cial year, legal proceedings have been brought to test the legality of the action of the commission in charging such fees. In the month of April last the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants' Association of Honolulu passed a joint resolution favoring the payment by the Federal Government of the awards made by the fire claims commission, and authorized Mr. J. C. Pratt, a member of such commission, to proceed to Washington, as their representative, and present the same, and to urge the enactment of such legislation by Congress as should grant the relief suggested. The Congress having this matter brought before it late in the session gave it such consideration as the pressure of other matters permitted, with the result that the Senate Committee on Pacific Islands and Porto Rico made a unanimous report recommending that an amendment be made to the House deficiency appropriation bill, appropriating $1,000,000 for payment of a part of such awards, and authorizing the Territory of Hawaii, through the governor and secretary, to issue bonds in the sum of $500,000 for payment of the balance. After reference of this report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and a favorable report by such committee, the amendment was passed without opposition by the Senate, but failed to pass the House. A bill providing substantially the same relief as embodied in the Senate amendment was subsequently favorably reported by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Pacific Islands and Porto Rico. Some kind of action by Congress is essential to the payment of the awards in question, inasmuch as the Territory can not furnish funds. for the purpose except by borrowing, and borrowing for such an object is not permitted by the act organizing the Territory. The efforts of the government of the Republic of Hawaii to suppress the plague epidemic were in the public interests of the United States. Such efforts cost $720,488.07 and large unestimated losses to the business interests of the group. The Hawaiian Islands were at that time under the control and government of the President of the United States. Immediately subsequent to the suppression of the plague the act creating the Territory of Hawaii was enacted, whereby Hawaii lost its customs revenues, worth at that time $1,200,000 per annum, or 38.7 per cent of its entire current revenues. With these important reductions of the public income the Territory is unable to meet its current expenses without borrowing, much less will it be able to pay these awards, or any substantial portion of them, without prejudice to the general administration of its affairs. It is nevertheless important upon every consideration that the awards be paid without delay, and I would recommend that the Federal Government assume the whole payment thereof. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. By the courtesy of the Inter Island Telegraph Company, Limited, I am able to furnish the following information on this subject: In March, 1901, this company opened communication between the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. The service was at first unsatisfactory, but improved as the operators became more accustomed to the work. In July, however, the coherers began to wear out and the service eventually broke down. There were serious difficulties in the way of procuring new coherers, but after many experiments the manager, Mr. Cross, succeeded in producing them here, and the company recommenced operations in June of this year, since which time the line has been in successful operation. As the system at present can not more than pay expenses, it is financially assisted by the business men of Honolulu, who recognize its vital importance to the business interests of the country. The present stations are Waialae, Oahu, the westerly point of Molokai, Lanai, Lahaina, Maui, and Mahukonu, Hawaii. The ocean distances telegraphed over are approximately as follows: Waialae to Molokai, 29 miles; Molokai to Lanai, 15 miles; Lanai to Lahaina, Maui, 8 miles; Lahaina to Mahukonu, Hawaii, 60 miles. The weather in these ocean channels during the prevalence of the trade winds, which continue the greater part of the year, is characterized by winds of varying velocity, sometimes approaching to the quality of gales, occasional showers, and low-lying clouds. The ocean in the first and last of the channels mentioned is generally stormy. Since the line has resumed operations, all messages transmitted reach their destination, though sometimes in a somewhat mutilated form. It is recommended: RECOMMENDATIONS. That an expert forester be maintained in the Territory for a sufficient time to enable him, acting with the Territorial government, to organize and establish a system for the management, conservation, and development of Hawaiian forests; That the payment of the full amount of the awards made by the fire claims commission be assumed by the United States; Or, in the alternative, the Territory of Hawaii being under conditions differing from those of any other Territory of the United States, and carrying on at its own expense a system of light-houses, the dredging of harbors and the maintenance of buoys, duties usually performed by the Federal Government, and the expense of these enterprises, together with the payment of the aforementioned awards when taken with the loss of the tariff revenues formerly enjoyed by Hawaii amounting at the time of the inception of the Territory to about $1,200,000, being too great for the Territory to assume, that the customs receipts collected at the ports of the Hawaiian Islands be paid to the treasury of the Territory; That the payment of taxes for the year previous to a regular election for Delegate to Congress and senators and representatives of the local legislature, and before the end of such year, be made a prerequisite to registration for voting at such election, except as to such taxes as may be in litigation; That a Federal building for the accommodation of the Federal court, post-office, and revenue officials be erected in Honolulu; That a building or buildings for the accommodation of the Federal court, custom-house, and post-office be erected in Hilo; That light-houses be erected at Honolulu Harbor, Oahu, Makapuu Point, Oahu, Kahului, Maui, Ouna, Kailua, Kawaihae, and Mahukonu, Hawaii; and Kalaeokalaau, Molokai; and that the Federal Government assume the management of all Hawaiian light-houses; That the Federal Government assume the care of all Hawaiian harbors and the work of improving the same; That a breakwater be constructed for the protection and improvement of Hilo Harbor, Hawaii; That the Hawaiian silver coins be received in exchange for United States silver coins of like respective denominations; That a limited immigration of Chinese laborers be permitted, conditioned upon their engaging in agricultural work for hire only during their stay in the Territory and subject to deportation at their own expense upon their ceasing to do so; That legislation be enacted placing in the executive of the Territory authority to dispose of the waters belonging to the public lands, by lease or license; That section 80 of the "act to provide a government for the Territory of Hawaii" be amended so that the governor may suspend any officer in regard to the removal of whom the advice and consent of the Senate is necessary, until the next succeeding session of the Senate, and may, except in case of the auditor, appoint a person to fill the office in question pro tem. until the matter of the removal of the suspended officer is settled, or may remove any of such officers. That the tenure of office of inspectors of election be fixed at two years instead of four, as now provided by the organic act, section 80, and that the governor be empowered to remove them from office at his discretion. Expense of widening channel, Honolulu Harbor, and dredging channel entrance and harbor to a depth of 30 feet low water (this item is in accord with United States War Department estimate) Maintenance of buoys. SANFORD B. DOLE, Governor of the Territory of Hawaii. The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, D. C. INT 1902-MIS, PT 2- -25 |