1 - American Memory

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The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Its Associate Chambers of Com-
merce have given this problem serious study and thought for many years.
Twenty years ago we established a Committee on Uninterrupted Shipping which
has on many occasions recommended support of various bills that have been
before the Congress that we thought might, in one way or another, alleviate
this problem. Now new legislation has been introduced to protect Hawaii, and
we feel that it is the best solution that has yet be«i proposed. H.R. 7189 could
provide major protection without requiring any serious limitation on collective
bargaining processes. By exempting Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Islands from any
west coast strike or lockout in longshore or maritime industries for 160 days, in
addition to the period of any Taft-Hartley injunction, it could give us 240 days
exemption. That is longer than any of the strikes to date, and ample time to
stockpile needed supplies if deemed necessary after interruption of shipping
commenced.
While shipping to Hawaii is our very lifeline, it represents a smal part of the
maritime industry. The continued operation of that small part serving Hawaii
should not have a major effect on negotiations during a strike. This appears to
be the acceptable solution.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and its eleven Associate Chambers
strongly support early consideration and passage of this bill. Hawaii remains
"the most vulnerable State in the Nation" until protective legislation is enacted.
Sincerely,
RAT Mnjci,
Chairman of the Board.
Associate Chambers
Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Filipino Chamber of Commerce,
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce,
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Kailua Chamber of Com-
merce, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Kona Chamber of Commerce, Korean Cham-
ber of Commerce, Mani Chamber of Commerce, and Molokai Chamber of
Commerce.
Mr. JARMAN. Doctor, you are an effective anchorman on the team
this morning and we appreciate hearing your discussion of this prob-
lem. Mr. Harvey?
Mr. HARVKY. I have no questions, but I would like to congratulate
Dr. Hitch also and express the view that we are in sympathy with the
legislation that you proposed. I think the only question on the part
of many of us is whether it goes far enough.
Your folder, "Hawaii, the Most Vulnerable State in the Nation''
is very well prepared and verj' well done.
Mr. HITCH. In the third chapter of this folder where we dealt with
possible alternative solutions and came up with what I said was essen-
tially what is contained in this legislation, we did propose going some-
what further, that is, no time limit, include air as well as shipping,
and include the east and gulf maritime and docks as well as the west
coast. But the real, primary basic need is shipping from the west
coast and that is covered by this legislation.
Mr. HARVEY. Thank j'ou again.
Mr. JARMAN. I can say personally and for the subcommittee this
has been an excellent presentation on a very serious subject and we
will be studying very carefully the testimony and the complete state-
ments that are now a part of the record.
Mr. MATSUNAGA. This concludes the list of witnesses for today. Mr.
Chairman and members of the subcommittee. I again wish to thank
you for making special arrangements to hear us today.
Tomorrow, the hearings on the Senate side will begin and witnesses
from Hawaii will be appearing before the Senate committee tomorrow.
Your making this time available has .saved considerable expense for
them in making it unnecessary for them to return again to attend a
House hearing, were it held at another time.