The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-02-21

VIII Dt exempt from taxes Tor leIloN
of ten years Experience shows that
pioneer railroads increase the taxable
value Of real property to marked de
gree, ANA tHus the Territory VIII suffer
no setback i'm its income hy tine passage
Of such an Act.
NUUANU DAM.
This undertaking has been the victim
Of misrepresantat on and the object OF
much public censuro. Though not
great undertaking, yet it illustrates
splouWlly the difference between pri-
vn1e anal puHlic control OF such an co.
torprisc AID the difficulties Inherent to
tho latter
VIII Do gny republic undertakes q war
by land ol. seq, its machinery concen-
tratcs power and authority. Public
opinion under such circumstances will
often sustain an act which under other
conditions would be considered uncon-
stitutional And public opinion does
not then tolerate unjust criticisms it
demands facts. and takes the attitude
that unless the derogatory statements
can be proved those who expressed
them should be branded as lacking in
loyalty. if moth 'ng worse. Communities
nave learned, at great cost i'm property
as we'll as lives, that this is necessary.
But when a popular government UNI
dertakes large public work public
opinion not only tolerates all criticism,
just or unjust, but those who take the
lead i'm such matters are looked upon
somewhat as public benefactOrs, the
idea being that even if the accusa-
tons are unjust, no harm can be done
to honest and efficient employees. Self
governing communities have yet to
learn from costly experience that good
management and efficiency cannot be
bought for dollars only; such qualities
demand additional pay i'm the shape of
public support, approval and encourage
ment i'm overcoming all obstacles and
difficulties. Attacks on the good faith
and honesty of public officials distract
their attention, require the double duty
of close attention not only to the pro-
gress of their work, but also to its de-
Tense, and when ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
them more than their salaries. Men
of high capacity, who value their re-
putation above their pay, resent this
treatment, and thus it comes about that
private enterprises often secure the best
men, while the community invariably
pays for the obstruction and delay caus-
ed by the attacks
All the questions involved i'm this
Nuuanu dam deserve your closest schu-
tiny, and they are of such far-reaching
extent, that l request a special COM
mittee be appointed, consisting of MEM
bers from the outside districts, 70 in
vestigate this matter from a disinterest-
ed viewpoint, fairly and without favor
If opportunity can be found, I desire tc
treat this subject i'm separate mes
sage.
WATER WORKS IN GENERAL.
BY reference to the Revised Laws
you will ascertain that there are three
Chapters plumbers A., As and 40 which
refer specifically to the Water Works
located i'm Honolulu, Waikiki and
North Kohala. While appropriations
have previously been made for the de-
velopment of Territorial water works al
several other locations throughout the
Territory, without further sanction OF
authority of law. other than those gen
eral provisions which give the contro
of TER torial property to the Superin
tendeut of Public Works. i'm all three o
said chapters, bat one sccto1 (Numbe
$3.50 gives the right of eminent do
main, and that you viii note is exclu
sively for the benefit of the Honolulu
? Water Works. Chapter 143. Privat,
Ways and Water Rights, section 22O6
! recognizes that this power exists solel!
i'm the Honolulu Water Works.
2 1t is eminently unfair that in the de
velopment of a publ'c water servic,
p throughout the Territory, the power q
= eminent domain should be confined t,
= but one island. therefore suggest tina
e proper amendments be made, extend
ing to the Superintendent of Pubh
e Works the right of eminent domain
2 for all water works under his co! tro
, i'm the Territory, irrespective Of thei
location
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