Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-04
IOWA OIL Inspection
Report OF the Experts Show the
States Oil Inspectors Are
Expensive.
Out of S42,342 Received in Fees
the State Got Only
$4,000.
Chances in the Law Are Urged.-
State Accounts in Good
Shape.


Shape.
Des Moines, March 4.-The expert
accountants appointed to examine the
accounts of state officers yesterday
filed their report with the executive
committee. The feature of the report
is the criticism of present system OF
oil inspection, both as to cost to the
owners of oils and to the state. The re-
port shows that for the year ending
Jan. 1902, the fourteen oil inspectors
of the state collected from the owners
of oils s42,342. OF this amount the in
spectors retained in fees s15,614 and for
travelling and other expenses 1888,
turning over to the state treasury S13,-
ia. The experts find that the oil in
spectors paid out for helpers" the sum
OF s7,4S2.
The system followed by the inspect
ors is said by the experts to be deserv-
ing Of the severest criticism. both as to
in the matter of supplies The rec
concentration is made that the present
law, which is declared to be lax and
inefficient, be so amended that oil in
spectors will be compelled to secure
their supplies the same as do other
state officers, and that detailed state
ments as to the number of assistants
and the actual time put in by them be
required.
The report doubtless will result in
the enactment of legislation requiring
the strictest accounting for all moneys
collected as fees for the inspection of
oils and providing a method for the
securing of supplies.
The following is the language used
by Mr.. Dino and his assistant Mr.
Clements, in regard to the oil inspect
ors.
1--WE find there have been examined
423,42S barrels of OIL at a total cost to
the owners of $42,342.SO. Fees retained
by the inspectors amounted to $15,
GLASS and their travelling and other eN-
penses were s13,613.S1, of which sum
there was paid assistants and helpers
$7,4S2.35. There was turned into the
treasury, according to their reports,
$13.114.11. The discrepancy between the
amount here shown to have been
turned into the treasury and the
amount shown to have been received
by the treasurers statement Is occa-
stoned by the treasury not receiving the
until the month succeeding
that for which the report is filed.
ti,,u ,to n int
there is much to criticise in the pres
ent manner of conducting the depart
lnent. resulting. however, from omis-
sions in and indefiniteness of the law.
Formerly 1t was the practice for
each inspector to furnish his own APP
paratus and supplies and pay therefor
out of the fees collected by him. Owing
to the fact that some districts do not
pay a sum that reaches the maximum
of fees retainable, 1T has become the
custom for an inspector in large dis
trict to buy supplies for other dis
tricts and pay therefor out of fees col
Iected by him. We believe each in
spector should supply his own appara-
tus and that any deviation is an evasion
Of the statutes. In our opinion, the
law should be so amended as to per-
NIT the purchase for and distribution
Of supplies to the inspectors as to other
state officers. We recommend a verifi-
as of accounts.
The large amount paid out for as
sistants and helpers suggests that
some limit should be placed on such
1elp allowed. We believe the service
20 the state would not be impaired and
The treasury greatly benefited if the
aw was SO amended as to require in
'pectors to turn into the treasury the |
gross amount of the fees collected by
hem. There should be provision for
IN itn1eized and verified statement as
1T present, which statement should
show the name and address of each |
assistant and helper and the actual
lime he was employed. This statement |
o be audited by some state officer and |
he expenses to be refunded and fees
'aid to the inspectors by auditors |
upon their approval by the
luditing off1ce'. Wages of assistants
n helpers to be paid in like manner
ltrectly to the person entitled therto."
The reports Of the exports on the
'ther offices are not sensational, tho
! number of abuses are pointed out.
rhe experts examined all the offices
,ut the board of control the phar-
macy commission and the horticulture
Il department. The insurance Sc
urities have also to be checked up.
This work will be done in May, with
he exception of the investigation of
he board Of control office which will
lot be taken up until after July 1, the
late on which it was examined last
ear.
In all cases the examination has
commenced where the work of the
preceding experts terminated Janu-
.ry 1. 1901. and covers the period to
January 1, 1902.
The experts say they have been re-
eived with the utmost courtesy by
he different officers and every facility
as been afforded to pursue investiga-
ions.
THE WESLEY ELklNs CASE.
Ills Petition for Pardon Exciting