The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-24
GENEROUS OFFER TO BOYS.
Mr.. w. E. SymOnds' Address at the
Y. VI. c. A. on Mechanical EnGi-
neeriun

Mr.. w. e. symonds' Address at the
Y. VI. C. A. on Mechanical EnGi-
neerinE.
A large number of men assembled at
the Young Mems Christian Association
last night to hear Mr.. w. E. Symonds,
superintendent of motive power of the
Plant System, speak. on Mechanical
Engineering as a Life Work" Mr..
Symons had just gotten up from a sick
bed, but showed that will power which
has made him sof successful in life.
Mr.. Symonds' address was an excellent
one, and was heard with the closest at
tention. Parts of it are of a nature
that will be interesting to the public as
well as to those young men that expect
to take up the branch of work of which
It treated. Speaking of the machinist he
said that twenty-five years ago, If he
could successfully handle hammer and
chisel, calipers and file, and set valves,
he was considered a first-class man. To-
day he is called upon to read and under
stand intricate drawings, and promptly
TO decide with certainty exact measure
ments and computations. Tempered and
hardened steel must be dealt with and
fitted with a precision not thought of
twenty-five years ago The machinist
that cannot do this is called a machin-
list by courtesy of title or class, and
WILL as rule, never rise above the
level of per diem workman.
Mr.. Symonds recited the fact that there
are many excellent positions paying what
might appear to be enormous salaries,
which yet cannot be flied because the
riUhf ind Of ha lie
said further that he thought the Georgia
School of Technology as we'll if not better
equipped than many Northern institu-
tons, and said that he thought it offered
rare opportunities to the youth of the
state Mr.. Symonds then made to his
hearers a most generous offer. IF any
young man." he said, "a native of OUT
city and vicinity, desiring to enter this
institution is prevented by lack of funds,
will bring to me the Endorsement of the
Y. NJ. c. A. or the Pastors Association
of our city as to his eligibility, 1 will sub
scribe and deposit in bank one-tenth OF
his tuition and ell expenses to cover a
full course, and will undertake to secure
nine others from representative citizens
10 complete the necessary amount. Fol-
lowing on this line, if ten Savannah boys
want to enter, l will stand for the eX-
penses of one.
He was called on to answer mum Der
of questions at the conclusion of the ad-
dress. In reply to the query, What is
necessary to the study of mechanical en-
cheering" he said that a good, common
school course should be had, followed by
one in a chronological school,
In reply to another, he said that man
should have a bent for mechanics before
entering upon the study Replying to q
question regarding correspondence schools,
he said that for those who cannot go to
school, either for want of time or means.
he believed they were good things, but.
said he to get good local teacher where
possible. is preferable.
1t is a lamentable fact, said he, reply
ing to another, that the average mechanic
is behind on drawing. Every apprentice
should at least, be able to read a blus
print even if they cannot draw them
selves.
The next life work talk will be on Med
icine," and will be given about the mid
die of February by some prominent ply
sician.