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 Imp0s'
sibIe for Next Mayor to Get
Rid of Department Heads

INV VI OSHCAi ItIIStIN tISNSS
Ordinances specifically establishing
the city fire and electric lighting de-
partment heads, to be put through in
the next two weeks, are contemplated
by old and new Republican superVi-
sors as a method to block the expect
ed Democratic raid on the city off,
cial service.
Part of the plan is already under
way In the ordinance introduced by
Supervisor Hollinger and passed by
the board last Tuesday. establishing
the positions Of superintendent OF
parks and Fairgrounds and superin-
tendent Of kapiolan1 park and baths.
Here 1s the reason back Of the plan,
as explained by one Of the reelected
Republican supervisors:
If the department heads are estab-
lished by ordinance, they are not sub
ject to summary displacement when
Mayor Joe Fern. Democrat, comes
into power July l. 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 uAtil con-
firmed by the board Of supervisors.
The board is Republican by a good
najority-five Republicans and two
DemocratS-and If 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
for two years-the mayor being I'M
able to get his appointees qualified.
1t is maintained that the city engi-
neer, George Collins, is safe because
he holds a position established by ord
1t 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 SUI
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
1y expire at the end of June, and the
necessity of their confirmation.
Hence the plan to rush through ord
inances in the next two weeks which
will make it necessary for the may
or's arpointees 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 Homer 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 it doubtful if it
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
committees.