Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-08
a DIFFERENCE m INTERPRETATION.

The difference between the governor and the
Rapid Transit company over the franchise ex-
tension bill appears to be difference in inter
probation of the present street-railway charter
No claim is made by either party to the CON
troyersy that the other has juggled, concealed
or distorted figures The governor speaks OF
manipulation" but prefaces it with an If =
and does not press home any assertion that
manipulation has been accomplished or at
tempted. His viewpoint illustrates one inter-
probation of the franchise statute, the com
panys Illustrates another. The principal
items wherein they differ relate to the rights
Of the company as to capitalization and to the
value represented by the Hawaiian Tramways
purchase.
AS the Star Bulletin stated last week, the in
terest Of the public is in getting action and,
through action, results.
We do not believe the present franchise is
now satisfactory to the community. Governor
Frear was able to make his winning fight in
1913 partly because he had active public
sentiment with him. The company's letter
to the. governor, published elsewhere to-
day, frankly admits that the present franchise
bill was not a compromise but very real VIC
tory for the governor and the Merchants As
ISOLATION committee The defects and short
c6mings Of the present charter were pointed
out SO thoroughly in 1913 that Honolulu is not
likely to be satisfied with the franchise as it
now operates Therefore the following pro-
posal Of the company, as set forth in its letter
to the governor, is not likely to Be satisfactory:
IN view OF your attitude the company will take
further ste ps either urge to discourage the
passage Of the present bill Should the bin lapse
IN March next however, the company will then
Immediately roeeed to Increase its capital stock 10
en- amount justihed by the investment In the prop
er under n terms Of its present franchise Is g.
which time, he hope Is expressed, that II you be-
eFe the teri tory has financial interest In the
property or II you believe the company Is issuing
10 fs stockholders any stock In excess of the
amount to which they legally entitled, you will
At once in the interest Of the public and through
courts take / he necessary measures to have the
stockholders value and the terrtorys value. II any
IN the proper ty legally established by some amc-
able proceeding
This of course means probable long litigation
and delay 1t means no benefits to the public.
Extensions and improvements will be held up.
Better service viii be postponed.
Honolulu certainly does not want this situa-
ton Yet it is the situation that faces the
people of this city The governor and the Rapid
Transit company are likely to be deadlocked,
since there is no Indication that the governor
viii approve the proposed charter and no indi-
cation that the company viii yield to the gov
ernor.
thought to be possible to reach harmonious
and agreed Interpretation Of The statute with !
out wrangling and discord. And furthermore
tbe people Of Honolulu should insist that an
agreed Interpretation be reached,
The governor has declined to sanction the |
,,,.onosed franchise. IF he will indicate what
soyf Of q franchise he will sanction, at least a
1ss;s Is offered for reasonable discussion. As /
,be matter now stands, there is nothing to-
Honolulu is not satisfied with the situation
ii its present stage