Page Two ARMEUE ”TECH NEWS Student Publication of the ARMOUR HNSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Published Weekly During the College Year [so “FEE SEEPSWEE” .2: Cleave to “The Sliputick”; lo! the Slapstick fly whom it may. no on THE STAFF MANAGING BOARD .L.John Hommes, ’29 Fred B. Farrell, ’29 .Russell E. Johnson, ’29 ...Professor Walter Hendricks Editor~in-Chief Faculty Adviser... NEWS DEPARTMENT ................. David T. Smith, ’30 .Meck, ’30; F. B. Attwood, ’31 Fiaternities V. nA. Sturm, ’30; Harry Bailey, ’30 Copy ................ A. B. Auerbach, ’31 Reporters—E. W Gailson, ’32; F. M. James,’31; Stephen Janicszewski, ’30; F. W. McCloska, ’29; Jerome Meyer, ’32; H. P. Richter, ’32; W. H. Rudolf, ’32; Max Schinke, ’;32 Vernon A. Sturm, ’30; Wm. Ed- monds, ’32; A. Wierzbowski, ’32, SPORTS DEPARTMENT ......... C. Stempkowski, ‘32 12, ’29; W. Paradzinski, ’30. News Editor Assistants. Sports Editor. Assistants—«J. P. Edstmnd, V. Taylor, ’32. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT l Auerbach, ’31 ohn G. Attwood, ’29 ..J. M. Jacobson, ’29 T 32 is Humor ........ Stafi‘ Artist . Book Reviews. Meditations The breath of life is Calculus, The darh stui‘f’svin my dreams. When I get thru, the room’s a muss, And I’m a wreck it seems. I’d like to know the guy who doped Out calc. for me to do; And should we meet (as I have hoped) Well, I’ll leave the rest to you. —-—F. F. S. Pl! What’s the shape of the earth?” asked Dean Penn of a sleepy civil. “Round.” “How do you know it’s round?" “All right, it’s square then. I don’t want to start any argument about it.” :1: 1r Yl< It Sign— Ladies’ Roadside-Wear Clothes It’s about time they were changing their minds. —F. B. A. 5i! The world is a. cruel place to live in, if the wee- stricken, mournful Beta Psi’ s are asked. They were all J to have two weeks of fun when the health or u Inquiring Reporter Editorial W1ite1‘s .................................................... (Open) MAKE—UP DEPARTMENT Make-up Editor .................................. W. J. Ehrmeyer, ’29 Assistants—M. L. Morgan, 3’1 R. Steinert, ’31; E. J. Wiltrakis, ’32. BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Advertising Manage): ...................... Stanley A. Beatty, ’30 Assi fani‘ M 0. Nelson, ’30 Solicitors .............. R. G. Kellner, ’31JF}; W. Spaulding, :31 Ciiculation Manager ........................ nW. amble, ’29 Assistants—J. S, Meek, ’30; C. H. Johnson, ’30; A. H. Jens, ’31; G. Reichle, ’30; A. J. Lenke, ’31; L. W. Booker7 ’31; F. W. Spaulding, ’31; E. J. Wiltrakis, ’32; E. A. Scanlan, ’32; E. W. Carlson, ’32. Exchanges .......................................... John E. Barman, ’29 Vol. III, MARCH 21, 1929 N0. ’7 Vie/by Not An Educated Engineer? l . . 11 What is the magic formula for success in this age of miracles? Ask it of Henry Ford. Ask it of Charles M. Schwab. Ask it of Herbert Hoover. Ask it of any suc~ cessful man of affairs today. Almost without exception you will receive as your answer, “Specialization.” That one word comes nearest to containing the summary of our modern economic structure. It best accounts for the phenomenal achievements of men today, both as indi— viduals, and as great organizations of men which we call corporations. But when in a man’s life should specialization begin? Can we take a child from the cradle and say to it, “You are to become an electrical engineer. From henceforth your training will be carried out with that aim in mind." Would we not, in our zeal to teach that individual more about electricity than anyone else knows, build up such an unbalanced brain that his knowledge of electricity would be utterly useless because it lacked the complement of knowledge about other men’s affairs? That is an extiieme case, But where is the line of demarcation between the extreme case and the best in— terests of the individual? At present, prevailing practice among engineering schools seems to hold that the line exists between the freshman and the sophomore stages of the engineer. At that time the student begins certain studies which are very specialized, and apply more or less only to the branch of engineering work he has chosen. Unfortunately, already a year before he begins his specialization, he is required to name in which department he will specialize. Dr. Harvey N. Davis, recently inaugurated to the presidency of Stevens Institute of Technology at Hobo— ken, believes that an embryo engineer should not begin to specialize until after he has finished college. He advo- cates a general engineering course which should include the fundamentals of all engineering, and which would emphasize the training of the mind in how to think, rather than in how to remember facts. He cites the many cases of men of his acquaintance who dis- tinguished themselves in engineering fields other than that for which they supposedly trained. And he is of the opinion that part or their succese was due to the fact that they had the advantage of broader training over the fellow who stuck to the line he began with in his under graduate days. A study of our own Institute’s bulletin, which contains a list of graduates, their courses and their present posi- tions, offers additional evidence. on the same truth, namely, that many engineers win success in a branch other than that for which they tried to specialize in col— lege. We are of the opinion that Dr. Davis is absolutely right. We believe that there would be far fewer misfits in engineering if a student could defer his choice of a life’s work at least till he is ready to graduate from college, and in the meantime equip himself with a thorough course in those principles of science, engineering, and the arts, which are necessary for a well-rounded life in any field of engineering endeavor. Along with a thorough and comprehensive training in mathematics, physics, chem- istry, mechanics, thermodymics, electro-dynnmics, hydro and com-dynamics should be given a parallel liberal train- ing, such as in history, literature, economics, philosophy, psychology, and related subjects. Throughout the course the economic and the human sides of engineering would be consistently emphasized. Dr. Davis summarizes the principle of his belief as department turned’ em down and spoiled everything. Facileout He: “Darling, I kissed the very stamps on your letters because I knew that they had been touched by your own sweet lips.” She: “Oh! I moistened them on dear old Fido’ s nose.’ The Bulletin of th: American *Chemical Society ran this, and we take the liberty of reproducing it: A New Element Symbol. W0. A member of the human family. Occurrence. Can be found wherever man exists. Sel- dom occurs free or in the native state. bined state is to be preferred. Physical Properties. All colors and sizes Always ap- pears in " ' ”' Surface seldom unprotected by coating of paint or film of powder. Boils at nothing and freezes at any moment. Very bitter if not properly sed. Chemical Properties. Extremely active. Posseses a great affinity for gold, silver ,and precious stones. Abiity to absorb all kinds of expensive foods, but activity is greatly increased when saturated with spirit solution. to Quality depends , upon the state in which it was found. Usually the com- » Herod of Mechamcal Engineering George F. Gehharclt (A1 Biographical Sketch) By T. J. LEARDI, ’29 One of the outstanding faculty members is Professor Gebhardt, head of the department of Mechanical En» gineering, who has been teaching at the Institute for nearly thirty years. Professor Gebhardt was born in 1874 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His ,oarly education was obtained at the Collegiate I n s tit 11 t e, a sectarian school. When sixteen years of age, he entered Knox College, taking the regular literary course, but two years later he left Knox, going to Cornell study Mechanical Engineering. Four years later, at the age of twenty—two, he secured his M. E. from Cornell, and, by making up all his literary subjects, he also received his A. B. degree from Knox. Three years later, he received his M. S. from Knox College, After his college days were over, a choice of professions was to be made. He decided to become a. mining en- gineer, so he went back to Utah and worked in the mines in various ca~ pacities Professor Gebhardt had an ‘ ' lnni when: P authority on the sublect, his; book being used as a smddrd text in every country in the world where engineer» ing is taught. He has also done a. great deal bf research work, including the construction of testing machines. Among the subjects may be men- tioned belt transmission, hall-bearing friction, tire-shock absorption and flow of fluids. He has designed the Gebhardt steam meter, and also 1111m- erous laboratory machines for test- ing engineering materials. In addi- tion ‘to the book already mentioned, he has prepared phamphlets for school use on governors and the dy— namics of steam engines. He is a gieeera. He Is sled chm o; 3, board of advisory engineers for the Smoke Abatement‘fimeeu 01. ‘Shiwg 1'11 fraternal life he belongs to th University Club, is 2 Phi Delta Eire», and 3 Tan Bets. Pi. ’ E‘rofessor Gebhardt likes to fish and . ‘ hunt. We have his word that he would rather sit out in a swamp and. . shiver shooting ducks than do amy- j thing in the educational line. Proicssor Gebhardt was married i2: 1914 to Edith M. Jensezzaud heistlxe father of two daughters, Mildred and Sally. recent years has suffer still assured of one a in safety. Sometimes yields to pressum. Turns green when placd to a better looking sample. Ages rapidly. Highly danger- ous, and explosive in unexperienced hands. - 1. ac a A Little Hourly Why does a Scotchman marry a blonde'! I dunno,, why? Light overhead. —-Fre11 Fiiend K. K. K. claims that this is real courtesy: —- Kindly Keep Your Hands 011’. This Wire Carries 20, - 000 Volts. Thank You. 1. :1: a :11 When the iceman came out of the house he found a small boy sitting on one of his blocks of ice. “Hey,” he roared, wot are yer sittin’ there fer. Git out!" The small boy raised a tear-stained face. "Was you ever a boy?” he asked, faintly. “Of course I was,” yelled the iceman, fuming. “And did you never play hockey?" broke in the lad. “Of course I did,” snarled the iceman, “Now then, you—~” “And when you got home did yer father take a stick—” “Sit where you are, my little man,” the iceman said, gulping, “I understand.” a! 1: m A parking space is where you pay to have those little dents made in the fenders. “Freddie. * 3k =11 Man Alive! You Must Have the Dreaded “Water on the Brain"! Dear Al, Cu receiving my physics experiment back for correc- tion, I noticed “Presence of Moisture” scrawled across the front. I immediately added a discussion that was all wet. Did I do the right thing? ”Pal. 53' is it We feel pretty low; last week a contrib sent in a joke that we ran in the column a month ago. follows: “‘Why waste time in an engineering school learning details, descriptions of processes and of 1na~ chines, tricks of technique of hand or brain, or even inisi cellancous facts, all of which, in so far as one wants them at all, can be learned far more effectively on the job. Why not devote one’s time in the school in learning what one may never have another chance to learn, namely, fundamental principles, and how to think?” We believe the day is not far distant when this princi. pie will be widely accepted and applied in all first class engineering schools. When that day comes, the em gineering graduate will really be an educated man, and will take'an even more important place in the leadership of human affairs. im- the hard times of 1897 come, he finally secured an appointment at Armour as the instructor in machine 'design, thus being forced by circum- stances to take up teaching. Although he thoughtt 0 make teach» ing a temporary connecion until something more to his liking turned up, he found that making competent engineers out of fifteen green fresh- men was a. fascinating study, and that repetition year after year did not bore him. It is no wonder then, that in the next five years, he was made assistant professor in machine de- sign, then associate professor, and finally, in 1903, professor of Mechan- ical Engineering. EEVKEWS By JOEL M. JACOBSON, ’29 JARNEGAN By Charles Ecuhun and Garrett Fort Presented at the Woods Theatre by B. . Sanger. Undoubtedly the majority of Arm- our Students have'heard many com- ments, good and bad, about this play. It is very necessary, however, that anyone thinking of seeing Jarnegon should not make up his mind as to its merits before seeing it. The plot is certainly morally disgusting, as a con tcin eminent Chicago lawyer said, “It reminds me of a dead corpse floating to shore by moonligh .” The acting of the star, Richard Bennett as Jame— rgan, is flawless. Though all the char». actors are exceptionally good, be cute shines them all. The story is simple. Jack Jmuegan, ex-conviot, becomes Hollywood’s most famous movie din rector. He c o n t 1: cl s Hollywood’s and 4: cm e di 8 s, pulling strings here and there to suit his fancy. The life the play portrays is rotten to the core but the protrayal is full of good humor and some deep philosophy, 1'51th it often tends to be rather morbid. At the close Jayne gen cries. “if I were the master elem tricien of the world I’d pull the switch and blow it on ” Go to the Woods for some excellent acting and for some good lambs, but see the play with an open and uu~ biased mind. :1, ms. u.‘ passenger trips. Ten 37 The safety of railw proved, the death rate from 2.710 per thousa Only in highway years the ratio of fatal railroads to insure the “When in doubt E F688. is a. railway maxim. Council. vited. universities have submiti'e System s contest on ““3161 closed February 38. Where Safety Rules Although passenger traffic on the railroads in roads of competing means of transportation, both public and private, the traveler by rail is obtain in no other way—and that is the utmost No other form of passenger transportation even approximates the safety of the railroad. It has been well said that the average passenger is safer on the train- -than' in his own home or any- where else in the'world. in 1927,‘the last year for which complete information is available, the ..1number.o£ passengersskilled.in,railw:§x.occisl§nl$.4g , , in this country averaged 1,0417 per 10,000,000 twenty years before, 6,978. eighty~two passengers who lost their lives in 1927 were killed as the result of accidents to trains. The others met death at getting on and oif cars or when struck by trains at stations. train operations, including shop work, in 193‘? to 1.745 in 1917 and 0.880 in 1927. where the automobile primarily figures, has the increased. A decrease was shows; in 192’? as compared with 1926, however, and for several of automobiles has declined. Millions of dollars have been invested by the ' their employee and those who cross their tracks. Every safety device which human ingenuity has perfected has been utilized by them. The safety education of their employee is cousisntly in grog» has a safety department, and the work of these departments is correlated in the Safety Section of of the American Railway Association and the Steam Railroad Section of the fictional Safety Constructive criticism and suggestions are in— _ 1.. A. nerves. President. iiiineis Sendai System. CHECAGG. More}: 15, 1933. {Three hundred nine students in essays is the Rind , ‘ Em The res nounccment some time in 3131:3131 ed as a result of the i11- dvantage which he can» ears before it was 2,711; Only ten of the ay employment has im- from accidents declining nd persons employed in gradecrossing accidents. total number of fatalities more or less steadily ities to the total number safety of their pistons. pursue the safe course” very railroad of any size femnsix «theses and Centre: t re 01‘: the ts should he res.