The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-11-07
RATES ON CATTLE
LOWER IS CLAIM
H. 49, I
lnter-lSland Seeks Figures To
Prove Tariff Fair; Running
Expenses Higher

During the examination Of J. l.. Nc
Lean, vice-president of the Inter-Isl
and Steam Navigation Company, yes
terdny, at a nearing Of the public utih-
ties commission, the fact was suggested
that the freight rate on cattle under
the new tariff was lower than it was
several years ago. This conclusion was
reached by reason Of the fact that the
weight Of cattle has increased to such
an extent that the increase in freight
does not entirely cover the increase and
bulk of the cattle.
Exact figures, however, were not
forthcoming for the reason that Gil
bert j. Waller, Jr., secretary of the Ha.
waii Meat Company, who was ordered
by the commission to procure the fig
ures, had not up to this time been able
to go over the companp's shipments for
the past three pears and tabulate the
figures. 1t was learned, however, that
Curing the past three years the average
weight of cattle shipped from the Isl
ands to Honolulu mad increased in
weight approximately 100 pounds.
Mail Contracts
Although Chairman Forbes of the
commission declared that the subject
was not pertinent to the present inVes-
tigution, it was brought out that the
company now receives $4,000 annually
from the federal government for han
ding the mail. The contract price for
this work up to June, 1914, had been
$29, 900 a year, but with the increase
in the cost Of materials the company
raised its bid to the former figure,
which was readily accepted by the gov
eminent. Nicc-president Mclean init
mated that even this figure might be
raised in 1913 when the new contract
is let, in order to compensate the com.
pany for its loss in small parcel
freight receipts. Under the parcel
post arrangement the company is OBJ
hged to carry considerable more mail
matter and at the same time it loses
considerable on shipment of small pack.
ages which are now sent by parcel post
Formerly, it was declared, the company
carried the mail to Island points with
out any compensation.
At the next meeting Of the commits
sion, TO be held on MONDAY, November
l3, it is believed that the report of the
steamship cOmpany's finances made by
Auditor H. Gooding Field will come up
for discussion. The steamship com
Fany asked for copy of this report in
advance, which the commission agreed
to furnish after Commissioner Garden
had warned the steamship company's
officials that the report must not be
made public in the meantime.
Assumes Big Risks
Attorney l.. J. Warren, while exam
lining Assistant Manager Norman E.
Gedge, sought to bring out the fact
that the company in its business as.
sumes risk of loss by delays and bad
weather that entities IT 70 higher prof
its than in ordinary commercial bust.
ness. The company has also been
placed at greater operating expense by
reason of the wOrkmen s compensation
act, which obliges them to care for in
jured employees. During the ten
months Of the present year the com
pany has paid out more than $4,000 for
this purpose. The company carries it's
own insurance. If insured by an out
side firm TO cover the compensation act
he premium would be not less than
$4,000 annually, it was said.
Another reason for the increase in
the freight rates, according to Assist
ant Manager Gedge, was the increasr
i'll the cost of materials. Practically
all supplies have increased over the
cost Of 1918, and the following articles
were cited: Oakum, 40 per cent ;
paints and paint oils, forty; blocks.
sixty; railway irons, 100 to 1870; can
vas, 100; packing for engines, 12O
hemp stocks, ninety; galvanized bar
ron, 100; waste, 100, and zine, 1875
The wholesale price of meat has in,
reased one cent a pound.