Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-12-25
STATIONARY ENGINEERS.
An Insight into Their National Society
Its Aims and objects.
10 Ia Efitnr n( fha Paciarsr.

10 hs Edttor or tbs Register:
SIR:-There is in Wheeling at the
present time an organization called the
National Association OF Stationary En-
glneers, and knowing that great many
wage earners of Wheeling and vicinity
pursue the calling of steam engineering
we have taken the trouble to investigate
the aims, objects and ambitions of this
association, and find that It's MEM
oership is composed Of a great
many of the leading engineers
OF Wheeling and vicinity, and
that they have banded together for ed
ucational purposes and intellectual i'm
provement, not as we had enormously
supposed for trade union purposes aud
the regulation Of wages. We find
by examining the Constitution Of the
Association, we find the following pre-
amble: This Association shall at no
time be used for the furtherance of
strikes, or in any way interfering be-
tween its members and their employers
In regard TO wages, recognizing the
identity Of interests between employer
and employe, and not countenanclng any
project or enterprise that will interfere
with perfect harmony between them
and their employers"
We find that their annual conventions
are held with open doors, and 1t is a
simple, plain democratic body of think
ing and working men, who are banded
together for the purpose Of elevating
themselves In their profession, and
while its members stand by each other
in all ways proper and legal, the strike
and boycott are not known TO its ranks,
being positively forbidden in its consti-
tuition, and in this it stands in an
unique position, being the only
considerable body Of wage-earners who
do not resort TO threats, intimidation
and force.
The requirements Of the association
are that the membership shall be COM
posed Of stationary engineers who are
citizens of the United States or who
have declared their intentions to be-
come such, of good moral character,
and who have practical knowledge OF
engineering and not less than one years
practical experience, which shall be de-
termined by an examination. We find
they meet once week In nicely fur
nished hall, that they had models,
drawings, etc, a blackboard upon which
they solve any problems which may be
brought before the associations; they
have an instructor, and any question
that any member may ask pertaining
TO steam and mechanics is thor
oughly discussed and explained, they
have arranged for several open meet
ings In the near future, at which there
will be lectures delivered upon the sub
ject of steam boiler explosions, cleo
tricity. &C, by eminent men.
We believe any man who has chosen
steam engineering as profession
should Join an association OF this kind,
for as each year brings forward i'm
provements in the use % steam which
requires more extensive knowledge OF
the subject and greater ability In ap-
plying It's principles, no man who
expects to keep up with the
times or progress beyond his personal
and immediate surroundings, can afford
20 settle down with the idea that he
knows all there is worth learning on
the subject Of steam engineering, for be-
fore he becomes settled new appllcs-
lions are made that require somewhat
different knowledge than that which he
then possesses, and it requires constant
attention and study to keep up with
human progress in the invention and APP
plication of steam. Every engineer
should so fit himself for his calling so that
when his employer contemplates any
Improvement or changes in his steam
plants, he will consult with him; Instead
OF sending for the so-called expert, who
often proves TO be nothing more than
an agent for some particular machine
or device that proves altogether I'm
practicable and useless. For as the
engineer proves his usefulness, just so
will he be remunerated by his employer
for his services, and we believe the
manufacturers and steam users
should give every encouragement
TO their engineers TO join
an association of this kind, aud
obtain all the useful and practical
knowledge they can, as competition Is
getting closer in lines Of manufacture,
fuel economy in the steam plant to
which there has heretofore in this vicin-
ity been very little attention paid 10,
will be taken into consideration, as
there is each year thousands OF dollars
wasted in this connection. linen the
old waSteful lever and slide valve en-
0ine will be superseded by the more
economical automatic and compound
condepsing engines. 1t will then re-
ouire engineers who are both theoret-
zeal and pratical mechanics, VINO
ara not mere starters ana stop
ners. but who can MAINTAIN In
renair and economical working order,
this complicated class OF machinery
snch as is being used in the leading
water works manufactures and electric
nlants throughout the country. Az the
nresent time we find that q number OF
mill owners OF Wheeling are beginning
TO recognize this fact, and are giving
their engineers every announcements
some OF them having joined the assocIa-
tion as honorary members themselves
where they enjoy every prlNiese VI
fuIl members, except voting and mold
inc office, and have contributed 10 IL
financially, While upon the other
bsDd there are some steam users VINO
look upon the association Win
snsnicion and condemn and DISCOURAGE
IL not having taken the trouble 10 IN
vestigate its purpose and assuming tnat
il Is one more labor organization aaaed
m the many with which they no" nave
no contend. To all such we "ouiu
say, that it is not trades union 10 any ~.
sense OF the word, il sets no prices lor
wages nor number OF hours LOT d uay
woTk It's mission is pacific, education
Al and humane. Pacific, because IL uoeS
not Interfere with the relations OF en-
nIover and employe; educational De,
p.Uy n is the duty OF
every one of it's members 10
w. "A aconire all the practical and