The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-08
Engineering Professors and "outslde
Work"

Engineering Professors and Outside
Work"
The protest OF a number OF engineers
a AGAINST the course OF John j. Flatner' pro-
lessor Of mechanical engineering at tne
University Of Minnesota, in acting as a
consulting engineer while filling pro-
fessor's chair raises an interesting ques-
tton: one that Is new to the public, per-
hans but an old one to those particularly
interested. The protesting engineers DE-
sire the regents to direct Professor
Flather to refrain from doing turtner
private consulting engineering work on
the ground of unfair competition ana De-
cause las he has done great amount Oh
private practice within the, last few years
he must Of necessity infringe very serl-
ously on the time he is supposed 10 give
to the interests Of the state university.
At first glance this protest seems to pc
not unreasonable, but a little consideration
of the matter will probably lead most per-
sons to conclude that the protest IS not
one that Is likely to appeal to the regents
as one that can be favorably acted upon.
In Professor Fathers case it appears
that his private work was conducted with
the approval Of the regents, SO that there
Is no question of his full right to 90 as
he has done and continue to do SO unth
the regents direct him to do otherwise.
But beyond this particular case, 1t appears
that it Is the rule, rather than otherwise
side
of professional duties as they have time
to attend to while diligently performing
those duties. That this is g, fact was pub.
ucly shown at the 1901 session OF the
Society for the Promotion of Engineering
Education Two papers were there read
on the subject, one by Professor c. Frank
Allen of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and another by William Kent,
consulting engineer and associate editor
of Engineering News. Professor Allen
said that it was not uncommon for those
in charge Of engineering colleges to hold
out the opportunity for private employ
ment as one Of the inducements to a per-
son invited to accept a professorsh1p Of
engineering Professor Allen argued that
>SS"~AANA
for having practical outside experience.
It gives breadth of view and "a better
conception Of the interrelation Of theory
and practice" Moreover outside work
gives professor acquaintance and repu-
tation which are important to the college
as we'll az to himself. Mr.. Kent was very
emphatic in his approval of engineering
professors accepting outside work. ...
It Is impossible to secure the ablest men
for positions on engineering faculties If
they are not to be permitted to add fees
to their slender income as professors. An
engineering school is professional school
and the men who are likely to make the
best teachers in such school are the ones
likely to be in greatest demand for private
employment. Except where such a mar
ts filed with great educational zeal and q
desire to sacrifice himself, an engineering
school may count itself lucky If it keeps
him on any basis. But when retaining hi
services by virtue of giving him a. freedom
which makes him a better instructor
there Is no question about what is tn
course Of the employing body. Outsid
work keeps an engineer In touch with tn
latest developments in his line. Tex
books can't keep up with these develop
ments; neither can the individual who !
not in close touch with them. It is fur
ther to be said in favor of permitting
professor of engineering to perform
private work, that by giving him stron
interests outside OF his classroom routine
he is kept from falling into a rut and be
coming mere human text book. A pro
lessor Of engineering holds his chair fo
the purpose of turning out engineers
VIII that function best be fulfilled by
man who Is genuine, active engineer c
man who merely helps his pupils t
learn what the text books say?
OF course, it Is as easy for professc
of engineering to go beyond REASONABLE
bounds in accepting outside work and neg
lect his teaching. If he is a consideration
well-balanced man he will not do tina
His first duty, SO long as he remains a
active professor, is to instruct his pupi
to the best of his ability; the moment h
use of time that Is his own begins to in
pair his usefulness as a teacher, tn;
moment he must pull himself up, but
long as outside interests make him be
ter man and better professor, there CO
be only good in continuing such work, pr,
vlded it Is done in manner that is col
sistent with professional ethics, as, +
instance exercising scrupulous care not
charge less than engineers engaged who'll
in private practice.
It Is announced that after this there "
be no changes in the police force, und
the present administration. except
cause 1t is rare that even by implic
ton we get such a frank admission th
changes are made In the force witho
cause. Can anybody give a single go
reason for making any change In m
nicipal police force without cause? II
is not written in adverse criticism
4 K - 80 49, a !. -, 49,. . /.