Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-04-03
KINNEY OUTLINES
HIS IDEAS FOR
SCHOOL DEPT.
(Contirued from page one)

ingS to the legislature seems good in
theory. and has without doubt been
worked out with conscientious care,
the experience Of the 1913 legislature
demonstrated that ii was as then used
unsatisfactory. and subsequent legls-
lation does not eliminate its defects,
though a change in the administra-
ton of the law by the department
(alCng lines which | shall suggesD
could make it quite satisfactory. A
brief resume of what happened with
the County Of Hawaii buildings Il Sc
lect these, as | took particularly &C
tive part in that section of the qTes-
ton, and am most familiar with it,
and as it furnishes a good illustration
of the results as a whole), will serve
to show the point which | wish to
make.
Forwards the end Of 1912 thu de-
partment instructed its supervising
principals to furnish it with estimates
Of the cost of buildings needed in heir
respective districts. This they were
not qualified to do. as they did in
many cases not have the special
knowledge required. They relied
tors and others, some of whom were
interested in securing large appropri-
atoms, and the results were quite in
congruous. In the Hilo and Puma dis
trfcts estimates were based on a cost
of $500 a room. In other districts $500
a room was the basis. The other esti-
mates differed correspondingly, al.
though in many cases the higher cost
was estimated where the cost of build
ing was admittedly lower than it was
in districts where lower figures had
been given. AS result the depart
ment went on record with an estimate
, for Hawaii buildings amounting to
$279,334. A reduction to $229.922 was
Effected think may claim this was
induced, at least in part, by the activ-
ity of the Tribune-still it was ridicu-
lousy high, and the legislature reduc-
ed it to $138,S55, and again venture
to call attention to the fact that |
took some part by pointing out to leg
islators weak points in the budget and
by furnishing them with information.
81 feel sure that a very efficient
remedy. which viii bring school con-
structiOn down to a common sense ba-
sis, can be provided by the adoption
of standard school building system
With the possible exception of the
case of large concrete structures land
here the standardization may be APP
piled, though less easily, to certain
degree, as some glazing instances have
shown school building requirements
are very much the same. In the ma
jority of cases, I-room, broom, Broom,
etc, schools, frame buildings, substan-
tally and simply constructed, so as to
provide light, shelter and ventilation,
meet the demands upon them. As a
matter of fact, in many cases the more
extensively constructed buildings are
less substantial and less easy to main
tain than the simpler and less expen-
i've structures. Furthermore, on Kauai
a bungalow type has been used, which
cost about $500 a room, which has
been highly praised by those who used
it. I feel assured that, no matter
whether the actual construction re-
mains in the control Of the counties
or reverts to the territory, the de.
partment should work out and insist
on the use of standard plans, allowing
for the comparatively slight differ
ences, which local conditions, such as
prevalence of wind, rain or of an ex-
cessively dry climate, make needed
1t will be possible to evolve a type OF
building which will meet every re-
quirement and will be as inexpensive
as it is possible to make it. In such
case it will be possible to know with
inc hof vii ho h.
pense of new buildings, allowing for
the usual profit for contractors, such
comparatively small differences as
COST of transportation involves in diff
ferent places and the like. The de-
partment will thus be able to furnish |
really valuable estimates and budgets;
the cost of drawing new plans every
time new building is required will
be obviated. as will be the danger OF
waste on eXtravagant forms of con-
StructiOn or through unduly large con-
tractors profits. Furthermore, theI
"pork:barrel' feature will be elimin
ated, for when the Legislative repre-
sentative Of a certain district needs a |
school Of certain type, It will bel
known just what such a school will /
cost. and the temptation of working
for all unduly large appropriation in /
order to secure greater glory with a |
constituency, will have been elimina |
ed. Even a Cursory examination Of |
the school building appropriations, |
showing that in places having tn"
same conditions and requirements |
there is a vast difference in the |
amounts allotted. will demonstrate the
tremendous possibilities for ecCnOmy |
afforded by this rather simple cxpedi,
ent.
course Of STUDY.
II respectfully refer to the official |
course Of study issued by the depart
meHt and to the actual application |
thereof in the schools. The courses |
have shown a tendency towards Z !
more common sense system. buf thpr |
ar" not particularly elucidating and |
in fact. We find in the schools an aD-
parent leaning toward nature study. |