Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1886 — The Master Mechanic. [ARTICLE]

The Master Mechanic.

The man who would attain to the po1 sition of a master mechanic in any line of mechanical business must acquire something more thau mere technical skill, or that knowledge which pertains ito the useful or mechanical arts. He ' should ever cultivate the consciousness that there is always something to be learned in his business, and also very ’ much to be learned outside ‘of it. He j should be ever ready to appreciate J valuable knowledge from whatever i source it can be obtained; carefiilly study and consider every new development pertaining to his business, and, most important of all, swear unfaltering allegiance to duty, to honesty of purpose and faithfulness to principles in the discharge of the important trust devolved upon him. He is most successful for himself who serves his employers best and first. A good foreman or master mechanic is not made of poor material; neither is he the work of a day. His growth in progress is slow, often, perhaps, discouraging, always more or less laborious. He must ever be learning, ever on the alert for some unknown or unforeseen danger, and always awake to those that are known. There is hardly a trade, industry, art, or invention with which he should not be more or less familiar, at least so far as to be able to estimate correctly the inherent elements of danger, and its relation, if any at all, to his daily work. The changes made in manufacture are to be noted, and the new dangers involved, if any, studied, counteracted, or avoided. A thousand invent ons, more or less pregnant with danger, are to be understood, and their hazards or advantages pointed out In manufactures every year develops new peril in the efforts made to cheapen the cost of production. He should keep himself posted on the various industries of the country, study the* financial situation and watch closely the periods of prosperity and depression, and always bear in mind that there are always dangers to face which the most careful study and the greatest skill cannot fathom, and against which, oftentimes, caution and prudence are powerless, or at least can give but partial protection. In art he should be able to judge correctly of every detail of the workshop, as well as to estimate truly the priceless productions of skill and genius. The best foremen and master Mechanics we have in our great workshops to-day are those who have elevated themselves to their trustworthy positions by hard work, close application to study, and who feel themselves fully prepared to assume any responsibilities as they may increase and be placed upon them.— Wagonmaker.