Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-06
The City Election...A Warning To "Get On The JOB

In the finals yesterday Lane got approximately
3646 and Fern 1924 there figures not officially com
petedl. 1t is plain to anyone that the Cohen vote
did not swing for Lane yesterday. 1t is also plain
that il those who voted for Lane and Cohen in the
primaries had concentrated upon Lane in the fnals
be would have been reelected.
Ferns personal vote getting ability with his OVID
people and not a few others; the "drive made by
Rose the "kni6ng" that Lane received at the hands
Of so-caled Republicans were the chief factors In
Lanes defeat 1t is defeat to be regretted but it
was not due to the independent-vote-forefR efficiency
movement and no amount Of distortion can make it
look like that.
That the new mayor will play the game for the
Democratic party is virtually certain. But there is
q solid majority OF Republicans the next board
to hold him in check, and the vote Of yesterday
showed that the community has confidence that
Messrs Petrie and Mcclellan. Democrats, will work
for efficiency members of the board not for petty
partisan politics or policies.
Roses reelection reflected the lack Of confidence
IN Edward Hopkins, whose youth, nexEerence in
public office and comparative newness to real poll
ticai battling proved detrimental to his prospects.
Rose is SO strongly entrenched in the police depart
ment that it will take tremendous fight to dslodge
him, and Hopkins did not have the general strength
all over the city to make that fight. The strongest
argument that could be made for Hopkins-that his
record was clean, that he is promising young man
who has made good as far as he has gone, and that
| change in the sheriffs Office would be for the
better-could not overcome the following of all
kinds that has massed behind Rose. Nevertheless,
the vote which Hopkins neutrality-suspicious.
1910 as against 1920 for Rose-is distinct compli.
ment to the young man.
Hopkins got 1858 votes in the primary and John
al
got S25, total of 1888. As in tn case of Lanes
race for mayor, the Republican vote at the primary
did pot stand BY its nominee in the finals.
The result Of the race for supervisors was
triumph for the independent voter-the voter who
refuses to be bound by straight ticket party pro-
gram. There is no question about the meaning Of
the vote here.
The Ave Republican candidates on whom the Star,
Bulletin advised the concentration of votes to Sc
cure sound majority Of the board went in BY sub.
stantial majorities. Next came the two Democrats
Petrie and Mcclellan, 200 votes ahead Of the next
pair, Republicans.
The fierce fight made by the straight ticket Repub-
licans against Petrie and Mcclellan was unavailing
1t is possible that the independent voters were
much occupied in the supervisorial fight that they
failed to see the danger that lay in Ferns candi-
daey The Republican leaders were openly confident
OF Lanes victory. And it is highly probable that
had the Republican organization spent more time
on seeing that Lanes normal Republican vote was
held fast and that his socalled friends stood by
him, and less time on hammering on the straight.
ticket propaganda, Lane would have had better
showing.
It is notorious that politicians can do anything
with figures. Both sides will have a multitude Of
explanations for various phases of Yesterdays cleo
ton. The figures will be variousy interpreted. The
best Interpretation just now is that Honolulu is
moving toward greater independence in local cleo
tons, and that parties which expect to win must
stand for living. vital local issues for todays work
today. and not on party name or party regularity.
And that means ION the job" for efficiency, for
alertness to every Honolulu need. 365 days out of
every year-and letting the people know 1t.