The Hawaiian gazette., 1912-08-13
HARRY c. WALDRON
STARTS P|L|K|A
Questions Right of HiIo Super
visors to Buy Non-P Official
Steam Roller.
(Mail Special to The Advertiser

(Mail Special to The Advertiser.)
HILO, August 10.-An instance of
the irregularity with which county bust
ness is being conducted, was brought up
at the meeting of the board of SUPER
visors last Wednesday by Harry C. Wal
dron, the Honolulu Iron Works repre-
sentative. Waldron asked for infor-
nation regarding an order placed for a
kelly-Springfeld road roller, valued at
$500, which had been given without
authority by the board and without a
call for bids. Waldron was given no
satisfaction.
Waldron, when he appeared before
the board, stated that he had been
given to understand that Kelly
Springfield gasoline roller had been or
dered, without bids having been called
for. The Honolulu Iron Works were
agents for this make, and it was prob
able that the county might have been
saved considerable freight money, had
this firm been given chance to com
pete.
would appreciate enlighten-
nieHt, sdlu WalurOn.
Deadly Silence.
| A silence ensued which one might
have cut with knife. The county
fathers looked one to another, but no
information was forthcoming. Chair
man Lewis asked if any one would like
to ask questions. Again silence
reigned.
There was nothing given out on that
subject
1t appeared, however, that the roll.
Ter in question has been ordered for the
district of Kohala. Supervisor Beck
ley, from that district, was asked
whether he had given the order. He
answered that he had. In reply to fur
Their questions he stated that he had
made the order, with the intention of
paying the money involved out of his.
own districts road fund, and that
therefore no authorization from the,
board was needed.
Heen Questioned.
Deputy County Attorney Heen was.
asked, first, whether the order could be-
made, legally, without authorization by
the entire board; second, whether
purchase involving more than $1,000
could be made by any county officer,
with county funds, without calling for
bids.
Heen said that road tax money could
be expended only upon authorization
by the board, referring to the section
of the law which provides that road,
tax money "shall be expended only in
making, maintaining and repairing pub
lie roads in such district, as authorized
by the supervisors of the county from
time to time"
Must Ask for Bids.
Heen stated further, in answer to the
SECOND question, that roller, like the
one in question, could not be purchased, ;.
legally, without a call for bids. He
quoted the section of the law which.
, says: ono expenditure of public
money, except for salaries or pay Of
officers or employees, or for permanent
, settlements, subsidies or other claims,
i or objects for which a fixed sum or
|. sums must be paid by law, or for other
; purposes which do not admit of compe-
tition, where the sum to be expended
D shall be $1,000 OF more, shall be made
5 except under contract let after public
' advertisement for sealed tenders, in tho
/, manner provided by law"
i The deputy county attorney added
3 that there was no penalty provided for
e the violation of the law, but that the
!. sale might be stopped by enjoining the
b auditor from issuing the warrant.