Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-20
here, he said, 1t would iassist In giving a
national character to the work.
Brief Response to Welcome.

Brief Response to Welcome.
Mr. Moore was then introduced and upon
| taking the chair resp6nRed briefly to the
words Of welcome Of the two speakers who
had just preceded him. He introduced Mr.
Hunt, who gave a sketch of the history Of
| the society since it's organization fifty years
ago. He gave the minutes of the first
meeting held, which resulted in the forma-
| ton of the society. The subject for pro-
| fessional discussion before the society then
was THE Relief Of Broadway" and the
| first annual convention was held in New
York city, June 10. 1862 The membership
then was 160, while today the society num-
bers 1903. and the total assets Of the So
ciety above all Indebtedness exceed $215, 600
1t has members in 81 OF the "a subdivisions
of this country and in 81 foreign countries.
Presidents Annual Address.
President Moore then delivered his an
nual address, on 1.-The Engineer of the
Twentieth Century" He was greeted with
loud applause at the conclusion and re-
ceived the congratulations of many of the
officers and delegates present. In discuss
ing the subject, he said 1t was necessary to
leave the solid ground of fact somewhat
and enter on the dim field of possibility and
prediction.
He said that engineering as a profession
was comparatively new, but predicted its
development. I'm earlier days." he said,
'engineering was an art and not science.
and the engineer was but little more than
highly skilled workman, and the standard
method Of instruction was that Of appren-
| ticeship, in which by word and by example
the master slowly transmitted to his pupil
the art and mystery of his craft.
The speaker told of the engineers of sew
eral centuries ago and of their meager
training in educational and scientific lines.
Those Of even the early part Of the nine
tenth century did their work without
knowledge Of the sciences which nn6erlie
the engineering Observation-Disclosures me-
chanics. thermodynamics, chemistry and
electricity-as organized sciences did not
then exist. This condition is now changed
he said. and he who would enter the field
with hopes of success must have mastered
the sciences which the labors Of great en-
gineers have developed, and also be in
formed on matters Of language and litera-
ture, political science and history and other
branches of higher education, and in addi-
ton to all this he must have character.
Greater Achievements Possible.
Great as have been the men, and great
as has been the work of the engineers of
the last $50 years. said Mr.. Moore, there
Is reason to believe that even greater work
is In store for our successors. Certain 1t
is that as knowledge grows the field for
it's application to the uses of daily life
must also grow. Even now almost
every process Of manufacture and
as Wen as all the machinery
of war, both on land and sea, is the work
of the engineer, and in the future, even
more than In the present Will the secrets
of power be in his keeping, and more and
more will he be leader and benefactor of
men"
In closing President Moore referred to the
influence of the society In stimulating men,
bers to effort, and he predicted that it
would be a great aid In the development Of
great builders and engineers
Business Session Opens
A business session was held after the con-
clusion of the presidents address, and on
motion the secretary was Instructed to send
a telegram of greeting to, Mr.. Robert B.
Gorsuch. one of the original members of
the society, now residing In Mexico
The secretary read communication from
the Capital Traction Company extending
to the members of the society and their
guests the privilege of free transportation
over its lines during the week of the con-
vention. provided the convention society
badge shall be properly displayed.
A communication was also read from
Commandant Terry of the navy yard stat
ing that he would postpone the putting Of
jacket on one of the big guns from today
until tomorrow afternoon, when the men,
bers will visit the navy yard for purposes
of inspection.
The morning session then adjourned.
Evening Program.
A car ride to Cabin John bridge was
taken this afternoon. and a session will be
held at the hall tonight, when talks de-
scriptive of local engineering matters will
be given, among which are the following:
District Government" Col William NJ.
Black; Sewers" D. E. McComb; Water
Supply" Col A. NJ. Miller; washington
Monument and Library Building" Bernard
r. Green; Electric Railways" D. s. CARL;
Proposed Park improvements Charles
Moore
President Roosevelt will receive the men,
bers of the society at the White House to-
morrow morning, after which a business
session will be held at the hall in the New
Willard. At o'clock a visit will be paid to
the navy yard, and In the evening a session
Will be held for discussing professional
tODicS