The Engineer's Part in
the War
H- relation of the College of Engineering
to war activities is, to a considerable ex-
tent, special and peculiar. The successful
prosecution of the war and the maintenance of
industries essential thereto demand the services
of a great number of men of the highest technical
training and abilitv and such men will be needed
not only throughout the war but for reconstruc-
tion afterwards. The engineering student is thus
confronted with an apparent conflict of duties.
Shall he enlist at once in active service or continue
his training at school.' The patriotic impulse is
to go-the patriotic duty may be to remain at
work. Realizing the situation, the War Depart-
ment has emphasized the importance of thor-
ough training by permitting the enlistment of a
considerable proportion of engineering students
in the Engineer Reserve Corps for the particular
purpose of placing them in Class 5, so that they
may complete their education.
There is no danger that the college man will
not be ready to go when needed. The danger is
rather that he may go too soon. To stay will be
harder than to go but in any case, no slackers
should be allowed. As General Black, Chief of
Engineers, has said: "We can all of us serve by
doing to our level best the duty that lies immedi-
ately before us and be prepared for further calls
when they shall conic.

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