Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-05
AUGUST 5, 1915.
MORE THAN ONE WAY or GOING
ABOUT IT.

HonoIulu's tourist business will be hard hi
possibly disastrously hit-by the withdrawal
of the Pacific Mail steamers from passenger
service here, unless other passenger facilities
are created during the rush season." But i
is mistake to suppose that the only way Of
creating these passenger facilities is by suspen
sion of the 'coastwise law
The congressional act which prohibits for
eign vessels from engaging in the coastwise
trade might be suspended by Congress SO fan
as the passenger traffic is concerned, but not
in time to help Hawaii very much this winter
And in the end the blow to American shipping
on the Pacific might be irreparably larger than
the prospective damage to the island tourist
trade.
Hawaii should not ask for suspension of
the law-for the use of foreign ships in coast
wise passenger business-unti convinced that
the domestic companies offer no possible re-
course. And that is possibility still to be
thoroughly canvassed.
Why should not this community Hawaii,
in fact put definitely up to the Matson com
pany and the Oceanic company the question
whether they are prepared to extend their pas
adequately the year rounds
Why should not the Chamber of Commerce
canvass thoroughly the possibility Of securing
more American vessels on the Coast Hawaii
run rather than throwing down the bar against
foreign ships7
Two main dangers are in the offing if Hawaii
goes to Congress with request for coastwise
law suspension. The first is that this territory
will do still more than it has done to gain the
reputation of being a Especial pleader," of
asking special privileges continually. And be
Remembered that Washington in the past has
heard clamor from disagreeing community
on this very subject-with part of the business
men urging suspension of the law, part against
suspension. Lack of unity then will hurt a
special plea now. And in making fight for
suspension Of the shipping law the fight for
protection on sugar may be jeopardized.
The second principal danger to be faced is
the effect of letting down the bars to foreign
shipping. Subsidized foreign lines will COM
pete with unsubsidized American lines and
compete moreover, without the current ex-
penses which American ships must bear be-
cause of the new Seamen's Bill In looking for
Immediate relief for congested passenger
traffic, Hawaii may be doing permanent in
jury to American shipping lines. The argu-
ment is set up that as the suspension will APP
ply only to passenger trade, the American lines
will not be hit. Who knowsf It may be very
dangerous experiment
Don't advocate suspension of the coastwise
law until it is absolutely sure no relief can be
had through American shipsl
If lines can be encouraged between Hawaii
and Los Angeles, or Portland, or Seattle, or
triangular services between these points, the
threatened congestion of traffic to and from
San Francisco may be averted. Why not look
very thoroughly into the possibilities of month
ly steamer sailings from Puget Sound or Port
landf Los Angeles has long wanted direct
communication with Hawaii. By bringing port
charges down to cost, developing what freight
can be developed and advertising passenger
facilities to and from other coast cities besides
end of the vacati
shouldn't that