Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-04-02
MONEY FOR PUBLIC WORK.

Delay in providing funds for public
work. whether through the Emergency
Bill or loan funds, means that hun
dreds OF laborers are kept out Of en-
ployment which they need. This phase
of the situation seems not to have APP
pealed with sufficient force to many of
our legislators, though IL is The real
meat in the cocoanut.
II is difficult to fathom the real rea-
son for the delay In passing the emer-
gency appropriation and the apparent
Indifference or opposition TO the loan
bill. Statements have been made that
the matter drags on account Of oppo-
sition to Superintendent Cooper, but
the Bulletin Is 10th to admit that the
good judgment of Legislators has gone
so far astrsy. From a purely person.
al standpoint any incumbent Of the
Public Works office might Ce indiffer-
ent to whether money for public work
is appropriated or not. He is an ex-
ecutive officer. The Legislature is di.
rectly responsible to the people. Mem
their constituents II public work Ian
cuisines for want Of funds, road repairs
uncompIeted, new bridges, new roads
not begun because the money is not
provided. Citizens who usually find
employment on public work to supply
their household bills, look to the legis-
lators to pass the enabling acts which
81
dent of Public Works Is answerable for
proper expenditure Of funds; he is not
responsible for, nor can be provide the
wherewithal.
No vote nor implication OF want OF
confidence in a public Official for po-
litical reasons will answer the demand
OF a laborer who wants money to pay
his Saturday night grocery, meat, fish
or poi bill. The people Judge by re-
suits and the only result that counts
is proper provision for work.
Much has been said of hard times.
lack of money In circulation, the dis
tressing condition that faces the lab
oring man. Our legislators must recog-
nize as do Legislators in every integral
the best means for putting money into
the hands of the poor people when in
dustries must retrench and depression
rules, Is resumption or public work. II
was not long ago that many sought
an extra session Of the Legislature to
provide funds for work which might
alleviate the situation.
ha q
the poor people that the demand is less
pressing now the Legislature is in ses-
sion and in a position to act?
Some critical reports have been
made on the administration OF the
Public Works Department Regardless
of whether criticism is Just or not, the
necessity for emergency and regular
appropriations is not whit less pres
sing. II mistakes have been made In
administration, II there has been NAL
feasance In Office, II correction OF meth
DDS or a more strict accounting is re-
quired, II is up to the Legislature to
pass laws dealing with these matters.
Put the Superintendent OF Public
Works or any other officer In as
straight laced a legal jacket as may be
demanded so that whoever occupies
the Office must follow the path deemed
proper by the legislators. but don't
stop public work. Don't spend time
beating about the bush when there are
direct and effective means OF accomp-
fishing results and at the same time
preventing a blockade.
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