The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-08-07
FURTHER EXAMPLES
OF USELESS OFFICES
ARTICLE II.

AN I'LL II.
There are two State Boiler Inspec-
tors. They are paid 81 800 each. They
collect fees for their inspections, which
are credited on their Sa.ary accounts.
Should these fees not be sufficient to
meet the salaries, the State pays the
difference. In the fiscal year ended
September 80, 1914, the State paid
Sl,53 1.l2 to make up the deficit in the
salaries of the two men.
In other words, the State paid lit
tie more than the salary of one of the
inspectors. Some of the amount paid
by the State may have gone for Office
rent, postage, etc, but not great
deal.
Inasmuch as the fees collected by
the inspectors are ample compensation
fro the service of inspection, it is
plain that the insutficiency of the fees
to meet the salaries fixed is due to the
insutficiency of work. AS matter of
fact every one in touch with State
business knows that these two places
have been virtual sinecureS for years.
The inspectors habitually spend the
mornings at their Office in pleasant
conversation with each other and with
friends.
Auto Commissioner Should Go.
TheAutomobileCo Commissions should
be abolished, not because there is no
work done in his office, but because it
is silly to have that work constitute
separate department of the State with
all the consequent overhead expenses.
The work of the Automobile Com
missioner could be handled easily and
more cheaply as a division of the State
Roads Commission. And that is
where the work logically belongs, for
the functions Of the Automobile Com
missioner as to speed regulations fire.
quently interWeave with those of the
State Roads Commission and the net
receipts of the Commissioner office
go to the Roads Commission as a part
of the maintenance fund.
Harry A. Roe, of Caroline county. is
the Automobile Commissioner. The
State pays him $1,000 He is an ear
nest. conscientious man and endeavors
to perform his duties faithfully and
well. But his duties are meagre. He
sits in his Office while his clerks take
IL the money for automobile licenses.
Then, still sitting in his office, he di-
reefs the money to be placed in GER
tain banks. That is about all. Occas-
iona.ly, after advising with counsel
paid by the State. he hands down
ruling about speed. Occasionally he
conducts a trial to determine whether
ar allegedly reckless chauffeur shall
have his license revoked.
Could Save $4,000 Clear.
All the executive duties performed
by Mr.. Roe could he handled by Il man
like Roads Coairman Weller in about
q quarter of an hour d day, as .an
average. Bearing IN mind the natural
relationship Of the Automobile Com
m!Ssioner's work to that OF the State
Roads Commission, it is hardly neces-
saIy to argue that the State should
save the $4,000 which it pays The Au-
toMoaile Commissioner annually.
A considerable saving probably
could he made in clerk hire. too, by
making the consolidation The Auto
mobile Commissioner has certain rush
rer!ods--tht times when many motor
i-t- are getting licenses. esuccialIy at
the beginning ot the year and on the
ar.i"a Ut good weather IL the spring.
SJ!!cient clerks must be had for those
times: almost inevitably the number
OF clerks then needed are kent on dur
Ilg the entire year.
# the office were part Of the State
Roads Commission, only such clerks
would lie needed as could care for the
average business. Additional cleri-
cal help could lie given from other
divisions of the Roads Commission
when the rush periods were on. In
word. the usual elasticity of the large
and wel.-organized department would
meet the unusual strain The savings,
thereby, would he large.
As To State Aid Board.
From session to session the board
has asked the Legislature for greater
power, and, in minor degree, has
been granted some. In the last four
years it has been especially active in
seeking to keep guard over institu-
tions receiving aid from the State and
in gathering data upon the varied soc
ial problems. But, when all it has
done along these lines is recognized
and appreciated it is seen to be trivial
in practical effect
In a subsequent article the handling
of State and State-aided institutions
Will be discussed at some length and
suggestions will be offered 1t will
suffice now to say that the State Board
of Aid and Charities is practically val
ueless, that it is extremely doubtful
whether it could lie developed to a
point of rea. service and that it should
be abolished and the money spent by it
saved.
William H. Davenport is the secre-
tary of the board He received his
position after a competitive eXamina-
ton. His salary is $500. There are