Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-03
OAHU DELEGATES
REPORTED SPLIT
ON new CHARTER

A split in the Oahu delegation in
the legislature that may prove fatal
10 the convention charter as well as
TO the amendments to the city charter
bill as proposed by the Chember of
Commerce. is announced around the
capitol as the result OF meeting yes
terday afternoon OF the Republicans in
the house and senate who were chosen
from this island.
Primarily, the meeting, which was
held behind closed doors, was to dis
cuss the question of how the party
should view the proposed amendments
which place tremendous power in the
hands of the board Of supervisors by
giving it the right to appoint all heads
of city departments. The discussion
finally simmered down to the solution
of the problem of whether charter
incorporating these amendments would
be To the benefit Of the party as q
whole a.. 49,.
Delegation Is Now Divided
The opinion of the Republican dele
cation at once became divided, come
favoring the amendments, others OPP
posing them, and still others holding
out for the election of all supervisors
at large. Some of the strongest lead
ers in the house and senate, however,
are backing up the chambers amend
ments and it is understood on good
authority that they will not give IN
without a fight Those who now are
inclined to back the amendments,
however, desire to learn more about
them and to find out how the Ha-
waiian voters feel At the outset q
majority of the house delegation was
supposed to favor the Andrews-Mur-
ray charter.
1t was pointed out to the Republic
cans that, in backing up the amend
ments, they are taking chance OF
throwing the control of the entire city
government into the hands Of L. L.
(''Link"l McCandless and the so-called
Pauahi street Democrats.
Democratic Control Feared
The charter amendments call for
the election of three supervisors from
the fourth and three from the fifth
district, and the election of a mayor
at large. The point has been raised
that the fifth undoubtedly would elect
three Democratic supervisors and that
McCaniless, running as mayor, could
carry this island. In this way the
Democrats at once would assume con-
troll of the board OF supervisors, and
at the same time control the appoint
ment CT all heads of city departments.
McCandlesS, however, said this morn
ing he favored the election at large
Of the supervisors.
Another point raised was that, If
McCandless would run for mayor, the
Democrats would flock to his support
because OF the already expressed dis
satisfaction with a Republican admin
istration.
Nothing definite was agreed on at
yesterdays caucus and the status may
be somewhat changed at another
caucus to be held this afternoon Be
fore reaching a conclusion that may
decide for the amendments one way
or the other, the Republican legisla-
tors desire to obtain the opinion of the
rank and file Of the party. 1t is ex-
pected that a number Of caucuses on
the city charter viii be held next week
by the Oahu delegation OF the house.
Indications we're. it was said this
morning, that the convention charter
would have to be abandoned by It's
hackers or greatly modified, that the
Chamber amendments were in doubt
and that some minor but essential
amendments favored by the Chamber
may be carried out.