The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-10-10
TAX LAW SEEMS
GREAT MYSTERY
Hawaii County Fathers Stumped
and Appeal is Made for
Assistance.

HILO, October 6.-That no one, at
least not in Hilo, understands the new
law whereby the taxes are divided on
new basis of division between the
Territory and the counties, was the
conclusion reached last Thursday fore
noon at solemn conclave of the conn
ty fathers and the department heads.
Auditor Mcguire frankly admits
that he does not understand the
law at all. Many of the supervisors
and officials take the same position.
Tax Assessor Forrest, County Attorney
Beers and County Engineer Southworth
all understand considerable chunks
thereof. Deputy County Attorney Heen
understands more than any of the rest,
but even he admits that there are parts
which he has not mastered as yet. All
agree with the statement recently made
by Governor Frear that. the new ar
rangement is complicaed. They pre-
sumo that there is sense at the bottom
thereof, and they are new digging hard
to get it forth.
The matter was taken up through
wall for help from Auditor Mcguire.
He had been ordered to prepare re-
port showing the estimated receipts
and disbursements of the county for
the coming year. He started on his re-
port when Deputy County Attorney
Heen rudely shattered his idea that he
knew what he was doing, by calling
attention to the fact that under the
new law the rate of taxation is not a
fixed quantity, and that until it b.
came such, 1T would be impossible to
figure what would be the income of the
comfy. Mcguire immediately hoped
into the meeting of the county fathers
and placed before them his woes. He
had asked the county attorney Is de-
partment to advise him in regard to
the changes in the law which affected
county finances, he said. but not until
just now had he had his eyes opened
in this regard. The new system was ex-
ceeiingly complicated. and he thought
it would be well to have Heen called
before the board in order that it might
be thoroughly explained. In the mean
time-with regard to the financial re-
port-the auditor would beg to be ex-
cused.
Lyman moved to act on Mcguire s
suggestion. Forthwith Heen was call
ed, and at the same time all the de-
partment heads were summoned in Or
der that they also might learn. They
came en- masse. Treasurer Swain, Com
ty Attorney Beers, Deputy County At
torney Heen, Clerk Kai, Auditor Ma
guire, County Engineer Sonthworth, su-
perintendent of Water Works Yannatta,
Tax Assessor Forrest, Deputy Sheriff
Fetter and many lesser lights.
Heea opened his lecture by giving
a resume of Act las, the trOuble-mak-
ing law. He said that it was hard
one to understand without very eonsid-
cradle study, and, even if the officials
understood it, they would not at this
time be able TO estimate what would
be the county's income. next year.
Then Heen led the bewildered super
visors and officials through a maze Of
figures and euriously interviewer pro-
visions, the nature of which seemed
strangely like that Of the drunken
delirium of a frenzied lnaneier. AT
first the officials made an earnest effort
to follow the labyrinth Of phrases, but
gradually they gave it up, Brows which
bad been furrOwed in thought, relaxed
slowly TO be replaced by an ineredulous
smile, expressive of strengthening
suspicion that the county had again
been the victim of legislative rawlings,
skilfully induced By fine gubernatorial
hand.
"Tbat 3 al Latin 10 me, !" said Kau.
hane, frankly. lie does not pose as d
classic scholar, either.
"Who understands this law gu asked
Kauhane again, when Heen had paused
tor second wind.
- confess that ! don Z unierstand
some parts OF II myseli,'f smiled Heen.
II would take . philadelphia law.
ser 20 gee through that law, Oplned
Tax Assessor Forrest.
touiiworlh took hand. bat failed
70 solve ihe problem and Beers aald
iAHi q nan beyond him ID spoil. 80
ite meeting hnaNy aaleuntd. having
failsi as Yei 20 diaeNer all ihaf 40
llGlalaipfa aasHl