The St. Louis Republic., 1902-05-01

The slow-moving Engishman is fast
being supplanted in England by the more
energetic American. according to James C,
( Stewart, the St. Louis engineer and con-
tractor. who has recently returned from a
nine-months' visit to England. where he
succeeded in astonishing the Britons by his
American ideas and methods.
The Engl!shman now recognizes the Am
erican az his superior in engineering and
contracting feats,' said Mr.. Stewart. THE
whole system in England is wrong. The
first thing they do when a contract is 10
be let is TO get hold of what they call an
estimator. He estimates the bills of guam
titles and prepares a schedule: then the
WORK Is all proportioned at SO much per
unit price
THE work is divided among a number of
contractors. each working independently.
They do their Jobs without looking after
the work themselves. but depend on their
forsmen or superintendents The disad-
vantage of this method is great and quick
work Is prevented Each contractor look
i;-S after only limited portion of the lob
mas little interest in the success of the en-
terprise as whole and the completion Of
the structure is necessarily delayed.
Too Much of Formally.
They know exactly the amount which
they will earn. and show no interest in
sSVing their employer anything. There is
too much conventionality and courtesy
shown. This Is carried into business meth
DDS. There is too much II it is convenient
and If you please instead of VIII you do
this| or / will accomplish this
On the other hand. the workmen them
selves take little interest in the work. and
1hey are poorly paid. in the first place and
they show themselves practically ma
chimes. Tie American workman does about
half the work of the Erglishman. but he
aft on ( llg mes much and iG maid ipb
er wages.
Many jobs are being taken away from
slow-moving policy. II building must be
erected in limited time. it is almost i'm
possinle to get an English contractor to
agree to have the structure erected at Thai
time. but an American will step in and the
work will be finished when desired
IN the past American contractors have
hcSItattd 10 some extent to take contracts
IN England on account Of the difficulties
which they would experience, as regards
the labor question, but at present England
~ at the point where it realizes the neces-
Sly OF taking advantage of any opportunI-
ty offered for the lettering OF facilities and
methods ard the Faglishman Is now willing
to accept suggestions. They recognise
Americans their superiors and are willing
to pay to learn our ways.
Good Field for Contractors.
There is no field in the world offering
the same opportunities for making money
In the line Of engineering ard construction
work as England. In South Africa particu-
larly. are instances where the American
contractor has taken work away from the
Englishman
AS regarcE machinery the English con-
tractor is long WAYS behind the American.
They still use the old-fashioned Donkey
engine for hoisting purposes instead of
adopting the more modern engines
An English contractor will wait until the
other piece contractors have done their
share in the work and then will begin his
work instead Of all the contractors work
ing at the same and 40 accomplishing their
work the quicker
There is room for young American blood
in England and I would encourage any
young engineer or contractor in seeking
that field. There is plenty of room for
every one. but the man that sticks to old
methods Is no good He must be
quick and energetic and anxious TO work
ard above all. he must be loyal to his EN-