Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-20

The fight against the governors
contingent fund was led by the speak
er, who took the floor and flayed Gov
ernor Pfnkham for what he termed
unwise expenditure OF the peoples
money. He said he would favor the
creation OF an emergency fund to take
the place OF the contingent fund, but
that he would oppose giving to the
governor the power to spend such
fund.
HcIstein Takes Floor
Speaker Holstein, referring to an
item IN the fund of s1l,943.52, desig.
mated Rapid Transit Franchise" de-
elared this was expended by the gov
ernor for the purpose of his own per-
sonal fight against the Rapid Transit"
He referred to numerous other items
in the contingent fupd, including many
expenditures for National Guard pur-
poses, and demanded to know II tits
money had been iudiciously expended.
Il feel that we should cut out this
fund entirely" the speaker declared.
don't think we should give the gov
ernor a five-cent piece from the
money of the people to be expended
as il has been done according to
these vouchers. There Is no argument
In favor of giving him $4,000, or
even $4,000. II is our duty to adopt
this resolution.
Cooke Opposes Hoiste!n
Representative G. Fl. Cooke, chair.
man of the finance committee. defend
ed the governor and his contingent
fund. He pointed out ihat the govern
or, after the National Guard appro-
prlation had been exhausted, had as
sisted the guard from the contingent
fund, resulting in the establishment
OF branches in the outside islands.
Cooke For Defense
There was no appropriation for a
Naval Militia, he declared, 'and that
splendid body was finally organized
and maintained from the contingent
fund.
Il maintain. = Representative Cooke
continued, that some sort of contin-
gent fund is necessary in any sort Of
business. There Is no corporation in
the islands but allows some leeway
to those in authority. be-
lieve that this contingent fund can be
safeguarded and used only Tor emer-
gency. matters. The fund could be
spent by someone other than the gov
ernor. Il necessary. think we viii
act unwisely II we cut out the entire
fund. But believe It should be am
ended so as to safeguard il. Some
people In Hawaii are not fully alive
to what emergency might occur
Representative Lyman declared
that, IL the money has been. un wisely
spent, 1t is the fault of the legislature.
He ccntended that the governor has
spent every cent entirely within the
law, and urged that the finance COM
mittee be given free hand to act.
Criticism Of the governors expendi-
lures from the fund was ayoiced by
Representative I.orrin Andrews, who
asserted that the fund is not neces-
sity and declared that the money has
been systematically wasted every
year.
Another supporter for the fund was
Representative Walsh. Speaker Hol-
stein had alleged that there was guam
tity. but not quality, in the National
Guard. Walsh contended that there
was quality as well as quantity.
Governor Upheld
This continual nagging at the chief
executive is wrong, as We lose dignity
by so doing, he declared.
Several other members OF tire house
took part IN the debate and the ques.
ton Of adopting the resolution was
finally settled by vote.
The Votes
Vote on the motion to adopt the
resolution:
Ayes--Ahuna, Andrews. Brown. Fer
nandex, Jarrett, derives. Joseph,
- -