The Dairy and Food Commissioner.

This office was originally appointive by the Governor, but the legislature, in 1891, made it elective, and fixed the term at two years. It was first established May 8, 1886. The following is the incumbency:

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EORGE M. COLLIER, chief examiner of engineers, is an Ohio boy, born on a farm near Elyria, Ohio, Lorain county, in 1859, where he resided until he was eleven years of age, when his parents removed to North Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio, where he received a common school education. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship at the machinists' trade with one of the largest ship building concerns in the country. He has held some very important positions as master mechanic and chief engineer, notable among which was the position of chief engineer of the J. H. Wade Estate, of Cleveland, Ohio, which very responsible and lucrative position he resigned to accept an appointment under Governor Nash as Chief Examiner of Engineers.

Mr. Collier is widely known throughout the State, especially among the engineering fraternity. He has been identified with the organization of stationary engineers, and as such had much to do with securing legislation favorable to engineers. He has shown good executive ability in appointment of and organization of his force of district examiners to carry out the intent and letter of the law.

His ancestors on both sides were from New England, and were of a mechanical turn of mind. Mr. Collier is at the present time a resident of Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he has lived for the past fourteen years.

The State Examiner of Steam Engineers.

The law creating this Department was passed March 1, 1900, and amended March 13 and April 30, 1902, and provides for better protection of life and property against injury or damage resulting from the operation of steam boilers and engines by incompetent engineers and others; and provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, or cause to be operated, a stationary steam boiler or engine, in the State of Ohio, of more than thirty horsepower, without a duly licensed engineer in charge. And any person who desires to act as a stationary engineer is required to make application to the district examiner for a license so to act, upon a blank furnished by the examiner, providing he has had not less than one year's experience as a fireman or oiler, and if he passes the required examination upon the construction and operation of steam engines, boilers, pumps and hydraulics, a license is granted him to have charge of, or operate, any steam plant. The fee for license is $2.00, and licenses are renewed yearly at a cost of $1.00, providing they are not sooner revoked for intoxication or other sufficient cause. Any person dissatisfied with the action of any district examiner in refusing or revoking a license, may appeal to the chief examiner, who immediately investigates.

The Governor, with and by the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints a Chief Examiner; and the Chief Examiner, with the approval of the Governor, appoints one clerk and eight district examiners, not more than four of whom shall belong to any one of the political parties. All the examiners are required to be competent and practical steam engineers, and hold their offices for a term of three years from the date of their appointments, and until their successors are appointed and qualified. The Chief Examiner has his office in the State House, where all the records are kept, and he issues such instructions, and makes such rules and regulations as will secure a uniformity of action throughout the different districts. In order to facilitate a thorough and efficient examination of the engineers, the State is divided into eight districts by the Chief Examiner.

It is the duty of the district examiners to notify every person operating a steam boiler or engine, to apply for a license, and to give such person a reasonable opportunity to take the required examination; and any owner, steam user, or engineer, who, after being duly notified, violates any of the provisions of this law, is liable to a fine of not more than $100 nor less than $10. And any engineer who fails to exhibit his license under glass in a conspicuous place in his engine-room is liable to a fine of $5.00. The examiners have authority to visit any and all engine or boiler-rooms of the State, at all reasonable hours.