Evening star., 1932-01-20
BY JOHN PHILLIPS MARQUAND.

BY JOHN
HONOLULU, January 20 (N.AN.A).
When the special session OF the Legls-
lature was convened here in the old
throne room of Iolani Palace, once the
abode of native kings and queens, the
dusky faces of bygone potentates peered
down from their heavy gold frames
upon the faces of living legislators,
brown. yellow and white.
Despite a rumored request that
flowers were not in order, baskets were
on every desk, and the assembling Of
the lawmakers seemed more like a
California battle of the roses than one
of the most crucial gatherings ever held
in this historic place.
The scene was typical of an atti-
tude toward affairs shared by politician
and electorate. Flowers are a gracious
and ancient custom here. But one sus-
poets that too many dubious political
compromises have been covered up by
them.
Yet there was also an undercurrent
of seriousness in evidence. The Ad-
vertISer of Honolulu said editorially that
the future of Hawaii lies in the hands
of this assembly, and that the assembly
will go down in history either blessed
by the constituency or damned through
the generations.
Jockeying Begins Early.
In view of this solemn pronounce
ment, it was disturbing to hear q rumor
that a proposed bill making the post
of sheriff of the Honolulu police force
appointive rather than elective was
already subject for political jockeying
Indeed, numerous leading citizens of
Honolulu whom this writer interviewed
reluctantly entertained a doubt of the
capacity of these politicians and even
of the electorate to gain results under
the present representative form of
government.
But few of these citizens or of the
officials care to be quoted in the light
Of the administrative deficiencies made
startlingly obvious by the police work
in the MaSsie- e-ForteScue case, and Of
the glaring prison deficiencies revealed
by the escape and depredations of two
convicts, one of whom Is still at large
after 19 days.
Older men who have lived under the
rule of the monarchy, the republic and
the territory, and have seen difficult
problems solved are indignant at the
fought that these islands cannot con-
tinue to govern themselves as they
have done successfully for a century
problems Of seaport, a garrison town
and a naval base. They speak Of days
when no one locked door in Honolulu.
Others, however, who have watched
the slow assimilation Of new and recent
elements in a complex population, to-
gether with the rapid changes Of a
growing industrial age bewildering to
the minds of other races, have half
formed doubts. But on the whole, 1t
is fair to say that most citizens main
tain faith that Hawaii can meet its
problems.
Dillingham; Leads Protest.
Walter r. Dillingham; is one OF the
strong men Of these islands. His busi-
ness interests are large and important.
He is perhaps better known on the
mainland and in Washington than any
other islander.
Owing very largely to Mr.. Dilling-
hams courageous leadership, COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce
called on the Governor demanding leg
islation to change conditions in the
police department and In the Office of
city and county attorney. The commit
tee said that If changes were not made
the Chamber of Commerce would ap-
peal to the National Chamber of Com
merce.
Action taken by the Legislature In its
present special session will demonstrate,
says Mr.. Dillingham;, whether the con-
fidence of the public is well placed
Should the Legislature fail to meet
the issue squarely it will add a definite
reason" according to Mr.. Dillingham;,
why our local affairs should be handled
by a different form of government.
Prom the history Of this country I
believe we are competent to run our
own business and that a commission
form Of government would be most un-
| fortunate. I am satisfied however,
that citizens here and on the mainland
will not stand for government that
does not give protection to its people A."
The question of protection is much
| discussed here NOW citizen Uhn has