The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-10-07

MI APNnUcI HDlc ana lnNisl-
&AV bic agent producing various
- manifestations OF energy.
and the Century Dictionary
says. The true nature OF electricity
IS as yet not at all understood May.
be II is this very mystery. and the
/ knowledge that Il Is the most potent
Of known forces. that makes the sub
I ject so attractive and also lures the
boy with a taste for things mechani-
cal
Anyhow. IL is the biggest thing IN
mechanics nowadays. and offers the
most varied and most progressive field
for consideration by the man hunting
for an occupation for his son.
But 10 say that MY son is going
10 be an electrical engineer" conveys
nothing particular. for II might
mean anyone OF a thousand almost to-
tally different lines OF activity For
Instance. telephones would be impossi-
bic without electricity and 10 get into
the practical side OF ielephoning one
would be. in that sense. an electrical
engineer The same with telegraphing.
With wireless telegraphy. with the con
structlon OF electrical machines: with
storage batteries. with the construc-
ton OF switchboards with central sta
ton work al The big power houses:
with bell engineering. having 10 do
with low tension work. as telephones.
signals in houses. and other lines not
~ frk
almost endless number Of other branch
rs. ell distinct in themselves. with the
experts In all OF them being known as
electrical engineers Even thu motor
men In subways or on trains operated
by electricity are known as electrical
engineers: yet they need 10 know moth
ing OF other departments OF the bust
ness.
There is one line. however. that
would seem 10 indicate more OF electri-
cal management and use generally
tam the others and that shall be ia
ken UP in the present article for the
benefit Of the father who has been
thinking about the wizardy Of Edison
and how Franklin brought the light
niny from the skies. and who believes
tina his son has the elements OF an
electrical wizard in him.
THIS f. the contract work on build.
ings Il doesn't sound a BIT romantic.
wher compared with the pictures
queEsss OF whizzing. sparkling dyna-
mos n great powerhouses which move
long lines OF street cars and trains and
give the light 20 thousands Of Caring
arc lamps or sesrchlights having mil !
lions q candlepower But II really |
means a lot more. for the contractor |
has 20 install these-very plants and /
string the wires. and knows a great |
deal more than the one that merely |
turns tie switches OF these same mys- |
ferrous machines He has 20 know /
something about pretty nearly every |
thing connected with wiring anything |
and -esta blishing machinery for cleo /
trical purposes-and electricity with
out wires or machinery Is as yet IN
harnessei
To get down 10 business IN most
places The boy who IS 70 take up this
phase ~ electrical engineering has.to
be OK'd BY a labor union as appren-
tice before he can get a Job This Is
rather easily done by getting in touch
with any electrical workers union in
the city IN which he wishes TO make
bis start Then he applies to all the
he can find az work on
for his first Job lie will
not have e. watt long: for practically
every structure ~ consequence going
Up NOWADAYS IS wired for electricity.
and this means the employment OF a
great army Of men.
His first work. OF course. will be az
the veriest rldiments. He will be call
I'd a roustabout. or something equiva-
lent. and viii be assigned to assisting
regular wirefs and other workmen and
getting a knowledge OF the material
used. how Il IS put up. etc For this ne
Vili receive from dollar TO dollar
and half day.
But We shall say that this particular
ooy-your boy. undoubtedly-has more
ambition than 70 become a mere wire
stringer and wants 20 get out OF the
irucgery Of a trade n so. be viii be
ievouring everything readable ne can
Ind that has to go with his work and
IS already wholesomely envious OF the
amazing ability that he thinks is pos
sessed by his employer.
1t won't be long-perhaps not more
han few mon.hs-till the latter viii
reach the conclusion that the boy has
700 ething IN him. and will take him
INTO his Office as material clerk. pay
ng him perhaps twelve dollars a week.
Here he sees large blue sheets OF pa
per covered with mysterious lines ana