Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1914 — NEW OIL INSPECTOR. [ARTICLE]

NEW OIL INSPECTOR.

-J. O. Behymer of Tipton to Succeed James F. Fry of Ft. Wayne. Indianapolis, Nov. 30.—Arrangements have been made by Governor Ralston and some of the newly-elect-ed democratic state officials for a number of important changes among the appointive offices at the capitol. The shifts will take place between now and. Jan. 1. The governor has decided on the appointment of J. O. Behymer of Tipton, as state oil inspector to succeed James F. Fry of Ft. Wayne. Behyjner is a member of the Taggart state organization, having served actively with it for several years. He comes from the governor’s district, which has fared very well at the patronage counter in the last two years. Behymer is owner and editor of the Tipton Times and formerly was president of the Democratic Editors’ Association The governor did not decide on his appointment until recently, as Fry was an active candidate for the place and the governor was reluctant in turning him down. 1 here were three or four other candidates, but the choice from the start lay between Fry and Behymer: Behymer will become chief of the oil inspection department the first of the year. ■ . ' It was s’.ted yesterday that _Fry ; will be appointed deputy auditor of state under Dale J. Crittenberger of Anderson, when Crittenberger succeeds William H. O'Brien of Lawrenceburg. hry may become deputy auditor before the end of his term as oil inspector, which would mean that Behymer would take charge of the oil department within rhe next few days. ■ It is the understanding that the appointment of Fry as deputy auditor wa s decided upon definitely at a conference of the party leaders several days ago. Fry : i s regarded by them as a competent man for deputy auditor. The tact that Fry and Senator Steven B. Fleming are close friends is one of the reasons v hy the party leaders were anxious to keep him in ’he state service. The appointment ot Fry as deputy auditor is expected to continue the friendly relations now existing between Senator Fleming and his friends and National Committeeman Taggart and his followers. Fry will succeed Myron D. King of Indianapolis, as deputy auditor. King having held the position for four years under O'Brien. It is the undef standing that a position of some kind will be made for King if he cares to remain on the payroll at the state house. He has held various important appointive positions at the state house for more than twelve yeays. A;Homer L. Cook of Indianapolis, m wly elected sec.retaty of state, several months ago tendered the position of deputy secretary of state to Herman Cotner of Deca’ar, '-ho has held the place fox four years under Lew G: Ellinghani. Cotner will remain with Cook lor the next two years.