The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-03-06
DEMAND ACTION
/. ON MAHUkA SITE
Delegate Kuhio Writes Letter
Outlining Present Status Of
Federal Bnilding.
lFrom wednesday Aavertiser. }

1 (fr0m wednesday AdVertleer.)
In letter to the Merchants Asso-
citation which was read yesterday at the
regular luncheon Of the Ad Club at
the Young Hotel, Delegate Kuhio
states that after series Of confer.
ences with government officials in
Washington he would urge that every
step be taken to induce the Mahuka
site owners to waive the interest on
the condemnation awards made in the
settlement Of the federal building
suits, The letter, which was received
by W. r. Harrington, president Of the
Merchants Association ana also Of thu
AID Club, contained the nfst definite
information Ms to the exact status of
the Mahuka site, and Is as follows;
Washington, ID. O., Feb. 10, 1914.
The Merchants Association,
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Gentlemen:
In answer to your letter received
yesterday inquiring as TO the status
Of the Honolulu federal building, /
sent the following telegram this morn.
ing TO your organization: E
department justice warts own
ers waive interest, 80 that cost Of
site win ecme within appropria-
tion. Interest 45430, cost suit
2000 excess above appropriation
1928. Work on owners to waive
interest otherwise forced to an.
other condemnation suit. Congress
helpless unless department makes
report on waivers. Urge McCarn
see owners Report immediately.
Department seeking estimate for
building by prices prevailing 70.
day. cummins parcel expired 23d
March,
In explaining the situation more
fully, would state that II is the desire
Of the committee on public buildings
to take up matters of emergency, and
for that reason they want a report
from the treasury department. before
considering any measure before their
committee. As the treasury depart
ment Is awaiting action by the depart.
ment of justice with regard to having
the owners waive interest, and as this
matter is still pending, the treasury
department cannot make its report.
So that you can readily see that the
interest matter is holding up consid.
Grafton Of the federal building.
Inquiry at the department Of jus.
tice elected the information that the
matter was in the hands Of their agent.
the district attorney. As yet, no word
has been received regarding what nc.
ton the owners will take.
The appropriation for the site
amounts 10 100000. The cost Of the
first site, $l04,53l.29 plus the condem-
nation awards amounting to $685..
33G.7, plus the interest, $45,430, plus
the cost Of the suit, $4,000 (approxi-
mately), makes a total of $6l7,29s;
the excess, therefore, being $lI,2Ds
above the appropriation. The inter.
est is figured up to March %, 1914,
that being the date when the Cum.
Minis parcel expires. In case the site
is not purchased before the expira-
ticn Of the Cummins parcel, new pro.
eeedings will have to be Instituted,
but this will necessitate another de-
lay. something which we do not want
10 happen. You can, therefore, read
lily perceive that IL the owners can be
persuaded to lay aside their claims
to the interest on their awards, the
sum needed to acquire possession Of
the entire site will come within the
appropriation. f
Another matter which the treasury
department is taking up is the esti-
mntion Of what amount will be needed
for the building, judging from the
prices now prevailing. The former
estimate, namely, $S50,00O, was made
on the prices of 1907. II is their de.
sire that the building which has been
agreed upon with regard to the ma
terials which will 20 into the CON
struetion Of said building should not
cost less than $s50,000, but il mater
ials have gone up in price, then 1t will
be necessary TO ask for more money,
because they desire, to keep the ma.
terials selected formerly, in 1907, for
the building. As the case now stands,
the amount available for the building,
at the present time, Is only $725,000,
as 100000 has been appropriated for
the site, the total limit of cost being
al $4,000. ] have bill before Con.
gress asking for $4,000 more in Or
der to bring up the building fund to-
$850,000. 'r.s
Therefore, would urge that every
effort he made TO have the owners
| waive interest because the quick set,
Element of this case depends very
much upon their decision.
Hoping that satisfactory conelus.
ion will soon be reached, | beg to re-
main,
" Very truly yours,
f... ~. j. X KAIANIANAOIE