Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-20
Nebraska
GOLFER WOULD JOIN OFFICES
Oil Inspector Advises Union of This
with Food Department.
WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CASH
recommends snIHrs Of Twenty-Four
Hundred Dollars Year for Head
Combination Of Responsible
itir. Suggested.

IdNCOLN. Jan. Especial Radical
changes IN the oil inspection department
and the combining Of that department WIN
the food drug and dairy department. OF
the state are recommended In the report
OF Francis " Golfer ret'-irE ehiet OIL
inspector. which Is soon to be submitted
20 the governor.
MIR Golfer vino was deputy OIL Inspector
FOR the Fifth district FOR iw1 years and
VIII, has been chief since the resignation
OF Arthur Mullen. recommends the corn
blnation on the theory that TIE inspection
OF oils II in reality a tax % / cent per
gallon upon oils and that the inspectors
are no more than collectors. Forty-two
thousand dollars is collected by the seven
members Of the department biennially and
sper cent Of the oil inspected Is found
TO be above the test. The food and drug
inspectors, however. work at a deficit and
can scarcely cover the ground for lack
Of funds The chief Inspector for the whole
department should be- IN the opinion of
Mr. Golfer. not a politician, but a gradu-
ate chemist who could. with the large
earnings Of the oil department carry on
the work Of the food inspectors, which Is
so much more vital, IN en- adequate and
scientific way
Recommends large salary.
He recommends salary Of 81. 100 for the
commissioner Of the combined departments
with the six oil inspectors who amour
really to collectors. skilled accountant
an inspector OF weights and measures, e
be known as the state scsler. The office
Of state chemist could be abolished becaus,
the commissioner himself would be quail
fled for that work.
Mr. Golfer says that unfavorable com
ment on his recommendations will doubt
less be aroused in ''one class. the polit
clans but l believe" he goes on to say
''that fair thinking men win conclude tina
the changes suggested will serve to maxi
for economy and Increased efficiency fl
the departments affected"
Mr.. Golfer expects his recommendation
70 arouse a storm Of protest. as It ha
never before been suggested by an oil IN
spector that efficiency OF scientific training
would he a desirable qualification for tina
office which has always been considered
political plum.
Conclusions Reached.
In conclusion, he says
CTo raise the cry that this chang
would bring on confusion is foolish. Man
commercial concerns doing one-fifth tn
business OF these two departments, emplo
twice as much help. This plan is also I
operation IN wyoming and Idaho, and 8
Gar as / can learn Is effective.
with a scientific chemist in charge
capable clerical help and a corps OF comp,
cent inspectors, this joint department woul
ct a comparatively small cost. accomplis
much more than a. present. Put on sue
a scientific basis Il would begin to resembl
the railroad commission, which is the prid
81 the state,
''In discussing these changes 7 have cor
suited business men. not politicians, anC
IN every instance, their opinions were 1
accord with the changes proposed Inai
much as am a retiring official trui
may not be accused of employing ~sot
grapes" logic IN this instance. Eve
though the truth Of the charge be granite
conditions would remain unaltered. Priva
business concerns in conducting their a
fairs employ none but experts. Why shou
not the same rule obtain when the busine
Of the state 10 involvedr'