The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-06
Letters to The Editor.
The State Chemist.
Auburn. Ala, Nov. 30. 1901. Editor The Advertiser:

Auburn, Ala, NOV. 3V lyVi. Editor The Advertiser:
 Fearing that my position in the matter might not be fully understood, l desire to say word or two with regard to the subject of the duties of the State Chem ist in connection with poisoning cases, sue of the 18th.
 I have not attempted at any time to evade or shirk any duty required of me by law in connection with such cases, and 1t was at my request that the mat ter was referred to the Attorney General for an opinion as to my duties in the premises, with the understanding that ticular case referred to. provided that the provisions of the law were manda- tory.
 The law with regard to chemical analy- adopted, provided provided that % fee ' of not more than $50 should be paid for such analyses. and did not demur at performing work of this character under the provisions of that law. notwithstanding the fact that the fee allowed for such work was ex- tremely small. In the new code this amount was decreased from s50 to $l5 without any legislative action in the mat ter having been taken at all, and as this amount is such absurdly small compen- sation for a delicate investigation of this character. was, of course, disin- clined to undertake such work unless it was clearly and unmistakably within the scope of my official duties.
 In the last previous poisoning case in which I was called upon to make an analysis. the First Assistant Chemist and myself were compelled to attend court three times in distant County, and our total expenses in this case. have been about $1oo. from which the $15 ana lytical fees should be deducted. leaving the sum of $S5 which we have paid for the privilege of making the analysis in the case referred to. This fee of $15 was further reduced by reason of the fact that the coroner brought the material for analysis a portion of the distance to amounting to about one-fifth of the analysis fee. were deducted therefrom. We still hold script which Is intended to cover our travelling expenses. and if We or 20 cents on the dollar. In another County. where three life sentences were secured on my analysis and evidence. the County has only paid one-half of the ness fees. although these convicts have been source of revenue for a number of years.
 From this statement it will be seen that the State Chemist after making an analysis of this character. can be sum- moned as witness in preliminary trials habeas corpus proceedings, and in trials in the criminal courts as often as a new trial or continuance occurs, and is compelled to defray out of his own pock- ct large proportion of the expenses in cured in attending court. The hardship involved is all the greater owing to the small analysis fee allowed by law, and the inadequacy of the compensation is rendered more apparent. when we con slider that such work may require sev- eral weeks continuous employment, with frequent anl continuous risk of blood poisoning, etc.
 In other States the fees for such work range from $250 upward. and I do not know of a reputable chemist who will undertake an analysis of this kind for less than 800.
 However, I propose to comply with the requirements of the law as 1t now stands and have written thus fully in order that my position in the matter may be under stood.
 Very respectfully.
 P Ross