irwin site were
chosen for the federal building, rather
than-the Mahuka location, came from
Washington yesterday in the shape Of
letter to Governor Frear from George
Mex. Mcclellan.
The latter wrote the Governor to the
effect that it would probably be about
next May OF June before an act could
be got through congress, if one could be
got through at all, for the Irwin site,
but still, said Governor Frear, that
might be shorter time than the period
in which condemnation proceedings on
the present site could be completed and
before other arrangements could be
made for the purchase without con-
demnation proceedings.
In connection with the site question.
the suggestion has been heard that a
territorial supreme court Judge should
have power to sit on such matters in
the absence of one federal Judge and
the disqualification of the other to hear
q particular case.
Mahulza Site Means Delay.
That it is impossible for any such
action to hasten the Mahuka site hear
ing is evident from another eommunica-
tion which Governor Frear made public
yesterday
This letter is from United States At
torney- General Wiekersham, and the
Governor spoke of it thus:
Mr.. Wickersham wrote in regard to
the proposed bill to permit territorial
supreme court judge to sit in place of
a United States district court Judge in
case of disqualification, absence, illness,
etc. That is, when there is no federal
judge here who could sit on the case
or determine it.
''The suggestion is that in such
case the Governor designate some mem
Der of the supreme court to sit in the
federal court. Mr.. Wiekersham said
this has been suggested, and he wanted
to know my views ON it. A similar bill
has been introduced in congress relat-
ing to Porto Rieo.''
"What is your opinion on the sub
jectl' the Governor was asked.
g think il would be a good move"
said he. "The proposition is not alto
Igether new one. It was discussed here
off and ON, although not publicly / be-
lieve, in the past.
Z" Would it have any effect on the
Mahuka site question7''
g 1t might hasten proceedings in con-
nection with this if the bill were passed
now" replied the Governor, but he did
not appear to think that such a measure
would be FASTENED through.
Not Inclined to Hurry.
Asked if it was not unlikely that con-
gress would feel inclined to hurry such
measure merely because of the site
disagreement here, the Governor init.
mated that he did not believe the legis.
latOrs at Washington would think the
occasion called for taking up such
measure out of its usual order.
This would mean that no such act
could be passed this year. The Gov
ernor remarked that .sperhaps Judge
Dole will be back here in time to try
the case himself before such a bill could
be passed.
Attorney General Wickersham makes
no inference that the departments at
Washington are "anxious to provide
Hawaii with safeguard against delay
in the federal court That suggestion
is merely an establishment . by a
local newspaper.