National Republican., 1886-03-27
THE STEAM ENGINEER.
A Thoughtful Address Before the Local

A Thoughtful Address Before the Local
Branch of the National Association.
At the last meeting of the Washington
Association, No. l, Of tho National Associa-
tiun Stationary Engineers, Chief Engineer
Thomas A. Gihson Of the Treasury Depart
ment, delivered thoughtful and interest
ing address upon "The Engineer" "Tne
duties Of an engineer intrusted with the
care and management of steam boilers aud
engines, steam or hot water heating ap-
paratus, ventilation, electric machinery,
elevators, &C., are" he said in opening, "of
vastly more importance than would appear
at fret sight.
"The mechanics of any other class might
be ignorant or neglectful Of duty without
subjecting themselves or their employers to
any danger or much inconvenience, but ig-
norance or neglect of duty on the part OF
an engineer might at any time result in
great destruction to life and property.
"Steam boilers aro," he continued, "the
most important, in my judgment, for vlgt-
lance. They require constant care and at
tention, though when In charge OF careful
and Intelligent engineers are perfectly safe
when we'll constructed; but when their
management falls into the hands OF reck-
less and ignorant men they become source
of constant danger to their owners and the
public. Any engineer who may OiTer to
take charge Of boiler and engine ought to
be man able to show that he fully under
stands the duties and responsibilities In
volved, and not fellow who simply knows
how to open or close a valve. The
engineer should be conversant with all
the details Of construction, use, and man
agement of steam boilers and machinery
But, above all, he should be u man Of good
sound sense and intelligence. Time, study,
and experience is necessary 10 acquire u
fund of information thatwill qualify him.
II qualified will his intelligence be appreci
ated and his services be renumerated by
steam users? Undoubtedly they will, as
there seems to be q steady and Increasing
demand for skilled workmen in this coun-
try in every branch of mechanics, and In
none more so than In steam engineering.
"Perhaps there may be some steam users
who do not desire the services Of good,
competent engineer for the reason that they
think he might interpose an Intelligent re-
mGnstranCc against their recklessnes5 In the
use and management OF their boilers and
machinery, or he might decline to crafty
their avarice by allowing himself to be de-
graded to the position Of man-of. all-work.
Not being familiar with the properties OF
steam themselves, many owners OF steam
boiler, appear to think that almost any
man, no matter how ignorant he may be,
can III u bHOTJ bllne lOI Juc
position OF engineer, 1t not seeming to occur
to them that there is no place where ex'
perlence and intelligence are OF so much
value and importance as In the care and
Management of steam boilers and ma
Chinery.
"My brethren, We may frequently heal
The assertion Of steam users that great
many engineers are incapable, they forgetting
the fact that the same thing might be sale
OF the members Of any other trade or pro
fession. But it can said, without fear o.
contradiction, that engineers in general ar,
as capable and intelligent as any other clas
Of mechanics. Even If the above assertion
is true-that great many engineers are in
capable II might be pertinent to the ques
tion to ask, Are they wholly to blame, o
does some Of the responsibility rest upot
the owners Of steam boilers and machinery
who have been for years encouraging IL
norance anu incapacity by employin!
incompetent men from motives Of falls
economy? Under such circumstances 1t /
not to be wondered at that a great many
errors have found their way into tn
business; but the remedy for nearly all o
them is within reach of the engineer
themselves, more particularly tn
young men. They must edu
cate themselves, so that thei
opinions on all questions concerning steam
engineering willgiy ample evidence tina
they fully understand inc principles an
practice Of their profession; then their opin
ions will command respect, and their sci
vices be correspondingly remunerated
They must remember that 1t is not the trad
that elevates the man, but it is rather th
man that dignities the pursuit or calling
and that muscular power, though good |
its place, is not the essential requisite OF a
engineer. Cultivation OF the mind is tn
first and important step toward eminenc
in any trade or profession. Modern writer
on steam engineering seldom, If ever, ca
public attention to the Importance OF edit
cation for the engineer; progress In the at
ouirement of knowledge connected wit
their business has been very ereditabl
within the past few years, yet ther
remains ample room for improvement o
the part Of both engineers aud employers
and that change for the better will 500
come there is little reason to doubt. In
proyements in boilers and machinery n
auire more able management, aud INTEL
gent steam users are beginning to see tina
the most importantly to,the econon
ical working of the steam boiler and mi
chinery are care, skill, and intelligcnc,
and these qualifications will literally repa
all the money expended in securing then
Brethren, let us inquire Of ourselves,1 Ar
we up to the standard in our profession
Let our watch word be to excel"