The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-10-02

After an investigation extending
over period of more than year, from
September IL, 1916, the Public Utilities
Commission of he Territory of Hawaii
rendered its decision yesterday and issu-
ed an order that the. passenger and
freight rates existing prior 20 August /,
1916 shall be restored, that the company
so amend it's freight tariff that the total
charge for less than quantity lots shall
not exceed the minimum charge for
quantity lots and put into effect such
changes Oh or before October Is.
Interest is Widespread 49,.
Seldom has there been held in Ha-
=, Ewaii an Investigation that awakened
more interest than did the one In which
the decision was rendered yesterday.
1t started on few specific charges but
broadened in scope until the commits.
sion was making general investigation
Of the financial affairs and book keep
ing methods of the company. Original
costs, physical valuation, stock that
was issued for cash and stock that was
issued as dividends, and rates Of divi-
drnds earned and paid all entered into
the controversy.
At a regular meeting of the utilities
commission held August II, 1916, the
investigation into the affairs of the
Inter. Island Company was ordered and
set for Monday September IL, 1916,
and the company was notified,
Specific Complaints Filed
Subsequent to this action, setting
the date for general investigation
complaints and protests we're received
by the commission against a proposed
new tariff issued by. the company to
take effect September /. Such com.
plants came from Alfred w. Carter,
trustee Maui chamber of commerce,
committee of Maui chamber of com
mrrce and Wailuku Sugar Company.
Specific complaint was made on rates
for cattle, rates for general merchan n.
disc, freight to way ports and over.
carrying Of freight.
The investigation was a general one
into the uirnirs of the company and not
merely hearing on specific complaints.
The commission therefore, the, findings
declare, has gone into the the entire
operations of the Inter. Island Com
pany as public utility corporation
and, as result Of this invest igation,
a state Of affairs has been disclosed
that affects not only the specific com
plants but the entire rate schedule
OF the company. 49,
Jurisdiction Claims Answered
At the outset the commission answers
the claim of the company that it is
under the jurisdiction of the Inter.
state Commerce Commission and that
therefore the utilities board is without
Jurisdiction. 1t cites Chapter 1873 of
the Revised Laws of Hawaii, 1915, as
amended and In the absence of any
federal legislation on the subject cites
the cases of the Wilmington Trans.
pOrtatiOn Company VS.. the Railroad
Commission of California, and asserts
that a United States Statute, II. r. IS
-Public-No. 3S-Sixty-fourth Con
gress specifically confirms the territor.
ial legislation and II. X. Is, 455-Pub-
ic-No. 800, Sixty Fourth Congress does
not repeal II. r. 65. :. =.
The articles Of incorporation of the
company and the purposes for which
1t was Incorporated are also set forth.
In the findings of the commission it
is sail:
Wilder Company Purchase
" From tho date of the commence,
m"nt Of business by the company after
its incorporation up to July j, 1905, the
company was engaged in the transpor,
tation business with one competitor, the
Wilder Steamship Company. Just prior
to this late the capital stock of the
company was $4,000 and the capital
stock of the Wilder Company was 5000,
600. "
When the testimony relative to the
Wilder Company and how il was ne.
quircd bv the Inter Island Company
was first sought to be introduced there
was decided opposition to its introduc,
tion, on the part Of the company, the
claim being mada that such Testimony
was irrelevant and immaterial. Ii was
decided to admit such testimony, how.
ever, and this was done. j.. =, F..