The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-08

Touring the southern states and
paying official visits to all local
branches, Frederick w. Raven. secre-
tary of the National Association OF
Stationary Engineers, a post he has
held for the past twelve years visit
ed the Pensacola division last night
He will remain here during today and
then proceed TO other cities I'm Florida
as well as other southern states and
when he completes this tour he will
have visited every local association.
four hundred in nE-nrber, affiliated
with the national association.
Mr.. Raven is a good speaker and
his address, delivered last night at the
Knights of ColumbuB hall, to the mem
bers of the Pcnsa cola division. was
closely followed He told OF the OBJ
ects OF the organization and the fact
that the members, in every city arc
good citizens. really city builders, and
hold the estee mand respect of their
fellow citizens.
Following Mr. Ravens address the
local members enjoyed a supper a.
sponded to and a general good time
enjoyed. surprise was sprung on
State President Sweeney at the sup
per when Secretary Raven, on behalf
of the national association, present
ed him with a handsome bouquet and
admonished him TO carry II home to
Mrs. Sweeney
MR.. RAVENS ADDRESS.
Secretary Raven. was introduced by
State President Sweeney, in a few ap-
propriate words. and spoke In part
as follows:
"A few years ago. comparatively
speaking, the stationary engineers
duties were confined to the manage
ment and operation of engines and
boilers and the position as a rule was
far from an enviable one. If he de-
sired any knowledge in regard to his
calling. why he had TO consult text
books the majority of which were un-
reliable, or humiliate himself by ask
ing some engineer who was under no
obligation to impart the desired
knowledge, even If he were the DOS
SCISSOR of ii. In many cases he would
remain in ignorance rather than run
the risk Of being subject to ridicule
But it was destined that this lament
able condition Of affairs was to end
and thanks to the wisdom OF some or
the far-seeinE members of the craft
the idea of engineers association was
agitated with success. Several such
organizations were started in the
larger cities, and the results attained
were such that a national body was
advocated. This latter met with such
favor that convention was held in
New York City on October rs, 1882
and thus the National Association OF
Stationary Engineers came into exist
ence, based on broad and liberal prin
ciples. It dlscountenances strikes
in toto, holding that labor, like every
commodity, is governed by the law OF
supply and demand. Every member
has the right TO dispose of his ser
vices for whatever compensation he
chooses and that right cannot be
questioned. Ii also preached the doc
trine Of elevation OF the engineers
through the medium Of education
Taking this position, which was in
deed a unique one, IT has adhered TO
it rigidly. and from an humble begin
ming in 1882 over four hundred subor-
dinate associations at the present time
is what is submitted for your consid-
Grafton as to it's benefits to the sta
tionary engineer.
About the time the National Asso-
citation of Stationary Engineers was
formed the arc and incandcscent lights
was being commercially introduced.
and were soon placed in charge of the
engineer. Radical innovations in
draulic elevators, were being install
ed Added to these were the modern
high speed engine, compressed air for
varied purposes. and mechanical re-
frigeration. Appliances and attach
ments by the score were placed OF
the market. The ability to operate
the machinery now placed in his
charge soon convinced the engineer
that he must be thinker instead or
a. mere manipulation. One thing he
had to do was to study" OF course,
the studious man can gain knowledge
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