The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-29
OIL INSPECTORS
ROBBED OF JOBS
BY COURT RULE

Yesterday three Federal judges, sit
ting in Federal court at Indianapolis,
ruled that the Indiana oil inspection
law was unconstitutional. and as
result three Wayne county men. APP
pointed deputy oil inspectors rev
days ago by Governor Goodrich, nave
lost their new state Jobs.
They are John Taylor. Richmond,
former marketmaster under the last
Zimmerman administration; Karl Ny
ers. Richmond, secretary OF the
Wayne county Republican Central
committee, and Charles Young OF Cam
bridge City. a prominent partly leader
in the western part OF the county
Commissions Run High.
The district Taylor and Myers were
to serve has been served by William
A. Hatfield, a Democratic appointee.
for over two years. Young was ap-
vointed TO succeed William Hangley.
Also a Democratic appointee. 1t Is
said that Hatfield's commissions as oil
inspector Appropriated $4,000 year.
Under the law the deputy inspectors
received one-half Of all fees collected.
The position Of deputy oil inspector
was easy to fill, very little work being
required, and these deputyships have
always been in great demand.
Carl Fl. Mote Of Indianapolis, Tor.
mer Wayne county man who resided
near Whitewater, under the Federal
court ruling forfeits the office OF su.
pervisor Of the state department OF oil
inspection, to which he was appointed
about ten days ago by Governor Good
rich. Mote is a close friend OF the gov.
ernor and one of his chief political
lieutenants.
Injunction 10 Granted.
The federal court has granted pre-
llinninary Injunction restraining Mote
md his deputies from further inforce
mont of the law. The decision was
given after argument on petition roi
Injunction OF the Moore OIL company
OF Cincinnati and five other oil con
Germs, representing the independent
oil interests OF the country state OF
ficials estimated the revenue from tne
oil inspection department at $l2o'ooV
which will now be cut OF.
It is expected that the attorney gen
eral will not proceed with the case
The state, II It seeks a reversal OF tne
ruling. must prove to the satisfaction
~ the court tina THE state Is not col
Iecting for oil inspection work more
than il necessary to pay expenses o.
the department. Quincy A. Myers, spe
cial counsel for the state, stated dur
ING the argument that the state does
collect more than the total cost OF IN
spection.
Fees More Than Cost.
The decision was based upon tne
nrovisions of the United State consti
tuition against the taking OF propert,
without due process Of law. preventing
any state from charging more for the
,nspection of any article In interstate
commerce than the actual cost OF IN
spection, and forbidding interference
by state in interstate commerce.
Nv this ruling the Federal judge
did with dispatch what the Legislature
failed to do at the last session, for tn
decision does away with the oil IN
spection department. During tn
time James P. Goodrich campaigne'
for governor one Of his pledges wa
the adjustment Of the department ant
its sixty.odd jobs. which he declared
useless. The Democrats Of the Senat'
united with two Republicans IN de
feating the bill to do away with tn
department.
Half OF the oil inspection fee goe
to the inspector and half to the state
G d. Chamberlain, Of Cleveland, o
counsel for the oil companies, IN HI
argument, estimated that the compar
les have paid an average Of $4,000
wear for inspection In Indiana. Tn
cost Of inspection Is approximate
$4,000.