Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-08-11
good OF both themselves and the eoun-

good OF both themselves and the coun-
try.
Second: BY inducing all sub-fresh-
men who have shown any special APP
titude for mathematics, mechanics, or
chemistry, to take the technical
courses.
Third: BY discouraging the en-
listment into the army and navy OF
all students in technical institutions,
but, on the contrary, by encouraging
them to remain and graduate, II pos
sibIe. OF course, those who are draft
ed will have to serve; for it would,
majesty. be unfair TO the rest of the
youths of the country to excuse
man from going TO the front simply
because he is technical student
Such drafted students, however,
should generally be sent to the engi-
neer corps. because their services in
that branch of the army would prob
ably be more effective than in any
other. and because the training they
would receive therein would be likely
to serve them in good stead in after
years when practicing in the engi-
neering profession.
Fourth: BY granting Government
aid to those youths of evident special
ability in technical lines who are un-
able TO raise the money necessary or
a course of instruction.
If these four steps be taken, the
unique opportunity referred TO will
not be lost; and this country will then
become the leader of the world in ac-
tivity, effectiveness, and wealth.
Let me. therefore. most earnestly
implore all youths who are ready for
college this Fall. and who are not in
any way untitled for technical careers,
to take up some branch of engineer
ing or technology; and let me en-
treat the parents or guardians OF such
youths to exert their influence so as
to induce the boys to choose that line
of study for their life work Remem-
Der: 1t is not only or the good of the
country that / make this appeal, but
also for the ultimate benefit OF the
young men themselves!
Some reader of this communication
may remark that such an appeal
would possess more force if it were
to come from a national engineering
society than when emanating from an
individual engineer. Very truei But
until quite lately there ha been no en-
gineering society which draws its
membership from all lines of techni-
cal activity; and the one which. is now
being formed, viz, the American
Academy of Engineers, has not yet
received from Congress the National
charter for which it has applied.
Were that association today fully or
ganized and duly recognized by the
Government, it assuredly would make
such an appeal as this; and, in my
opinion, that appeal would immediate
~ be responded to by the nation, for
the American people certainly are
sensible enough to heed seriously any
words of warning coming from a Sc
lect body of the most practical men in
tie land
~ - u 0S bhdt SUN Gil oPPN@A AAA0A 49,
readily be made by the old and we'll
established Society for the Promotion
of Engineering Education; but, If so,
it would generally fall upon deaf
ears. because it would Immediately be
remarked that the professors were
simply trying to recruit their classes
and were roofing for their schools.
On that account, at the meeting of the
Society | refrained from offering a
motion to the effect that it officially
make this appeal, which | then had
in mind However the Society is go
ing to do what it can to help the pro-
fession by publishing and circulating
widely the speeches of Secretary
Baker, Brigadier General Black, and
DR.. Stratton hereinbefore referred to.
These addresses will corroborate
what I have said in this letter; and |
trust that they and my earnest en-.
treaty combined will result in aug
menting materially next September
the attendance at the technical
schools of the United States.
Respectfully submitted by
j. A. L. WADDELL,
Consulting Engineer.