Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-04-02
BOARD APPROVES
PNKHAM'S letter
IWilei Communication
Gets Caustic Reply
For Civic Feds.

standing for the social evil as II ex-
lists at Iwilei was given the lie direct
yesterday at the meeting of the Board
and the vigorous letter Of the Presi-
dent in reply to the yelled charges
made by the Civic Feds, as outlined
in the Blu ct n yesterday, receiv-
ed the approval of the Board. These
charges were branded as the vapor-
ings of morbid, long-distance mag
ination, assertions contrary to fact or
possible probability.
It was a diJagreeable subject to
handle on account of Its nature, and
difficult on account of the fact that
the Civic Feds, who would make peo-
pie virtuous by resolution. had made
no direct charges but had embodied
their Ideas in intangible suggestions.
In fact, there was nothing before the
Board to be considered except Presi-
dent Pinkham's letter to Theodore
Richards.
The meeting was an open one, DR..
Wayson expressing himself as oppos-
ed to any more secret sessions. He
stated after the meeting that there
had been enough OF that kind OF
thing, with its attendant evils.
Pinkham stated that he was want
ed in court, SO he would read his re-
port and let the Board put someone
else in the Chair while he was gone.
He then read his report to the Board,
the communication from Theodore
Richards, chairman of the law and
order committee of the Civic Fedora
ton, which was outlined in the
u ct n yesterday. and his own
reply thereto, which he asked the
Board to approve. He then left and
Mark Robinson took the Chair.
In his report to the Board, Presi-
dent Pinkham said:
1T is not the province OF the Board
of Health to determine the social
questions involved in prostitution but
1t is the duty OF the Board under the
law to prevent. restrict, and II pos
sible eliminate any disease danger
GUS to public health
III the Civic Federation, Mipiste-
rial Union, &C., believe they can here
and now settle the SETTLED ques-
ton Of sexual relations and draw a
line, the physical organizer of the
universe evidently has not drawn In
defined and recognizable natural
lines. as to who shall or who shall
not be privileged. or who shall or
who shall not exercise self-cofitrol,
or. who shall or shall not exercise aD-
solute confluence. 1t is clearly mot up
to them to attempt by innuendo and
false charges to misrepresent the at
titude and efforts OF the Board Of
Health in its indisputable line OF
duty. This Board would welcome as
the millennium the day OF physical,
and social cleanliness, but, las that
millennium is positively not Here, the
law has defined the duties OF the
Board. which are being carried out"
In their communication, Richards,
Super and Towse of the Civic Fedora
tion stated that this committee dis
tinctly disavows any intention or
charge or imputation OF graft In con-
nection with any of the department
OF the Government connected with
lwilei." Yet II is stated that they
went before the Grand Jury and dis
tinctly charged that graft did exist,
but were unable to make out their
case. They made number of recom-
mendations, among which were the
following:
That the officers OF the Board OF
Health cease their, cooperation In
connection with the houses OF prosti-
tuition in Iwilei and that physicians
be no longer encouraged to furnish
their misleading certificates to pros
titutes.
That the United States Attorney
and the County Sheriff (acting Joint
ly or severally as they see fit ut
once close up all houses OF prostitu-
ton at lwilei or elsewhere"
When Pinkham had left the room.
no one seemed to know what was to
be done. There appeared to be moth
Ing before the Board, except his let
ter OF reply to the Civic Feds, which
he desired the Board to approve.
Both DIT. Wayson and DR.. Baldwin
said that they knew nothing about
the whole matter; that II the Board
OF Health had any connection with
lwilei they knew nothing about 1t,
and they couldn't see what there was
for the Civic Feds. to object to, 40
far as the Board was concerned. II
don't know" said Wayson, what DO
sition the Board has taken or what
they have done. This is the first
time In the three years that hav,
been a member OF the Board that the
question OF 1wilei has come before
us. don't know anything about the
whole matter, should like to
know"
Smith suggested that the matter
be postponed to a special meeting, at
which members OF the Civic Fedora
ton could be present. Baldwin