The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-28
O|L INSPECTOR HAS VERY SNUG INCOME Estimates Make It Between
 S3500 and S5000 BASED ENTIRELY ON FEES Oil Companies Pay the Amount and Office Costs County Nothing.-onIy
 Miners Oil Is Inspected.
 Has Perquisites.
BASED ENTIRELY ON FEES

The spirited race between James F. Hawkins and Prof. M. V. Henry for the position of county oil inspector, re- sulting finally in the appointment by the Board of Revenue of Professor Henry over MT. Hawkins, who formerly held the position, was the source of much in- terest throughout Jefferson county. Fol lowing the appointment of Professor Henry it seems that there has been much interest or curiosity as to the com pensation for the work of the official.
 The monetary yield of the office has been guessed by various persons at figures ranging from S15O month to $100O0 year. and while nobody seems to know exactly what the office pays, it is understood that the position of oil in- spector is quite one of the best of the minor county offices.
 From all that could be learned from members of the Board of Revenue yester- day it is understood that the office of county oil inspector pays from $500 to s5OO0 year. Cleon B. Rogers, a member of the board stated last night that he understood the office paid from $500 to s40O a month. MT Rogers further stated that the salary ductuated considerably, as it is based on the amount of oil in- spected.
 Reference to the code of local acts, that is acts applying to Jefferson county, bears interesting information relative to the office which, 1t seems, was created in 1901 purely for the purpose Cf regulating
 
 vent the use of impure oils. The duties of the oil inspector are confined entirely to the inspection of oil used for illuminat- ing purposes in the mines of Jefferson county.
 The oil inspector is elected by the Board of Revenue for a term of four years, under the act of 1901.
 The full compensation for the services of the oil inspector is based on the fol- lowing scale.
 If the inspection is made of quantities in bulk of 5000 gallons or more of oil the inspector receives three-quarters of cent a gallon.
 If the inspection is made of quantities in bulk of less than 5000 gallons he re- ceives 1 cent a gallon.
 If the inspection is made of oil which has been barreled the inspector receives 2 cents gallon.
 Besides this commission the inspector receives his railroad fare and other ex- penses if he has to go outside of the town where he makes his office.
 The county bears none of the expense of the office, according to the act governing 1t. The act specifics that the oil shall be held in lieu of the fees until the owner has paid for the inspection on the scale of compensation given above
 The act further specifics that the county oil inspector may appoint as many as- sistants as he deems necessary with the power to discharge them when he sees fit. The salaries of these assistants are paid out of the fees or commission of the chief oil inspector, who must also furnish the assistants with all instru- ments and apparatus that may be neces- sary.
 Specification is also made that the tests shall be made in glass tubes of certain dimensions and shall be tested on basis of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Any contro- versies as to tests made shall, according to the act, be settled by the state chemist at Auburn, his decision to be final
 One clause of the act provides that the oil shall be inspected or tested within two days after it Is received in the county.
 The penalty for violating any provision of the act in any way, shape or form, is very heavy.