The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-06-15
HASFURTHER


Superintendent Of Public Works has
been himself heard and his personal
evidence hereto attached presents very
clearly and plainly the manner IN
which both he and his trusted subor-
dinates on the other Islands have con-
Quoted matters connected with the
aBureau OF Public Works, with regard
to the public interests, during tho
past biennial period at least. The
committee presents Mr.. ROwelPs tes-
timony as taken and transcribed by
the stenOgrapher Of the committee and
desire TO state that all questions ask
ed the superintendent Of Public
Works, were upon the subjects which
the committee had deemed to be right
and proper to present to him as the
said questions. each and all, bore up
on subjects which had received adj
Indication at the hands CT Mr.. ROwel,
but his action thereon had been adj
verseIy commented on by the COM
mittee.
Your committee in now presenting
its final summing up and findings re-
sepctfulIy present, they find that:
1st-'Petitions exist and have been
presented to the consideration of this
House, for road damages which
claims, from the manner Of conduct
of the business of his Bureau by the
Superintendent of Public Works, by
seeming willful negligence, offer OPP
portunity for vexatiOns and unneces-
sary litigation with the Government.
2d.-"Payment has been WrOngfully
withheld and is still withheld for labor
done on the roads under contract,
even when the said work seems to
have been faithfully performed.
3d.-"It is found that complaints
from numerous residents Of the ISL
and of Hawaii are well grounded in
cause; and relate
(a)-"Bad construction OF roads.
b)-'Favorftism in the distribution
of awards of road contracts.
Negligence, or incompetence
displayed in the preliminary surveys
and final examination before accept
ance of the road work performed IN
der contract with the Government.
(d)-'IllegaI seizure of private
rights of way and private lands for
road purposes.
4th.-''Public moneys have been
withheld from application to the legI-
innate object.
5th.-''A system of private banking
of nubIic funds has been carried on
nv the Bureau of Public Works and
which action is deserving OF the
severest censure.
6th.-"Contractors have been wrong
ed by the non-payment to them OF
moneys legally due, and which moneys
have been drawn for the purpose OF
navment. from the public treasury.
7th.-.'Appearance of prejudice and
fayoritism shown by the Superlntend-
ent of Public Works in the award OF
the contract for building the Central
Fire Station in Honolulu.
Sth.-'TThe report presented by Nh
Rowel as superintendent OF Pubic
Works as an exhibit of the business
of the Bureau for the past biennial
period is neither satisfactory nor rell-
able
9th.-'A knowledge of the sub-let-
ting of road contracts is shown ana
a censurabIe neglect of inquiry by the
Sl1perintendent of Public Works, or
his subOrdinates, of the character and
class of work of these sub-contractors.
"a. B. LOEBENSTEIN,
u D. PARIS,
"W. F. POGUE,
Il. L. McCANDLESS."
81 do not occur with this report, as
7 do not believe Mr.. Rowen has
been treated fairly.
PAUL ISENBERG."
The report was referred to the Print
ing Committee.
Amendments to Senate bill A, relat-
inc 10 roads to private lands, passed
third reading.
Third reading of Senate amend
roants to House bill 81, relating TO
pounds, estrays, etc.
Things in the House had been gong
along at a rather uninterestlng pace
but. as soon as this bill came up, there
seemed to be an awakening on the
mart of the members. Rep. McCand-
less was the leader of the opposition.
He did not believe in passing a law
that would work such a hardship ana
moved for an indefinite pOstponement
Of the bill. The Speaker ruled that
indefinite DOstpOnement was out OF the
question for the bill had passed sec
0nd reading in the House and hdu
then gone to the Senate, which Dody
had made two amendments. Inc pro-
ner course to follow was to act on
the amendments of the Senate. Inc
ruling of the Speaker was appealed
from but upon being put to vote 1t
was sustained.
The first amendment OF the Senate
was concurred in. Then came
drawing out of the books on rules on
the mart of all the members. one
contended this and another contended
that. Finally the second amendment
was indefinitely postponement by a
majority OF one vote. Such action OF
course practically killed the bill as,
under the circumstances, 1t would De
impossible for the conference commit
tees of the Senate and House to nave
onv meeting. The members Of the
hill naturally went home for luncheon
With a feeling OF sadness for they saw
no way out of the dilemma. The pin,
which they considered one of the best
introduced during the session. hau
been doomed.
until , p. m.