142 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES 
apprenticeship, for only thus can he acquire the educational and technical 
equipment necessary for his duties and position. ‘The way to the attain- 
ment of more responsible positions must not be barred even to these, who 
should not be allowed to pursue their way unencouraged by the hope of 
attaining a worth-while goal. ‘Thus, while the boy, during his five years’ 
apprenticeship, is attending evening classes and seeking to acquire know- 
ledge in all possible ways by which to qualify himself for the pursuit of 
his trade, he should be able, by competitive examination in the works, to 
qualify for a ‘ student scholarship,’ from which point he may advance to 
positions normally open only to those with university or equivalent 
training. The ‘ scholarship ladder’ from the elementary school to the 
university must have its equivalent ‘ apprenticeship ladder ’ in the works, 
and it must be just as possible to-day for another George Stephenson to 
begin at the bottom of the social ladder and achieve the heights above. 
The training of boys other than apprentices presents an even more 
difficult problem. Such boys may often be temporarily engaged in 
‘ blind-alley ’ occupations, and it is essential to provide for their transfer, 
at a sufficiently early period, into other channels which provide proper 
opportunities for advancement and the attainment of a satisfactory status. 
Any boy worth training should, of course, become an apprentice, when 
his training is automatically provided for. 
Training, however, is not confined solely to the material and technical 
side. Although the passage of a student through any works may appear 
to be a severe and laboriously practical affair, it should at the same time 
engender a spirit very much akin to the Public School spirit, which is 
essential to the formation of a true engineering character. Amongst our 
own students at Bedford this spirit is fostered, even though past students 
may be scattered over the whole world, by the publication of an annual 
Works Magazine, and the formation of a Past and Present Students 
Association, which holds an annual reunion and dinner, maintaining 
contact which is so valuable. 
One cannot leave this subject without paying a justly deserved tribute 
to the craftsman upon whom devolves the task of translating the ideas of 
others into practical shape. The production of work of the first quality 
necessitates the loyal and intelligent co-operation of all, and the quality 
of the finished article reflects the ability of every one of those responsible 
for its production. ‘There must also be remembered those who are sent, 
often abroad, to bring the erection and completion of some engineering 
works to a successful issue. Such men must possess ability, character, 
and that quality of leadership which, difficult though it may be to define, 
is none the less real and essential. Circumstances may sometimes be 
those presenting unparalleled difficulties, but the fact that they are in- 
variably overcome, and that other countries have on occasion employed 
British engineers to erect their work, affords striking confirmation that 
they stand pre-eminent in their craft. 
I must here refer to the work of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 
The Institution was founded with the objects of promoting the theory 
and practice of the science in all its branches, to promote inventions use- 
ful to its members and the community, to afford opportunities for the 
