Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-21
Lane POINTS OUT
CITY'S need OF
MORE READY Cash
Report to Legislature Deals
With Money Problem; Also
Wants labor Commission

THE government cannot, any more
than a private enterprise, be success
fully financed en- q small surplus
with which % meet the absolutely
necessary increase In expenditures.
This Is one OF the most pertinent
sentences in the report Of Mayor John
G.. Lane, sent TO the Legislature to-
day.
The need Of sufficient funds to con-
duct the affairs OF the city and coun.
~ OF Honolulu as the mayor and
board OF supervisors desire that II
should be conducted naturally seems
TO the mayor the most important prob
lem for solution by remedial legisla.
ton After saying that the city gov
eminent has passed the experimental
stage he proceeds al once to that sub.
ject and dwe.ls upon IL at some
length.
Needs Greater Than Means
The gap between needs and means
seems ever TO widen, the mayor say,
and Is seldom bridged satisfactorily.
The total income for the year 1915
was totally inadequate 10 meet the
expenditures for that year and the
same Is true CT this year. He then
takes up the matter OF needed ex-
FenditaFes. He treats of bonded In
debtedness taken over with the Wa.
ter department, frontage bonds and
the various city funds In order and
points out how the cash basis fund
tends to add TO the inadequacy
OF funds available for general
use by the board Of supervisors.
Change Taxation Law
As to taxation the report says that
under the present law. in spite of the
fact that the county lie growing rap.
idly thereby increasing the necessary
functions OF The government the total
income with which to meet the re-
quirements for Increased expenditures
does not increase proportionately
since the tax rate remains the same.
lie asks that the prescribed limit be
raised.
lie 4welt b-iefly on the proposed
city CHARTER. need of funds for pay
ment II expenses Of convention and on
Doni Issues. telling especially Of the
election. that Is being held today.
Frontaos Tax Needs Changes
Taxing ND tho matter Of public I'M
profements and the frontage tax law
he points out defects IN that law. Pro-
vision should be made for mainten.
ance md repairs without resort TO
such expensive proceedings; the city
Is obliged 70 pay al expenses on all
public lands, Including that owned by
a.. forrtf<....5 ....I sf1r.csn lorarlo owaurf.
cd from territorial taxation; the con-
tractor is required to furnish bond
ia the amount Of the bid while in ter.
ritorial work q bond IN only half the
amount Is required.
As % the desirabiiity of acquiring q
site for a city hall he writes briefly
but imperatireiy.
He speaks Of tie dual" government
cf mayor and supervisors with the for.
mer having no vote.
As 20 the civil service he believes
the commission has done good work
and heartily approves Of the merit
system.
He speaks Of the necessity OF the
work being done by the water commits
sion and the value TO the community
Of the report woich Il viii render.
The. provision OF tie school law
which requires q report to the auditor
of sums unexpended and deduction
therefor In the following year the
mayor says destroys the good effect
0f the law generally.
Wants Labor comulission
Public health and the emergency
Hre s.lf.s1 f.1l<,..- Al nrdor and then