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


The Honolulu, Chamber of Commerce meets
tomorrow to discuss the question of steamship
passenger service between Hawaii and the
mainland
There is proposal that the coastwise 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
500 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
rary 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
to meet by throwing local trade open to the
competition of foreign subsidized linesf
How will Hawaii be regarded in Congress if
we ask for suspension 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
n Il,
States senate was in discussion of the so-called
ship purchase bill. In the course of that dis
cussion comments were made arguments set
forth, facts laid down, which bear directly on
the subject to be discussed by Honolulu's bust
nessmen tomorrow.
Senator Gallinger, that old Republican war
horse, strong influence in his party, made
the principal speech of the day-a mastery
speech. Early in his address he quoted from
report of the Boston Chamber of Commerce.
IN part the report says:
Trade with Hawaii is and has been since 1900
American coastnEse trade. n which none but Amerl-
Of Hawaii among foreign ports in foreign trade is
without shadow OF excuse; all interested in the
American merchant marine will nghtfuly regard It
ae an ugly menace
Later in his speech Senator Gallinger said:
At the last session of Congress bold attempt
made to put foreign ships into the coastwse trade
OF H. IL ever contributed anything to discussion
that was worthy Of remembrance, fatter myself
that what said on that subject worthy Of con-
sheraton when the vote was taken it was defeat
ed by two to one in this body. In the last
edition Of this bin II is boldly said that the vessels
that are to be constructed-and most of them will
be constructed in foreign shipyards 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. 1t is attempted under
guise Of bill Of this kind to get the result
to limited extent beyond question with the DelleI
and hope that II this ELL goes through Congress the
next attempt to put foreign ships into coastwise
trade and destroy our shipyards and our American
shipping industry WI be successful.
Honolulu businessmen may well wonder, if
opposition Of this sort was voiced to American
governments owned ships in the coastwise trade,
what the opposition would be to opening the
gates to foreign shipsl
Shortly afterwards Senator Gallinger com
mented that we have an abundance of ships
in the coastwise trade because we have pro-
tected them from competition with cheaper
built and cheaper-navigated foreign ships The
consequence is that we have a 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 out in de-
tail where foreign shipowners, through subj
THE MURDER OF FRANK