Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-21
TERRITORY WON'T
PRESS TAXATION
OF ARMY AUTOS
Legislature May Be Asked to
Exempt Vehicles on Federal
Reservations
TALK OF "B0YC0TT"
is DECLARED ABSURD
SchofieId Barracks Officers
Resent Published Report
of Drastic Action

-
That the alleged friction between
army officers and the territorial
authorities in the matter of imposing
tax on motor cars owned by Off
GERS is nothing but a tempest in a
teapot" and that any talk of gen.
eral boycott is mere sounding OFF,
appears from careful investigation of
the rumor from authoritative sources.
As a matter OF fact, the whole mat
ter was adjusted to the satisfaction
of both sides yesterday morning, and
what insurgent talk may have come
from officers at Schofield Barracks
came after. the question had been dis
posed Of.
While the territory maintains its le-
gal right to tax priyately-owned ma
chimes on military reservations, word
has gone forth that collections will
not be enforced, and this because ter
ritorial officials are convinced that the
army is doing its share Of road build
ing and road repair, and that it is to
the interests Of all parties to follow
the custom of other states and terri
tories in the matter.
Maj.-gen. w. H. Carter. the army
head in Hawaii, waived aside any talk
of army boycotts against Honolulu
merchants, when seen this morning by
the Star Bulletin.
Army Promotes Good Roads.
without entering into the legalities
of the matter" said the general, "it
seems expedient that the civil and
military authorities should pull to-
gether in every way. Yesterday morn
ing / had conversation with terri
torial officials, and pointed out that
the army had already figured in. rpad
Improvement, and would undoubtedly
do more in the future. There is the
road up ,Kolekole pass, that has just
been built by the soldiers When this
is joined by good road on the other
side Of the pass 1t may even rival
the Pail as scenic highway. 1t is
open to the public and may be con.
sidered as an army contribution to
Oahu's roads. Then, before very long.
we viii have a military road round
Koko Head, to connect up the present
island circuit. This will not be built
by the soldiers, but it will be paid
for by the army. All this Is well
understood by the territorial authori-
ties, and / was assured that the mat.
ter of auto taxation would not be
pressed.
@As to there having been any in.
dignation meetings last night at Scho-
field Barracks, have heard of none"
No Boycott" Meeting.
Inquiry among several officers of
Leilehua failed to give any light on
the alleged meetings, and the threat
that there would be a general boy
colt" of Honolulu. in which the post
exchanges, which do an enormous bus
mess with local merchants, would take |
part. The supposition is that few
OF the officers who own motor cars |
may have sounded off" somewhat to |
that effect, but there is no thought of |
concerted Action. AS the whole mat. |
ter was settled to the army's satisfac- |
lion before the radicals were heard |
from, there is little chance of anyone |
coming forward at this time to claim |
the doubtful honor of fathering the |
boycott.
Territorial Officials Agreeable.
Tax Assessor c. T. Wilder and At. |
/. M. Stainback both |
willingness to join with the
army officers in carrying the question |
1f the army officers exemption into
The courts for an early ruling. Both
said they believed that is the best
md quickest method of disposing of |
he subject.
IT understand the officers yesterday
agreed to pool their interests in the
affair and join In q test suit with the /
territory. That should be satisfactory
% all parties concerned 1t can be
aiken up directly to the supreme
court on an agreed statement of /
acts, and decision possibly obtained
n few weeks.
'It does not seem to me that the
army men should have a grievance
against Honolulu for our action. If
he federal government has not spe-
;ifcally exemI s,d them from state or
erritorial taxation that is hardly our
ault We can only obey the law.
Il shall expect the officers to make
heir returns to the tax office by the
md of the present month, just as any
,ther taxpayer.
legislature May Act.
Il have a premonition, however, that 1
he legislature at the coming session