Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-09-23
lOADS ARE TOPIC OF NIGHT SESSION OF The CIVIC CONVENTION

visions could be extended still fur
Their In many cases to repair work
when Il is possible to specify It def
nitely. The more extensively this
policy is pursued. the lower the bids
viii be. for not only would contract
ors be encouraged to equip them
selves with economical working
plants. but competition would be
keener. for more men would naturally
Re interested in the business. Il Is
notorious that men working for a
government do not put as much en-
ergy into their work as do those
working, for private individuals. This
is not confined to these islands either.
If work is let by contract, Il becomes
necessary to make a survey. plans
and specifications complete. which In
sures that the project has been much
more thoroughly considered than Ii
Il were to be done by days labor. and
as the law provides that the money
for such project must be provided for
in advance before the contract can
be let, the project Is sure TO be Nm.
ished.
"The legislature OF 1911 authorized
large loans for the extension Of belt
road work on all the islands. introduce
ing the innovation Of handling these
funds by commissions for each eoun-
ty. This feature has its good points
as well as its bad ones. Theoretical
~, the administration OF these funds
Is in the hands OF the best men in the
they being appointed by
the governor without regard to party
politics, but the system seems cum.
bersome and is likely to cause fric.
ton in some instances with the coun.
ty fathers on account. of dual author.
ity over the same matters. Also the
commissions might construct certain
roads that the county authorities
would not favor as to location and
character but would have to accept
and maintain after being built. It Is
easy to see that men Of perfectly hon.
est intentions might thus work at
cross purposes. It certainly is to be
hoped that simpler system can be
worked out. Perhaps the whole mat
ter pertaining to road work might be
left to the, boards Of supervisors Of
the various counties under certain
stated and regular territorial inspec
ton and audit. Il would seem to me.
in any case. wise to have from time
to time an audit OF all county matters
by some branch Of the territorial gov
eminent specially empowered for that
purpose.
In conclusion, It Is fair to say that
on the whole, throughout the territory
the improvement in methods Of road
construction and administration In
the last few years has been very
great. and we have been complimented
by visitors who tell us that our roads
are much better than those In many
parts OF the mainland. but that should
be taken only as encouragement for
still further efforts. Really good
work on our roads has only just be.
gun. and It viii cake millions Of dol
lars more. wisely expended, to make
them what they should be. and, with
the boost OF such conventions as this
what they shall be.
Talks on nBad Roads.r
Bad Roads was the subject OF an
other interesting paper by G. E.
Wright, manager Of the Volcano
Stables at Hilo. who said in the be-
ginning. that the only thing he could
say of bad roads was that they slim
uIate a sentiment for good ones. That
bad roads are as much a factor in the
education as are good schools, was
the gist Of strong point upon which
he placed considerable emphasis, bis
reason for this opinion being that good
roads furnish the means whereby
may be carried on by
enc section OF the country with an
other. II is only as we exchange ideas
that development marks a period Of
time. he said, and personal contact
with others is without doubt the great
est stimuIator to human achievement
He spoke, In part, as follows
Tn all the Islands from the extreme
southern end of Hawaii to Kauaf's
most northern point has travelled the
fame Of J. H. Moragne as a road
builder. Not only as a good road
builder. but as a careful, safe. conser-
vatfve builder. His supervision is
guarantee that bis county win get its
worth. This condition has
existed in Kauai ever. since the for
nation of county government. As a
result Kauai has received more per-
haps for her money than any of the
counties Moragne is civil engineer
Of experience, good, sound judgment,
honest and energetic. can speak
thus because / have known him init.
mateIy since 1898; he possesses the
qualities that go to make up a prac-
Lical road builder.
What Kauai has accomplished all
Of the other counties may. It is sim
ply matter Of putting in charge Of
he work the ability and character
such as, that mentioned Paying a
high salaried engineer, however. Is
no guarantee that good results viii be
He must be efficient and
he must have authority in his hand.
The right to command and receive
good service is imperative.
Decisions Of Science.
Il would not belittle science in any
way but the surest road that | know
n A