Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-05-05
HAWAII AUDIT EXHIBIT

Samples of the unsigned and unendorsed pa.
per of the County of Hawaii which passed eur
rent among the business houses of Hilo are given
in this issue of the Star Bulletin. i.
We give these samples in order that our read
ers who. are not familiar with business paper
may see what the county documents lock like
and better understand the discussion which
may take place in the future 81
This paper is not in position to charge or
even intimate that the First Bank of Hilo or any
business house or any person in HilO profted
by this carelessness
On the other hand we are prepared to say
that business organizations which allowed such
conditions as this to prevail without a protest
are hanging around on the verge of criminal
carelessness. We do say that our whole com
lilnnity ought to be ashamed for allowing such
state Of affairs to go on and furnish, as it did
furnish, fertile ground on which the seeds of
corruption found everything favorable to rapid
growth.
This shows how the much Wanted exactness
and accuracy Of business falls down complete.
Nv when ii has not behind it the exacting human
factor of character and efficiency.
We are informed Inv the dispatches from Hilo
that the Hawaii Probe Commission believes that
there Is an explanation for all these short CONF
ings All right We do not doubt it, The ex
PLANTATION can only develop that there is nothing
criminal about the lack Of exact method 1t
cannot possibly furnish any basis for an argu-
menf that the methods pursued were good bust
ness and should be continued Not much.
So, what We have in mind is, the present and
the future @
We believe that merely the samples brought
to general attention through this paper today.
should arouse the Governor of the territory to
action, as we'll as the people of our municipal
subdivisions
Hawaii has territorial auditor and bank.
examiner
What have these officials been doing?
II it was not any of their business to learn of
These things, what Is their businessg
Ii the duty Of these officers done when they
have received statement from the counties and
passed it on with the remark this is it, or,
when they have gone over records handed them
and return the report the records are all there 2?
Does we'll managed business employ an audi
tor and an examiner merely to declare that the
cash is correct and the vouchers are all there?
Is it not a very important part Of an auditors
work to offer suggestions or criticisms?
What have our territorial officials been do.
ings And if they say Sit isn't our fault, is not
that what everyone else is saying in trying to
pass responsibility on to another?
Lets have men IN office who do understand
their responsibility and are willing to accept
it Let us have some aggressive policies and
progressive methods. Give us the care and
exactness in detail which is the best possible
preventive for the lack of care and shifting re-
sponsibility which opens the door wide for and
practically beckons corruption by making the
way so easy.
Our methods in public affairs should be as
they are in private administration, namely,
make the checking so exacting that We mis-
trust no one because of increasing in every way
possible the difficulty of going wrong.
twill be interesting to note the action taken
hT the authorities of Vancouver. b. G.. upon