Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-04-03
kinney OUTLINES
HIS 1DEASFOR
SCHOOL DEPT.
Continued from page one)

worked out with conscientious care,
the experience of the 1913 legislature
demonstrated that it was ,as then used
unsatisfactory and subsequent legis-
lation does not eliminate its defects,
though a change in the administra-
ton of the law by the department
(along lines which / shall suggesD
could make it quite satisfactory.
brief resume of what happened with
the COUNTY of Hawaii buildings q Sc
lect these, as took a particularly &C
tive part in that section of the ques-
ton, and am most familiar with it,
and as it furnishes a good illustration
of the results as whole), will serve
to show the point which l wish to
make.
Towards 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
therefore, on advice given by contrac-
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
tricts estimates were based on cost
of $500 a room. In other districts $500
room was the basis. The other esti-
mates differed CORRESPONDENCE, 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 a result the depart.
ment went on record with an estimate
for Hawaii buildings amounting to
1919 1884. A reduction to 1926, 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 1t to $138, S55, and again venture
to call attention to the fact that l
took some part by pointing out to leg
islators weak points in the budget and
by furnishing them with. information
feel sure that a very efficient
remedy, which will bring school con-
struction down to common sense ba-
sis, can be provided by thu 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 a certain
degree. as some glaring instances have
shown school building requirements
are very much the same. In the ma
iority of cases, 1-room, Broom, 3-room,
etc, schools. frame buildings, snbstan-
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
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. / feel assured that, no matter
whether the actual construction re-
mains in the control of the counties
or reYerts to the territory, the da>J
partment should work out and insist
on the use of standard plans, allowing
for the comparatively slight differ
encas, 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 1t will be possible to know with |
exactitude just what will be the ex-
pense of. new buildings, allowing for !
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 a 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, the
"pork-barrel" feature will be elimin
ated, for when the legislative repre-
sentative of certain district needs a
school of certain type, it will be
known just what such a school will
cost, and the temptation of working
for an unduly large appropriation in
order to secure greater glory with
will have been eliminat-
ed. Even a curSOry examination of
the school building appropriations.
showing that in places having the
same conditions and requirements
there is 4 vast difference in the
allotted. will demonstrate the
tremendous possibilities for economy
afforded by this rather simple cxpedi
INT.
Course of STUDY.
\ respectfully refer to the official
course OF study issued by the depart
ment and to the actual application
thereof in the schools. The courses
have shown tendency towards 4
more common sense system. but thev
are not particularly calculating. and,
in fact, We find in the schools an ap-
parent leaning toward nature study
folk dancing and other fads. which
have no intrinsic value
IN training the en- hrvn r.iti7nDc