The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-02-21

believe, materially enhance the posi-
,iilty Of Hamakua railroad. Through
'ut the Territory there is no great
INCREASING which is of more import
lnee than the construction of this rail-
'oad, and | submit for your consider
atom the passage of an Act. through d
which the development, during the
next two years, of railroads that are
common carriers will be exempt from
taxes for a period of ten years. Elk
perience shows that pioneer railroads
increase the taxable value of real prop
erty to marked degree, and thus the
Territory will suffer no setback in its
income by the passage of such an
Act.
NUUANU DAM
This undertaken has been the victim I
of Misrepresentation and the object Of |
much public censure. Though not a |
great undertaking, yet it illustrates |
splendidly the difference between pri- |
waite and public control of such an en-
terprise and the difficulties inherent to |
the latter.
When any republic undertakes a war
by land or sea, its machinery concen-
trates 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 criticism; it be-
mands 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 nothing worse. Cummuni-
ties have learned. at great cost in prop
erty as we'll as lives, that this is nee
essary.
CRITICISM.
But when popular government un-
dertakes a large public work, public
opinion not only tolerates all criticism,
| just or unjust, but those who take the
lead in such matters are looked upon
somewhat as public benefactors, the
| idea being that even if the accusations
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 in the shape
| of public support, approval and en-
couragement in overcoming all OBJ
stacles and difficulties. Attacks on the
good faith and honesty of public Of
ffcials distract their attention, require
the double duty of close attention not
| only to the progress of their work, but
also to it's defense, and, when unwar-
i ranted-costs them more than Ihelf
salaries. Men of high capacity, who
value their reputation above their pay,
resent this treatment, and thus II
comes about that private enterprises
often secure the best men, While the
community invariably pays for the op-
struction and delay caused by the at
tacks.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
All the questions involved in this
Nuuanu dam deserve your closest scru-
tiny. and they are of such far-reachlne
7 extent that T request special com
mittee be appointed, consisting @
members from the outside districts. e
investigate this matter from a dlsln-
terested viewpoint, fairly and Witnou,
favor If opportunity can be Iound,
desire to treat this subject in separ-
ate Message.
A section of the message is given :
j., waterworks in general and 10 PARKS.
Relative to the Motley Judgment .
s125O for land on Kukui street, ans
which has never been paid, 1t IS rec
commended that it be settled, ever
though the land has never been rakei
nossession of by the superintendent
Public Works. =.
Reference is made to loans for dlf
ferent purposes and he suggests ina
counties be allowed to bond under con
ditions prescribed in the Organic Act
PUBLIC LANDS.
Under the faithful management 0
+bosa Entrusted with the administration
of the public lands of this Territory
+bara have been opened during the tw'
wears ending December 81, 1916, ~
honesteads. covering an area OF Piao
tically 1861 acres, or an average Oh Oh
acres. The total revenue, other Tia
sales, from public lands during III
two wears ending December 81, l5oo
have been 1924, 711-71. And the sdIe
during the same period have afnoulte'
to s1O7. 6S726. This has been done at al
operating expense of $29, 743.4S' Ii is III
taresting to note that the operating
expenses for the two years preVlou
were s32, 2S1. SO, showing that, not"llh
standing the increased work, the de
partment has been operated with great
er economy.
Taking into consideration the grea
variety of lands handled and the man
questions involved. there is no puoil
servant who has greater d1fhculties
contend with than the COMMISSIONS
of Public Lands. 1t is Impossible
properly control the lands ana carr
; out the laws without incurrmg oppos.
ton and it is unfortunate that TN
ionnosition is often carried so far.
BOARD OF HEALTH
During the past two years there nav
been thirty-nine sporadic cases G
Mag but the effective methods Q
; the Board of Health have prevenle
any epidemic. Its careful work mas e
tablished such confidence that no aiail
has been caused, nor has it been IouIi
necessary in controlling this disease
, restrict commerce by resorting to quar-
a antine.
There is, however, a serious ana "ei
, defined cause for alarm in the over
whelming preponderance of death
from tuberculosis The records sno'
Elr.a~ he