The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-12-17
When Trying TO Sell Tram Fran
chise He Said II Was Worth
100000, Because It Would
Be More Valuable In Time
NOW THINKS IT WORTH
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Letter To Executive From Pub
lie Benefactor' Advised Priv
acy In Negotiations Lest
Our Fat win Be In the Fire

Some interesting correspondence, be.
ing letters written by and to Cover
nor Pinkham, some sixteen years ago,
were introduced yesterday afternoon as
evidence in the case of the Territory
against the Rapid Transit Company,
being heard in Judge Stuart court
The copies were acknowledged by the
Governor as correct transcriptions, the
Executive thus obviating the necessity
of appearing on the stand as O wit
ness.
When the case was called in the
morning, the attorneys for the govern
ment asked for some time in which to
consult the Governor, request which
Judge Stuart agreed to with the pro.
viso that a subpoena be issued with
out waiting in order that the Governor
could either be on hand to take the
stand or could have his acceptance of
the text of the copies in court by two
o'clock.
Value or Franchise
Regarding the franchise, which the
Governor says is now worth nothing
he wrote in 1899: "At present $500.
600 is large price for franchise, but
in ten years it will be well worth it, 4"
The Governor then also urged the
purchase of the Tram Company's fran
chise as it was more liberal In its terms
than the one granted the Rapid Tran
sit Company.
An interesting little expression oc.
ours in letter written by Mr.. Boards.
lee, who was in Honolulu then as ,Ha-
waiian agent of The Realty Syndicate,
Coast corporation, to whom the Gov
ernor referred in his letter to Mr..
Tburston as "a gentleman far more
able Than myself" and as one who
twill prove a public benefactor.'' In
his (Bcardslee 50 letter to Mr.. Pink
ham, a copy of which came into the
possession of the Rapid Transit Com
panv and which is interesting reading
in connection with Mr.. Pinkham' s own
letter, Mr.. Bcardslee wrote to Mr.
Pinkham:
Zone more suggestion, in your com
mHnication to Mr.. ThurstOn, urge a
PRIVATE interview. He might con
vene the board of the new company
to talk over the proposition, and then
our tat would be in the fire.
TIL letters fled yesterday also con
tanned a copy Of letter to Governor
Pnkham from Thompson Houston In
tGrnational Electric Company of Bos-
ton, in which an estimate on electrical
supplies necessary for the installation
of trolley system was furnished, the
letter stating that if Mr.. Pinkham
could land the order there would be
nice little commission of 1926 in it
for him. The estimate was on an or
der totalling $52,666.
PINKHAM TO THURSToN
The letter Of the then MI Pinkham
to Mr.. ThurstOn said:
Honolulu, II. |. April 4th, 1899
Mr.. l.. A. Thurston, Honolulu, II. l.
My dear Sir: Relative to the street
railway problem i'll and for the city of
Honolulu, there are four facts that
must be accepted without argument,
Isl. Experience has proven that the
public can be best served by systems
belonging to a single control.
2nd. That the main thoroughfare
must be the ones provided with street
railway facilities.
Srd That franchise has a value if
it controls the main thoroughfares, and
such value increases as the city en-
larges, aud frequently what may seem
excessive valuation in a few years
proves conservative.
Helpful Third Party
4th In case of disagreement, espe-
c ally where passionate feeling exists,
the substitution of a third element may
r. move the friction and bring about
a settlement conducive to public bene-
fit and progress, and financial benefit
To the disagreeing parties, who in the
heat of willfulness or resentment jeO-
pprdize their own money and the pub.
lie s welfare.
That all these untoward elements ex-
list in Honolulu, can not be denied. Be-
ing greatly impressed with the misfor-
tune of it, ] have taken the wisest
steps ! could think of and brought
about the personal efforts of a gentle
man far more able than myself
The LIST and End statements need no
argument.
For the third, let us argue the case.
The Hawaiian Tram Co. have undis-
puted rights to the main thoroughfares
of Honolulu; the owners have great
wealth; while you may limit their
facilities, you cannot drive them from
their streets. An attempt, even, might
bring about an International question.
lu.a cass of bitter contest, who suffers
True, both the old and new companies,
but particularly, many times over, the
general public and property.
Grows More Valuable
Let ny get down to Ggures-The
IIaw n Tram Go, had $3.50, 900. 90 In
81. bonds. IT they were to be better
secured, could not these bondholders,
like the bondholders of the great Amer.