Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-06

IlSoo dHo TtSd0 obH0lNa.
The roads OF the City aud County
are OF the greatest Importance. Thu
entire public is interested in them
The best methods of rold building
>hould be employed. The roads onec
huilt should he kept constantly in re
P3ir. II this is done it will not be
necessary to rebuild roads so often
and not only will they cost less IN tnt
long run but they will serve theiI
purpose a great deal better.
| intend to devote a great deal. Of
my time and attention to the matter
~ road construction and also perman
ent pavement in the tow district. Il
shall be oe Of my ambitions to give
the City and County as fine o system
Of we'll kept roads as it is possible tc
Go with the money available.
The Belt Road.
The completion of the Belt Road en-
tirely around this island is one OF the
lead developments which is most
earnestly looked for. 1t is wanted on
many hands. 1t is not only wanted be
cause of the increasing pleasure driv
iEg it will afford, and as a tourist at
traction, but because it is necessary
Tor the development Of large Lo"tions
OF the island 1t is a very important
factor for any complete plan OF roads
for the City and County.
Fire Department, Electric System ans
Police:
! believe in an efficient and eco
nomical fire department and electric
light system. You are all probabl!
aware that these departments have
been greatly improved with new
equipment in the past two years, ant
I am in hopes with the improvement
Of the fire department with mot0l
driven apparatus that this incomin:
board will see it's way clear to have
more motor driven apparatus in these
two years to come so that the depart
ments will be fully equipped, and b.
doing so, that the insurance rates
will be reduced. AS to. the police de
partment. recommend to the fneom
ing board OF supervisors that this de
partment should be raised to a stand
ard Of efficiency so that it Will com
pare favorably =. with that of othel
cities on the mainland.
The Sidewalks.
Our sidewalks at present are in q
deplorable condition, therefore
strongly recommend to the board oil
supervisors that they by ordinance
COMPEL the property owners to lay
permanent sidewalks on our city
streets.
Cooperation With the Army. $
Before such an. important plan oil
road building is undertaken, the city
and county, through its engineering
department, should, obtain very aecu.
rate and: very. complete information
regarding drays, materials TO be en-
ployed, land ownership along the line
of the proposed roads, and the pres.
ent and future needs of side roads
necessary to develop the country, and
a very comprehensive plan should
be drawn up, one that can be progress.
sivelyS followed until completed. The
city and county should confer with
the army authorities on basis oil
this plan, and; if cooperation Is pos
sible. a road plan should be devised
(which will meet both public and army
needs. In order TO carry out, the part
of the city and county in such pro.
gram, the legislature should be asked
to give the authority to adopt in part
at least the California plan of proyid-
ing for the cost of construction. A
part of the cost should be paid out
of general taxation, bonds for this be,
ing issued, perhaps, and the remain.
der of the cost should be by special
70 > r,skr hor
this much desired improvement, a
complete system Of good roads, and
the belt road in particular, could be
built without burdening the current
revenues, and without increasing the
tax rates. This system of providing
for the cost of roads is In general use
in mainland cities, and throughout
California, and is satisfactory yher-
ever adopted.
Finances OF the City and County
We have in unexpended county
receipts about $4,000 to commence
with in the treasury. This, l regret
very much to say. is not sufficient to
carry on the business of the city and
county for the next six months with.
out registering, warrants. A good
sized balance in the treasury is neces-
sary so that the city and county, may
be prepared for emergencies and also
TO prevent the necessity of register
ing warrants. and so that the en-
ployes of the city and county and
those who furnish it with supplies
may always be sure of getting cash
for their warrants. 1t seems to me,
therefore, that a balance as large as
about, say $4,000 should always be
retained as treasury balance. If
this is done the amount available for
the general fund in addition to the
special roa dfund for, the first six
months of the year will be $250,000
or $41,500 a month.
The monthly pay rolls and materials
and supplies for the various depart
ments including the elected officers
of the city and county, Police, Fire,
Electric Light and Garbage Depart
ment, the care of parks, including
Kapiolani Park, the Band and Leahi
Home. on the basis Of the present ex-
penditures under the county. may be
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