Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-22
DEFENSE FUND
..... -, ts.s.. =.
FOR Mcguire !.
Being RAISED

Especial Star-Builetin Correspondence
HlLO, Hawaii, March q. - What
was first believed to be coercion of
county road workers by llInas 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
hers of the Hilo Labor Union to raise
fund for the defense of one of their
members. Mcguire is a member OF
the union. -. -. ...s-@ H..
The first intimation of the attempt
to raise a 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-
tion 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 holly
declaring that he would give no no
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
A
was he who had said anything about
the supposed coercion. On being press
cd 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 kokua too" Evidently the
man felt that he was being question
ed, because he had not given any of
his money To use his own words,
She said. me cash money, go right
home" When again assured that there
was no "pilikia," he appeared much
relieved.
Road Overseer Vierra was asked for
an explanation of what seemed coer-
cion of county employees, in raising
the fund, said he During last week,
the Hilo Labor Union called a meet
ing and several speakers asked the
men who gathered to help toward rails
ing a fund for the defense CT Mcguire.
There was quite large attendance OF
union men and of others who are not.
THE purpose of the meeting was
explained to the men. Some seemed
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 a cent
toward the fund because they might
happen to be working under me. Eva
like expressed like sentiments. NO,
1 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. I thought he ought TO
be given chance to prove himself
innocent, If he is, which some think.
From what Destrella says and from
the interview of Vierra, the impression
that the road workers were being
forced to help swell the fund is due
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
nasty pressure on road laborers.