Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-29
SESSION
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ence w. Ashford with the request that
he give his views in the matter. But
Judge Ashford was non-commital He
smiled; then he laughed outright
s"No, couldn't very we'll answer
that question at this time," he said.
in some instances, you know, almost
any action can be taken. But before
can answer this question, things viii
have to develop little further"
Judge Ashford did not appear to be
worried over discussion by the super
yisors last night, which was to the
effect that no more money should, at
this time at least, be appropriated for
circuit court expenses.
May Make Puma Trip.
II the courts have to suspend oper-
atoms for lack of money to pay neces-
sary expenses, owing to the refusal of
the Supervisors to provide such mon
ey," quoth Judge Ashford, "as contem-
plated by law. shall probably indulge
some of my long-cherished dreams of
touring the Hilo and Puma districts in
an auto"
Having made this statement, Judge
Ashford picked up his hat and pre-
pared to leave his office. He declared
he had nothing further to say in the
matter.
Circuit Judge Whitney declared he
wasn't bit pessimistic regarding the
views of some of the supervisors. He
explained that, in the matter of ex-
penses, his court has been as careful
as possible.
When seen this morning, he was
fastening a brand new paper punch to
his desk.
"lndeed Sad" Says Whitney.
This is indeed sad he remarked,
as he proceeded to drill a couple of
holes iuto the vanished woodwork.
How about our juries? I've got
jury coming in here tomorrow Guess
I'll have to call it of, Ell? Expenses
have been very light in my court
that's because I have a court that can
run easily. It's the juries that cost
money"
Judge Whitney paused and consid-
cred the new paper punch.
81 wonder what they'll do about
this?" he continued. Probably I'll
have to return it. E.
Circuit Judge Stuart was busy on
the bench today and could not be
seen. He recently cut down on his
expenses by having the water cooler
removed, thereby emitting the de-
mand for ice and paper cups.
Refuse to Vote 5000.
Special legislative action is needed
to relieve the financial distress of Ho-
nolulu, in the opinion of the board of
supervisors, and in order to get it
they refused last night to vote
$4,000 appropriation asked for by the
circuit court
IF the courts have to close, the
whole situation will be brought to
the public's attention and there will
have to be some action in the matter"
declared Supervisor Single, who
made the motion to postpone consid-
Grafton of the bill appropriating the
money for the courts.
81 hope that action will be spe-
cial session of the legislature. That
fronted with problems that cannot be
solved under our present laws. A ses-
sion of the legislature where nothing
but Honolulu's problems would be
considered would result in laws that
would set us on our feet. gI
Can Give Only Half.
The circuit court had $4,000 appro-
priated for it by the last legislature,
besides special fund of $4,000. The
$29, 900 has to last the court two years
and is under the control of the board
of supervisors According to law they
do not have to give more than half of
the amount, or $14,500, to the courts
during any one fiscal year.
Since last July, the beginning of the
fiscal year, the courts have used
$3.50 of their funds, obtained a $4,000
additional appropriation and exhaust
ed that. Then they come in and ask
for another big appropriation at the
beginning of January. Instead, $2250
was allowed them, bringing the total
since July up to the allotted $4,000
They have bills for $2382 in the
auditors office, with an appropriation
of $2250 to meet them. In the opin-
ion of some of the members of the
board this brings them within the
s2214" with which the city attorney
so often threatens the board. Clause
,s2214" is that section of the session
laws WHICH pTUNIu6S line anu iii
prisonment for expenditures in the
absence of. or in excess of, appropria-
tons for the purpose.
February Bill Not In.
The courts bill fe: jury fees for
February has not yet come in. This
one bill alone runs usually to more
than $1,000 a month. 1t was freely
charged at the meeting last night that
the bill of jury fees was one of the
causes of the bankruptcy of the
courts-that jurors were paid for sit
ting in the court rooms when there
were no cases on which they were
needed.
"The situation the courts are in is
only one of the many problems that
confront u.s." declared Single in the
course of his talk last night. There
are the improvements under the
frontage tax, the water and sewer
works problem and ! hundred and one
other things. The Lain trouble is that
we do not govern ourselves, nor can