Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-06
ENGINEERS LICENSES
HEARING GIVEN LOCAL AssoCIA-
TON MEMBERS TODAY.
Discussion of Conditions at District
Offices - Protest Against Issu-
ance of Special License.

The Commissioners this morning granted
a hearing to representatives of the Inter
national Association of Steam Engineers
relative to the proposition that special
licenses be granted to the men operating
steam engines used on dredges and other
vessels engaged in excavating and hauling
sand on the Potomac river. The members
of the association of steam engineers pro-
tested against the proposed issuance of the
special licenses. At the close of the hear
ing the Commissioners said they will an
nounce their decision later. 1t is under
stood. however, that the Commissioners
are favorable to granting the special
licenses.
The members of the International Asso-
citation of Steam Engineers present at the
hearing were ]. w: Croft, w. b. Murray,
John Houchen. George G. Neidomansk.
James Nesmith, w. c. Bowman, ]. A. Co
RE and A. w. Leeke.
Mr.. Croft said the men who will be
granted the special licenses are incompe-
tent to operate steam engines. and that it
Is not safe to permit them to do SO. He
also said that it is unfair to the licensed
steam engineers of the District to issue
special licenses to the engineers on the
river. He said it is possible for those
engineers to operate a steam engine, but
that 1t is not safe to permit the INTO do so.
In reply to question by Commissioner
West Mr.. Croft said he did not know of
his own personal knowledge that the river
engineers are incompetent, but he saw in
the public press that some of them had
failed to pass the examination for third
class licenses.
Wherever a steam boiler Is operated"
said Mr.. Croft, there is danger to innocent
persons. especially when the man in charge
of the boiler is incompetent"
Explanation by Commissioners.
The Commissioners explained that the
special licenses will only be issued to the
men who have been operating the engines
on the river boats and dredges for some
time past and who have demonstrated
their competency.
Mr.. Leeke claimed that the special IL
censes issued by the District authorities to
steam engineers have been abused. He said
he had no proofs of this assertion, but that
he had heard reports of cases where the
special privilege had been violated. He in
dictated that the reason the special licenses
are asked Is to eyade the law.
The Commissioners told the speaker that
1t is unfair to impute fraud before 1t oc-
ours, or to anticipate that an Illegal use of
the special licenses will be made.
Mr.. Murray contended that IL the men are
capable of running an engine at all they
should be able to pass third-class exami-
nation.
The impression seemed to prevail among
the steam engineers present that the plants
will be licensed and not the men, The
Commissioners however made 1t plain that
the licenses will be issued to the men and
not to the plant. 1t was also pointed out
that these river engineers will be required
to pass a special examination demonstrating
their ability to operate engines of the char
acter used on the vessels and dredges. The
horse power Of the engines and the specific
type of boiler will also be stipulated in the
licenses to be issued.
1t was further stated that the special
licenses will not permit the holders to
operate engines on shore.