Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-04-26
EDITOR

/ the city should not agree to a franchise with
out full knowledge of what the franchise con
tains was laudable endeavor to look out fol-
T public interest but il would strike most people
that BY following the conferences from the very
first. the city will know much more about what
is going on than if it takes up the problem after
a charter draft has been entirely worked out.
The city ought to have clear conception
not only Of the charter plan but of the factors
which enter into the making of that plan; and
lit should be represented at least unOtflclally
at the discussions. =.
A committee Of the board, OF Il member OF
the city attorneys office, or the city engineer
or other department head, might we'll he pres
ent at the important conferences. This is SIT,
uation where ''time is the essence OF the con-
tract." Everybody is heartily sick of delay. Ii
the city does not wish to tie itself up in adj
vance to any course Of action or al! charter
draft, il need not take par. i'll the discussion.
but by all means city officials should follow the
meetings closely 1t will save time i'll the end.
1t will prevent having to traverse the ground
twice. Nothing is more exasperating than re-
peated explanations of the same thing. The
utilities commission and the territorial govern
yet the board of supervisors demand time for
thinking it over that would delay by months
getting the new proposal before Congress.
Thorough information from the first will equip
them to act without delay later
Even the desultory talk at the board meet
ing last night was informative. Supervisor
Hatch made several suggestions that would be
good points to bring out in charter-drafting.
As to the intimation that something is being
"put over' in hurry by the Rapid Transit
company and the commission that is hardly a
correct characterization. Only by contrast
with the irritating delays of the past does the
present move seem speedy. The street railway
charter has been before the public for more
than three years, with long and comprehensive
discussions. One phase of it is now in the
courts. This phase, however, does not need to
hold up consideration of a new franchise.
The street railway company and the Utilities
Commission are agreed, according to state
ments made last night, that the new charter
plan should be submitted to the public and
semi-publc organizations of the city, and want
the widest publicity possible.
The terms of, this charter will be in the lime
light of scrutiny the moment they are finished
Nothing could be put over ''-even surprising
such desire unless the territorial officials
and the city officials are asleep, and they aren t
asleep. The surest way for them to keep their
eyes wide open is to know right from the start
every item that goes into the charter, why it is
being put there, what effect it will have.
And meanwhile, they may well find out ex-
actly what is going to be realized from the pro-
posal that the city get two and one-half per
cent of the company's gross receipts and
whether this is as advantageous as the terms
previously accepted by the territorial legisla-
ture in the franchise plan blocked in Congress
by Governor Pinkham s opposition.
At the special meeting tomorrow night, the
supervisors will, we hope, make provision for
being represented by committee at the CON
ferences, even if not actively participating.
While the city need not carry heavy role, it
should at least play thinking part.