The Hawaiian gazette., 1912-10-04
Fisher Points Out One of the
Places in Which Some Bet
terment Could Be.
MORE CHARGES WIPED OUT
Governor Concludes His Reply
to Charges-Union Street
Closing Up.
(FrOm "Wednesday Advertiser)

NrIonl w euunesuhy AuNeTl4seI)
Beyond the fact that several more of
the charges against the Governor, as
written in the Delegates complaint,
were wiped out with Mr.. Ashford 8
apparent acquiescence, the main inter
est in the Investigation session before
the Secretary of the Interior yesterday
conferred in the announcement of the
Secretary that he believed the proper
amount of publicity had not been Civ.
en- by the administration to its actions
and intentions and in the testimony
given before the Secretary by William
Woters, who claimed that vile con-
spiracy had been Matched against him
by the administration in favor of the
Brewer Estate. This was in connec.
ton with the Bishop street extension
and the closing of Union street, the
matter being one that occasioned more
smiles than anything else when form
ally presented
The Governor practically finished his
"defense,' the explanations made of
the various items of the complaint
showing that his course had been one
of progress in the direction of home
stealing and that he had had to COM
bat, to certain extent, the corpora
ton interests rather than having
favored or having been favored by the
interests.
Towards the close of the session,
Marston Campbell took occasion to in
troduce himself. This was following
one of Mr.. VOTERS statements that the
official had promised not to take up
the Union street matter during his
(Wolters) absence in Europe. Mr..
Campbell fatty contradicted this state
ment.
Frear Clears Up Field.
Governor Frear resumed the stand
at yesterday hearing and practically
concluded mis- answer to the specific
complaints of Delegate Kuhio, partic-
ularly as to homesteading policies
His statements were necessarily dis
jointed as he took up one matter after
another. Some he was asked to ex-
plain in detail, while Others, on the
suggestion of either Secretary Fisher
or Attorney Ashford, were passed by
as needing no additional explanation.
The Governor stated, as a preface
and to clear up a discussion of the
previous day, that the killing of four
japanese children on the Wahiawa
railroad trestle occurred July 8, 1910,
or months before the railroad act pre-
railroad for damages arising out of ae-
cidents was introduced into the legis-
lature. Attorney Ashford stated that
he had only presented hearsay evil
dence as to this accident, and prob
ably the reference to the act was in
regard to need for such an act, fol-
lowing the accident.
As to the preferential rights of Sen
ator Brown on Hawaii to his Waiakea
lot, referred to previously, the Gov
ernor said it was a question not in.
volved with any other features of the
Waiakea matter than a preferential
right.
"The riparian, question was not in.
volved in that at alli" suggested the
Secretary.
'1Not at all replied the Governor.
The Governor also stated in answer to
question by Mr.. Asford that the sta.
tute does not make it obligatory upon
the executive to grant to any one a
preferential right. This was blanket
provision in the Organic Act. Sew
eral applications were made for land
on which 1t was proposed to build the
College of Hawaii, for instance. 1t
would be absurd to grant patents to
these applicants and afterwards bring
condemnation proceedings to recover
the lands for college use.
Hot One for Breekons.
The Governor then brought up the
question of the thousand-aere clause
in the Organic Act. cit was asked
yesterday whether the Territory had
brought any action to test this
clause he said, "This is a federal
statute and the penalty is worded thus:
'All real estate acquired or held by
such corporations controlled, shall be
forfeited and eseheated to the United
States -
$50 it is the business of the United
States district Attorney" asked the
Secretary.
"Yes,'' replied the Governor. 81
don t know whether it has been
brought to his attention. I presume
he is familiar with the situation here. {"
any attention has been attracted to
the fact that a territorial statute has
I. been passed authorizing corporations to
engage in eopartnership enterprises in
relation to matters of this character
Do you know who advocated that
measure2" inquired Secretary Fisher
81 heard at the time that the United
States district attorney drafted il"
replied the Governor. "At least
Hcaiu nc WAS tlnPioleu W uo lhht Dy
some business interests. No. l don 7
know the individual who may have
asked to have il passed. i suppose
the persons interested were connected
or interested with the large planta-
tions. OF course, this is only hear
say"
~ want to get line on that hear
say said the Secretary. "Was il a
committee Of the planters or business
menf"
~ don know whether II was an
organization or inst individuals, 4"
answered Governor Frear. ~ don Z
know who introduced the bill. I could