The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-08-14

~ Of Hawaii will be prosecuted as
slaekefs IL the desires Of the central
board Of registration of Hawaii is sup.
ported by instructions from Washing
ton. 5.ys,-,
The obstructionist tactics Of this
body Of officials has finally worn
through the patience OF the board,
N q. H., Executive Officer J. r.
Green, and Judge Antonio Perry. The
feeling Of disgist which those tactics
have inspired and the belief that
pro.German sympathies are behind
them has grown so strong that
one member Of the board yesterday
issued written statement Of his 'opih-
ion on the matter, and no warmer roast
has ever been handed out TO. the much
roasted Hawaii county supervisors than
this.
The board has Information, not only
that would put these officials in the
light Of slackers but that would indi
cate, as uhofficially reported already,
that pro- German sympathies are re.
sponsible for the slackerism. But the
board member, in his statement, pro-
tests against the singing out Of one
man on the board of supervisors rs be-
ing pro. German From what he has
officially heard, il seems, he says, that
''the Biz Island were fairly well filed
with individuals---I almost said mem
VINO come under the rolGerman head
ing. 1.
In concluding the statement, one of
the most straiQhtforward which has
come out Of government circles in some
time, he says that ''the central board
will make report to Washington and
ask Instructions in the handling Of
those who have, by lack of interest and
support hampered the work of the
registrars in; the county of Hawaii. y
The statement in full, saysi pl ( 4 y
1.-THE County Of Hawaii has been the
one sore spot in the entire Territory
from a registration standpoint We
have had the entire cooperation, Of the
sheriff and the county clerk, but the
board OF supervisors have, pulled, in the
wrong direction since the ,eommense'
'nent Of the campaign. They-began by
refusing to allow the sheriff to attend p
Conference in Honolulu, and it became
fnecessary for the Governor to direct his
attendance. He realized the importance
or the work on hand and was instIu-
mental in bringing along the clerk for
the last meeting. t5 sA.nyg II
1.-The board Of registration was adj
vised that the reason for opposition was
due. 70 the fact that a member of the
Hawaii County supervisors was prd-
German. From recent Developments
and the account Of the inactivities ih
Hawaii, as related in your issue of this
morning and dispatches to, this. board,
there Is every reason to believe that an
error was made in transmitting this in.
formation, in that one individual was
singled out for the dishonor. 1t would
appear as though, the Big Island were
fairly well filed with Individuals al
most said menLwho come under the
pro German heading.
Branded As slackers .....
1.-THE Territory Of Hawaii has estab.
lished some enyiable records recently,
especially along military lines and ID
military matters. Even in our regis,
tration work we probably led the coun
try, but there viii be considerable of o
blemish on that record when il becomes
necessary to report to Washington that
the officials of one Of our counties come
well within the category Of slackers.
Naturally they will take offense at
this branding, but are they not slack
ers, inasmuch as they, are hindering
the work of the county board in prepaf
ing its returnsf There is no other way
to look at the matter, and their sole ex
cuse is a few paltry dollars.
These dollars would prove Of little
use to them should the enemy succeed
In introducing its uDaersea terrors intp
the Pacific Ocean. They would then
be willing enough to give all help pos
sible-when IL was too late. .'.--.a..,
That Kind Of Man .~. < -..Sst,r {
"The class of man who holds up such
an important work and bubbles over
the slight cost is the same class that
will rush madly to, register, and claim
exemption. owing to his duties as D
county Official. He, is entitled to ex,
emptiOn on these grounds, but he gives
evidence Of being mighty poor county
official, Judging from the patriotism
shown in the present instance. II is
an outrage TO allow County Clerk Ha.
pal 70 Perform single handed a task
that requires half-dozen men. 1t IL
hard TO believe that the Island of Ha,
wall is going 10 be the one. island in the
Territory to quit cold ON this important
work. E'&
GAS a mater Of fact, there Is every
reason to believe that the county clerk
of the County of Hawaii can cali upon
the members CT the board Of supervis
ors, the county attorney and ali other
county officers to lend hand in this
work, who. win lay themselves liable,
through their refusal, TO the same pun,
ishment that Is to be meted out to otheI
'slackers.' Section six C6) of the Aci
Of May ls, 1917, under which reeistra
ton and selectiye draft are handled
reads: E.@t 81.
+" Sec. 0. That the President is here,
by authorized to utilize the service OF
any or alidepartments and any or all Of.
fcers or agents OF the United States
and Of the several States, Territories
and the District of Columbia, ana sub
divisions thereof, In the execution OF
this Act, and all officers and agents Of
the United States and of the severa
States. Territories and subdivision,
thereof, and the District of Columbia
and all persons designated or appoint
ed under regulations. prescribed by tn,
. nraaidaafs Vvhathar a,,ah z .,..,.s ~ -. a.