New-York tribune., 1903-05-17

YOU are afraid to do" provided he knows that
he is right; but he must further appreciate the
Injunction BE bold, be bold; be not too bold
Hts mistakes may be very costly and his oppor-
funities for effecting economies by skilful de-
sign and construction very great.
II must not be assumed that in order to be a
successful engineer q man must be fine
mathematician. 1 should rather be inclined TO
say that in order to be good engineer he must
not be what would usually be called fine
ma thematician, at least that he must IN ad-
dfton possess other mental qualifications which
are of far greater consequence; for mathe-
matics Is in its essential conceptions and meth
ods an abstract science, and the great mathe-
matician is apt 20 lack the qualities OF action
the quick decision, the accurate judgment the
ingenuity in meeting and overcoming obstacles
and the natural grasp and insight leading him 10
500 the nlvsicaI possibilities of situation which
,,,,s+ distinguish the successful engineer. On
the other hand, the engineer should nave
liking for mathematics, and a quick and in
stinctive grasp of its principles and metnoos TO-
gatber with the insight which will enable him to
see how they are to be made use Of, and to use
them properly when the time comes
II is unnecessary to enlarge upon the general
qualities of character, personal appearance, etc,
which a man in any walk of life should en-
deavor TO possess. and which are not peculiar
requirements of the engineer But 1t may be
remarked that the training OF the engineer Is
likely to emphasize for him one essential quail
fcation honesty. The student of nature is
trained TO seek only the truth. He is not con-
cerned with endeavors to make the worse ap-
pear the better reason: but his only aim is TO
arrive At the truth concerning the eternal prin-
ciples which govern the world around us. and to
make them subservient to the interests of man
Ia wyer is said to have remarked, we don't
want especially TO get at the truth; we want to
trv ca see' This does not imply lack of honesty,
but illustrates the lawyers point of view, which
is TO make his case appear as strong as possible,
leaving somebody else to decide what is right
This natural bias in the direction OF truth ls
perhaps. one reason why engineers are being
sought after more and more TO I'LL admlnlstra-
tive positions requiring judicial temperament
Indeed taken as a whole believe there is no
profession which can be more depended upon
FOR absolute integrity and answering honesty.
on the other hand. the work Of the engineer is
often of a character which does not produce
polished manners or good address the lack of
which qualities is sometimes bar to the high
est success.
How shall a young best prepare himself
for this profession? Since II is a business as
well as a science, some of Its members nave
entered it from the business end and some
from the scientific end; that is TO say. some
have begun in engineering office, gaining ex-
perience and studying al the same time while
others have begun by getting thorough teen
meal training in engineering school Some
or the best engineers in the profession have
pursued the former course, and in England 1t
has been the usual custom for young man
10 become articed student to some practs-
ing engineer. paying round sum for several
years for the opportunity, instead or receiving
any compensation for his services But at the
pressnt time Il may b sisted unhssitasnxy