Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-01
PROPOSES single TAX SYSTEM FOR NEWQTY
government UNDER COMMISSION OR sHORTBALLOT

-
10y James Mill, the economist. afte.
I study of economic conditions in In
La almost century ago, has receiv
I'd attention around the world. Such
thinkersaEd leaders as David Ricardo
Thomas Carlyle, John Stewart Mill
aid latter the American Henry George
lave urged the fixing Of taxes on the
value of the land and removing n
tom the improvements. At last ! AMI
happy to say the single tax is winnins
,ome and considered for adoption in
1,any other commission governed cit.
es as being the logical and just way, in
?hich to raise the revenue for the sup
mort Of the city regard the ultimaGe
adoption OF the system here as in.
}vtiable il commission government Is
established and would therefore pre-
ARE for it in the charter.
The change from one system to the
,ther should be made so that the as
Iessment, levy and collection of taxes
IN real and personal property for all
corporate or municipal purposes of
re city and county and to provide for
he debts and expenses of the 6itr
hould be uniform with respect to per-
.ons and property on the land. 1t
should be provided that such change
n the method of taxation should not
become effective for two years after
It's approval by the voters and that for
two years thereafter there shall be
exempt from such taxation 25 per
cent. for the third year SO per cent
Ind for the fourth year 70 Per cent and
thereafter 100 per cent Of the value of
III buildings, structures and improve
ments and other fixtures Of wfatso-
ever kind upon the land within the
city, but, of course, nothing in The
rharter should affect property in the
lily exempt from taxation by the laws
Of the territory or nation.
Way Cleared for plan. Il
By such an enactment, when the
majority of the voters were ready 10
adopt the single tax, the way FouId
have been cleared in advance. And \
with to say in passing that the fixing
If municipal taxes on land values will
10 more toward distributing and de-
Weeping Honoiulu's unirnproyed agrf-
cultural city, real estate and giving
the city 4 normal development, nllI
towards permenantly solving our t1ne-
ment house problem and the generally
economic and social condi-
ions than any single act that can be
In the present state OF
society. ~ ~
!. have suggested in the outline un-
Ter review that "The salary of the |
should be $4,000 per
lnnum, but that each commissioner on |
lection shonld be allowed discretion.
Is which If he chooses, but only with
he consent OF his associates, he may
!ivide his salary, retaining not more |
han $500, for himself as head Of his
paying at least $1,000 |
i perhaps $4,000 If manager
ras eRmpoyed to an. administers.
i've assistant to be appointed By
i'm with the consent and approval Of.
nd subject to dismissal from the couns
il, and also that the council should
we power after election by four
!fths vote (but not until sufficient op.
Iortunity has been given for referen-
nm proceedings If there should devel-
ned popular llisapproFal) to appoint 2
ity manager vino, under the council Il
s a body, would be the administrative 4
e d of the city. enforcing territorial II
nd municipal laws, transmitting to
le department heads written notice
+ acts Of the council, designating the n
flee to perform and carry out the va
otis ordinances Of the council ana
, be responsible to the council for. the
rompt and business like execution OF
/, functions of the city government.
alary Should BE Adequate ..- +.
His salary should be not less than
,ur or five thousand dollars per an
um and should be. paid month by
Ionth from a fund made up. pro rata
nd deducted from the salaries OF the
The mayor as the
cad Of the council would be the
head of the city; the man
ger, the general business agent OF
lie council.
The salary of the commission is
xed high enough to secure and re-
nburse competent men in office II
ey are men of Independent means
id ambitious for public office or
I've only time for general supervis-
n they can devote their salary to
e employment of competent as
slant. But in my judgment worthy
fetal should not be shut out OF
flee simply because he cannot at
I'd to work for the public without
reward.
AS to the employment of a city
anager, I must prefer that it be
It entirely in the hands Of the coun-
rather than that it should be made
ligatory II the commissioners are
be held responsible they should
allowed discretion as to the best
amer of securing the results. Then
D the question as to whether or not
shall be employed furnish
q suitable subject each electioni
: municipal campaign discussion I
at could we'll take the place Of the
ual controversy as to the relative
of Lincoln and of Jeffer-
n. The formation of parties on such
local issue and on the personality,
ord and fitness of the candidates