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


be ascertained by an analysis OF its
1.auses and an inves igation as TO the
prOba bility OF a continuation Of such
causes
Much. but not all, has been accom-.
plishrd by wise Legislation in the so
tuition Of the problems thus presented
The present tx system which has
been rcvOlUtinniZed by making our city
government independent with respec.
tD 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 90 far toward
fixing the responsibility on the board
uf 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
added all OF the license fees other
than liquor license fees, and district
court fines and costs: also liquor Ii
Cense fees, circuit court fines and
costs, and water and sewer rates. This
system may be improved, however, by
turning over to 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
most careful thought in order to avoid
q I'eriod Of financial deficiency at an
carly date. There should be careful
investigation followed by wise discrim-
ination. 1t should no. be forgotten
that the balance shown shortly after
a tar-rsying period is not a true in
dication of the amount thot can safe
~ be appropriated. and sufficient
should be maintained - carry our city
government to the next tax-paying be-
Rod. The Ran between needs and
means ever tends to widen. and il is
seldom bridged satisfactorily for any
considerable period. The task of max
ing ends meet is perennial, as the
)desTe to have and reluctance to pay
IsuH in opposite directions However
much ECONOMY may be exercised, how
ever much efficiency may he achieved,
The fact remains tn A. with the rapid
growth OF our metropolis and the full
or realization of the needs and obi.
isatiLBs. the expense is cOnstan ly in
CrcaSing.
II is almost impossible at this time
to give estimates of receipts and ex.
pendftures for the present period with
out first taking office and going into
the question OF finances more thor
Oughly. These, however, will be pre-
pared and submitted in subsequent
message.
r.. 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.
,struction 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 ....:z
Much of the increased expenditure of
our city government is inherently nee
essary, as, for instance, that which is
expended on roads Is expended for ex-
cellent purposes and may be expended
wisely: but even If much is expend-
ed unwisely, the Increased expenditure
may be sufficiently compensated for in
the educational value and the possible
greater degree of satisfaction which
come from local government The fact
rem ains, however, that all these in.
creased expenditures require vast sums
of, money and that, il they are allowed
10 continue to be increased as they
have been increasing during the six
years of our city government, there
must be an increase in taxation
6ettermeuts resulting from street
improvements, especially In the dis.
trict Of Honolulu, should be borne
more largely by those who are special.
ly benefited thereby, as the amount
available for road work 10 entirely in.
adequate and should be largely ex.
pended in the construction and main
tenanee Of roads in the outlying dis
trtets. BY an act passed by the last
legislature cur city government is en-
powered to provide for street improve