Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-24

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upon wrote two lengthy letters to the
Inter-Iisland, setting forth the posi-
ton of the men fully and frankly. The
Inter. Island directors, in reply, wrote
to the association under date of Dec.
q, upholding President Kennedy's
course.
It was stated last night that in the
three weeks since then matters have
been coming closer and closer to an
open break between the Inter-Island
and its men. Capt Thompson stin
commands the Niihau, says the associi
alton, but the move Of Mr.. kennedy ip
bringing men from the coast IS taken
as a forecast of summary action when
he gets men on the ground who can
take the places Of present mates and
later become themselves masters.
The CORES pond ence made public il
as follows: - - : 2.
lt + f / e kfsarta, NJ . ...i !,
~, q. kennedy, President, Inter
islsnd Steam Navigation Co.. Ltd,
Honolulu, 7. ~. $50 $50, :. = -.
Dear Sir: We beg to notify .you
that the summary Dismissal Of Cap
tain w. III Thompson of the steamer
Nlfkau has been brought to the Atten-
ton cf this harbof, Ana We desire Is
state thai II YOU '~isfl to dispatch that
Vessel t6day, Captain Thompson must
take her out, as no other member viii
accept the position until Just cause
for Captain r hompsoh.s discharge has
been received, which we viii be
pleased to consider ct p future meet
itg. Very truly YOURS, s We Z s IS e :
] (Slgned) FRANK G. POOR, 3
Secretary, Honolulu Harbor No. "a.
Kennedy Stands FIRM.
20 Honolulu, T. H.. Nov. IL, 1912.
Honolulu Harbpr No. 81, Honolulu,
Hawaii.
Gentlemen We have your letter Of
Nov 3, 1912, relative to Captain w.
#. Thompson and stating among other
things that no member of the harbor
win take command of the s. s. Niihau
until just cause for Captain Thomp-
sons discharge has been received. -
Captain Thompson was placed III
charge OF the s. s. NiihAu as master
on March Of the present year. Since
that date we have received number
Of complaints from various OF our pat
r6ns which upon Investigation show
That Captain Thompson has not exer-
cised that sound judgment which is
necessary 10 the proper conduct OF
our business. This lack Of judgment
has already entailed financial loss
both TO ourselves and our patfops. We
are responsible To our patrons Tor the
manner I'd which we perform the ser
vices requested of as, and we cannot
avoid that responsibility. even If we
desired to do 80. We therefore must
exercise our own Judgment iii regard
tb the Selection 81 retention in our
employ Of our repre- tatiYes. Truly
yours, (Signed '''', = Is
e: .... & s.' i, KEllNsEDY,
President, lnterisland Steam Nayiga-
tion Company, Ltd.
Capt. Thompson Defended.
Honolulu, I, IL, Dec. 2, 1872.
MessTs. lnterisland Steam Navigation
Go, Ltd, p. q. Box 4O8, Honolulu,
T. II.
Dear Sirs:: Your reply to our in
quiry as to the cause OF Captain W..
+. ThOnlpson,s dismissal from the
steamer Niihau has been duly re-
ceived and its contents carefully
noted. s Il sss s
VS.
Your assertions regarding his Jack
of sound Judgment in discharge of the
company's business, resulting in finan-
cial loss to the company and its pat
rons, We consider as being very broad
in their nature, insomuch as you do
not mention any SPECIFIC instance or
combination of events with which NE
may confront him for direct answer
and explanations.
We have never disputed your rights
in the selection or retention of your
employees, and would not have entered
this protest If Captain Thompson had
been given substantial reason for
his dismissal.
Captain Thompson states to us un-
der oath, that, when / asked Mr..
Kennedy for the reason of my dis
charge he informed me that there
were several, or at least there were
several complaints about me from
plantation managers; he also said
that was too old and couldn't do the
work that used to-" =
Injustice Is Alleged. =.
We feel that great injustice is be-
ing done to Captain Thompson through
your listening to Complaints from
landsmen, who in our opinion are not
competent to judge OF a licensed ofl-
GERS ability, any more than a 1aEman
is capable Of judging a doctors ability,
or any other professional man, and in
many Instances these .complaiuants
are wilfully preirdiced against the
master because he will not navigate
his vessel to suit their views.
Captain Thompson is ignorant. OF
his accusers, as Mr.. Kennedy has re-
fused to divulge their names, we would
therefore most respectfully request
that, if you have any knowledge where
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