The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-07-16
Chamber Of Commerce Is In
AgreementlWith Majority Sem
Il r. timent Of Country
VOTES ON MOST QUESTIONS
LISTED FOR REFERENDUM
Government Control Of Vessels
For Mercantile Purposes op-
posed BY Local Organization

On a ajority Of the questions sub
mitted TO its constituent members by
the United States Chamber Of Com.
mcrce for national referendum, the
finds itself in agreement with the sen
timent of the country. .-'~ s. 3 .f,I
Secretary Raymond O. Brown OF the
Honolulu chamber has received an
itemized statement of the vote. On
some Of the questions rererred Homo
lulu took no action. The vote follows,
!. Do you favor the government IN.
dertaking the purchase, construction or
charter Of vessels for mercantile puI.
posesf '..'
honolulu Voted No .".'.
Honolulu voted No and the national
vote was No, 7l1j Yes. 81. l.. -
2. Do you favor subsidies from the
government sufficient to Offset the dif-
ference in cost between operating ves-
sells under the American flag, and op.
Grating them in the same trade under
foreign flagsf
Honolulu voted Yes, and the nation
al vote was Yes, 55S; No. 1856. .+s
3. Do you favor subventions from
the government to establish regular
mail and freight lines under the Amer.
lean flag to countries in which the IN
terests of the United States are I'm
portantf i'
Distinction Is Defined
The distinction between questions
No. 2 and No. lies in the definition
of subsidy and subvention. The words
are given as synonyms in the diction-
AIRY, but for the purposes Of the vote,
a subsidy was taken to mean a flat
payment of government aid, regardless
of service performed, and subveutlon
was taken to mean a payment condi-
tional upon definite performance, such
as the carrying of mail.
More members favored a subvention
than a subsidy, though both proposals
were adopted. Honolulu voted Yes,
and the national vote was Yes, us;
No. 48.
There were a number Of other mat
tiers on which the directors OF the cham
her could not come TO an agreement.
They therefore submitted TO the mem
beers the recommendations of q special
committee.
Tho committee recommended the
creation of a federal shipping board to
investigate and report to congress re-
garljng the present shipping laws and,
to have full jurisdiction in all matters
pertaining to oversee transportation.
Honolulu Does Not Vote
Honolulu took no action. The ma
tional vote supported the committee,
645 to 1l6.
The committee recommended the es-
enlistment of federal company
capitalized at thirty millions, TO aid in
the development of the merchant ma
rine.
Honolulu voted No, and was reversed
by the national vote. which upheld the
committee, 422 to 3l4.
The committee recommended an
amendment by congress to the Ocean
Mail Act of 1891, lowering the speed
of Atlantic steamships which are elig
lie for mail contracts from twenty to
SIXTEEN knots, and Pacific steamships
from sixteen to twelve knots.
Honolulu voted Yes, and the nation
al chamber concurred, 800 to ~.
The committee recommended abolish
in! deferred rebates and the enactment
Of statute comforting powers of gu
pcrvison over all rates on q federal
board.
Upheld By National Vote
Honolulu took no action. The ma
tinnal vote upheld the recommendation
of the committee, 607 to 1871.
The committee recommended that all
shipping lines doing business between
the United States and other countries
be required to take out federal licenses
or be refused clearance for their YES.
sells.
Honolulu took no action. The ma
tional vote stood Yes, SIG; No, 12I.
-S+~--