Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-09
NAII COUNT
FINANCES VERY
LOOSE

Especial star Bulletin Correspondencel
HILO. Hawaii, April Astounding
facts regarding appropriations made
ny the legislature during the past IL
years for Hawaii internal improve
ments are revealed in a report which
County Engineer Southworth has pre-
pared for the various civic orsanizar
tions of the island. The astounding
facts are not one of rank extravaganza
as many people would now believe,
hu. unassailable proof that q e-fourth
Of the appropriations made Tor this
island in ten years have been allowed
TO go back to lapse balances.
Starting with the year 1901, South
worth and his assistants have COM
piled table showing every appropria
ton made up to 1912 and give in de-
tail the different expenditures made
from these appropriations list of the
lapse balances to the territory also
being appended.
From total appropriation of 81
2SS, 101 20, made from 1901 up to 1911,
I period of ten years, there has been
actually expended on internal works
only s564,7S5.41.
The lapse balance amount for the
Period is $1.723.316.29. Instead of
having over $2,000,000 spent here in
ten years. as many people are led to
believe by being shown government
appropriation reports, this island has
only had fourth of that sum spent
for needed improvements. But 1t is
reference to these appropriation re-
Terts which are constantly used to
convince legislators and others that
Hawaii is getting great amount OF
money for improvements.
That the total of appropriations Is
large is admitted, but the method By
which ii was brought up to such a
large total is easily understood when
it is shown that the total represents
appropriation after appropriation made
for the same purpose by several differ
ent legislatures.
Take for instance the Armory build
ing appropriations, with which Hilo
people are somewhat familiar; there
were three separate appropriations of
$4,000 made for this building before it
was finally constructed, but the sum
total of $4,000, is of course included
in the grand total.o appropriations.
This is but single instance. Refer
ence to the tables shows that this has
been true, time and time again, the
$4,000 appropriated for a county
building being fair example.
There, is ray Of hope In the Ia
bles for 1911 and 1912 that presages
better treatment for future years. Dur
ing these two years there was a total
appropriation of 81 ,698,77122. The to
tai expended was s795, 542.16. Lapse
balance was $685., 229.06. During these
two years the county got about two
thirds of what was appropriated. II
is noteworthy that this was during a
period since the civic organizations
were formed on the island
But even with this good showing
for the last years, when it is added
with the ten years preceding and the
average taken for the twelve years,
the lapse balance amount is big one.
The grand total of appropriations
for the IL years is $3,5S6,872,92 The
grand total expended s1,360.327.5 81
The grand total lapse balance, $685..
545.35. A very good showing for
lapse balance improvements, but far
from extraordinary for big island
like Hawaii, for money really spent on
internal improvements in the II years.