The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-10-02
SAFETY IN PUBLICITY.


Francis Murphy has taken such steps
as seemed appropriate to publicly dis
as oClate his name from any appeals
for funds Franklin Austin may make to
the public. There is in this nothing TO
prevent the public or anv member of It
from contributing whatever they lie
to Franklin Austin for any purpose for
which he may solicit it, But Mr.. Muir
phys public statement in regard to the
matter is clear and unequivocal notice
that such donors must look to Franklin
Austin and not to Francis Murphy or
those working with him, to see that
their benefactions are used for the pur-
pose for which they are given. This
does not in any wise estop the public
from making Franklin Austin the al
moner of their bounty and liberality. or
from cooperating with him in any re-
form. Gtory or benevolent movement at
which he may be working for the time
being; or even from contributing to
Franklin Austin himself. But it is no.
tice that Francis Murphy and those
working with him, are not responsible,
and will not be responsible for Frank
lin Austin's management of funds do
mated for public benevolent purposes.
While the recent disclosures concern
ing the finances of the organization
bearing Mr. Murphy's name, but Mr..
Austin's control and management are
in many ways to be regretted, if they
shall tend to increase the sense of res
possibility among those who handle
fund raised by public contribution, a
public good will have been served.
Honolulu in the past has had such an
open purse for everything that appeal
ed either to it's good nature or its gen.
crosby that a feeling had grown up that
too close an inquiry as to the spending
Of subscription funds was a reflection
on the spirit in which they were given.
This, in the past has been temptation
TO "grafters," and almost every citizen
can tell, if he WILL of impositions in this
direction.
A public sentiment demanding the
most scrupulous accuracy in the ac-
counts of funds raised by public or pri-
Vate subscription is one of the surest
safeguards against imposters and I'M
worthy purposes: The knowledge that
every almoner must give an accurate
account of all money thus passing
through his hands is discouraging to
every purpose but a worthy one.
Mr.. Austin is reported to have de-
MED the right of anyone except those
who entrusted funds to his hands, to
ask for an accounting. But he has in
fact acknowledged the right of the
public to know how funds publicly So
licited for an asserted public purpose
have been spent by attempting or pre-
tending to make such an accounting.
And the turn affairs have taken both
within and without the Murphy organ
izations shows that that right is firm
ly established in Honolulu.
If anyone has any idea of fighting this
right of the public to have such an ac-
counting, he might with profit read the
history of the Salvation Army. Follow
ing the early years of experiment, of
effort and of struggle for recognition,
there came to the Salvation Army such
movements or organizations have ever
received. Money! flowed into its trea-
sury from every direction. It's work
was extended in every direction. New
classes of work were taken up. And
such was the confidence and enthusiasm
General Booth and the Army had Great
ed for themselves that every new need
for money was literally met. But in
the very flood tide of this confidence
and enthusiasm there was a call for a
public accounting of the large sums ;
known to have been received and dis
bursed. General Booth at first refused
to make such an accounting. He gave
various reasons for his position, some of
them recognized at the time as not {
without force, and his whole position {
cause there was anything to hide or
,over up. But even General Booth i
Gould not stem the tide. He had to l
Yield and the Salvation Army accounts
we're submitted to public accountants
or audit and public announcement
One result of this examination was the
admirable system of accounts ever since
hen used by the Salvation Army by
which it is possible to make public an
nouncement at any time of every penny
received and disbursed by the army.
In all such matters the only safety is
n publicity.