The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-03-28
THE DEMAND ZOE TEcHNIcIANs.
Young Men Scientifically Trained Much
Needed Now.


In view Of the general impression that
the professions are greatly overcrowded
it Is surprising TO learn that some Of the
leading railroads in the country are find
ing much difficulty in securing properly
qualified young men TO fill subordinate
positions on the engineering staff. One
road in particularly has recently gone
50 far as To make the fact known in
the public press, and to invite communi-
cation from young men who have passed
through technical schools, and possess
the necessary qualifications to enable
them to commence work as rodmen and
chainmen, or do the simpler instrument
al work connected with the construction
and maintenance Of railroads. 1t was
further stated that the remuneration
would be sufficient to enable these men
TO maintain themselves at once in de-.
ceney and comfort, and that for those
who showed aptitude and application,
there was a reasonable expectation Of
early promotion.
Further evidence of the excellent OPEN
ing afforded by the present industrial
activity is found In that fact that, in
one of the leading technical colleges OF
the country, every member Of the grad
uating class of 1906 had secured an APP
pointment some months before the close
of the college year. The demand for
technically qualified men in railroad
work has unquestionably been stimu-
lated by the recognition of the fact that
the increase in the capacity and weight
Of the motive power and rolling stock,
and the demand for more intelligent su-
pervision due to the introduction of cleo
trie traction on steam roads, is Jendering
it desirable that not only the engineer
ing department, but also those which
have to do with the maintenance and
operation Of the road, should be run by
men with sufficient technical knowledge,
with sufficient training in natural SET
ence. to enable them TO exercise more
intelligent oversight Of their departments
than IA possible III the case Of men whose
theoretical knowledge Il bounded by the
limits of common school education.
In this connection il is gratifying to
note that there is In successful operation
in this state a railway training school
under the supervision Of practical rail-
road men, in which the students are put
through course designed to prepare
them specifically for employment in the
various departments under which the
complicated operation Of our railroads
'is carried on. Without casting any dis
arrangement upon the many able men
who, from humble positions on our rail-
roads, have risen to stations Of great
trust and responsibility, we believe that
the complicated problems involved in the
operation Of a great modern railroad
system have rendered it not only desir-
able but Imperative that the heads Of
those departments which have to do with
the mechanical and constructive elements
Of railroad should be graduates Of tech.
meal schools or members of the engi-
neering profession. To make such a pro
vision a general one would, after all, be
merely to apply broadly principle
which, for many decades, has been fol
lowed upon the Pennsylvania railroad
system. whose late distinguished head
President Gassatt, was civil engineer
who had risen by steady graduations
from rodman to president.-From the
Scientific American.