Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-01-12
Employment and Duty Of High
way Engineers

NAA NN.|Il.-hAl ~ E.Ha".H
spent each year for road and
bridge construction have attract
ed hundreds of engineers and
s~elf-styled engineers Of every
degree Of competence. The need
for skilled men in this work
enormously exceeds the supply,
and yet it is never hard to find a
man who will concede his own
ability. Road commissioners and
supervisors find it hard to dis
tinguish the real from the imita-
ton and select the right man,
and do not know what to require
after the selection has been
made, Advertisement for bids
for engineering, without stipula-
ton as to qualifications of bid
ders and service to be rendered
often brings disaster. Saddest
of all the disasters is not always
recognized as such. for money,
even unwisely spent, does much
good and the public never real
ICES what has been lost through
i~neifciency and the so-called en-
gineer goes away with recem-
m%endation. to prey on others.
The following procedure is re
commended to supervisors and
road commissioners:
Secure the names of several
of those who stand highest in
the profession and who are en-
gagged in the practice of highway
engineering. lnvitd them to sub
nit propositions on a percentage
basis for making surveys, plans,
specifications and supervision of
construction. State in the invi-
tation that the service rendered
will be in the order given. Make
Investigation to determine the
best location of roads; made de-
tails survey Of the proposed
route. talking cross section, pro-
file and alignment notes, locating
waterways and computing sizes
of same; prepare plan showing
old and new locations; report ac-
curate estimate Of cost Of road
On new locations and approx
mate estimate for old, with full
reasons for all changes; prepare
detailed plans and general and
detailed specifications for roads
and structures; assist in securing
right Of way. This work should
be complete and report on file
before any bids for construction
are asked. The engineer will as
sist in the award of contracts
and during construction, will
stake out all roads and bridges,
inspect materials, supervise con-
struction, prepare monthly esti-
mates for payments to contrac-
tors, and in every way serve as
the representative of the people
in seeing that full value is re-
ceived for every dollar spent.
After the receipt of bids for
engineering services, as outlined
above, the best bid should be ac-
cepted, consideration being given
to the amount Of successful ex-
perience Of applicant, in the line
of work for which he applies rep
%utation of applicant, and price
bid.
1t is suggested that employers
of engineers consider the follow
ing facts: Employ a competent
man at q fair price. Avoid pro-
positions to work for less than
the service is worth. Engiseers
have been known to make private
arrangements to the detriment
of employer and his own profit.
The most reliable information
about an engineer may be OBJ
tanned from another of the same
professions, but not a competitor.
Experience in one line of en-
cheering does not necessarily
fit one for practice in another.
There are specialists in each line
and there are several lines in
highway engineering.
The only Bond that should be
required Of q professional mau is
established professional integri-
ty, If other bond is necessary tc
secure faithfulnesS in any physi.
clan, attorney or engineer, that
one is to be stunned. BY j. H.
Dorroh, Dean of School of En-.
gineerng.
Don't Snub.
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