Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-10-07

all attempts at scientific construction
by engineers in general, and set the
wheels OF material progress back a
hundred years at least.
Would il not be well for You to in
form yourself as to what the engin-
eering profession has really done to-
wards our material advance for the
past 20 years, and then write one
more editorial ON the subject?
Il. F. GREENWOOD.
Skowhegan. Oct. 4. 1911
We accept Mr.. Greenwood's eriti-
cisrn in the kindliest. spirit. We well
come healthy discussion and airing Of
such questions II is our aim to make
the .Kennehee journal valuable TO our
readers by awakening new interest in
subjects not previously given thought
We wish to set people TO thinking;
and when they think TO purpose ard
call us up sharply, it sets us to think
ing We enjoy the sensation of bring
ing ont new ideas, whether they be
engendered in our own minds or IN
the minds OF our readers
In the case of Mr.. Greenwood we
think a careful reader who is not an
engineer and jealousy partisan to ms
calling (Which Is an admirable trait
in any mani would see something
mere than criticism of the engineer
ing profession in the editorial 10
which he refers. In fact, We had not
in mind when debating that editorial
a single thought Of criticism OF en-
gineers. except insofar as they repre-
sen, an ambition of man to Guido the
Maker.
If Mr.. Greenwood. or any otAer read
er. will turn to our editorial and run
IL through carefully. he will see that
our text was Lesson Of Latest Dis
aster." The seventh paragraph reads:
eAIan is crushed by his own works
because he assumes the functions OF q
hutlaer of worlds The winds and the
waters point his fallibility That Is
the lesson of Austin and Costello.
,rhe tenor of the entire editorial We
believe maintains that which we IN
tended TO convey, without malice to-
ward or criticism of any man or call
ing. 4 pointing out OF mans asshinp
tion. Blind confidence and Willingness
10 take chances. We quoted. some
what sareastiealiy perhaps, from ell
forials in other newspapers and maya
zines with which we do not agree ant
which treated the affair sensauonaily
We wished TO show that people repos'
too great confidence in engineering
experts who are only human, an(
who are controlled largely by the Gu
pidity of those by whom they are en-
ploved We referred TO a possible
Saving in money 70 contractors ane
builders and we had no thought thai
the engineers had anything to do Will
restricting most perfect construction
Engineers could build a mountain that
would withstand the elements for ages
If il were not for the expense.
But. undoubtedly. The engineer who
had charge of the dam az Austin. Pa.
believed the structure would with
stand all the pressure that ever would
he brought against it. or lie would
have said so publicly; he would have
warned hundreds OF human beings not
10 build their homes under its menace
II Is not our purpose TO attempt to
convict those who caused the dam Il
be built. We presume they held the
value Of human lite above mere dol
lars. Tie inhabitants settled II tho
valley. below because they are taught
TO trust inc skill and Judgment of hu-
man ,4xpeflsr-doctors, lawyers. engln.
eers,'s etc. An--engineer, contractors
builders and victims-belieyed the dan
would hold.