The engineer must shoulder some of the blame, for engineering Me Aueneed almost all human actions, Only the classies were free from the developments of their profession, Technicians to-day spanned very broad rivers, went through moun {ains, broadcast sound through space, created devices which turned out thousands of useful things from nails to spoons, shoes to books, and, most important and tragic of all, made possible the machinery of wat, Engineering today was an exact science and the usual problems encountered wore susceptible of analysis, with mathematical precision, Obviously, there were many problem sny of economic and sane administr tion which, because of his methodi cal mentality, the enginesr was sp dally Atted to study and often solve. Engineers were patient investigators who were secking to enlarge the boundaries of knowledge, who were not deterred from exploring beyond known limits, or if the view from a now standpoint revealed now facts modifying previous conceptions.
He often felt that engineering methods should have been applied much more frequently not only, in the feld of technology and produc~ tion but also in the life of the world, tand that selene could be ulllized to 8 very much greater extent in social affairs. One of the biggest problems waiting for the engineer was that of helping to tead the vast population of the world and to teach it enough of the inherent possibilities "and limitations of engineering so that it could operate the economic, social and Industrial controls without dane er of wrecking the machinery.
So influential wore the results of engineering that it was important to rellerate that engineers must take a much larger part in the administea-Hien and control of human affairs, He did not claim that engineers were xupetior in all respects to others, but that they should be the most practi" cal of all. "IE they would realize the broader meaning of the forward march of improvement in human welfare, and become mindful of past fand possible future greatness, instead of esteeming lightly the capacities of their profession and drifting through Life in a more or less shambling manner with the comfortable feeling that they are doing pretty. well then their power would be illimitable The present state of the world and (rom a narrower perspective) the waste from the local hostilities, demanded its contribution from their profession to ensure the elimination of stich absurd and impracticable icans of attaining an end. Could they do anything about it?
"Individual nations, the League of Nations, political and religious bodies, can make statements, pass resolutions and lay down all manner of rules for the preservation of peace, but such action is ineffective to prevent the use of force in pursuit of a policy of interference' with others. Labour unions, religious associations ahd such ike "have raised their voices, but we who make the tools for war and inadvertently or deiberately contribute our' skit to assist the propagators of war, know What we are being exploited for a purpose which is foreign to our principles, our training and our Ideals, yet we make no effort to promote peace. We should, for these political and religious bodies can and will do nothing to bring about the satisfaction of the really fundamental desires of the majority of the world's. inhabitants, "We, a handful' of engineers in China," cannot stop war, but technicians of the world could, for they are responsible for communication and tools, essentials without which no warlord could proceed, Engineers. have a great opportunity by working together to assist In the organization of peace which is bound up with the development of International trade on more stable foundations."
twas possible to see the whole world at once as a field for achievement and to realise that something must be done to prevent the violent, oppressive acts which were becoming all too common. They should let it bbe known that they had no interest in destruction, but that their one desire was for progress. They should endeavour to obtain support from engineers of all nations and should Invite them to join in the efforts to ensure that science, controlled for the benefit of mankind, should prevail.
nally, I think that ong of the most important steps towards the ultimate prevention of war is that cengineors themselves shall realise the tremendous resources to which they. have access and shall aim at applying them to this end. It is, of course, task of almost depressing magnitude, but it ought not to be shirked, for it is a great task of true scientific endeavour. I believe that if en= gineering principles could be applied the International scale as thoroughly and efficiently as they often are within a single industry, the most astonishing progress could: be made, and 1 would remind you that {in these days most problems are only [solved by competent organization, patience and determined effort."
He concluded>—
Study In Perfection fo some of my hearers, the ver~ diet might be that all that has been
the speaker appears not (o have been said is 9 study tu perfection, wherein deterred from making sweeping as. sections. But if the assertions and the inevitable presentation of distastetut facts embrace In themselves germs of truth, and if the discerning individual can' apply some of these to his own particular activities then the assertions may have their uses.
iso, if my remarks in any small degree have stimulated thought towards ways and means of outlawing war and a realization of the true function of an engineer, 1 am satis fled. 'The great reward' of success Would be a stable, happy world, no Jonger haunted by fear and hate, while the penalty of inaction human suffering and despair."
Mr. Wilson, it may be noted, is acting assistant general manager of the Shanghai Telephone Ca., and has done, and fs doing, much to maintain communications throughout the whole fof Shanghai during the present is understood that in the Bwo. and Yangtszepoo Mills the contract Tabour system will be abolished when those mills re-open. The method of direct employment and payment _of workers will be substifited. This method has already been applied in the Kung Yih Mill—another Ewo enterprise—where contract Labour was Jabollshed in the late spring. The Ewo management have been satisfied that "the "workers appreciate the direct method of employment—hence the decision to extend it to the other mills.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.