New-York tribune., 1918-12-06
Engineers Discuss
Problems Offered
By Close of War
American Society Is of the
Opinion Europe Looks to
America for Solution of
Observation-Disclosures

The engineering Of man power, with
special reference TO reconstruction
both at home and abroad was the
keynote of yesterdays sessions of the
thirty ninth annual convention of the
American Society of Mechanical En-
gineers, being held in this city. That
American engineers will play an i'm
portant part in the work Of rehabili-
tating both the United States and the
devastated European countries, was the
consensus of most of the papers and
addresses and also of the discussions
that followed.
Stress was laid on the achievements
accomplished by American engineering
forces during the war, the stand be-
ing taken by several of the speakers
that Europe today, more than ever
looks to this country for q solution
and working out of its reconstruct
ton problems.
Among those who addressed the
sessions were Charles Piez, vicc-presi-
dent Of the United States Shipping
Board Emergency Fleet Corporation;
J.. S. Rowe, Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury; Dudley r. Kennedy, employ
ment manager of the American In
ternational Shipbuilding Corporation,
of Hog Island Shpyard; c. R. Dooley,
educational director of vocational in
struction, committee on education
and special training, War Department,
and Frederick A. Waldron, of the Bu
reau or Labor Dilution. Each discussed
either what has been accomplished
along reconstruction lines, or the part
that remains to be played before nor
NAL conditions again shall prevail.
The gigantic engineering problems
confronting The entire civilized world
were discussed, with many plans OF
fered for their solution.
Americans to Inspire World
Assistant Secretary Rowe of the
United States Treasury, speaking at
the morning session, sounded the key
note for the engineers when he said:
I'VE are at the threshold of new
epoch of international relations. Under
the leadership of the United States the
spirit Of international service is to be
given a new content and new mean
ing. Here on the American continent
we are in position to set standard
which will serve as an example and ar
inspiration to the entire world. In
many fields OF endcavor we have ac-
cumulated wealth of experience which
can be made Of great service. In a
hundred different ways the members
Of your profession can make themselves
factors of real Importance in the prog
ress of the countries in which they are
called upon to serve, and at the same
time become to the people among whom
they are called to labor the interpre-
ters of the best in our American life
The responsibility is heavy one, but
the magnitude OF the results is com
mensurate with the possibility"
The standardized ton of engineering
products, the cooperative effort OF leg.
islators and engineers, the education
OF the public to a mental attitude oi
basic economy and a redistribution OF
occupations according to adaptability
were suggested by Frederick A. Wald
ron as steps contributing directly or in
directly to the elimination of useles;
and unnecessary labor. A study Of ths
problem Of to-day indicates, stated Mr.
: Waldron, that in its broadest meaning
labor diution and the engineering O.
; men are practically synonymous, sine,
the former involves all that the latte
implies.
Shipping Board Activities
Vice President Pez. of the Emer
gency Fleet Corporation, outlined q
length in the afternoon the evolutio
of the organization of the Shippin
: Board Emergency Fleet Corporation
what II bos arrOro liob n od ooI how
has done it. ''The activities OF tn
corporation" the speaker said, wi
} result in an American merchan
| marine OF 100000 dead weight ton
, and the construction OF a fleet OF YES
sells which. with certain emergency cs
! ceptions, will be so varied and we
/. balanced as TO meet the requirement
OF our commerce with our own terr
tories and possessions and with fol
eign countries as we'll"
"The Employment OF Labor"
Dudley r. Kennedy. and "lntensiv
. Training" by G. r. Dooley, were othe
\ papers read.
a While reconstruction problems wer
occupying the attention of majorit
I OF the members OF the society in tn
main auditorium, a conference, marke
by frequent sharp tits and at tim
the injection of personalities. wa
going on on the fifth floor Of the En-
gineers' Building, where the conver
ton is being held 1t followed pape
by Frederick A. Halsey, commissions
OF the American Institute of Weight
and Measures, on "The Weights an
Measures OF Latin America,' being
resume of an investigation recent
conducted with a view to ascertanin
complete facts of the weighing an