62 RELATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS TO TECHNICAL COLLEGE. 



lege is generally too low : it is suggested that this can be remedied 

 by the high schools giving a better preparation to the future 

 student. If this is not done, the lad himself will find a way by 

 cramming, which, though not quite useless, is much inferior to a 

 systematic course of study. 



The theory of modern economics is built up under the influ- 

 ences produced by the introduction of steam power through the 

 potent agencies of the steam railroad, steam navigation and the 

 use of steam power in industrial operations. Under industrial 

 operations, I include the great means for transportation and inter- 

 communication comprised in railways, telegraphs and telephones, 

 in addition to the manufacture and distribution of products in- 

 volving the ap])lication of power, mechanical or electrical, as well 

 as the distribution, whether by i)ipe or by wire, of that power 

 itself. 



It would be folly to assert, therefore, that further develop- 

 ments in economic theory are not largely dependent on those in- 

 dustrial changes which are continually produced by the inventive 

 genius of the great body of engineers. The engineers precipitate 

 these affairs on the world by their inventions ; in return, these 

 affairs are the support of the engineering profession : thus, it is 

 the duty of engineers to do their share in moulding their various 

 economic creatures so that these creatures may reach the maxi- 

 mum usefulness to society. That is, the engineer has a public 

 responsibility as great, if not greater, than that of the theologian. 

 the physician and the legal ])leader. 



Thus, the engineering profession can justly claim a right to 

 equal consideration in the curricula of the high school. I would 

 ask, therefore, that the schoolmaster should not continue to prac- 

 tise his profession aloof from the ordinary engineering affairs of 

 the world, that he discontinue considering his work as being more 

 confined to study and investigation from a distance, that he should 

 apply his knowledge to assist in the re-organisation of engineering 

 education, if possible by meeting a responsible body of engineers. 



BlBLIOGRAI'in'. 



" The Education and Training of liiu/incers." Prof. J. Orr, 

 Transvaal Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Journal of the 

 Institute, 1908. August. 



" The Education and Training of Engineers." Norman Harrison, 

 Chief Engineer, G.P.O., South African Institute of Elec- 

 trical Engineers. Transaction of the Institute, \"ol. Ill, 

 part 8. Discussion, Vol. I\'\ i)arts 2 and 4, 191.^. 



" Education and Training of Engineers." Report of I.C.E. Com- 

 mittee. Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil 

 Engineers, \^ol. CLXVI, part 4. 1905-1906. 



"Practical Training or Qualifications required of Cii'il Engineers 

 in Foreign Countries." Appendix I, page 247, Proceedings 

 of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Vol. CLXX\''III, part 4, 

 1908- 1909. 



