Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-03
TWO IMPORTANT TOPICS
DISCUSSED BY THE AMERICAN BOILER
MANUFACTURERS.

The Apprenticeship Question Reported TO
the Association nnd Adoptsd-Testing
Steel Boiler PIate-ElectIon of Officers
for Ensuing Year-Pltrsburg Well Rep
resented.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArCH.I
eNEw YORK, July 2.-The second session
Of the third annual convention Of the Amer
lean Boiler Makers Association of the
United States and Canada was called to
order at II O'Clock to-day in the spacious
western parlor OF the Park Avenue Hotel.
More than $50 delegates had found seats
in the room, and every State in the
Union had a representatives, as well as
nearly all of the Province of Canada.
The president of the association, James
Tappan, of Pittsburg. was in the chair.
Secretary Douthett was early in his place,
and among the distinguished men who took
part in the proceedings were Edward A.
Magee, Chief Engineer of the United States
Navy; George d. Starbuck, United States
Supervisor; James A. Dumont, Inspector
General of Steamboats,, and Alexander Nc
Master, Inspector Of Supervision. Before
calling the business of the day the commit
tee who we're appointed to consider the ad-
visibility of encouraging an apprentice
system that would elevate the craft, held 9
meeting to devise a plan. This committee
was made up of Messrs. Brownell, DundaD,
Hopkins, Mccormick, Hammond, Leonard,
Marshall and Raynall. This committee
reported as follows:
First-We agree to liberal apprenticeship
Secnnd-Tbat four years constitute an ap-
premiership.
Third-That two years in addition to the
above is necessary to become master work.
man.
Fourth-That 16 years Is the proper time to
commence apprenticeship on six months pro-
baton.
Fifth-That instruction be impaired by en-
ployer as his work will admit.
Sixth-That above instruction does not in
clude rivet heating
Resoiyed-That for the purpose of improving
the mechanical ability of workmen in our own
trade that we will hereafter and henceforth
encourage and assist boys who may be en-
ployed by us to educate themselves In the
branches necessary for mechanical pursuits,
viz: arithmetic, geometry and drawing. and
that if such branches are not taught in
the night schools in our several localities.
we endeavor to have such schools estab-
lished for that purpose and that we examine
boys as to their natural ability and their will
ingness to educate themselves up to the neces-
sary requirements to become thorough me-
chanics.
The next business before the convention
was the reading of very interesting COM
munication from Hunt and Capp, of the
Pittsburg Testing Laboratory, who offered
to do all their testing of steel, boiler and
other plates in regard to bridge
building. This company stated that
they had guaranteed the tests
of the Poughkeepsie, Cain and New London
bridges. The letter created good deal of
adverse discussion. 1t was claimed that the
individual inspectors would be dissatisfied
to have forced on them tests not in agree
ment with their own views.
Chief Engineer Kent, of New York, one
of the founders of the Pittsburg Testing
Laboratory, made pointed speech in regard
to the adoption Of Hunt and Clapp's offer,
and advised the convention to consider their
offer, which was that they would inspect all
steel for 80 cents per ton.
After a speech from Mr.. Hensikie, OF
Messrs Carnegie, Phipps & Co. who recon-
mended the favorable consideration, the
communication was received and filed uI-
der the head of new business.
The following are the officers Of the
association for ensuing year:
President, James Lappan, of Pittsburg; Sec
retary. A. 8. Douthett of Allegheny: Vice
Presidents. Philip Rohan, of st. Louis,
Christopher Cunningham. of Br0oklyn and
John Mohr. to succeed George Marshall, of
Dayton, resigned; Treasurer, R. Hammond,
of Buffalo.