Mine Inspector Salaries

Stambaugh, Special Counsel,

— You have asked us whether the increased salaries provided by the Act of May 26, 1949, P. L. 1846, can be legally approved for anthracite mine inspectors and bituminous mine inpectors.

*412The answer depends upon the interpretation of section 13 of article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which provides as follows:

“No law shall extend the term of any public Officer, or increase or diminish his salary or emoluments, after his election or appointment.”

The practice of the Legislature of Pennsylvania has been to regulate the mining of anthracite coal and bituminous…