Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-12
VIGOROUS WORK
TO UNCOVER
FRAUDS
BreckonS Leaves for HiIo and
Bill Providing for Commits
sion Up to. Senate


Vigorous and speedy in his plans
10 carry out a thorough investigation
of the Hawaii county financial scan
dal, Attorney-General Thayer has
made two quick moves since yester-
day. One development came late yes
terday afternoon when he announced
that Robert w. Breckons, retiring u.
s. district attorney, had been secured
to handle the investigation as spe.
cial agent or investigator under the
sttorney-generals office. The Sec
ond move was made toGay when the
draft of legislative act was COM
pleted to provide commission to
handle the investigation. The COM
mission will be a sort OF special
grand jury and Mr.. Breckons becomes
a deputy attorney-generai. lie left
this morning for Hilo, and Mr. Thayer
expects to go to Hilo on the Mauna
Kea next Saturday.
A"The formation of this commission
will give a working body that can
proceed actively to the TASK" said
Mr.. Thayer this morning. Mr. Breck-
ons is splendidly qualified for the
work and prosecutions viii De started
right away. expect. The commits
sion will hold hearings, with Mr..
Breckons handling the investigation
before it, and from time TO time civil
actions may be started"
The governor and the attorney gen.
eral. 1t is evident. are determined
upon a rigid and thorough probe.
Breckons may return from Hilo Sat
urday but is expected to remain and
rome back on the Mauna Kea NEXT
Tuesday morning. He has resigned
as attorney general, but his successor
has not yet been named, so that he
low has secured leave of absence
from the federal office
The attorney generals office this
morning completed the draft of the
act TO nrovide commission with DOW
er to thoroughly investigate the f1nan-
cial affairs of the county of Hawaii
and to provide for the expenses of
such commission. As stated in yes
terday's Star Bulletin, the commission
is to consist of three members chosen
by the governor and endowed with
practically the same .powers that are
gran.ed a grand jury In similar
case Tha commission Is modelled aft
er similar commission that inves-
tigated the insurance scandals to such
good effect n New Yorl, few years
aeo. Senator Judd will present the
draft 70 the senate this afternoon. aaf
that body will make what reyis'ons.
IL any. are necessary tn insure thor
ough investigation of the wors. finan-
cial scandal in the historv of Hawaii.
Immediate action will undoubtedly he
taken so that the attorney general
can proceed at once with his investiga-
tions. The act calls for an appropria-
ton of $4,000 and states that at the
completion of the work the auditor of
| the territory treasury shall certify to
the auditor of the county of Hawaii the
total amount of money expended and
the auditor of Hawaii shall thereupon
draw warrant upon the treasurer of
the county of Hawaii for the amount
in favor of the territory. The powers
of the commission as to summoning
witnesses, taking testimony, etc, are
so absolute as to insure a thorough
investigation.
Sections 4, 5 and of the drafted
act define the powers in this way:
Section A. Each member OF the
commission shall have the power to
administer oaths, and the commission
shall have the power to employ all
necessary auditors and clerical assist
ance, to subpoena witnesses. to take
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