Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-19
ENGINEERS MAKE PROTEST
Beneficial Association No. SO Addresses the
Commissioners.
Objections Made to Proposed Change
in Law Governing Classification
Appeal for Hearing.

Marine Engineers Beneficial Association.
No SO, through its representative. Chas w.
Robinson, today filed with the District
Commissioners i protest against the pro-
posed changes in the law governing the
licensing and classified ton of stationary
engineers in the District. Mr.. Robinson. in
fling the protest, stated that his organiza-
ton would b. glad to appear before the
Commissioners in explanation of its pro-
test. should the Commissioners desire to
hear the association in the matter.
The protest of the association as fol-
lows:
THE proposed charges in the law gov
erning the licensing and classification OF
stationary engineers in the District ot~Co-
lumbia mark such radical departure from
the present conditions, and formulate such
inconsistent Innovations, that we feel
obliged to most respectfully but at the
same time most enlpha tically protest
against the same. for the reason that in
the adoption of the change as proposed the
intelligence integrity ability and exper-
neers' certificates, who are now and for
years have been operating steam plants in
the District of Columbia, by virtue of pos
sassing these certificates, would be sacri-
feed to the suggestions of body which we
feel has not the interest of the service at
heart in the proposals that it has submitted
for your consideration, but which will be
found. after careful analysis, to represent a
feeling of animosity and resentment toward
the class of engineers who are now enjoy
ing the best and most profitable situation
afforded by stationary practice in the Dis
trict of Columbia. If the opportunity is af-
forded us, We feel sure of our ability to
prove and to justify this sweeping asser-
ton.
Fifth Paragraph Objectionable.
dow cod
changes, which are divided into twelve QO
paragraphs, reported in The Evening
Star of the date of June 10, 1899, which is
the source of our information We have no
objec tions to offer to the same, except to
the classification of marine engineers, as
set forth in the fifth paragraph, and against
the provisions and restrc tons of this para
graph we must offer our most solemn and
earnest protest, as we feel that 1t IS
direct effort to compromise the dignity and
standing of men who have always been able
to meet the demands of the service in
which they are engaged, and who can point
with pride to their past records as bearing
out this assertion and maintaining the
stand they have taken.
THE suggestions covered by this para
graph demonstrate a woeful lack of knowl-
edge regarding the qualification, ability and
experience that must be enjoyed before an
applicant can receive a certificate as a ma
in this particular instance, and if d marine
engineer who is licensed by the United
States government to operate machinery
that is greater in power, far more intricate
in its details. and more hazardous in its
conditions and particular service than any
plant in operation in the District of Column
bia is to be relegated to a class of INFERIOR
ity the injustice is only made more ap-
parent when We consider the fact that
there Is law to govern classification of
engineers as to their ability TO operate
steam plants safely and successfully
The Present Law.
1T is an established fact that the engi-
neers which the proposed change in the
law seeks to relegate to inferior classified
ton practice the profession of steam en-
cheering under laws formulated for their
government. These laws are far-reach-
ing in their objects, as critical in their con-
ditions and as exacting in their demands
the laws governing the practice of any
profession in the world. and it seems to be
a parody the force of these laws, and an
insult to the ability of those who formu-
laced them, to have any person or any COM
mission question their application to any
branch of steam engineering. 1t Is gen.
orally acknowledged that the laws which
have obtained to make the practice of ma
rine engineering safe and permissible un-
der the present eXacting conditions of in
tricate machinery. and the consequent nee
essary high mot to say excessively pres
sures, can be accepted in good faith as au-
thority upon all questions of success and
safety in the operation of stationary en-
gines and boilers.
"A fair consideration of this protest is
earnestly suggested before any decided ac-
ton on the part of your honorable board
looking toward the adoption of the pro-
posed changes in the law, and if at any
time you may desire our presence for the
purpose of any explanation in maintaining
the stand We have taken in this matter we
Will be glad to attend at any time that may
be required or that may suit the conven-
fence of the board