Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-19
,contInued from second Pase.D

vehicles, and be capable to pass upon
the efficiency of motor vehicles ano
the competency of motor vehicle dri-
vers. There is no evidence that the
chief inspector possesses these qualth-
cations. Prior to his appointment as
chief inspector he was employed In a
clerical capacity in the office or the
secretary of State.
Qualification Disregarded.
SO. The act provides that the COM
missioner of motor vehicles may ap-
point not exceeding ten inspectors, who
shall be chosen with special refer
ence to their fitness for the work. and
Who h be required to submit them
selves to an examination. There is
no evidence that this latter provision
of the act has been complied with.
20. The act provides that the conf
missioner of motor vehicles shall or
ganize the inspector force and shall
ADOPT such rules and regulations as
shall appear desirable. There is no
evidence of any organization, M we
have been unable to secure a copy or
rules and regulations governing the IN
spectors.
"a. The act provides that the compen-
sation of these inspectors shall be as
fixed by the commissioner out in no
case shall exceed 50 per day. All IN
spectors have been paid the maximum
rate of SO per day, and in addition
thereto have been paid their expenses,
amounting for the fiscal year 1909 to
50. 4gs. OF, exclusive Of repairs to motor
cycles. There is no provision in the
act for the payment of expenses OF the
insneetors. and the authority for sueh
payment seems to be derived from the
~appropriation bill, which ~appropriates
money for the expenses and equipment
of the inspectors. It seems evident
therefore, that an appropriation mas
been made for purposes not explicitly
called for by the statute.
IS. The act provides for the appoint
ment of agents for the purpose or
registering motor vehicles and for the
examination of applicants for licenses
to drive motor vehicles. Said agents
are to be allowed a fee to be fixed py
the inspector Of motor vehicles. n
the same to be retained from the
registration or license fees. In al
dition to the retention OF fees by
the agents for the services from
the registration fees collected, they
have also. in many cases, re-
tanned expenses for postage, tele-
nhone services, rent, etc, stating that
this was done by direction of commls-
sioner of motor vehicles. 1t is also SAID
that in some cases they do not know
what fee will be allowed them until
they are advised by the commissioner
of motor vehicles. In certain agencies
n fixed salary seems to be paid, in
stead of the fee as provided by the stat
ute. 1t is only fair TO say that in the
case of the Camden agency the pay
ment of a salary instead of a fee re-
suits in a profit to the State. Inc
act provide that the fee to be re-
tanned by the agent shall be fixed by
the inspector of motor vehicles, u
the duty is performed by the commits
sioner.
free License Granted.
1.-THE agency in Jersey city seems to
be more than an agency n really d
branch of the department. A stenog-
rapher is maintained there, the ch1et
inspector seems to make his h~eadquar-
tiers there. and the business is carried
on much the same as 1t would be 1 IL
were really the office of the depart
ment. The numerous agencies along
the shore afford opportunities Tor de-
frauding the State. Mr.. w. w. BeVer-
idge. of Asbury. Park, n. j., took out
at the agency in won two registration
cards at So each, marked 29-norse-
mower. and one drivers license al "a
for 60-horsepower. The discrepancy IN
horsenawer suggests the possibility of
deception and the reason for register
Ing AT the Avon agency instead of at
home. There is. evidence that COM
plimentary registration cards nave
been issued. To what extent this Is
done we have no means of knowing, IN
q few instances we have found records
marked d. H, which was explained TO
mean Dead Head A few registrations
were also found Gratis
.6 The statute provides that the COM
missioner of motor vehicles shall keep a
record of all his official accounts, copies
of all decisions. rules and orders, and
shall adopt an official seal. We have
been unable to find any such record.
SCI. It is a general complaint among
the agents that they have not been
furnished with instructions by the COM
missioner, and have not been provided
with records or with books. The result
of his is that some agents have no
records except upon slips of paper, n
ers use books of their own design, and
there Is about every variety imaginable
Agents in some cases deposit their re-
ceipts in their personal accounts, and
the money belonging to the State ana
TO the agent cannot be separated. In
other cases, the receipts are deposited
TO the credit of the commissioner and
are drawn on by him without reference
TO the agents. | would also cal your
attention to the irregularity in the mat
ter OF deposits by the department, all
Of which is fully explained in Mr..
Browns report.
"S. AS regards the number oil
agencies, I think the number could be
greatly reduced. The maintenance OF
so many agencies in New York city and
Philadelphia and along the coast is not
necessary for the conduct of the bust
ness. While Il may be a convenience
for the motor vehicle owner, every
agency established results in an e
pense to the State and the consequent
loss of available income The agencies
in Philadelphia, for instance. take the
business which would n%oturally come
to the Camden office. The agencies in
New York city take the business which
would otherwise come to Jersey City OF
other State agencies.
No Expense Records.
'f9. No record of the expense of the
department for which an appropriation
is made has been kept. In common witt