The herald., 1894-12-28
THE LICENSING Of ENGINEERS.
Inspector G0rdsn Defends tile
City's New Ordinance.
He Claims That the Propriety of
the Law Is Evident.
similar Rut-ss He says, Prevail In the
East--Euginesrs aud Appoint
ses--rhs Examination.

dty's board OF inspecting engineers,
sends to TIE HERALD the following
rtatsment regarding the ordinance pend-
ing' for the inspection of steam boilers
aud elevators and for the licensing Of
engineers. He, 1t will be seen, defends
the provision OF the new law and ana
y a ito assertions:
q city council has lately passed an
ord d.nance under which the mayor has
appointed an inspector aud two ASSOC
ciates. the three constituting board OF
engineers, whose duty 1t is to protect
the public from unsafe elevators and
from explosions OF steam boilers by rea-
son OF either their defsctive condition or
Of the incompstency OF the engineer in
charge.
The propriety Of the ordinance is ap-
parent to every one who gives any
thought to the great numbers. who as
employees or otherwise, every day risk
their lives about the hundreds OF steam
boilers scattered all over the city or on
the elevators in the high buildiDgs.
Two men in this city are now lying
MANNED and who barely escaped with
week ago. A we'll made steam boiler in
perfect running order may be made lie-
BILE to explosion at any moment by the
management OF an incompetent engi-
neer in charge. and all boilers are not
only liable but are certain to become
aneafe BY age and long use. Nothing
but d periodical inspection OF all these
Heath dealing appliances by diainter.
Dsted official can afford adequate prctec'
hon TO the public from owners who
from thoughtleesness and inattention.
or from desire to save the expense OF
new ones or repairs OF the old. risk the
lives OF all who come about the boilers
or who use the elevators.
Cities OF the size Of Los Angeles, both
at the west and throughout the east,
have protected themselves hy similar
ordinances. As to its necessity there
can be no two opinions. II is the uni-
versal judgment OF all. that with the in.
creasing numb benof these useful and al
most necessary appliances, a large pop.
ulation like that OF Los Angeles would
be reckless of human life ii it did not
free them ae much as is reasonably pos.
sihle from danger. II the present board
OF engineers shall enforce this ordinance
with good sense and moderation and
with view to secure public safety, but
with ae little loss and inconvenience ae
possible TO owners and engineers. the
plan will commend itself to every rsa-
sonable citizen, and will meet with uni.
verssl approval. Possibly some amends
ments may be needed after trial. hut this
ordinance was modelled after those in
older cities that have stood the test Of
years OF use. The present ordinance
should have a fair trial before being
cnanged. The Democratic mayor app
pointed the members OF the present
board, as he claimed, solely on their
merits, and it go happened that in doing
so he got q majority Of Republicans.
They deem it their duty. in assuming
their Offices, to act in the same spirit
that the mayor did in appointing them
that is, with view solely to the public
good. Engineers and owners Of boilers
and elevators are a part OF the public,
and their interests. and their wishes
even, are to be consulted, 30 far As is
consistent with duty to the rest OF the
publin. The board believes that the fol-
interests concerned, and has therefore
adopted them.
ENGINEERS.
First-Enginesr who are in charge Of
,oilera and have been for some sufficient
cine, say six months or more, will be
deemed to be practically qualified to
continue in charge OF the same, although
they may not have that theoretical
knowledge OF ateam that every fist
class engineer ought to posacse, and they
will on request OF their employers be
granted license to continue ia their
present employ ment.
Second - Engineers whose qualitica.
tions. elthongh moderate. are yet rea-
sonably sufficient for managing small
boilers, will be granted licenses to have
charge of any boilers not exceeding 100
hOrse power.
Third Engineers thoroughly qualified
by education and practical experience to
meet and provide for all the usual emer-
gsnciea arising in the use Of steam, will
be granted an unlimited license to prac~
tics their profession as engineers.
Under these rules. no engineer who
ought to be entrusted with the manager
ment OF a steam boiler will be thrown
out Of employ.
APPARATUS.
First-Boilers and elevators, If found
to be safe will be licensed.
Second--If either is found on exam-
inntion to be unsafe. only the defective
parts will be required to be replaced
In such case, no condemnation OF the
whole plant will ever bs made, nor even
oi any sound part that can be retained.
The board intends. as its duty is, to pro-
rect tho public SO far as may be reason.
ably done, but with as little inconveni-
eDce and expense as possible to owners
and users Of the hazardous apparatus
the board is appointed to look after.
The ordinance enforced in the spirit
indicated above and within the rules
will conduce to the safety Of life and
property and will not be burdensome on
any, but will be benefit to all.
Applications for engineers' licenses
should be fled six days before the ex-
animation therefor, and may be handed
to any member OF the board or filed with
tho city clerk.
The regular session of the board will
be held on the first Tuesday OF each
month at 7:30 p. M, at room IA, city
hall.
Anyone who has children will rejoice
with L. M. Mulford OF PlainfieId, N. j.
His little boy, S years OF age. was sick
with GrOur. For kun dava aud uiuh ku