Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-09-18
HEATEDDEBATEOVER DUAL system
: OF ROADS STIRS CIVIC DELEGATES

declared Tenney Peck. Since then,
he said, many states, notably New
York and California, have adopted sys-
tens Of building stase roads and aid
ing counties and townships in build.
ing others. Also congressional aid is
now given TO states in building roads,
and II might be possible to have this
aid extended to Hawaii, as we are al
ready taxed for the construction of
these main highways as are all the
citizens of the state" Mr.. Peck said.
DUAL AUTHORITY.
The principle of state or territorial
road is established and this resolu-
ton should be voted upon in the af.
firmative," he concluded.
A. Lewis. speaking for the Honolulu
Chamber of Commerce, was a strong
opponent of the measure, basing his
argument upon the uselessness of hav-
ing dual overhead and dual author
ity. He said, however, that he had
no objection to territorial aid for a
road for specific purposes for the 9TH
er islands, as in the case of the Hilo-
Kilauea one. He declared that the is
lands were confronted with circum-
stances and not rneories in their road
problems. "The territorial road plan
in these islands," he said, would be
a drawback to advancement because
Cf the inevitable division of opinion
between county and territorial author
ity. But am willing and SO are the
others of the chamber Of commerce
ready to consider any road project
on its merits. But we do not want
to go back to the old plan of two over
heads"
Mr.. ThurstOn responded with the
remark that Mr.. Lewis was from Cali
fornia where he knew the dual sys.
tenn to be success. This was admit
ted by Mr.. Lewis, but, he said: When
you take q mainland theory and adopt
1t to island circumstances 1t is a mis-
fit. II would result in a general grab
bag at every legislature by the diff.
ferent counties for additional funds
to help out county projects"
Situated as we are, isolated as we
are, it is our need that all bear a part
of the public burden" suggested W.
o. Smith, who favored the adoption
of the resolution.
DR.. II. B. Elliott, chairman OF the
resolutions committee, moderately re-
scented the intimation that Hawaii del
egates particularly favored the resolu.
ton because OF the volcano road pro-
posal. Hawaii does not want ally spe-
cial privileges which the other is
lands do not get" he averred. He ad.
Fised that the mainland belt road
theory be adopted to suit island con.
ditions, as is done in social and other
economical matters.
70 get the subject to a vote, Mr..
Cheatham moved that the opposed
section be stricken from the resolu-
ton, but later withdrew it to per-
NIT of another amendment.
George 1'ulloch of Kohala was an
other Woo spoke in favor Of the ter,
ritorial plan He said he didn't see
why the whole territory should not
help build the volcano road, even II
some would not get to use it as much
as the Hilo residents.
|. II. ID. Corbett said he wanted TO
kokau the remarks of Dr. Elliott. 1--WE
ask no favors, no charity, but until
We get good roads il the islands we
are getting tourists here under false
pretenses"
Attorney H. D. Case CT Maui said he
had heard much about peculiar condi.
lions that are supposed to exist in
these islands. ecu hear II in the
fcourts. you hear it here and you
hear it IN politics. And suspect you
hear it in church circles But if there
are peculiar circumstances here they
are man-made. and what is man.made
can be unmade by man. 81 favor this
resolution"
Mr.. Lewis then proposed that the
resolution be passed section by sec
ton and this was approved. The dis
puted section was passed by about a
twothirds majority, and all the rest
OF the resolution vas adopted.
a second resolution extending ap.
probation to Governor Pinkham
passed without argument and unani-
mously, as did another recommending
the building Of safe flarbor on Kauai.
This was amended so the U. S. engi.
neer will be consulted when the pro-
posed harbor is built.
Another resolution providing for the
territory completing the concrete road
to the Kilauea, when the present $780,.