The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1913-03-25

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After spending the greater portion of
the morning in strolling along the beach
at Waikiki and watching the antics of
the surfboard riders, who seemed to be
sporting themselves for the especial
benefit of him and his distinguished
party, former Attorney General George
Woodward Wickersham, late in the af.
ternoon begged away from his score of
friends, and in company of Secretary
L. A. Mott-Smith took an automobile
trip to the Country Club. Here Mr..
Wickersham donned his outing clothes
and amid the cheers of perhaps dozen
other players, drove from the pit for
his first game of golf this season. For
his opponent he had Secretary +. A.
Mott-Smith one of the most expert
players on the Islands.
Before entering the game, however,
Mr.. Wickersham spared considerable
time to discuss one of the topics upper
most in the minds of those living in
Honolulu. 1t was relative to the COM
mission form of government for cities.
In regard to this subject he said:
Although 1 do not know a great
deal of the government of Honolulu, l
can see no reason why the commission
form of government would not take
well here. OF course there are great
many people who would vote against it
if it were brought up for public settle
ment, but that would be because they
do not understand its principles. In
New York State, when the issue was
first placed before the people, they re-
jected it. That was because it had not
been properly explained. 1t was taken
up again, however, and this time thor
oughly explained through the agency of
the newspapers and speakers in public
halls. When it was placed on the bal
lot the second time the people welcomed
it as no other issue was welcomed. 1t
was passed with one of the biggest
majorities ever given bill in New
York.
After it was tried here for about
year, other cities in various parts of the
United States began to install it and in
every instance it has worked admir-
ably.
Concentrated Responsibility.
"With commission form of govern
ment, most of the corruption and in
I efficiency that is met with in the gov
eminent of cities has been done away
with. The power of control is taken
from a number and vested with few.
These few are better able to cope with
the emergencies which arise, and can
settle them Immediately without the
necessity of first bringing them before
larger body of control. The commits
sioners in charge of each department
have to answer to the people direct for
any mistakes they might make. Com
plants do not have to be taken before
the larger controlling body of the city
and passed upon by it before satisfac-
ton can be secured.
Oakland Example.
The City of Oakland in California, is
the most recent of the cities to take
up this form of government and from
latest reports it is found to be the best
in the country. Four commissioners and
| the mayor make up the controlling body
of the city. Two of these commission.
ers are elected for term of two years
while the other two serve the full term
of four years with the mayor.
Each commissioner is placed at the
| head of one department and everything
pertaining to his department has to
pass through his hands. If a mistake
is made by him and the people wish to
have it rectified they take the matter
before the commission sitting as coun
ell. If a mistake is made by one of
the commissioner force, the matter is
taken up with the commissioner. In
this way the delays met with in set
ting differences are very few. The head
of each department is compelled to
stand for the mistakes of his men and
it is upon him that the wrath of the
people falls instead of the entire NUM-
cipal government.
Honolulu is large enough city to
be governed by this form of govern
ment and, as l said before, can see
no reason why it should not be sue