Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-31

Patriotism In The City Hall


While the boys of this city are engaged in offer
ing themselves for whatever service their country
requires, few men enjoying all the comforts of
are using their time and concentrating
their energy on an unseemly squabble over the dis
tribution of some municipal jobs.
II we may judge thees men-who just now are
If We may Judge these men-whO just now are
horizon of their patriotism is bounded by the jobs
they can grab.
They are willing to howl their heads off for the
drafting of the best blood Of the country for the
work in France. But when it comes to demonstrate
ing their unselfishness in their relation to that
part of their country in which they live, they want
the jobs. They see nothing. they talk nothing, and
apparently they can hear nothing but the jobs
Does someone arise to murmur that he isn't so
bad as all that?
Ask him to give evidence that he has publicly
the subject of the selection of municipal
department heads from any other standpoint than
9 grab for the jobs
At what stage of the proceedings has there been
presentation of the situation on the basis of hr-
ing the men best capable of doing the business of
the city efficiently, and firing not hiring those
proved to be incompetent and whose present EN-
i'loyment and past training give no recommendation
hat they can properly do the work of the positions
to which they aspire?
This city is Hawaiis vital unit in the great world
Crisis.
Are we to believe as these Job grabbers might
cause us TO think that every individual citizen must
conserve his energy and his capital to the last de-
gree, but 1t is a matter of small import whether
The city management 10 competent or not?
Do they not realize that now, as never before,
every dollar Of public money must be made to re-
turn its full value to this municipality that now
as never before ability, efficiency capacity, must
be the acid test applied to every official?
Has 1t occurred to them that patriotic duty is
not measured BY partisan duty? Not in this day
and hour.
Brand a nations curse on the petty politics and
bury them. The foolishness of Ben Hollinger in
referring to the gentlemen of the minority is just
v much out Of place as the narrow, selfish cabal
ior which Senator Pacheco Is the windy echo.
What the city demands and what the country
demands is men, actual fulsized men who think
st of the welfare of their city and Of their country
md act consistently al becomes men of vision and
intelligent performance. To fail in meeting this
lemand is slackerism in its most perpcious form.
such failure will receive public condemnation it
70 richly deserves The result cannot be otherwise
n an American community where practical pa
riotism prevails.
Assuming that in the excitement of the hour,
he job grabbers have forgotten their responsible
ties In the management of this city during a war
,eriod IL 10 fair that they should receive public
eminder Of their duty before they should be sub
ected TO the wholesale condemnation justified by
heir words and acts as thus far known to the
public: $780,
The reminder has been given. If the job grab
,ers have not seen it, or have not heard it, the
eason must be found in their narrow vision and
impaired hearing induced by intensive concentra-
ion on selfish interests.
The reminder has been given and whose shall be
he first scowardly voice to say that it does not
Ipply In Honolulu?
The reminder is so appropriate that it might well
ave been uttered especially for the benefit of the
officials of the city and county of Homo
ulu, since it applies aptly to petty politicians
rho would prostitute their city to greedy gain.
1t is found in the closing sentences of President
Wilson's latest message to the people of the United
ytates: III shall expect every man who is not a
lacker to be at my side throughout this great en-
erprise. IN 1T NO MAN CAN WIN HONORI
WHO THINKS OF HIMSELF"
King Alfonso and Premier Dato, according to
hold