ADVANTAGES OF THE A. W. W. A. LOCAL SECTION.
In another column we present excerpts from an interesting paper which was read by F. W. Cappelen, City Engineer of Minneapolis, before the Minnesota section of the American Water Works Association, at its November, 1917, meeting, in which he sets forth quite clearly the advantages of membership in the local sections of the association to the water works men of the country. It would hardly seem that such a paper should be necessary, for the benefits to be derived from the interchange of ideas and experiences, the strength that comes with organization as against the weakness of individualism, and the help of elbow-to-elbow contact between men whose vocations in life lie along the same lines cannot be overestimated. And yet, as Mr. Cappelen remarks, there are in the State of Minnesota alone, 271 domestic and sixteen privately owned water plants, besides 264 privately owned well suplies, and the Minnesota Section has a total membership of 34. As Mr. Cappelen says: “There is a splendid opportunity for campaigning among the smaller water works men for their good and ours. The section was awarded the cup at the 1917 convention for the largest percentage increase in membership for 1916. President Metcalf says: ‘We should strive to reach and serve the general practitioner, the practically trained man, rather than the highly educated or technical one, occupying a highly specialized position—to give this large class of capable men the opportunity not only to get together in annual convention, but to assist in developing and advancing the state of art in their particular fields of activity. The local organizations in any profession or calling have an advantage over those of national membership, in that they afford greater opportunities for personal touch and discussion.’ This statement by Mr. Metcalf hits the nail squarely on the head. Gentlemen, have you really considered the tremendous importance of our position? That of furnishing pure, wholesome water for all the people."
似乎有be a splendid field for proselyting ready for the Minnesota Section in their own State, and the near-by commonwealths, and there is no possibility of doubt that every water works man in the country should be a member of one of the locals of the A. W. W. A. The advantages of membership far outweigh any consideration of expense or trouble in joining their ranks.
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