Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-09-04
NO TROUBLE
ABOUT WHARF,
SAYS FUNSTON
Continued from page one)

Some months ago the army entered
| into negotiations for the trade of the
army property at the Allen street
wharf, for the territorial immigration
station, which the military authori-
| ter depot This deal fell through, but
il is quite possible, according to army
higher-ups, that trade of the Queen
street property for the immigration
station, might be readily arranged, so
far as the War Department is con-
cerned.
THE army owns many scattered
parcels of land outside regular mill
tary reservations" said General Fun
ston this morning. These are direct
ly under the control of the quarter
master general, and the department
commander has little to do with their
administration"
Major B. Frank Cheatham, In his
capacity as depot quartermaster, is
in closest touch with the War Depart
ment in regard to these outside land
holdings of the army. At the present
time Major Cheatham is on Hawaii,
buying remounts for the cavalry.
Facts From Commissioner.
In the following signed statement to
the Star-Bulletin, Commissioner Nc
Stccker, who is thoroughly familiar
with the facts, sets them forth:
Editor honolulu Star-Bulletin,
Sir:-In view of the exaggerated
statements being made as to the sta
tus OF the Queen street bulkhead
wharf, it would seem not impertinent
to review the facts,
1. The Harbor Board has expended
considerable sums in the improvement
of wharf {built before the organiza-
ton Of the Board, and IN poor condi-
ticnl the title to a portion Of the loca-
ton being vested in the Federal au-
thorities Gas was the case when first
built and beng unused, was leased
to the Territory under the only form
OF lease obtainable.
2. That the Beard had such suffic-
lent confidence in the Federal author
tiles as to- believe that such lease
would continue indefinitely, pending
negotiations, which had been entered
into between the Territorial and Fed
eral authorities, (thats they were
justified in this confidence is evil
denced by the fact that upon the pro-
per presentation of the facts the Ter
ritory has just secured license
Tor a pipe line across the
lots on the foot Of Fort street
formerly held under lease from the
Mar Department by Mr.. E. R. Stack
able) to secure to the Territory GER
tain property taken from the Terri
tory without compensation. and some
Of which oeing unused by the Federal
authorities, j. e., (a) The lots at the
foot of Fort street Obi The property
lin question icy The naval wharyes,
(which cost the Territory approx
mateiy $90,000J when the Navy De
partment should establish headquar-
tiers at Pearl Harbor, and assuming
that it would not require those par
ticular wharves
3. The ownership OF a portion
Of the wharf premises would be
Eof little value unless they condemn
the property In its entirety (which
they could do as has been heretofore
done If they so wished) irrespective Of
the fact of partial ownership
/ Finally If as intimated in the quo
tation from eminent military author
ity" the Federal government is in ur-
gent need of this property Tor any
other property belonging to the Ter
ritory) not only are they in a posi-
ton to take it irrespective of our
likes or dislikes, but would do so ir-
respective of such flimsy excuse as
having title to a portion.
II perchance the Federal govern
ment is in urgent need, it is my belief
that the patriotism of the community
is sufficient as to enable it to be phil
ohophically separated from the coin
expended, in itself of e4mportance
as compared with the restricted water
front area at the command of the
commercial interests of the port. 1t
is my belief that the present criti-
iclsm and attack on pending negotia-
items are uncalled for and iIladvised.
F. B. McSTOCKER.