Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-07-11


Mr.. Austin.-Tell US how this great
mistake and blunder was made. We
have had this matter up two or three
times, and we have given you addition
al money, and this site has been placed
before this committee as an ideal
place for building, and yet you
come back and say that it is not the
proper place for such a building
Mr.. Shingle.-I still think it is an
ideal place, but former Gov. Frear.
who is present, does not think so; but
we have come to this conclusion after
seven years of wrangling and not ac-
complishing anything that We are
willing to accept any site.
Mr.. AUSTIN favor sending the
chairman of this committee out there
TO look over the situation.
Mr.. Shingle.-I would second that
motion.
The Chairman-Mr. Shingle, have
you anything further you want to say?
Mr. Nothing. Mr.. Chair
man. except | will say this, that
hope you will give Gov. Frear an op-
portunity to Say word or two on the
matter. 49,.
The Chairman-Befcre hearing Mr.
Frear want to read letter from the
secretary Of the treasury to the CON-
mittee. 49,. f.
THE letter is as follows:)
Treasury Department, Office of the
Secretary. Washington, April Is,
1914 . 49,.
The Chairman Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, House OF
Representatives. ... -.
"Sir:-This department has the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter Of the 14th instant. re-
bill to amend existing legislation rela-
tive to the new federal building at
Honolulu, Hawaii Territory
'In reply have the honor TO state
that if this bill becomes, law an end
will be made Of the present involved
state of the legislation respecting this
site and building. .:... 49,. ~
"The representative Of the former
owners of the site heretofore acquired
has visited Washington, and assured
the department that his principals are
willing to accept return of their for
mer property and repay therefor the
price the government paid them. AS
suming that they are also willing to
undertake the repayment of the
s35. coo contribution referred to in this
bill, then. under the contemplated law,
the secretary of the treasury will be
able to choose between the enlarge
ment of the present site, which prom
ises to be very expensive, and the ac-
QUESTION of an entirely new site in a
sufficiently convenient location where
ample area can be obtained for much
less than such enlargement would
cost, The department is informed
that 1t is nossible to obtain such a
new and satisfactory location and has
dispatched an agent to Honolulu to
investigate and report fully what it is
practicable to do and what would be
the best course. The proposed new
law would enable the department to
act promptly without further legisla-
ticn If 10 should be found, when said
agent reports. that change of site
would be the most advantageous
course. ......- III.
1T is suggested, in this connection,
that the new law would be more Drac-
ticable If changed to read as follows,
beginning with line 25, page 2. there
of:
"'f = The acquisition of such
new site or such enlargement Of the
present site and for the erection and
completion of the building heretofore
authorized: provided. that the cost of
the present site. including the enlarg-
ment thereof. or of such new site and
of said building shall not exceed the
total of the limits of cost heretofore
fixed, tn wit, S1.325. 900; provided, fur
there, that all appropriations hereto
fore made toward the acquisition of
the present site and the enlargement
thereof. and the construction of said
building, together with the proceeds of
such sale Of the present site. are here
bv made available toward the acqui-
sition of such new site or the en-
largement of said present site, and
the construction of said building uDon
either the new or the present site
Also, the act of Nav 80. 1908 (25
Stats. 1907. appropristing $4,000 on
account Of the said building. should be
the legislation to be amended.
added to the recitation in the bill of
"Resnectfullv.
"W. G. M'ADOO. Secretary"
The Chairman-Now, Gov. Frear, we
will hear you. ...-.
Statement of Hon. Walter =. Frear,
Governor Of Hawaii. .. ..
Mr.. Frear-I am not here sDeciallv
fer this purpose, Mr.. Chairman and
gentlemen. but l have been called in
and will be very glad to say what lit
tie / am prepared to say on this mat
ter. .. . r.
1t is a very imnortont Meter for
the territory and the city of Honolulu
do not know that il was distinctly
understood from what Mr.. Shinele said
that this $4,000 for the street IS not
to be maid nv the government. hut IT
IS to he pad nv the property owners.
the idea being that the government
should deed back the land in return
for the money which the government
paid. and then the property owners
themselves should deal with those