Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-19
COMBINATION OF
DEPARTMENTS OF
CITY, HIS scheme
Mott Smith Suggests to Board
They All Be Put Under
Engineers Office

Combining of the various city de-
partments under the city engineers
office and remaining them the ue-
partment of public works was the
suggestion Of Supervisor +. A. Mott
Smith at a meeting Of the board of
supervisors last night. This is ap-
parently a step toward municipal
management, and although Mr.. Mott
Smith neither introduced a motion
nor asked the supervisors to act un
his idea then, he informed them that
he would ask for action at some sub
sequent meeting. Apparently the
other supervisors are not in favor OF
Mr. Mott.Smith's plan. as his talk
demands for copies OF the suggestion.
The routine business of the board
had been, accomplished. and the SUI
pervisors were discussing at great
length the hows and whens of the
Liberty Bond. when the suggestion to
adjourn was made. Before the sug.
gestion could be put to a motion
Mott-Smith took the floor and sprung
his surprise. He announced that he
was not making a motion, but wanted
TO give his colleagues time to talk the
matter over and discuss 1t at the neat
meeting.
Mr.. Mott-Smith plans to bring to-
gether and combine under the depart
ment of the city engineer the water
and sewer, garbage, street sweeping,
parks and Fairgrounds, public build
ings, roads, streets and highways de-
partments. This new department will
be known as the department of pub.
lie works. Mr.. Mott-Smith is in ia
vor of disassociating the police and
fire departments. as they are entirely
separate and distinct. and he also be,
lieyes a health department should
handle all matters of health and san.
itation. His idea is to have but four
departments to the city government,
namely, the police department, the
fire department, the department of
public works and the bureau of
health.
He said this is following out the
idea which is being successfully !
worked in many of the large eastern |
cities. There the police and fire de.
partments are combined as the de- |
partment of public safety and are I'M
der the control of the director OF pub. !
lie safety. The chiefs, of course, |
look after the duties of the separate |
forces. The bureau of health and
the department of public works are |
each under the control of director.
The supervisors will probably dis
cuss the new scheme at their next |
meeting. Many interested persons
who were present last night were in
favor of Mott-Smith's idea. City
has worked successfully
in the progressive eastern cities and
there is no reason why il should not
be tried out in Honolulu, was the
opinion expressed. II. /
Because the grounds and buildings
at Maemae and Pohukaina schools
were being used for gambling and
other questionable practises the board
last night rescinded the privilege OF
passing through or playing on school
property. Heretofore the public has
been permitted to pass through
school yards, but by the action of the
board one is now liable 70 trespass.
The action was taken at the request
Of Superintendent Of Parks A. K.
Vierra. who will draft an ordinance
70 cover the question. ....~
The Lord Young Engineering Com
Dany was awarded the final contract
or the Beretania street Improvement
rom Alapai to Punahou streets. The
Owing to the absence OF Supervisor
3ellina, the question OF resembling
he appointment of Bandmaster r. H.
Baker was deferred.