The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-04-05

L
ward his policy of economy, Governor
Carter has notified. the members of the
Board of Health that, II they cannot
take the responsibility of aiding to
carry out such policy, they always
have the alternative of making way
for others who can and will do every
| thing in their power to meet the emer-
gency."
Disappointed, Also with their failure
| to reduce their estimates of expendi-
| ture to the maximum he had proposed
the Governor informs the members of
the Board that they have forced him.
at the last moment to make changes in
their appropriations.
Under date of April 1 (Friday), Pres
ident Cooper wrote to the Governor
urging the necessity of allowing the
estimates made by the Board to stand.
To meet the Governors request on re-
turning the Boards schedule to it for
further reduction, DR.. Cooper on be-
half of the Board proposes the cutting
out of the item for the kalaupapa
store unless the Board be given credit
for the receipts therefrom. This pro-
posal Governor Carter perceives is no
saving to the Treasury and in re-
ply sent yesterday afternoon, addressed
to the members as well as the Presi-
dent of the Board, presents an ultima
tum the tenor of which is given above.
Following is the correspondence,
former letter of DIR. Cooper to the
Governor having appeared in yester-
days Advertiser:
Territorial Board of Health. Hawaii,
Ill
Hon. Geo. r. Carter, Governor, Ter
ritory of Hawaii.
Sir: On March 29th the Board of
Health addressed you regarding your
request for this Department to reduce
it's expenditures to within $224,OOO for
the period of twelve months.
After due elaboration, the Board ex-
pressed themselves as unwilling to be
responsible for the efficient running of
this department, under the sum as
was represented by an accompanying
schedule. Your return of said schedule,
with instructions that the cut must
come within the sum of s224,000, is
made possible only by the cutting out
of the Kalaupapa store Which is an
item of $4,000 for twelve months, which
sum is charged up against this De-
partment, and the proceeds of the store
do not revert to the Treasury, as a
credit in favor of the Board OF Health,
but as a government realization, there
fore we propose cutting out this item
of expenditure which we would gladly
carry If due credit was given. The
store is not run as a money maker FOR
the government; a charge of 8 per
cent on the cost of goods is all that is
asked for, to pay expense of freight
and handling.
The Board would suggest some other
method of running the store under the
direction of the Board of Health, this
department. seeing that only fair rate
of profit Is charged.
There has been a reduction In sala-
ries right down the line where it has
been possible to reduce, without abol-
ishing the office.
Altho' it is far preferable for the
lepers to have their meals at their own
homes, still If it is absolutely essential
for a further reduction to be made, 1
believe it to be possible to make a con-
siderable saving by the institution of
commissary department at the Settle
ment, which shall have charge of the
feeding of the patients, in buildings
erected for this purpose.
I would again urge the necessity of
allowing the appropriations to stand
in the New Bill of Appropriations" to
be given the Legislature, recommend
ed by this department, otherwise the
Board of Health will be unable to cope
with the situation of reductions as re-
quested if changes are made and riders
or provisos are tackled on the various
items.
1 will explain in person all detail.
have the honor to remain,
Respectfully yours,
CHAS. b. COOPER, NJ. D.,
President of the Board of Health.
THE GOVERNORS REPLY.
April 2, 1904.
To the President and Members OF the