The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-03-28
s. HON w R. CASTLE


on the various questions of policy
raised. Just how this can be accom-
plished, for the well-being of all, is
a serious question, which some mem
bers may be able to answer success
fully at the annual meeting. Certain
ly the calling of frequent meetings
hardly seems a solution. The people
of Honolulu belong to many associa-
tions, and the many meetings they
are called upon to attend bear out
attend meetings. TO call a meeting,
and have a very small attendance, Is
discouraging to those who call it for
advice and they are impressed with
an apparent lack of interest, when
much interest really exists.
Although well advertised, the an
nual meeting of the Civic Federation
in 1906-called on a day when no mail
steamer arrived Or departed, no thea
ter or circus performed, no plantation
annual meetings interfered, no game
of base or foot ball, not even cricket,
was played, nothing unusual was hap
pening, in fact all was quiet and the
time not preoccupied-Was attended
by about thirty out of one hundred and
fifty members, and half of the thirty
members was the Executive Commit
tee! Would more attend if meetings
were called Oftener than once a year?
During the year a nucleus for a Ii
brary of the association has been
started. Books and current publfca-
tons have been loaned. At present
they are in the office of Castle and
Wilmington, in Honolulu, and men,
bers are invited to consult them at
any time. Cards of notification and
invitation were sent to each member,
and to date quite a number have
availed themselves of the opportunity.
In part the books and publications
are as follows: Charities" Citizens
Bulletin Advocate of Peace" issued
weekly; sundry reports, statistics and
estimates for various cities in the Uni
ted States. Several reports on NUM-
cipal matters from Glasgow and other
model British towns. Reports of sew
eral civic associations in the United
States. Reports of Lake Mohonk Con-
ferences. Ballot Act of Massachu-
sets, several papers and works on
ballot reform. Reports of the Nation
al Municipal League, 1904, to date.
Charter Of New York City. Municipal
Program. Shaws Municipal Govern
ment and Eaton's Civil Service in
Great Britain, and other similar
works, besides a line of reports and
books on control of the liquor traffic,
History of the Norwegian System, etc,
etc
The reports submitted herewith show
that a lot of busy men, taking much
of their valuable time, have accom-
plished many things for the common
ha
port of the Special Committee on Can
dldates, all are from the regular sub
committees
The reports of the subcommittee
on Law and Order, Education, Chart
ties and Public Health, and Parks,
Streets and Public Works, show most
effective work, coupled with encourag-
ing results. The reports are neces-
sarily brief and merely refer to matt
ters on which full reports have from
tune to time been made to the Eyecu-
tive committee. These fuller and more
exhaustive reports can be seen and the
action of the full committee thereon
noted, by application to the societys
very efficient secretary, Mr.. Towse.
Monthly meetings have been held
throughout the year, and oftener when
occasion required.
An impression has existed with a.
lew, that the Civic Federation is now
a political party. Tt is a mistake. The
association is non-partisan and took
a hand in strictly local election only
to the extent of examining the records
Of candidates, approving several non1f-
nations and working hard for the
election of those approved. The result
of the election seems to show the wis
dom of our action and demonstrate the
fact that the ordinary voter wants the
best men elected and is DESTROYS of
some sort of endorsement from a re-
sponsible source. The Civic Fedora
ton will continue in the future to per-
form its civic duty, in the election of
officers to disburse and control our
funds and maintain order, as well as
in other departments Of public admin
istration.
A careful reading of the various re-
ports cannot fail TO enlist immediate
oc% r& ~, he