The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-02-26
IFrnm Thorsdav Advertiser

Mayor John c. Lane was gracious II
nothing else in his biennial report to
the legislature. After debating nine,
teen pages Of manuscript of the city
and county, past present and future
for the territorial salons to ponder over,
his honor concluded with the presenta'
ton of the following twelve-dollars- a
dozen bouquet:
tfNatural limitations forbid refer
enee TO much that has been accom-
pIished in the past and to many matters
feduirinP legislation. Some of these
win be brought TO your attention
through other channels. Seldom have
the legislatures been confronted with
so Important problems as now, but sell
dom have they met with brighter pros,
poets Of proving equal to the situa'
ton. -
ptHere are some Of the things which
the mayor brings 70 the attention OF
the legislators in his report:
FHe says that the establishment Of
loeal government was one Of the most
faf.feaching and important govern
mentM changes ever made in Hawaii,
hut that in the seven years Of its ex
istence this government is still in de.
veloping stage; that some would extend
and some would check; that the ques-
ton now is how to perfect; that the
local government falls short of what
Il should be in comparison with re-
suits elsewhere. -
city and County Elections
He says that it Is highly important
that city and county elections shout
be held at different times from the ter.
rit0fial elections and that the advan:
tAge would more than compensate for
the expense He points out that terri
torial and county issues would not then
be confused; that il local elections were
held in the spring it would make the
city and county fiscal year correspond
with that of the territory. He con.
tends that il the elections were to be
held in the fall that they should be
held in alternate years. s-. b.. .
He paid his compliments to the pri'
mary law az follows: at is not intend.
ea.fo do away with parties, but on the
contrary tends to knit each party more
firmly together and increase its virility
BY hfousing the interest of the members
hit II IL designed to substitute the
partF for the machine and the respop-
siiJle leader for the irresponsible boss. y
lie says in regard to the civil service
that the advantages of the merit sys.
tenn are so obvious that il ought not
to be matter for argument. He points
out that the law promotes efficiency by
affording that sense of security and
hope os promotion which enables Off
GERS TO devote their undivided atten.
ton to their duties and inspires them
10 do their best; that il helps TO elm
mate from politics the ,'.'baneful in.
fuence Of jobrchasing and efforts at
political control for politiea purposes. "
He suggests that the system could he
improved, however, by improving the
powers Of the commission. ~. =
Commends Fiscal Inquiry ..,,.,
He eommends steps which have been
taken toward the solution of the fnan-
ciaL problem by separating the terri
toriaI and county tax systems, declar.
ing that this has resulted in large in.
crease Of revenues and terminated the
'sdemoralizing and wasteful influence
81 common money bag O..
He points out with qualification that
the net cash balance in the general
and other funds OF the city and coun,
~ amounted to $l15,995,ls on Deeem-
Der 81, 1914, an excess of $11 ,S53.67
over the previous year, but that this
financial condition afforded no ground
f0r - optimistic reeklessness on the
part of the city and county in making
/ appropriations! He urged there was
greater necessity than ever before OF
husinesslike methods. He advises care
full Investigation and discrimination il
expenditure of public funds, pointing
ont that the balance shown after q
tax.paying period Is not a true indiea
tion Of what can be safely apprOpri
ated. slJ
On this same subject of finances ht
says regarding the cash basis fund
91Hhis permanent revolving fund Ii
highly desirable since in some cases al
least, the temptation of an outgOinl
board of supervisors to spend all thu
funds available has proven too grea'
and the incoming board has been left
in the lureh."
He commends the new tax system TO
making effective the new school Law
and showing to the taxpayers the clos,
f INiAllOn .DtLWotu POShVbn anu
peisons whom they elect to Office. IL
says, however, that the law may be i'm
proved by few minor amendment
order TO adjust further the financial re
lations between the territory and tn
city and eounty.
Other Recommendations
He also declares that laws relatin
to insurance companies require amend
pent to the effect that tax on gros
Incomes from risks in the city an
county be paid to the city and county
He recommends remOdeling Of til
system of auditing Of the muniniPa
aovernment with the view of the II
troduetion of business methods and
Z necessary to create department q
audit and statistics.
He comes out strongly for the pal
sage of woTkmen s compensation ac
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