Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-22
DEFENSE FUND
FOR mcguire
Being RAISED

Especial Star-Builetin Correspondence
HILO, Hawaii, March 81. - What
was first believed to be coercion of
county road workers by lunas to make
them contribute to~a general fund for
the defense CT Auditor Mcguire, in
case he is arrested, is now thought
to be merely the efforts of the MEM
berS of the Hilo Labor Union to raise
q fund for the defense of one of their
members. Mcguire is member of
the union. ...: - -.
The first intimation of the attempt
to raise defense fund, became
known the first of this week, when
Manuel DeStrella, road workman,
told clerk in enc of the stores that
he had been requested to give por-
ticn of his pay, last Saturday toward
the fund that was being raised to de-
fend Mcguire. The workman was in
dignant at the time and was hotly
declaring that he would give no mo-
ney to aid one who could afford to
drive an automobile. He has lots of
money! have little" he is quoted as
saying.
When Destrella was seen and asked
about the matter, he denied that 1t
was he who had said anything about
the supposed coercion. On being press
ed he said maybe it was Antoine Des-
trella who was asked to support Ma
guire. Finally on being assured that
there would be no 'pilikia," whether
he gave the money or not, he said
that. his road luna had asked him to
help. Then added: "Spose other men
kokua. me kekua too" Evidently the
man felt that he was being question
cd, because he had not given any of
his money. To use his own words,
Ishe said, "Me cash money, go right
home" When again assured that there
was no "pilikia," he appeared much
relieved.
Road Oyerseer Vierra was asked for
an explanation of what seemed eoer-
cion of county employees, in raising
the fund, said he During last week,
the Hilo Labor Union called meet
ing and several speakers asked the
men who gathered to help toward rails
ing a fund for the defense OF Mcguire.
There was quite a large attendance OF
union men and of others who are not.
The purpose of the meeting was
eXDldlleO 10 Tie iHeti. oOIIAC SCShASN
willing to contribute others did not.
| spoke to the men of the matter, be-
cause / believe every man is entitled,
to be thought innocent until he is
proved guilty. ] do not think Ma
guire has yet been proven guilty. But
! / assured the men present that they
must not feel obligated to give cent
toward the fund because they might
| happen to be working under me- Eva
like expressed like sentiments NO.
| / would not like to say who. else spoke.
/ But there were no other county OH
Gals present except Pacheco. He is
clerk of the road board and secretary
| for the union. Mcguire is member
of the union. / thought he ought 70
! he given chance to prove himseiI
| innocent, if he is, which some think.
From what Destrella says and from
| the interview of Vierra, the impression
| that the road workers were pelhs
! forced to help swell the fund IS que
no doubt to the coincidence that lead
! ers in. the labor union are In some
| cases also county officials.
| Vierra was an almost unanimous
choice of Hilo people for the position
of road overseer. There are very few
| who will not accept his statement as
+, true of what appeared at first to be a
| nasty pressure on road laborers.