The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-22
"Jaeks and Tinkers.,,s,

II
universal salvation of nsan, But ]
want to pick the fiie1n." 1t is about
the seaia with men who call them
selves "all-round mechanics and
profess to do everything, from elec.
| tric lightning to driving a nail.
There are men who seem competent
to successfully carry out anything
they undertake, and there are iifen
who cannot do the simplest work
without long practice and persist
ent application. Some men will pick
up a pursuit, one of which they know
absolutely nothing, and by using
their brain, soon make themselves
competent and even authority there,
Lib.
On the other hand, other men whe
try to "pick up" a new occupation
meet with failure from the start, and
every move Is disastrous. The Man
who succeeds FIRST Yaakes himself ac-
duainted with the principles of the
new business. Then HE studies up
everything which has been done by
others He Is going to benefit by
their experience, and commence where
they left off, instead of beating over
the same ground, and failing on
things which other mems experience
should have taught him to avoid.
In steam engineering some men
seem to know from Intuition just
what is necessary. They do the right
thing at just the right time; and
everything runs smoothly. These
men are new, perhaps, to an engi-
feef's life, but they have brains, and
know how to use them. They never
see d doubtful thing without giving
the matter thorough investigation
at the first opportunity. They find
out the reason why, and when the
time comes the knoWledgeis already
for use.
The 'jacks and thinkers" who sue
coed are not known by such objec-
tionable names they are fitted out
with far more acceptable names, and
often tack on Professor" M, e."
or Consulting Engineer" to either
front or rear of their names.
At present the electrical field is
filled with lacks and tinkers''; fur
therinore, a large number of 'cranks"
disgust the art with their presence.
The successful 'jacks and thinkers"
are getting famous and rich,. while
the unsuccessful ones are getting
maledictions for their pay. These
men do not know enough to do the
work they attempt, and neither do
they know that they are failures.
They 60 on, and become the pest of
all manufacturers of material, sup
plies and instruments. If the appa-
ratus does not work, the fault Is laid |
to the makers substituted, even when
The first might be best suited for the
work In question.
To sum up the whole situation, a
nan must not attempt work he
Knows nothing about, without ex-
oecting to work up from the very
bottom of the science, the manner of
working up to depend upon the man.
some men can grasp the situation
md become competent in a very
short time. They may have the APP
of "jacks and tinkers'' as
ar as length of time in the business
s concerned, but they have mastered
10Th principle and details of the mat
er, and know their business.
When man wants to go into
something new, let him make sure
hat he can become capable before he
tarts. Ifthere be any doubt in his
mind, then don't start at all, or the
ank and file of the "jacks and tink-
rs will receive another crank in
heir midst.
A man must learn it all, but how
|uick he can do it depends, like Josh
>illings's universal salvation" up
N the man.