Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-13

ing better. .'
Besides Mr.. Rath, the others who
were called upon this morning were
3. F. Dillingham;, who told extensive
ly Of his railroad operations here: A.
w. T. Bottomiey, Of Bishop & Co.,
who was asked about the homestead
ing operations around OIaa, and II.
Gooding Field, the expert accountant,
who was called on briefly TO COM
ment on where he considers local
conditions to need remedy. Mr.. Field
said that there Is too much politics
In local government affairs, but gave
as his opinion that the larger inter
ests here sincerely desire a change
in the direction OF more efficient GOV
eminent but are handicapped because
they are outyoted at the polls by
forces which stand for incompetency
in Office Mr.. Fisher asked Field If
the interests wou.d not exert more
influence provided theyhshould adopt
a policy of doing more ~ the smaller
fry, but Mr.. Field did not answer this
one way or the other, saying he has
been a resident here but short time
and would not undertake to talk on
this point. ...
The secretary went into railroad op-
erations and financial history here to
a considerable extent, finally asking
for financial statements from the conf
panies, which Mr.. Dillingham; said he.
would be very glad to furnish. Dill
bingham declared that the railroads
have no objection whatever to a pub
lie utilities commission to exercise SUE
pervision over their operations pro-
vided such a commission were made
up OF able, impartial and conscien-i
men We welcome any properly ap-
pointed commission he said.
The secretary turned his Inquiries
somewhat upon the question of water
ed stock and Mr.. Dillingham; explain
ed the financing of the roads in do
tail. Mr.. Dillingham; expressed some
doubt as to the feasibility of home
stealing the government lands under
present conditions. Mr.. Ashford que5-
toned Mr.. Dillingham; upon the Oahu
railroads operations, evidently trying
to establish the point that the rail-
roads present capital stock and great
prosperity were built up on cheaply-
acquired foundation, and Mr.. Dilling-
ham answered somewhat sharply that
the road had developed this island
from q point where taxes were around
100000 to point Wher ethey are
close to two millions.
II would have given me great
pleasure to adjourn the hearing to-
day and tomorrow, In Difference to
the funeral of the Emperor of ia
pan,s said the Secretary by way Of
opening the meeting this morning,
"but my time Is so short that feel
] can not spare any Of 1t, so we must
proceed as usual.
The first witness was B. F.. Dilling-
ham, who stated he is interested. in
the Oahu and Hilo railways, has large
holdings Of stocks in sugar and rice
lands, and Is responsible for the for
nation Of several large agricultural
corporations on Oahu and other is
lands.
The Secretary asked him for his
opinion as to the suggestion OF form
ing public utilities commission here.
Dillingham; replied that in many ways
1t would be good thing. AS far
as the two railways are concerned,
they, being in the Territory, come
under the provisions Of the inter-
state commerce act, and we have con-
formed to those laws since 1907"
He said no shipping interest had
raised any question that required the
attention Of the interstate commerce
commission.
Now, naturally, your interests are
on the side Of the investor. Don't
you think 1t would be benefit IL
commission of the right sort were APP
pointed to handle the local ques-
tons p
"Of course, IL might, but can see
no need of 1t while we are directly |
under the higher body, the interstate
commission" -
The Secretary called his attention
to the numerous State railway COM
missions on the mainland. which had |
been generally commended and in
dorsed by the railroads themselves.
AS far as am concerned, or as |
the local railroads are concerned,
believe the appointment of local
commission would be welcomed, IL it |
is deemed necessary. So far / be
hCNO VIC nave 6ANCI OotAoAoOtAOh oA10 4
can see no Immediate necessity for |
such a body"
Fisher then took up the question OF
combination between the railways and |
the steamship lines. Mr.. Dillingham;
denied that any attempt had been
made at a combination that bordered |
on monopoly. He entered into a dis |
cussion concerning the manner in |
which the various steamship lines |
had started and the railways had
been built, giving brief history of
the enterprises.
AS to the financial results, he said |
the Oahu line was started with a |
capitalization of 100000 and intend
ed to extend only about 20 miles, or
to Eva. There was no apparent bus
mess in sight beyond that point. The |
franchise provided for a subsidy of
$T00 mile, granted after the first
~ a. As.xax IA ~.a&,