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-
nretation of the present street-railway charter.
No claim is made by either party to the con-
froversy that the other4hHs juggleds concealed
or distorted figures. The governor speaks OF
manipulation but prefaces it with an eff
and does not press home any assertion that
manipulation has been accomplished or at
tempted. His viewpoint illustrates one inter
nrefation of the franchise statute, the COM
pany's 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
.etest 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 abe to make his winning fight In
1913 partly because he had active public
sentiment with him. The company's letter
Is the governor, published elsewhere to-
6ov. frankly admits that the present franchise
I;II was not & compromise but very real VIC
tory for the governor and the Merchants As.
location committee. The defects and short
conings of the present charter were pointed
1nf So thoroughly. in 1913 that Honolulu is not
likelv to be satisfied with the franchise as it
now operates Therefore the following pro-.
DosaI of the company, as set forth IN its letter
rs the governor, is not likely to be satisfactory:
I'm view Of your attitude, the company viii take
further ps either 70 urge or 70 discourage the
passage Of me present b Should me o ,l, ' ssse
Immediately roceed increase its capital stock 70
ID amount iustined By the fnyestment IN the prop.
erty under th terms Of Its present uanchlse, a.
which time. he hope Is expressed, that II you be
ispe the ter iiory has any financial interest in the
property or II you believe the company i issuing
s. It's stockh oiders any stock In excess Of the
amount 70 VII ich they legally entitled. You VIII
.s me Medium tRs attorney senerss Office and the
courts. take he necessary measures to have the
s.ockholders value and TIE tetritcyys value 4 any
able proceeding
This of course means probable long litigation
and delay. 1t means no benefits to the public.
Extensions and impros ements viii be held up.
Better service win be postponed
Honolulu certainly does not want this sitna
ton. Yet it is the situation that faces the
people Of this city. The governor and the Rapid
Transit company are likely 70 be deadiocked,
since there is no indication that the governor
viii fpprove the proposed charter and no indi-
cation that the company viii yield to the gov
ernor.
Il ought to be possible to reach harmonious
and agreed Interpretation OF the statute with
out Mrangling and discord. And furthermore,
the people of Honolulu should insist that an
agreed Interpretation be reached. 6
The governor has declined to sanction the
proposed franchise. If he will indicate what
sort Of franchise he will sanction, at least
basis IS offered for reasonable discussion. AS
the matter now stands, there is nothing tol
discuss,
Honolulu is not satisfied with the situation
1t its present stage.
AS we understand it the Rapid Transit |
Franchise bill has blownsa fuse. Somebody has
als