Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-18
Plan TO PROTECT
G. O.P. OFFICIALS
AGAINST FERNISM
Old Board May Make it ImpoS-
SIbIe for Next Mayor to Get
Rid of Department Heads

Ordinances Specifically esta blisElng
the city fire and electric lighting de-
paItment heads 10 BE pvt through in
! the next two weeks. are contemplated
| BY old and new Republican supervi-
sors as a method 70 block the expect
ed Democratic raid on the city Off
! cal service
Par Of tue plan is already under
way in III" ordinance introduced by
! Supervisor HOl.inger and passed W
the board last Tuesday. establishing
the positions OF superintendent Of
parks and play grounds and superin,
tendenr OF kapioIani park and baths
Here is the reason back OF the plan,
As explained Ivy one o. the reelected
Republican supervisors
i the department heads are estab
liShed by ordinance. they are not sub
jet TO sumWsrI displacement when
Mayor Joe FERN, Democrat. comes
into power July Mayor Fern can
appoint men to succeed the present
Republican officials, but under the
OrdinanCes-if they are passed-the
officials will serve until their success
sors are appointed and have qualified
and they cannot qualify until con
firmed by the board OF supervisors
The board is Republican by a good
majority-five Republicans and two
Democrats-and II the Republicans
stick together, they can refuse to con-
firm Mayor Ferns appointees. Then
the Republican officials now holding
the jobs can continue to hold them
able to get his appointees qualified.
II is maintained that the city engi
neer, George Collins. is safe because
he holds a position established by ord
nance
II is also held that unless the posi-
lions OF fire chief and superintendent
of lighting are established by ordin-
ance. Mayor Fern can put his own
appointees in after July l. One su-
pervisor points out that this question
was settled some years ago in a sup
rene court decision, and that it is
certain that unless the positions are
established by ordinance they virtual
ly expire at the end Of June, and the
mayor can name men without the
necessity Of their confirmation.
Hence the plan to rush through ord
inances in the next two weeks which
will make 1t necessary for the may
or's appointees to secure confirmation
by the board before they can displace
Republican office-holders.
The program contemplated now has,
however, some prospects Of being
blocked 1t was said today that Super
visors Horner and Larsen, neither Of
whom was reelected, will not work
with the majority Of the outgoing
board in putting the ordinances
through and that Mayor Lane might
either pocket-veto or veto such legis-
lation, which renders II doubtful il 1t
can be enacted.
The plans for rearranging the pre-
sent standing committees Of supervi. |
sors. told Of by the Star-Bulletin last
week, are being worked out but it is
not yet certain that they will be put
through.
1t is proposed to have only five
standing committees - finance and
public expenditures, protection, recre-
alton, roads, and health.
The finance and public expenditures
committee will have the same duties |
as the present committee Of that name
handling city finances.
Mott-Smith is now proposed as
chairman for this committee.
The protection committee will look |
after the police and fire departments, |
with Bellina as the proposed chair
man.
The recreation committee will look |
after schools, parks and Fairgrounds |
Ben Hollinger will continue to handle |
this committee.
Charles N. Arnold will again be
head Of the roads committee.
The health and water and sewers |
committees are to be merged with
William AHA as chairman
The scheme as proposed will give
the Democratic pair no committee
chairmanships, but they are to be
represented on the, most important |