Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-04

be ascertained by an analysis Of its
causes and an inves, igation as to the
probability OF a continuation OF such
causes
Much. bait not. all. has been accom-
plished by wise legislation in the so,
Ii,iicn of the problems thus presented
The present Tx system, which has
been rcvolutionized by making our city
government independent with respect
u revenues and expenditures. and by
substituting for a fixed tax rate for all
purposes elastic rates to meet varying
requirements, has resulted in a large
increase in revenues. Ii is believed
that these changes will go far toward
fixing the responsibility on the board
or supervisors and making obvious to
the people the relation between the
taxes they pay and the benefits they
receive In return. To this must be
than liquor license fees, and district
court fines and costs; also liquor IL
cense fees, circuit court fines and
costs, and water and sewer rates This
system may be improved, however, by
turning over 70 city government the
assessment and collection Of taxes
within the city and county.
AS far as can be ascertained the
present status. OF the finances Of our
city government Is such as TO require
mCe' C"rCful thought in order to avoid
= poriod OF financial deficiency at an
carly date. There should he careful
fnv"rtigation, followed b. wise d:scrim.
tn9'ion II should no he forgotten
th?t the balance shown shortly after
: t"".payin" period is not true in.
Gic"tion e the amount th"t can safe
~ r., Up. r0fr'lted. and sufficient
shSuld DO ma!nt1ined 10 carry or city
r1rer&rH Mt tn the ne"t taX-1aying pc
Rod IRE gPp brtween needs and
means ever tends 10 widen. ard It is
rElGnrn briiged satisfactorily for any
considerable period. The task of max.
ing ends meet is perennial, as the
desire IN have and reluctance to pay
Isnli I'm opposite directions However
much eccnomv NAV be exercised. how.
over much efficiency may he achieved,
tho fact remains that. with the rapid
Growth of our metropolis and the full.
or realization Of the needs and obi.
s!tions. the expense Is conEtan'ly in.
crnasinr. .-s..~. II.
u is almost impossible at this time
t. give estimates of receipts and ex.
penditures for the present period with
ont first taking office and going into
the question Of finances more thor
oughly. These, however, Will be pre-
pared and submitted in. subsequent
message.
PUBLIC ROADS
This subject Is of vital Importance
to the community, as evidenced by the
increase in public. interest, that ha'
been manifested so much Of late AL
ready the promotion OF good road con
. strHctiOn and maintenance is attract
ing wide attention. The need of good
{ roads is becoming more and more
pressing. especially in the district of
Honolulu. on account of the rapid
growth Of our metropolis and the In
creased traffic
Much of the increased expenditure of
cur city government is inheren sec
essary, as. for instence, that is
expended on roads Is expended, ex-
cellent purposes and may be expended
wisely: but even il much is expend:
edunwisely, the increased expendi .nre
may be sufficiently compensated for in
the educational value and the possible
greater degree OF satisfaction which
come from local government The fact
reinsins. however, that all these in.
creased expenditures require vast sans
OF money and that, if they are allowed
to continue to be increased as they
have been increasing during the. six
years Of our city government, there
must be an increase in taxation.
Rettermerts resulting. from street
Improvements especially In the die
trict Of Honolulu, should be borne
more largely BY those who are special.
~ benefited thereby, 40 the amount
available for road work 10 entirely in.
adequate and should be largely ex.
peudec IN the CONSTRUCTION and main.
tenance Of roads In the outlying dis
ttlets. BY an act passed by the last
legislature our city government is EN-.
ptwered . provide for street improve.