The Drift Of Things

MANY engineers currently are working harder than usual, in part because of the demands being made upon them for increased production in the war effort, and in part because engineers are in short supply so that there is more to do for those who are available. In some instances the question has come up as to what additional payment, if any, should properly be made for overtime work, and to what extent is such payment legally permitted under the rules of the Salary Stabilization Board. Most engineers employed in an executive, administrative, or outside salesman capacity are not paid for overtime. They are paid for doing a job instead of for the hours they put in, and are free to do all the unpaid home work they feel they should do after dinner, as well as to do a bit of thinking and worrying during wakeful hours in bed. But engineers employed in a strictly professional capacity normally have standard office hours. Some employers pay for overtime and some don't. Their practice as it existed on Jan. 25, 1951 may be continued. In the absence of such practice at that time, the Salary Stabilization Board says that the engineer may now receive additional compensation up to his straight-time rate for an extended work week. No formal approval of the Board is required. "A professional engineer," in the mind of the Board, "is a person employed in a professional capacity, who, by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to practice engineering." Inducted Engineers A letter from a young man just inducted into the service and fearful that his engineering training is not going to be utilized reached us last week from Fort Riley, Kan. The AIME, cooperating with the other Founder Societies, is doing what it can, through the Engineering Manpower Commission, to see that engineers are not being wasted in the military establishment. So we passed this young man's letter along to T. A. Marshall Jr., executive secretary of that Commission. Mr. Marshall tells us that the normal procedure now being followed by the Army in handling Selective Service inductees is to have them first complete 16 weeks of basic training before assignment to specialized categories. During that time they are classified. If one has an engineering degree he should be classified as scientific and engineering personnel at the end of the basic training period. He should then be transferred to a technical detachment and assigned an MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) reflecting his education. If a young man is looking for a commission, it might be added that the current policy in the Army is to transfer to OCS (Officer Candidate School) applicants for commissions in the infantry only. The local unit commander can give information on this point, based upon the aptitude shown in tests. In view of the current shortage of engineers, it is believed that a young man should seriously consider remaining in enlisted status unless he can obtain a commission in a branch of the service that can make full use of his technical skills. His work may thus be more to his liking even if his uniform is not. New York or Atlantic City? In which place is it preferable to hold the annual meeting of a professional society like the AIME-New York or Atlantic City? That is, a winter meeting. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has held its recent meetings at Atlantic City, with increasing attendance and satisfaction. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers chose Atlantic City for its recent December annual meeting. Only twice has the AIME ever met in this famous seashore resort: in 1898 and 1904. Chief advantages of going to Atlantic City over New York are that technical sessions are better attended, there being little else to do there in Winter; the cost to members is less, and hotel facilities are better adapted to a large meeting. As to cost, take a banquet, for instance. The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall, which caters especially to winter conventions, charges about $7 for a banquet dinner of standard quality. A similar dinner at the Statler in New York would cost about $8.50, and about $10.50 at the Waldorf-Astoria. (The charge for tickets is somewhat greater than this because of the cost of music, programs, flowers, and other incidentals.) Rooms, too, are somewhat less at Atlantic City, two in a room being accommodated for about $7 per day each, compared with $7 to $10 at a headquarters hotel in New York. On the other hand, AIME headquarters is put to some extra expense for staff travel, food and lodging, and members living in New York and environs are forced to pay a hotel bill. New York, of course, has more varied amusements to offer, plenty of big stores, and the glamour of a big city. The choice may be discussed at the forthcoming meeting in New York. In the meantime if any reader cares to express an opinion one way or the other we shall be glad to hear it. College Scholarships Most parents of children in the later stages of high school find it necessary to give some consideration to the cost of a college education. Although salaries have increased substantially it seems that the cost of the necessities of life, such as food, housing, and maintaining the family automobile, have gone up even more, so the problem of financing the children's education is as acute as ever. Many overlook the possibility of scholarships, or feel that only a student at or near the top of his class has a chance to get one. As a matter of fact, close to 150,000 scholarships and more than 15,000 fellowships, worth some $42,000,000, are available in 1200 American colleges and universities. Those who are interested should send 55¢ to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. for a 248-page publication just issued by the U. S. Office of Education, entitled "Scholarships and Fellowships Available at Institutions of Higher Education."