Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-17


The Honolulu Chamber of Commerce meets
tomorrow to discuss the question Of steamship
passenger service between Hawaii and the
mainland /.
There is a proposal that the eoastwise ship
ping law be so amended as to allow foreign
vessels to. carry passengers between Hawaii
and the mainland
There is a compromise proposal that the
cOastwise law amendment reduce the fine on
foreign vessels so carrying passengers, from
TO $25 the theory of the proponents being
that this will induce the foreign ships to enter
the local passenger trade.
The situation has arisen because of tempo
rarv congestion of passenger traffic and be
cause of the announced suspension of Pacific
Mail service. 1t is serious situation. No one
denies that But is it situation for Americans
10 meet hy throwing local trade open to the
Competitor of foreign subsidized linesl
How vii Hawaii be regarded in Congress if
We ask fdrssnspension of the coastwise law!
How will it affect the basic principle of politi-
cal economy for which Hawaii stands the
principle of protection for American industry !!
An illuminating answer to these questions
may be found in the Congressional Record for
February /, 1915. On that day the United
States senate was in discussion of the so-called
ship purchase bill In the course Of that dis
euSsion, comments were made, arguments set
forth. facts laid down, which bear directly on
the subject to be discussed by Honolulu's bnsi-
nessmen tomorrow.
Senator Gallinger, that old Republican war
horse, strong influence in his party, made
the principal speech of the daya mastery
speech Early in his address he quoted from
a report of the Boston Chamber Of Commerce
u part the report says; -. $500
Trade with Hawaii is and has been since 1900
American coastwise trade. in which none but Ameri-
can vessels may lawfully participate. The inclusion
OF Hawaii among foreign ports in foreign trade Is
without shadow Of excuse; all interested in The
American merchant marine will rightfuly regard L
an ugly menace
Later in his speech Senator Galiinger said:
At the last sc ssion OF Congress bold attempt
made to put foreign ships into the coastwse trade
Of the United States We had lengthy discussion
OF IL If ever contributed anything to discussion
that worthy Of remembrance. Halter myself
that what said on that subject was worthy con-
sideration. When the vote taken It defeat
ed by in this body. In the last
edition OF THIS bill IT is boldly said that the vessels
that are to constructed-and most of them will
be constructed In foreign shipyafds probably--are
to be allowed to trade with Hawaii, which has al
ways been considered coastwise port. So that de-
feated in the broad purpose, it is attempted under
the guse bill OF this kind to get the same result
limited extent beyond question with the DelleI
and hope that If this Eli through Congress the
attempt to put foreign ships into our coastwise
trade and destroy our shipyards and our American
Shipping industry will be successful.
Honolulu Businessmen may well wonder, il
opposition n this sort was voiced to American
aforementioned ships in the coastwise trade,
what the opposition would be to opening the
gates to foreign ships!
Shortly afterwards Senator Gallinger com
mented that "we have an abundance of ships
I'M the eoastwise trade because we have pro-
tected them from competition with cheaper
bnilt and cheaper -navigated foreign ships The
consequence is that we have coastwise feet
that is not only the admiration of our country
but the admiration of the world. /"
The senator's direct references to the anal
ogy between protection on industry and on
Shipping came after he had pointed ont in de-
tail where foreign shipowners through sub