The morning times., 1896-08-17

1uefe IS IN washington To-Day an Or
ganization which is doing its members
great dealOf gooI, but of its existence and
purposes the outside world knows but little
The body Is known among It's men,
bers as the Washington Association, No
l, OF the National Association of Stationary
Engineers. and has been organized in
this city since 1886, when uine stationary
engineers applied for and received
charter from the natioual body. Now the
members number In the neighborhood OF
sixty and applications for membership are
constantly coming up at the meetings.
The association has fitted up commodious
and comfortable rooms on the fifth floor
OF the central power house of the Capital
Traction Company. where meetings are
held every Wednesday night throughout the
year.
OBJECT EDUCATIONAL.
The object of our association is simply
an educational oue,'' said Mr. w. H.
Donald. the recording secretary. to Times
reporter We meet together to discuss
al the Questions pertinent to stationary
engineers, either in regard TO engines
electricity, heating or lighting. There
is q large blackboard in the room on which
the lecturers draw their Illustrations OF
dynamos, engines and Va rious plants. These
lectures are delivered principally by the
members of the association. Tbeu we
have quite number OF models of all sorts
of stationary appliances, mostly made
by she members. The meetings are open
to the public and any one wishing to at
tend will be gladly welcomed. There is no
secret work whatever
1t is not difficult TO see where the
advantage OF such a body arises. Any
member who has been puzzled with some
OF the workings OF his engine or dynamo
or plant brings the matter before the
meeting for discussion and solution and a
plan for regulating the machinery is al
ways suggested. In this way many an
engineer has had dlffit ulties solved which
have been long worrying him. The younger
engineers are given all the instruction
possible in the responsibilities and duties
which confront them. They are taught
the proper care of machinery. the economical
use of fuel and things OF like importance
to the engineer. And the older members
are greatly benefited and aided by all the
discussions, too.
Another feature of the educational
plan is the question box, into which any
member may place question concerning
some matter that has come under his notice
and on which lie desires light. After the
lectures the president answers the questions
and then invites an open discussion. In
this way also much Necessary information
is acquired.
''As have said before. we have organized
for educational purposes only. We do not
believe in strikes and the constitution OF the
national body expressly forbids them. This
section. says. This association shall at
no time be used for the furtherance Of
strikes or for the purposes OF interfering
in any way bet ween its members and their
employers III regard TO wages, recognizing
the identity of interests betwe employer
and employe, and not oountenancing any
project or enterprise that will interfere
with the perfect harmony bet ween them. '
And another section reads that The chief
and primary object of the National Asso-
tlon of Stationary Engineers shall be the
better education of its members in the art
and science of steam engineering and to
afford them legal protection when unjustly
assaied ny other organizations in their
vocation.
MANY ARE MEMBERS.
"Our members are scattered all over
the city and hold good positions. net a
man being without employment, and in
this fact we take much pride. The Capital
Traction Company holds the association
in high favor and every engineer employed
by it Is member OF this body, New men,
bers are taken in OH high moral Gualifica-
,ions and a definite and general idea OF
the work. Any engineer meeting the re-
qulrements can Become a member in good
standing and enjoy all the privileges Of
the organization. That the association
is regarded by the engineers throughout
the city as great beneficial agency is
shown by The numerous applications for
admission
The officers OF the Washington body are:
President. Nj. Charles 8. Witson- chief
engineer at the Seventh street power
house: vice president. Mr.. Thomas Award,
chief engineer at the U street power
station; recording secretary. Mr.. w. NJ.
Donald, assistant engineer at the Treasury
building: treasurer. MFR. John T. Ward
secretary. Mr.. ]. N. Howa.i: conductor,
Mr.. Thornton silcott. chief engineer at
the Post building; doOrkeeper. Mr.. william
Cook. assistant engineer at the Raleigh.
A convention of the National Associa-
ton. having q membership CT over g geo.
scattered all over the United States. will
I've held at Buffalo, September /. Mr.. w.
NJ. Donald has been elected delegate from
here.