The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-06-04
PUBLIC WORKS IN HANDS Of
ENEMIES IN LOWER HOUSE
Continued from page II


Legislature thinking he knew it all,
ready to instruct men who were heads
Of departments as to their duties, there
by catching another round of sharp
colloquays.
Continuing, Mr.. Harris, said the
81 OO0. 900 of work to be done in the
next two years under the general ap-
preparation and loan bills made ne
| cessary a competent assistant for all
such work has to be done with the
approval OF the Department. He read
the organic act as TO the duties of the
superintendent and said such work
made necessary competent assistance
to be well done.
SHOULD CUT OUT OFFICIALS.
Kumalae, Kaniho and Pulaa made
! characteristic speeches in opposition.
Gandau closing the discussion by say
ing that he would suggest that the
arguments would indicate that the
members would like to see all officers
wiped out except the Governor and let
him run the government
a motion that the committee rise
was lost as was one that the consider
alton be deferred. The item was then
stricken out by 10 ayes to Z noes. The
committee rose and reported progress
and the House Immediately took a
recess.
ONE CLERK IS DROPPED.
Beginning with the chief clerk of
the Public Works department., Ka-
niho moved to cut the salary from
$3.50 to $1,000 Kaniho argued that
, the head of the office had been cut and
the clerks should have similar treat
ment. Harris argued that true econ
omy would be to provide good salaries
for the better men and cut out super
. fluous clerks. The item passed as in
the bill For the assistant clerk Ka-
niho wanted only $1,000 instead of 81
$50 but the item was carried as in the
| bill. The third clerk was made in
spector of weights and measures and
| the fourth clerk cut out, the steno-
grapher being cut to 5000. One mes
senger was cut out the other items
passing until it came to draughtsmen
and others. when Kaniho moved to
ing to accomplish his purpose. All the
items for assistant superintendent
| clerks, $50. were cut out. The Build
ing Inspector was cut out.
NO PURCHASING AGENT
Vida moved for a new item, purchas-
ing aeEnt. S1.O5O. and explained, that
the department thought the action ad-
visable There was a question, it be-
, ing new legislation, but Vida stuck TO
the point saying he knew that bug
gies had been purchased for $3.50 when
he could buy the same at $500. Kani-
no opposed the plan as he feared such
an agent would soon be az bad as
those of whom Vida told. Gandall was
( not quite sure about the matter him
self and Vida seeing that there was q
long fight withdrew the item.
When the item Pay rolls, roads and
bridges. Honolulu. so, 1850 was reach
ed Kaniho asked for a special COM
'mittee which was refused and the
item passed as in the bill by II to 10.
Harris proposed n new item, book
keeper, road supervisor, $500. saying
there now was such an employee, paid
out of the general appropriation for
roads and bridges. This seemingly
innocent little item caused a long de-
bate, some members urging that if
the specific salary was passed the
amount should be taken away from
the general item just passed, for fear
there would be an excess of appropria-
ton. Harris explained that it was his
intention to ask reconsideration of the
road and bridges item. This was done
and Harris moved its passage at $1O.-
O36.50. Kupihea moved reference to a
special committee so that wages might
be specified. The item passed at the
reduced rate and then the item for
bookkeeper road supervisor. at 5000,
was inserted.
Haia wanted a special item for Ha-
ma roads and bridges put into the bill
but withdrew it.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TALK.
The reading of the garbage service
item brought out Kupihea with a mo-
ton for a special committee. but af-
ter Harris had moved to amend. that
no expense be incurred, he was not
so eager and the motion failed, the
item passing at S1S,120.
From this point rapid progress was
made until the Electric Light pay roll
was reached and there Aylett sug-
gested a special committee to go over
rates of pay which carried, Aylett,
Gandau and Lewis being on the COM
mittee. Pail wanted a committee on
Light House keepers pay but he could
not get H. and things progressed un-
til the gunpowder and kerosene oil
keeper was reached when there was
discussion which resulted in cut from
5000 to $3.50. The pay of the assistant
market keeper at Honolulu was raised
TO $500. There was a fight over the
HiIo market keeper whose pay like
wise was increased TO $500.
WATER WORKS SALARIES.
The Water Works superintendent
salary passed at $500 but an attempt
was made to increase the pay of the
clerk to $1,000 which failed.
When the item, pay of engineers.
8. $50 was reached, Vida suggested
that there be specified three engineers
and the amount made $2.7OO. thus Civ
ing each engineer $50 a month. This
Dassed as amended. Vida moved I