Evening journal., 1897-02-19
FaIo4Y. FEBRUARY 10. 1897
LOOKS Ikea JOB.

80
ers IN the state is job set up to pro-
vide work for at least two men who
will live at the expense of the owners
of steam boilers and the men who have
charge of them. AS amended, it pro
vides that the governor shall appoint
two men as such inspectors, one for
New Castle county and the other for
Kent and Sussex counties, and that
they make an annual inspection of all
steam boilers, whether stationary, por-
table or traction, that have not already
been inspected by the agents of COM
panies insuring such boilers, but it ex-
empts steam boilers which are used in
priva1e houses. These inspectors are
not only to be the judges Of the boilers,
but they are also to bethesole judges OF
the competency of the men who have
charge of them. Their pay is to be in
the shape of fees, SO for each boiler in
spected, and 81 for each certificate of
competency issued, and that money is
to go into the pockets of the inspec-
tors. They not only have the boilers at
their mercy, but also the livelihood of
the men who operate them, and there
is no appeal and no redress.
To place such powers in the hands OF
one man is dangerous and likely to lead
TO a misuse of the official prerogative,
If not to blackmail in the shape of
bonus or bills for repairs. The bill was
bad enough at first, but the amend
ments reported in our legislative letter
to-day make It much worse. 1t is TAX
ing money from the pockets of the
manufacturer, engineerand farmer, and
really accomplishing no good public
end. II affords two men an easy liveli-
hood and that is all.
We have had several deplorable acct
dents in this state from boiler explo-
sions, and fatalities attended some, but
we DO not believe that either a boiler
inspection or a certificate of compe-
tency would have prevented any OF
them. Many imperfections may develop
in boiler in the course of a year and
between inspections. The bill does not
prevent that, nor can it do so. Many
engineers who are fully competent to
answer any questions propounded by
boiler inspector are willing to take
great risks to save time or trouble. The
inspector cannot prevent that, and in
. few cases of boiler explosion is there
any engineer left to be suspended as an
example to his fellow-engineers. His
mangled remains are worse than a sus-
pension, and yet engineers read of the
Of M
go right along letting the water run
low, and then going up with their en-
gines. No inspector can stand beside
them to admonish them that they are
doing a thing which is a menace 90
themselves and to their neighbors.
II one of these engineers were
brought before the inspector and asked
what was one of the most important
of his duties in the operation of his en-
gine, he would say that it was not to let
his boiler get empty, or nearly so, and
then TO shoot into it a jet of cold
water Every engineer knows that,
and would be able to tell it, but the in
spector could not be with him 70 COM
pei him to practice IT,
The most competent men will become
careless, and in nearly every instance
of boiler explosion there is a very large
element Of carelessless that no inspec-
tion or examination can eliminate. 1t
is seldom that such carelessness is re-
peated by the same engineer, but that
is the fault of the boiler and not his
own. An engineer may show in his ex-
animation that he knows all about boil.
ers and engines. and yet his familiarity
may breed a fatal contempt for the
power possessed by steam
We think that the owners of boilers
are the best judges of the character
and competency of their engineers OF
boiler tenders. They see them nearl,
every day, while the inspector see
them but once year, and then at thei
best. In the matter of boilers, and es
peciaily those of stationary character
It is certainly TO the interest of tn
owners Of manufacturing plants to keel
their boilers in good condition. else al
explosion may entail a loss of severa
thousand dollars. They will not con
tent themselves with an annual or semi
annual inspection, but make repair
whenever in their judgment. or in tn
judgment Of their engineer, such re
pairs are necessary. They know a
well as a boiler inspector that steam
not 10 be trifed with, and that its dc
mands are most imperative. They hav
everything at stake, and everything [
impel them to protect not only the
employees, but also their own propert.
We believe that if the members
the General Assembly will cut hole i
the bill and look through it, they wi
see one OF two men back Of it who e,
pect TO make a good living at the pul
lie expense and upon easy terms. Sue
legislation is dangerous. If we are
have such inspection let the power l
vested in more than one man, and ais