Mr. FORBES. I would ask that you look into the merit of our request, investigate such reports as has been made on these two projects by the Board of United States Army Engineers. And I would refer you to reports of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, and the annual reports of the governors of Hawaii since annexation. Also report of the board of harbor commissioners.

The CHAIRMAN. We shall be very glad to give them careful consideration. These are both new projects; that is, projects that have never been adopted by Congress.

Mr. FORBES. That is right. And I pray for their adoption at this time.

The CHAIRMAN. It has not yet been determined by the committee whether we will undertake to insert new projects into the bill this year, but whenever we reach the matter of new projects we will give very careful consideration to those you represent and to what you have had to say to us this morning.

Mr. FORBES. In considering this I trust you will further consider the safety of the lives of our passengers.

The CHAIRMAN. Certainly. Have you any statement of the number of passengers taken off at these two places?

Mr. FORBES. I believe it would be safe to state between one and two thousand passengers.

The CHAIRMAN. But we are only dealing with the two ports?

Mr. FORBES. I understand, Mr. Chairman, and I believe I am correct when I say between one and two thousand passengers, and this would increase were the landing facilities made safe.

The CHAIRMAN. Where?

Mr. FORBES. At Nawiliwili and Kahului. And there is just one other point I would like to bring to your attention, and that is a privately owned wharf where the owners make a charge of 50 cents a ton for wharfage to consignees, a practice that the Territory does not make and one which applies on all Government wharves. The vessel lying alongside the wharf pays a charge and the consignee has a reasonable length of time for which to remove his merchandise without charge, other than a demurrage feature which happens very seldom. The railroads on the Island of Oahu own and control several wharves and make their charges in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. But we consider a charge of 50 cents a ton on any privately owned wharf exorbitant, and with the construction of a breakwater at Nawiliwili this practice would be discontinued as this Government wharf would naturally handle this commerce and the consignee would enjoy the same privileges as other shippers over Government wharves.

The CHAIRMAN. How would you get a railroad there?

Mr. FORBES. One is proposed at the present time, and I believe a survey has been made.

Mr. DRISCOLL. How many railroads are there upon the islands now, individually owned?

Mr. FORBES. There are two on the Island of Oahu, two on the Island of Hawaii, two on the Island of Kauai, and one on the Island of Maui.

Mr. DRISCOLL. Does that include the little road you have just spoken of which is privately owned?

Mr. FORBES. No, sir.

Mr. DRISCOLL. Approximately, what is the mileage of the largest railroad along this line?

Mr. FORBES. The largest railroad is on the Island of Oahu, about 75 miles. It might be of interest to know that one of the most expensive pieces of railroad was constructed on the Island of Hawaii, a distance of about 28 miles, and at a cost of approximately $5,000,000. Mr. TREADWAY. Where is the harbor where this private company charges 50 cents a ton for freight?

Mr. FORBES. On the Island of Kauai.

Mr. TREADWAY. Is it a better harbor than the one of which you have been speaking?

Mr. FORBES. No, sir.

Mr. TREADWAY. It is not new?

Mr. FORBES. No, sir.

Mr. HUMPHREYS of Mississippi. The engineers under the original authorization on examining all the harbors reported to Congress which they considered best?

The CHAIRMAN. And they reported in favor of Nawiliwili?
Mr. HUMPHREYS of Mississippi. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Is there anything else which you desire to present to the committee?

Mr. FORBES. There is nothing more, Mr. Chairman.

The CHAIRMAN. We are very glad to have heard from you, Mr. Forbes; I thank you. We will give very careful consideration to what you have said as to the reports in each project.

Mr. FORBES. I thank you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. (Thereupon, the committee adjourned.)