Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-05-04
President R. M. Witherup Gives His
Opinion Of the Law.

The bill which on May became a
law, providing for the licensing Of
stationary engineers throughout this
State, Is being commented on d great
deal by the engineers, While the law
provides that all engineers having
charge Of boilers exceeding 35-horse
power must pass examinations and
be licensed, it excludes all who have
charge Of boilers possessing less than
35-horse power. Consequently, there
is considerable dissatisfaction with
the provisions of the law. 1t is claim
ed that the larger portion OF the boiler
explosions, and those boilers which
have been rendered imperative and
unsafe through the lack of a sufficient
knowledge of steam engineering, have
been among the class known as por-
table, and which seldom exceed 35-
horse power. Generally, though, tho
law is considered good.
Commenting ON the law, Mr. r.. NJ.
Witherup, of 1301a Bartges st., en-
gineer att he American Hard Rubber
company's plant, and president of the
local organization of the National AS
sociation Of Stationary Engineers,
said to Democrat reporter Thursday
evening: IL think that as far as 1t
goes, the law is all right. It will pro-
tect lives and property and will, in a
large measure, do away with incompe'
tency In engineering" -
Mr.. Witherup also remarked that
the number Of Akron engineers who
would be obliged to take the examina
ton will he large. Chief Engineer
Markham assumed tho duties of his
office May /. Examinations will bs
held throughout the State as soon as
the Chief Engineer can divide the
State into six districts, ana appoln,
district examiners. The district ex
aminers will travel through the dis
trict at stated time and hold oxan
nations. The fee for license and ex
animation Is So, and for renewal OF
license 81. There are ii sections II
the law, and the following are extract.
from them:
No owner of boiler may employ
other than licensed engineers.
Appointments Of district examiner!
must be concurred In by the Governor
Six shall be appointed, ana not more
than three from any one political par
ty. All must have had seven years
experience as an engineer.
The Chief Examiners Office shall b.
at Columbus. His salary Is fixed a
81 800 year, and he is given $3.50 {
year for clerk hire, District examln
ers will each receive $1,000 year.
Engineers licenses will be revoked
for intoxication or other sufficien
cause.
ANY engineer who has .ecn employ
ed continuously as a steam enginee!
in the State of Ohio for a period ol
three years next prior to the passag,
of this act, and who files with his ap
plication certificate OF such fact un
der oath, accompanied by a certificate
from his employers verifying the same
or who holds license issued to hin
under any ordinance of a municipa
corporation OF this State, shall be On
titled to a license without further ex
animation.
Money collected for licenses ant
examinations will be applied to tn
general revenue fund of the State.
1t shall he the duty OF each distric
examiner to notify every person opei
ating boiler or engine In his distrIc
to apply for llconse under this ac'
and to give such person Il reasonabl
opportunity TO take the examinatlo
therefor. M
Any owner, uoer, or engineer, whc
after being notified Of this act. violate
any of the provisions Of this. act, sha
be fined not more than Slt nor les
than $40. The examiners are empov
cred to visit any and all engine room
or boiler rooms 10 the State, at a
reasonable hours,
1t shall be the duty Of every enginet
to exhibit his license under glass In
! conspicuous place IN his engine room
and violation OF this section shall !
punished by fine not exceeding $50
An act passed January 80, 1888, el