LICENSING OF ENGINEERS.
Mr. BENZ'S bill [S. 47] concerning the licensing of engineers of stationary engines, was read the third time. The bill provides that all but railroad employees managing engines must first obtain a license from the License Inspector in his Congressional District, which License Inspector of Engineers is to be appointed by the Governor, to serve four years. License fee, $3; each renewal, $2; the License Inspector to receive no other compensation. He shall examine at least once in two years all steam boilers in his District, for which he shall have a fee of $3.
Mr. HEFRON suggested the necessity for some such bill, in view of the great amount of machinery propelled by steam, and that the men who undertake to control this power should have the necessary qualifications. The object of the bill is to provide for the examination as to the capacity of the men who propose to manage this steam power. The public welfare demands that some measure of this kind be incorporated in a law.
Mr. CHAPMAN believed this bill ought not to become a law. It proposes to cover all steam engines, gas engines and every other engine that is stationary, without reference to the motive power. If the bill is passed, it ought to include portable steam engines also. A large per cent. of the steam engines now built are what is known as portable. Then, the power proposed to be given to this inspector is entirely too large. As there is no limit placed on his power, it might be used as an instrument of great wrong.
Mr. FOSTER did not like to oppose the Senator's bill, but there is a little engine in Fort Wayne, run by himself some time, and if this bill were passed it would work so mcuh as a hardship as to require a license to be issued to the one who might run that engine even for a day, though were it to explode it would not blow up a mosquito.
Mr. OWEN suggested a deficiency in the bill in that it makes no provision for the degree of proficiency the applications shall have. It surely should not be left so arbitrary as regards that clause.
Mr. HEFRON referred to a clause in the bill where the word "steam" is used. In addition to the judgement of the License Inspector the applicant must furnish a certificate from the competent engineers, that the applicant is qualified to run a steam engine. The bill provides that the Governor shall appoint a competent and skilled engineer. Objections made to the bill do not do away with the necssities for it. The man who runs an page: 113[View Page 113] engine propelled by gas should have the same skill and qualification as the man who runs a steam engine. Th object is to keep this power under control of skilled men, so as to prevent accident to life and property. If the engines are so weak and powerless as when they explode they will kill nobody, still they should be under control skillful management. There is a loud call enactment of some such a law.
Mr. SHAFFER had given the bill some consideration, and was not satisfied that it should become a law. It would work a great hardship on some poor and competent persons.
On motion by Mr. BROWN, the bill was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee, with instructions to amend so as to include portable engines.
