Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-08
A PROGRESSIVE
IN ENGINEERING
George S. Webster Diligent Student
of What Other Cities Are Doing.
Views on Opportunities in
the Profession

III ARBORS and docks loom large in the new
i literature dealing with the life and de-
velopment of the modern city. Boston and
Seattle, Genoa and that storied city of the
Near East, Salonica, are frequently cited
examples. Nobody in Philadelphia is more
fully aware of the opportunities to be pre-
sented to the city and to the State of Penn
sylvania through port development at this
converging point of trade and transportation
than the new Director of Wharves Docks
and Ferries. Director Webster, 1t can be said
without qualification, sees more in the prob
lens and tasks now before him than their
technical and engineering aspect. few min
utes' conversation Is amply sufficient to con-
vince one that his conception of public service
is based on a broad comprehension of the
interests of the community as a whole His
appointment, moreover, is a gratifying recog-
milton of the value of expert service in city
government.
The appointment is recognized in all quar-
ters as nonpolitical. The man certainly
doesn't look like politician You can't always
tell politician from his looks, of course but
Webster has no more the aspect or manner of
one than does the City Manager of Dayton,
who gives the impression of having business
to do and of doing that business as the first
and foremost matter of consideration. The
gineer are apparent in Mr.. Webster from
the first meeting; but II he's not demonstra-
tive he is cordial and If he's not particularly
communicative to a questlon-asking stranger
he's as courteous and friendly as could be
wished. The interview yesterday was inter-
rupted so many times by telephone congratu-
lations that plainly enough the Mayors
appolntee Is lacking neither in friends nor in
the capacity for friendship. As for Mr..
Smiths confidence in the man, it is no great
er than Mayor Blankenburg's; and it is worth
noting that while administrations have come
and gone at City Hall Mr.. Webster has
remained quietly and steadfastly on his job
as Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Surveys
For 20 years he has held that office, and for
Ss he has been connected with the bureau.
Eager to contribute toward the prosperity
Of Philadelphia by rendering the port facli-
ties as nearly adequate as possible to the
volume of business which should come this
way, he understands that physical equipment
is not the only thing needed.
"A city, like a private business or industrial
concern, must advertise. 1t is no use having
the natural advantages and the physical
facilities If we don't make them known in a
convincing way. Engineering and publicity
must so together in the development of the
port"
Work and Recreation
He doesn't look his age, which is so years
Forty would be a reasonable guess. Golf is
his chief recreation. but he hasn't much time
for that, as his friends testify. Work and his
home seem to take up most of his time.
The various important public improvements
which have been carried through under his
direction have been described in these col
umns. Not so much is known of his work
IN connection with national organizations. A
prominent member of the American Society
OF Civil Engineers, he has been leader in
cement experimentation. line of study and
investigation which has rapidly increased in
importance in the engineering profession.
AS an engineer he is not to be described as
a specialist. But his associates marvel how
he has found the time to become so thor
oughly familiar with many different de-
partments of civil engineering. Engineering
science is tending more and more toward
specialization-bridge engineering sanitary
engineering. and so forth and so on. Mr.
Webster keeps up with what is going on I'm
every line, and not content with nd-hand |
information, he has visited all the large cities
or America and Europe to look on their ex
periments and achievements with his ov,n |
eyes. 1t is said that in the earlier days of |
his professional practice he rarely took a va
cation He was too busy. Now he utiIizAs
his vacation time to familiarize himself with
what other cities are doing through the aid
of engineers in the way of self-deveIopment
probably few men are better acquainted with
he progress of municipal engineering in this
country than this man who will have large
part TO play in building the future of the
port Of Philadelphia. That he stands in tbs
forefront OF his profession in the United
states is evident and the University OF Penn