Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-11

board Of health. His findings are
contained in the three reports subu-lt
, ted herewith. The greatest credit If
due him for the skilful and impartial
manner in which he has gone into
this whole matter and pointed out pos
sible remedies. A careful reading oil
these reports--and every public Bplr'
tied CITIZEN should study them cioseIS
will show that Gpe OF our greateet
public Ills is the financial waste which
has been allowed to exist and ID Still
going on unchecked.
For instance, when we consider tfal
cut Of every 500 Of our collectieie
automobile taxes "a comparative
small source of public revenue-$37 90
is uneollected; in other words, the
sum CT over $4,000 for the period
from 1906 to 1918 from this source OF
revenue alone is still outstanding, we
can have some idea Of the disastrous
results Of the present conflict in gov
ernmental authority which make such
conditions possible. We are, at this
present time, losing over $1,000 per
month OF this revenue through red
tape. II Is bad enough To have waste
In expenditures. but, II possible, i Is
worse when the community does not
even get income that should and could
be collected ..- t5t 49,
Again. we have no Standardization
Of property values In the territory.
Our methods OF assessment are not
only unreliable but antiquated, and
our tax assessors cannot be expected
TO make equitable assessments under
existing conditions Of valuation OF
property. 6i.s#
Notwithstanding the excellent work
which Mr.. Field reports is being done
by the territorial board of health, it
was found that due to the same over
tapping CT authority, As dairies are
now being operated In the city and
county OF Honolulu without permit
to. sell milk. We have drastic laws
to cover such .delfnqueneies, but, the
authority to enforce them Il. so diyid-
ed that the department most interest
ed Is powerless to effect remedy.
The foregoing are but two examples
taken at random from Mr. Fields re-
ports. The result Of his ffyestisa-
tons shows only too clearly that a
prompt remodeling of or present top
heavy system of public adnlihIstra-
ton and finance Is OF the very first
importance. s. 49,
II must not be understood that the
heads CT the two departments referred
to are not anxious to bring their or.
CARNATIONS up 10 the highest standard
Of efficiency They have been handi-
capped by obsolete methods OF pre-
cedure and redstape which hare been
long in force and no previous remedy
has been offered. Instead ofsOuf pub
lie departments keeping pace Sd mat
ters Of administration with pf0gres-
siYe communities elsewhere. Il Is
shown that we are still retrugrading
70 such an extent that without exces-
sive taxation cur public business Will,
come o. alstAhdstiii for want OF funds
70 keep the machine going. There Is
no use evading the issue; for three
yeafs-past We have been shown the
way, yet conditions exist in our public
which would spell bank.
fuptcy, in unmistakabie terms. to any
private concern. IL
There Is not the slightest excuse to
be offered for existing conditions; il i
our progressive citizens are resigned
TO their fate and accept the inevitable,
then there is no further comment to
be male. but now that the matter iias
been taken up by both the Honolulu
Chamber Of Commerce and tie Homo