The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-03-01


which was far less than that usually
accepted as safe, yet the structure had
wtthstood an tcsts, and tho capitalists
back of the engineer hod order "a Soc
ond structure OF the Same design, IN
Nolviug "a larger outlay Thus time and
experience may dcmoustrutc that horc-
tuforo ougiuOors have made earth dams
moro solid than need ne.
Tho cause of failure of earth dams,
no thought, was more often due tn lack
of drainage than to amy other feature,
and Il was this that made him an ad-
vocotc of u dirt dam with "a back mn
OF rock, for this, In Ills opinion. gave
the very hcst drainage
In regard to the changes that he
considered advisable, his time was too
short TO design Thorn con- figure accurate
~ ON the cost, but hu offered to do
both, In writing after his return to
California, Tho final report speaks for
itself
Tho Administration determined to
mako ono moro Uttcmpt with the con-
tractor ana to accept the suggestions
OF the export In the hope that 10 would
restore public confidence. Thus the
superintendent OF Public Works and
tho contractor were called I'm confer
once ana informed that unless an dif-
ncultlca could bc satisfactorily settled
and future progress assured, the you-
tract would be- cancelled ana the up-
preparation forfeited; that now bids
would ho asked for uudor now COM
tract, using the second loan upproprln-
ton, and the question as TO which
party had violated the old contract left
to the decision Of the courts, that not
moro than ton days would ho allowed
for the discussions necessary to reach
Il determination OF the difficulties.
During January last, the contractor
was asked II the Nuuauu Dam, with
the proposed changes would be- finish
ed before the end Of the calendar year
He replied that he ala not see how Il
was possible, for he could not afford
to put In money getting ready for diff
foront kinds Of work. until he know
| Just how much Of each class of work
was to be doncaand this statement
tho officials refused TO furnish him,
Clearly n contract calling for bids on
classified kinds OF work illustrates that
the ohiclns intended TO avoid all rcs-
| possibility as TO the exact amount OF
onch class, but proposed 10 pay for
the fun amount done. II Is TO be pre-
sumcd that those who originally bid on
! this work expected TO take some risk,
otherwise the lctting of contract
would be Of no advantage, for any
government official who would attempt
60 give the exact amount of work would
place the contractor In an advanta-
gooua position ana such an pct would
be u Migrant violation Of public duty
Hublootlug the Territory to q demand
for u higher price for any work over
or undor the amount stated,
Thus the difficulties between contrac-
tor ana officials do not appear to be at
an end, There har boon little or nc
difficulty I'm securing rapid progress on
the classes Of work that have the wild.
ost margins Of PROFIT or on the addi.
tlonnl work required by the change r.
plans whore percentage N allowed
over reasonable cost
IN tho lattor case claim was made
that tho purchase Of implements wal
a proper part Of the reasonable cost"
on which percentage should be al.
lowed and that such implements shoult
DO considered the property Of the con
tractor.
Up 10 the opening Of the session o.
the Legislature, II has not been prac
tlcnblo 10 stop the work, pondinR Dc
oislon ns 10 lta future This, however
viii DO possible as soon as the work fl
brought up 10 the surface Of tho bot
tom Of the gulch. Then storms ant
overflow VIII do practically no damag
and delay win cause little or no OK
pensc, Tho vital parts OF tho dan
viii DO under cover.
II seems impossible IN large publ
works Of any kind FOR public official
10 ignore Interference based on unjus
or unfounded criticism. Private or in
dlVlduHl enterprise IL exempt from suci
an nttnck, because the public wOuit
consider Il impairment for those no
+ Informed 20 comment on tho work
while IN the case Of public work II ap
D0nrs 10 BIO just the reverse. 1cvoryon
Ii Interested; some fccl justified In con
domuing both policy and officials ~
tho unvorGod statements OF others
while others rather pride themselves
with the thought that they are thu
doing u public service, claiming that 4
tho criticism 10 unjustincd no harm
can be done, ana thinking that II bJ
chance any error Of judgment on wOrs,
can be- found, they caD claim the ere.
Idit Of exposing the fact. Thoy fan Il
recognize their responsibility In mold.
Ing pubic opinion They fan 10 re-.
cOgnizo tbat the officials responsible,
cnnnOt give their best efforts when
80 attacked; that they must, II they
value their regulations above thcli
pay, defend themselves While on the
other baud, " they value their pay
above al else. there IN an increased
temptation 10 adopt methods. easily
found. which at public expense hush ur
criticism.
Professional men Of nigh integrity
VIII continue 10 ma public work irk-
some, particularly n they are sensitive
until the public realizes that moral
support ~ honest effort is even NOR,
essential thon high pay.
When war % undertaken, nations
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