The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-08-08
Novel PrOfessorial Advice for the Young
 Engineer.
Engineering and Mining Journal.


 Robert E. Roberts Professor of English and His tory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently delivered address before the graduating class of that institution that created somewhat of sensation. The burden of Professor Roberts ad- vice to the young graduates at Cambridge was: Be snob, marry the boss's daughter, dress speak and act like gentleman, and you'll be surprised at the amount of murder you get away with. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this ad- vice is the fact that it given to a group of engineering graduates, rather than to group of young about to enter business or those profess sions that require a more highly developed social life and less practical experience. The general nature of editorial comment the Robertsian utterances has been decidedly unfavorabe, espec- ialy in the daily newspapers.
 However careful and unprejudiced consideration of this bit of professional advice, coupled with an honest and non-deaistic realization of current cal-economic trends-what may be called the hard facts of life perhaps-forces the admission that much truth may be found beneath Professor Roberts pronouncement. His use of the word "snob" is de- cidedly unfortunate The term is always derogatory though capable of varying interpretation
 Engineering and Mining Journal, however, has the temerity to interpret his advice for the young mining and metallurgcal engineer somewhat fol- lows: Strive for advancement by associating with those whom you seek to emulate. Maintain high standard of self-respect, of physical and mental cleanliness, and do not be content with mediocrity.' Not so many years ago the young engineer felt that he must associate with miners and other laborers on and off the ob to become proficient in his worl, and to advance in his profession, to attain popu- arity and to attract the favorable attention of his immediate superior. Competition is keener now adays, however, and ability is more likely to be rewarded with promotion when its possessor has taken advantage of his opportunity to become known to all of his superiors, socially as well as profess sionally.
 long standing criticism of many of the better known mining schools has been their adherence to what might be called trade-schoo practices-to the production of men who could step out of the class room onto the business end of a rock drill rather than to provide the training and mold the char acter of future administrators and executives The number of prominent executives in the alumni lists Iof such schools is woefully small though most of such lists cataog many members in active oper- atlng positions prominent engineer and educator head of a Western school of this type indicated Tn recent speech realization of this condition when he stressed the need for mining engineers With great cultural background-perhaps with less trained practical ability to do the many odd jobs well that command slight wage premiums at the outset A desrble trend is plainly indicated and too much thinking of how things were in the good old days merely serves to hamper the march of progress.