Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-26
CHARTERLIKELY
TO BECHANGED
IN Committee
Numerous Amendments to Plan
of Convention to Be Offered
In Legislature

4 III 6SStOtSAAotS
Honolulu's proposed new city char
ter, now before the legislature IN a
/ bill introduced in the house by Rep
| resentative Lorrin Andrews, Is to be
widely amended, with some sections
revised and others deleted, before IL
finally passes with the approval OF
| the legislators, il 1t passes at all.
II there is to be fight in the legis-
Iature over the city charter, as IL is
expected there will be, IL will be over
these amendments, although those
who will have the final say as regards
the measure predict that the possible
fight will be neither bitter nor lengthy.
| Reference Agreed Upon
Immediate reference 10 the Oahu
delegation undoubtedly will be the
disposition of the charter bill when
It comes before the house on second
reading. II Is understood this action
already has been agreed upon. With
the report OF the delegation on the
charter, arguments for or against the
measure will be heard on the floor.
The Star-Bulletin is informed upon
good authority that the Oahu delega-
ton already has agreed upon certain
amendments to the charter before II
| finally comes before the house for its
| final reading.
Appointment Of Magistrates
That feature of the charter which !
provides that district magistrates
shall be appointed by the mayor-a
| feature that has been strenuously
bncked by some parts Of the house
| is to go out, it has been agreed.
A bill already has been introduced
! in the house which provides that dis.
trict magistrates shall be appointed by |
the chief justice Of the supreme court. |
The section relating to the appoint |
ment of magistrates, the Star-Bulle- !
tin is informed, was put into the char
| ter because of a former act which took |
this appointive power away from the |
chief Justice and gave II TO the gov |
ernor. II is now the unanimous senti- |
ment Of the Oahu delegation, and II !
| has been agreed, that this power !
should again revert to the chief JUS
ticc.
More Money for Counties
AS regards taxation, it has been de- !
cided by the Oahu delegation to adj
vocate one taxation bureau run by the
territory, as at present, but With AMI
agreement to an arrangement giving
the counties greater percentage of
the taxes than they are now receiving.
Representative c. H. Cooke has been /
assigned by the delegation to work
ont this rather difficult feature of the
charter.
Public Works Superintendent
Another proposed amendment, one,
II is reported. that already has been
agreed to, relates to the superintendent
OF city works. This amendment re-
Quirss that the superintendent be. a
man Of known executive ability and
that, within 10 days from his nomina-
ton, he shall file with the city clerk
bond in the sum OF SIS. 900 as evi-
dence of intended faithful perform
anee of his duties If elected. This.
say members Of the. delegation. will
prevent the nomination of any ire
sponsible persons
That section OF the charter relating
to the recall is proposed to be amend
ed by requiring individual petitions,
signed before the city clerk. by each
voter desiring recall. AS the char
ter now stands provision is made for
a petition filed by 80 per cent OF the
voters. II is thought that, under the
proposed amendment, agitators OF
recall will be prevented from peddling
petitions, and securing signatures OF
persons who know nothing of the issue
at stake
Another proposed amendment pro-
vides that the power OF appointment o.
the city purchasing agent be taken
from the auditor and given to the.
mayor. In this connection Il is believ
ed that as the auditor checks all ac-t
counts, he should not have a man In
his department who Is mourning bills.
Election Of Supervisors
Il has been further agreed by the
delegation. the Star-Bulletin is in
formed, to amend the charter to pro- i
vide for the election Of three super
wilson's from the, fourth district and
three from the fifth.
Another movement on foot provides
fer the election Of deputy sheriffs in
the outside district. instead OF their
appointment by the sheriff. II Is fur
Their suggested that the office of sher
iii be done away with and that the
office Of chief Of police be created. II
is proposed to- have police commits
sioners instead Of a sheriff, with al
chief of p1ice appointed by the com
mission These commissioners would
be elected
Public Meeting Called
The Oahu delegation in the house
of representatives 20 whom has been
referred the proposed new city char
ter. has called a public hearing on the
charter for next Wednesday evening
az 7:So O'Clock in the assembly hall of
the house in the executive building. L,
The public is cordially invited.
Rep. Gerrit p. Wilder, chairman of
the Oahu delegation. will preside and
several will speak on the various pro.
visions.
At q meeting OF the delegation at
noon tOday II wac daafdaA e., l,a1xty, 4 ,