Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-23
THAT kISHI BILL
DRAWSfIREO Of
BOARD MEMBERS
immigration Bureau Chiefs
Won't Yield on LegiSIa-
tive Bill
Nothing doing"
Absolutely ne"

Nothing doing"
Absolutely ne"
That is the attitude OF the terrific
rial board OF immigration in the mat
ter OF acceding to the wishes of the
senate concerning the payment Of a
sum approximating $1,000 to Fl. Ki.
shil japanese caterercontractor, for
meals furnished to aliens detained at
the; United States quarantine station
in Honolulu.
A bin appropriating money for the
full settlement Of Kishi's account has
passed both houses Of the legislature
and has been signed by the governor.
Kishi wants his money, which Is more
than three years overdue. Bnt the
board Of immigration will not approve
the payment, and until their approval
is secured the territorial auditor can
not issue a warrant on the treasury.
All the members of the board were
cited to- appear before the senate this
afternoon, but they still declare
nothing doing" when the matter of
payment is preached. Several sena.
tors have lintimated that il will not
be impossible to call for the resigna-
lions Of the board members, a sugges.
ton which is also met by the latter
gentlemen with steadfast reitera-
ton OF nothing doing"-and grin.
Away back In 1911, it seems, the
board OF immigration chartered a yes.
sci to bring European immigrants to
the islands,. The immigrants were
brought according to contract, and
landed at Quarantine island. So, far
80 good. But at the time of their
landing measles and dyptheria were
found among the erstwhile passengers
and there Rt the island they were de-
tained from December 20, 1911, until
January 81, 1912, period OF more
than one month, during which time
they were beautifully fed by Kishi.
No one denies that fact.
RntEaand this is the cause Of the
dispute and the legislation-the, good
ship that brought the immigrants had
sailed away long before the month
had elapsed-had sailed away leaving
q $4,000 bond with federal govern.
ment officials, a sum which 1t was
thought would prove ample to cover
~ 4oot oAAtllCt lCADCuSS6.
The quarantine food bill, however.
amounted to about $4,000, and the
excess 5000, with legal interest, ii
what Kishi hoped 10 recover by means
Of the $4,000 legislative appropria.
ton.
The attitude OF the board of immi
grafton is that they would be glad to
see Kishi get his money, and would
have themselves paid him long ago
had they considered the board morally
or legally responsible for the debt
But the sad fact, for KisIi, Is that
the charter contract expressly stipu.
lated that the ship owners were to
pay all quarantine keep expenses. Td
cover those expenses they left that
$4,000 bond, which proved insuffi.
Gent And the good ship has not
been seen in Honolulu harbor since
she sailed away after leaving the i'm.
migrants In quarantine
The board bases its attitude on
decision quoteda on page SIS, volume
2, Hawaii Reports, which quotes a
decision as foilows;;S THE legisla.
ture has no right to make a Gift OF
public funds to any private individual
"a the absence or a moral obligation
TO support the appropriation"
The board mikes an absolute denial
Of any implied @moraI obligation" to
settle Kishi's bin, and points to the
fact that even the federal laws and
regulations absolutely require the
ship to pay in full such charges as
those in dispute
Two Years ago q bill appropriating
money 70 nay Kishi was passed by
the legislature. but was vetoed by the
governor. Again the legislature has
voted the necessary funds. This time
another governor has signed the bfll:
but still Kishi waits, empty handed,
for the warrant cannot be issued
without the approval of the board.
and still says nothing doing, !" despite
summons to explain to the senate,
and hints that designations may be
asked for.
Each Of the members of the board
has In his possession a crisp new
parchment, the official notification OF
appoi1tment ratified by the senate
And those new parchments bear the
date Of April Is. 1915.
Richard Ivers, E. HI. Wodehouse,
Fred L. Waldron, A. L C. Atkinson,
N. NJ. johnson and Secretary r. G..
Kearns are before the senate this AFT.
ernoen. discussion on the question
having stsrted shortly before 3 O'Clock.
Announcement Stainback and Audi
tor Fisher also were called In at the
request of Senator. Writ.