American Academy of Political and Social Science

Principles of Professional Conduct in Engineering

Author(s): H. A. Wagner
Source: The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 297,
Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct (Jan., 1955), pp. 46-58
Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. in association with the American Academy of
Political and Social Science
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 Principles of Professional Conduct in Engineering
By H. A. WAGNER

W HEN the American Academy of

CANONS OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS
Political and Social Science, in
THE ANNALS of May 1922, published Despite this fact, engineers have
a symposium on ethical standards of reached a certain accord in regard to
business and the professions, it showed ethical principles. Many of the na-
that engineering had made measurable tional societies and numbers of state
progress in defining professionalism and and local organizations have officially
recognizing its ethical obligations, and adopted the Canons of Ethics formu-
also in reducing these first broad con- lated by the Engineers' Council for Pro-
cepts to relatively "specific" principles fessional Development, an agency cre-
of professional conduct. The sympo- ated by the Founder Societies in 1932.
sium also revealed that scant progress In 1947, the Council synthesized the
had been made in the establishment of major principles found in the ethical
agencies to interpret, apply, and en-codes formulated by many of the lead-
force these principles. Thirty-two years ing societies. Many of the original
have elapsed, and the situation is little codes were in operation in 1922, and
changed. Then, as now, engineering some of these were published in THE
was hampered by the lack of an inclu- ANNALS, notably those of the American
sive organization, universally recognized Institute of Electrical Engineers (which
seems to have been the leader of the
as its authorized spokesman, empowered
to pass judgment on unethical conductmovement, with a code drafted in 1910
and punish offenders as the Americanand officially adopted in 1912), the
Medical Association and the AmericanAmerican Society of Civil Engineers,
the American Society of Mechanical
Bar Association and their constituent
Engineers, and the American Associa-
state societies deal with unethical prac-
tice in their respective fields.' tion of Engineers. Two of these might
more properly have been called "creeds"
1 Engineers are represented by more than a
hundred admirable national societies; pre- rather than "codes," as they were mod-
eminent among them are the Founder Socie- eled after the Hippocratic Oath. Others
ties, each representing one of the four major referred to specific practices then too
branches of engineering (civil, electrical, me- prevalent which were regarded as hurt-
chanical, mining and metallurgical). Since
1917 they have collaborated in certain types ful to the profession. Through the
of activities through a series of agencies which years the societies extended the cover-
they have created. Through some of these age of their codes and revised "prin-
agencies, at intervals, other engineering so- ciples of professional conduct" as chang-
cieties have been loosely affiliated with the
Founders. None of these agencies has ever
ing conditions of practice and new prob-
been recognized by the public as the equiva- lems required. Nearly all the provisions
lent of the American Bar Association or the of these codes could be classified under
American Medical Association; consequently,
none has ever been able to influence public engineering, but the societies cannot deal sum-
opinion as do these two organizations, or use marily with offenders, as the American Medi-
this force to discipline offenders against codes cal Association chastises doctors who publicly
of ethics. Engineering's ethical codes, for ex- endorse or seem to exploit new wonder drugs
ample, require engineers to discourage the or therapy not fully tested or not approved
spreading of exaggerated statements regarding by the profession.
46

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 47

the headings found in the Canons of that there are practices denounced by
Ethics for Engineers adopted by the the societies in their codes which are
Engineers' Council for Professional De- still defended by large numbers of en-
velopment, namely, obligations imposed gineers.
by membership in a profession, and the
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERS
engineer's relations with the public,
with clients and employers, and with In the invitation to prepare this dis-
other engineers. A copy of the code is cussion of ethics in the engineering pro-
appended. fession, the author was instructed to de-
Not all the engineering societies have tail the work of at least one national
adopted the ECPD Canons of Ethics, and one local group. He has chosen to
but none of the adopted codes is at trace the movement in the American
variance with the Canons. Some of the Association of Engineers, first of all be-
societies have found it advisable to re-
cause he is most familiar with the pro-
cedure in that organization. In the
tain codes drafted for and by their own
members, because these codes deal insecond place, three of the distinguished
greater detail with problems which, if engineers who contributed to the 1922
not peculiar to particular segments of symposium were members of this or-
the engineering profession, are at least ganization and the American Associa-
more acute in these fields of practice. tion of Engineers was the agency
In certain branches of engineering, forthrough which they worked to improve
instance, the ownership of engineeringethical standards.2 The third reason for
records and data may pose ethical prob-choosing the AAE to exemplify the evo-
lems of such complexity that a society lution of ethical standards is that two
may find it necessary to incorporate inof its original aims, stated in the pre-
its'code of principles of professionalamble to its constitution, are basic ele-
conduct a section devoted to this as- ments in professional ethics. The AAE
pect of ethics more detailed than is announced that it intended to "stimu-
necessary in Canons of Ethics drafted late public service in the profession"
for engineering societies in general. and "to promote unity in the profes-
Other organizations, especially those sion." In the first aim the AAE recog-
composed of engineers engaged in a nized the most distinctive characteristic
particular industry (automotive, refrig- of a profession-its obligation to serve
erating, illuminating, aeronautical engi- society. In the second, it recognized
neering, and others), may adopt the an equally important characteristic, the
Canons officially, or may consider that principle that engineers in all stages of
they have tacitly accepted these rules professional development are by the
because most of their members be- very nature of a profession under obli-
long to technical societies which have
gation to deal fairly with each other
adopted the ECPD Canons of Ethics. for the good of the profession and its
Still other technical and industrial members. The fourth and most com-
pelling
groups subscribe to the principles but reason for the author's choice of
believe that "moral responsibilities can-
2These three engineers were: Morris Llew-
not be legislated" and rely uponellyn
con-Cooke, tactician of the AAE campaign
stitutional provisions for dealingfor
with
higher ethical standards; Frederick Haynes
members who "fail to be honest or live Newell (known as Father of the Reclamation
up to the code of any gentleman." ItService), President of AAE in 1919-20; H. W.
Clausen, in whose memory the Clausen Medal
can be said that the societies are in ac-
is awarded for "distinguished service for the
cord with regard to fundamentals, but
welfare of engineers."

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48 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

the AAE is the fact that the associa-

in 1920, in an article in Professional
tion's campaign was not fortuitous;Engineer
it (the Association's official pub-
was well planned and carried forwardlication)
in said:
stages by leaders who were fully aware
Ethical conduct is such as has received
of the importance of timing.
more or less general sanction. This means
Engineering's first code that conduct which at one time or place
may receive very generous approval at an-
Morris Llewellyn Cooke, well known other time or in a different locality may
for his work in later years in the Rural
be generally considered reprehensible. ...
Electrification Administration, was tac-
Higher standards only become the rules for
tician of the movement. It was he,conduct
in when through education they have
1918, who called for a "true-blue andbecome accepted as proper by a sufficiently
large or influential element within the con-
inspiring code of ethics for engineers."
stituency. ...
He specified that it should be the work
of one man, not of a committee, be-Mr. Cooke recommended that:
cause "committee work is accomplished
to a greater or less degree by com-
the Practice Committee should subdivide
the cases submitted to it into at least two
promise and we do not want compromise
in ethics." At the same time he said: classes: (a) Those upon which the best
sentiment of the profession is now capable
Until we engineers can place the service ofof
concrete expression, and (b) those which
humanity as the significant and dominant require special analysis and protracted
plank in our platform, the profession study
will and discussion in order to develop
continue to have the status of the hired what is our best thought.
servant, and veer here and there as the
At this time, too, Mr. Cooke warned
winds of business and other special inter-
ests may dictate .... against any "effort at rigorous disci-
pline." He said that the educational
His suggestion was adopted, and Isham work of the Practice Committee was its
Randolph wrote the code which ap- most valuable contribution, and that
peared in the 1922 ANNALS, reprinted clarifying an engineer's relationship and
in the Appendix of the present article. responsibilities would count more at that
time than trials for unprofessional con-
Practice Committee codification
duct. The questions submitted to the
At Mr. Cooke's suggestion the Asso- Practice Committee involved many prac-
ciation created a Practice Committee to tices detrimental to engineers, to the
which were referred real and hypotheti-profession, and to society, but they were
cal questions concerning the ethics ofaccepted or common practices, and pre-
specific practices. These questions were
sumably in harmony with existing prin-
considered by the Practice Committee, ciples of ethics. By provoking discus-
and some of them were assigned tosion of these practices harmful to the
state and local chapters of the Associa-
profession, the American Association of
tion for study and discussion. The de-Engineers led its members to accept-
cisions of the Practice Committee and ance of higher standards of ethics.
reports from the chapters were pub-During this period C. F. Taeusch, as-
lished in the Association's journal. By
sociate professor of philosophy at Iowa
every possible means the AssociationState University, became the adviser of
stimulated the interest of its members the Practice Committee. Dr. D. B.
in questions of ethics. This was in lineSteinman, eminent and international
with the plan made by Mr. Cooke who,known bridge engineer of New York

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 49

directed the work of codifying Practice manuals of practice much more com-
Committee decisions for publication inprehensive and detailed than the AAE's
Professional Engineer in 1923 (with booklet on employment and use of the
identifying names of persons or placesservices of practicing engineers. Each
deleted). In 192 7 the Association issuedsociety emphasizes problem areas which
a booklet entitled The Engineer and are of special concern to its members.
His Ethics, which contained this codifi- Every national organization is using its
cation of Practice Committee decisions, resources to "clarify relationships and
the Isham Randolph Code of Ethics, obligations" of engineers and to bring
and the Vow of Service, written by Dr. about acceptance of principles which
D. B. Steinman-all reprinted in full inprescribe practices beneficial to engi-
the Appendix. This booklet was dis- neers, the profession, and the public.
tributed to AAE chapters and to engi-
ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES
neering schools. Thus the Association
followed the advice of Mr. Cooke in Unlike the professions of law and
clarifying for engineers and future medicine
en- engineering cannot enforce its
codes by drastic means, for reasons
gineers their relationships and responsi-
bilities. which were stated in the beginning of
this article. Each society must handle
Booklet for the public
violations of its code by its own mem-
Realizing that the public had an im-
bers. Although a Judiciary Committee
portant though unrecognized interest was
in created in 1922 by the American
the ethical standards of engineering Association
and of Engineers to serve as a
court of appeal from decisions of the
a direct influence upon those standards,
the Association in 1929 brought out a
Practice Committee and given authority
booklet prepared by its Committeetoon suspend or expel members who vio-
Services and Fees of Practicing Engi-lated the code, it has considered few
neers, entitled How To Employ cases.
and Other societies have similar
Use the Services of Practicing Engi-
agencies, but if they have resorted t
neers. This booklet struck directly at
rigorous discipline of violators of ethical
codes, it has been done with such dis
the unwise practice of engaging engi-
neering services on the basis of com-
cretion and dignity that few member
petitive bids. In addition to informa-
of the societies have been aware of the
action.
tion on legitimate methods of engaging
the services of engineers, the booklet
Suspension or expulsion from mem-
contained a typical form of agreement,
bership in a major engineering society
a schedule of minimum recommended is a terrific rebuke, but it may have
fees, and the Code of Practice of the
little effect on the individual's future
American Society of Civil Engineers,practice of engineering, unless the ac-
adopted by that organization in 1927.
tion is widely publicized. The fear of
The Association used the ASCE Code suspension or expulsion may be a
rather than its own 1924 codification of strong deterrent against unethical con-
Practice Committee cases "in the inter- duct among members who have joined
est of uniformity and to avoid duplica- national organizations for prestige and
tion of effort." "contacts.7" For mercenary reasons they
cherish the respect of top-ranking con-
OTHER NATIONAL SOCIETIES
sultants and of engineers eminent in
Since 1927 many of the national so- private practice or in industry. Such
cieties have developed and published punishment as can be meted out by the

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50 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

societies is not a strong deterrent against Their resources were hardly adequate
unethical conduct on the part of less for the job of searching out cases of
sensitive or less ambitious men. The misuse of the title "engineer," unau-
man who is prone to unethical conduct thorized practice, and evasion of provi-
is likely to be callous. He may havesionsa in regard to "responsible charge."
relatively small but satisfactory field They
of had little opportunity to initiate
practice in an area where the public action against engineers who were dis-
generally and most of the businessmen honest or incompetent.
who are potential users of his servicesIt was soon apparent that both indi-
know little of the great national engi- vidual members of the profession and
neering organizations. The societies have
engineering organizations were very re-
no disciplinary power over nonmembers. luctant to bring charges, initiate ac-
Unethical engineers are protected tion,
in or even appear as witnesses against
some degree by the ethical obligation of
men who were accused of dishonesty or
engineers to refrain from "harming" an-incompetency. The profession looks to
other member of the profession. Engi- the National Society of Professional En-
neers who have seen signs of incompe- gineers through its constituent state so-
cieties for dynamic leadership in en-
tency or dishonesty are reluctant to ini-
tiate action unless the evidence amounts forcement of registration laws. Per-
to almost incontrovertible proof, or the haps, in the future, canons of ethics
element of real and present public dan- can be written into the registration laws
ger is so apparent as to compel such ac- and enforced.
tion, that is, lay a positive ethical obli-
gation upon the engineer who is aware EVOLUTION OF PRINCIPLES
of the situation.
Despite the fact that the societies are
REGISTRATION LAWS
relatively impotent in legalistic enforce-
During the years when campaigns for ment of ethical codes, they have in a
registration laws engrossed the societies, very valid way "enforced" them. The
it was expected that such laws, when real measure of progress in ethics is not
they were adopted by all the states, the number of cases of unethical con-
would "put teeth" in the ethical codes. duct detected and punished; the real
Statutory penalties and state agencies measure is the evolution of clear prin-
for enforcement, it was believed, would ciples of conduct accepted by a ma-
make codes of ethics effective. Over- jority of engineers as right and just
looking the effect of the "grandfatherand worthy of support. Since 1922, the
clause" which elevated many mechanics societies, by formulating principles of
and surveyors to the rank of engineer ethics and by provoking discussion of
and ensured the right of many incom- ethical codes made up of such prin-
petent and unethical engineers to con-ciples, either in society meetings or so-
tinue practice, proponents of the lawsciety publications, have built up strong
expected registration to screen undesir-
convictions which will govern the ac-
ables and thus exclude potential viola-
tions of all but a small, surreptitious
tors of ethical codes. Soon after the minority. They have organized senti-
laws went into effect it was apparent ment within the profession against many
that the boards charged with adminis- practices accepted in 1922 by a ma-
tering registration laws were given staffs
jority of engineers as ethical, although
inadequate to enable them to policethey all were admittedly harmful to the
phases of the practice of [Link] and to the profession of its

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 51

members. Some of these practices, one wages of organized labor the salaries of
of which was competitive bidding, were engineers were not commensurate with
justified as meeting a statutory require- the services they rendered or the time
ment-an excuse which has been de- and money spent in preparation for en-
bunked in a series of court decisions.3
gineering careers. The American Asso-
Despite engineering's codes and theciation of Engineers contended that it
courts' interpretation of the statutes,
was "professional" and highly ethical for
competitive bidding will be unethical
a society composed of employer and em-
only when the principle laid down ployee
in engineers to work for the social
and economic welfare of all members of
the engineering code has wide accept-
ance by the public and practically the profession. It denounced, however,
unanimous indorsement by members of
alignments in which employee engineers
the profession. were pitted against employer engineers
and "collective bargaining" which was
CHANGING STANDARDS based on coercion. Since the passage
of the Wagner Act in 1935, a new gen-
Not all the ethical problems facing eration of engineers has found the prob-
the profession today are those inherited
lem of "collective bargaining" fraught
from the generation which spoke in THEwith ethical considerations. Because the
ANNALS of 1922. Conservatives of that Wagner Act gave the National Labor
Relations Board arbitrary power to
day were unable to see any distinction
between "unionism" and "collective bar-
assign engineers, without their consent,
gaining." The American Association to of heterogeneous bargaining units rep-
Engineers in 1918 represented the un- resented by labor unions, the American
organized technical employees of the Association of Engineers prepared a
railroads before the United States Rail-manual called Technologists' Stake in
road Wage Commission.4 The Associa- the Wagner Act to show engineers how
tion's spokesmen were officials of the to defend their real "freedom of asso-
very railroads involved. No coercion ciation" under the act and to bring
was used or threatened. The Associa- about amendment of the statute. Al-
tion relied entirely upon the fairness of
though the Taft-Hartley Act has en-
the Wage Commission and the public,sured autonomy to professional em-
and based its case upon the fact thatployees, a new generation of engineers
despite increased living costs the salaries
insists that collective bargaining is the
of technical employees had not been in-order of the day and hence ethical, and
creased and that in comparison with theproclaims its right to "organize" along
union lines without sacrifice of profes-
3 The American Society of Civil Engineers
sional status. The controversies aris-
has reprinted for wider distribution an excel-
ing from this situation are bitter, and
lent article which appeared originally in the
May 1954 issue of Civil Engineering, cap-the discord is ominously apparent in the
tioned "Competitive Bidding for Professional very silence of all codes on the subject.
Services Not in the Public Interest," in which
the author digests a series of court decisions
One concept which has altered with
which deny the validity of the "statutory" changing conditions is the attitude of
argument. the profession toward the practice of
4 On March 31 to April 2, 1919, the Asso-engineering by corporations. In 1922,
ciation also testified before the Board of
many eminent engineers were fairly dog-
Wages and Working Conditions (appointed
May 25, 1918) of the United States Railroad matic on this issue. Today many of
Administration, the Engineering Council as- them are not so sure that the corporate
sisting in presentation of the case. form is per se "unethical," because of

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52 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

the mammoth responsibilities assumed firm audited periodically to detect in-

by engineering firms and the staggering fringements of the code.
capitalization needed to staff the firm
MAJOR ETHICAL ISSUES
with specialists and acquire instruments,
laboratories, libraries, and other ap- Engineering has made giant strides
purtenances. since 1922 and engineers have inherited
social problems of staggering impor-
OLD PROBLEMS IN NEW GUISE
tance-responsibilities which their nar-
Some of the new problems are really row technical training has ill fitted them
very old, but they are disguised by in- to assume. The Red Queen in Through
novations in the form of tricks and de- the Looking-Glass said, "Now here, you
vices to conceal evasions and violations see, it takes all the running you can do
of ethical principles. Many of these to stay in the same place. If you want
have to do with unethical methods of to get somewhere else, you must run at
"getting jobs," which John R. Snell least twice as fast as that!" Engineers,
bluntly describes in an appeal for "A despite their long struggle to raise ethi-
Fighting Code of Ethics" in the July cal standards, confronted with unsolved
1954 issue of Consulting Engineer. He problems, old and new, find themselves
lists "kickbacks," "commissions," "finder in just about the same place they were
fees," "payment for influence" to assist in 1922. Only a race of supermen
in obtaining (or in payment for) engi- could sprint as fast as they must to
neering work. meet the obligations imposed upon them
by the kaleidoscopic changes brought
It is interesting to note [says Mr. Snell]about largely by their own handiwork.
that as a general rule these malpractices
They are harassed by petty problems
exist in locales where corrupt political ad-
which obscure major ethical issues-on
ministrations are tolerated. In fact, the
one side by those which deplore "raid-
misuse of the construction industry and its
heavy publicly subsidized appropriationsing"
is (the practice of offering irresistible
one of the important means of support inducements
of to particularly gifted engi-
corrupt government. neers employed by a competitor) and
on the other by those who decry "gen-
He notes that engineers are "in one way
tlemen's agreements" between firms (not
or another responsible for the annual to hire each other's employees). Per-
expenditures of about 35 billions," and haps it is fortunate that they find such
adds, "This is a public trust we cannot problems complex and absorbing. Their
glibly brush aside as the responsibilitypreoccupation with such details may
of others." Mr. Snell believes that ar- keep them from facing ethical consid-
chitects and engineering societies "must erations involved in their responsibility
agree on a modern, aggressive high level (along with physicists and chemists)
code of ethics." To enforce the code he for devilish instruments they have de-
would have all co-operating firms set up vised which may either save our nation
a single standard system of bookkeep-from destruction by an aggressor or
ing and would have the books of eachblast civilization to extinction.

Herman Alexander Wagner, M.E., Ph.D., Chicago, Illinois, is a consulting engineer.

He is past president of the American Association of Engineers, has contributed numerous
articles to professional engineering journals, and has often acted as mediator and arbi-
trator in disputes involving professional engineers.

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 53

APPENDIX

ENGINEER'S VOW OF SERVICE *

We dedicate ourselves to the service of neering Profession.

mankind as members of the Engineering To carry out professional engagements
Profession. with generous measure of performance, and
We consecrate our professional knowl- with fidelity toward those whom we under-
edge and skill to the advancement of hu- take to serve.
man welfare, safety and progress. To foster a spirit of courteous considera-
As we benefit by the technical knowledge tion and fraternal co-operation within the
and public esteem won for the ProfessionProfession.
by the Engineers who labored in the past, To extend encouragement and a helping
we shall ever strive to augment that herit- hand to younger Engineers and to those in
age before passing it on to the Engineersneed.
who are to follow. To place Service before profit, the honor
We therefore affirm our guiding purpose: and standing of the Profession before per-
So to live and work as to justify the sonal advantage, and the Public Welfare
trust and confidence reposed in the Engi- above all other consideration.

SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT t

The compilation consists of four parts 2. He should not use his professional
as follows: standing as a means of sponsoring or pro-
Part I. Relations of the Engineer to moting commercial or other undertakings
the Public. of a speculative character.
Part II. Relations of the Engineer to 3. He should scrupulously avoid connec-
Clients and Employers. tion, by act or omission, with any illegal
Part III. Relations of the Engineer to or questionable undertaking or participa-
Employees. tion in any enterprise inimical to the pub-
Part IV. Relations of the Engineer to lic welfare.
other Engineers. 4. He should not advertise in self-lauda-
tory language or in any other manner de-
rogatory to the dignity of his profession.
Part I
5. He should avoid any publicity giving
RELATIONS OF THE ENGINEER the impression that technical service in
TO THE PUBLIC technical matters can be dispensed with;
or that technical proficiency along any line
1. The Engineer should regard his duty is easy of acquisition; or that exaggerated
to the public welfare as paramount to allreturns may be expected from any limited
other obligations. course of technical instruction.
6. He should avoid anyi questionable
*Written by Dr. D. B. Steinman; adopted statements or any statements couched in
by the American Association of Engineers onlanguage that would convey a false im-
June 17, 1927. pression, in any of his reports, advertise-
t Specific Principles of Good Professional
ments, or articles.
Conduct was compiled by the Practice Com-
mittee of the American Association of Engi-
7. He should avoid contingent fees as
neers, under the chairmanship of E. E. Car- tending to prejudice the quality of the
penter (1923), codified by Dr. D. B. Stein- service which he renders; when retained
man (Chairman, 1924-25), and adopted by to report on a property or project he
the Board of Directors in 1924. should be scrupulously careful to make no

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54 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

business arrangement for compensation or edge and consent of all the interested
otherwise that might tend to bias his re- parties.
port. 4. He should hold as confidential such
8. The Engineer should strive to give ainformation relating to the business or
full measure of service for the best inter- technical affairs of a client or employer as
ests of his client and of the public, and the latter regards or may be presumed to
should charge fair and adequate fees for regard as personal or proprietary.
such service. He should maintain the pro- 5. He should not engage in any outside
fessional attitude in negotiations for his work without the full knowledge and con-
services; and he should avoid all practices sent of his employer.
which have a tendency to affect adversely 6. When connected with any work, he
the amount, quality or disinterested nature should not accept commissions, outside
of professional services, such as charging employment, promise of employment or
inadequate fees, competing on a price basis any other consideration from a contractor
where (as is almost invariably the case) engaged upon that work.
the service to be rendered or the character 7. He should have no business dealings
of its proper performance cannot be pre- or connections with any client of his em-
cisely defined, spending large amounts of ployer without the full knowledge and ap-
money in securing business, or consenting proval of his employer.
to furnish monetary guarantees of cost 8. He should entertain no offers of em-
estimates. ployment or other considerations from a
9. The Engineer should use every care third party, when such may in any way in-
to make his estimates accurate and re- fluence his actions or decisions with re-
liable, and in particular should guard
spect to the relations which may exist be-
against allowing self-interest to lead tweenhim such third party and the Engineer's
into making an inadequate estimate. employer or client.
10. He should refrain from using any 9. He- should not accept commissions or
improper or questionable methods ofother so- considerations for specifying or rec-
liciting professional work. ommending supplies, equipment or service.
11. He should participate in clean poli- 10. He should not pay commissions to
tics and should strive to be a force to as- others for recommending his services to
sist in the cleansing of politics. prospective clients.
12. He should take an active interest in 11. He should have no interest direct or
the public welfare in behalf of which heindirect in any materials, supplies or equip-
should ever stand ready to volunteer hisment used in the construction work of his
special knowledge, skill and training for
client or in any firms receiving contracts
the use and benefit of mankind. for his client's work without informing his
client in advance of the nature of such in-
Part II terest and obtaining his sanction.
RELATIONS OF THE ENGINEER TO CLIENTS 12. He should not engage in the inde-
AND EMPLOYERS pendent practice of engineering without the
knowledge and sanction of his employer,
1. The Engineer should pursue his pro- and under no circumstances should he
fessional woik in a spirit of strict fidelity compete with his employer on the basis of
and full loyalty to his clients and em- lower fees.
ployers. Part III
2. He should inform a client or em-
RELATIONS OF THE ENGINEER
ployer of any business connections, inter-
TO EMPLOYEES
ests or affiliations which might tend to in-
fluence his judgment or impair the disin-1. The Engineer should treat his em-
terested quality of his services. ployees or subordinates in a spirit of fair-
3. He should accept compensation for hiswith due regard and consideration for
ness,
services in connection with any work from
their personal welfare and professional ad-
one source only, except with the full knowl-
vancement.

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 55

2. There should be a professional bond directly or indirectly, the professional repu-

between employer and employee when both tation, prospects or business of another
are engineers, which will dictate and impel Engineer.
reciprocal interest and mutual considera- 2. He should not attempt to supplant
tion. another Engineer after definite steps have
3. The Engineer should pay adequate been taken toward his employment.
salaries commensurate with the importance 3. If employed in conjunction with an-
and responsibility involved in the service. other Engineer, and by the same client, he
4. He should encourage the professional should not review and comment conclu-
pride of his employees or subordinates in sively upon the work of the other Engi-
their work and should offer them every neer except with his full knowledge and
means of protecting their reputations and consent or unless the connection of such
the quality of the work entrusted to them other Engineer to the work has been previ-
by not interfering with the proper perform- ously terminated.
ance of the duties for which they are re- 4. He should not use unfair means to
sponsible. effect his professional advancement or to
5. He should recognize the freedom of injure the chances of another Engineer to
his employees to change employment and secure and hold employment.
should in no way hinder employees or sub- 5. He should not attempt to inject his
ordinates on bettering their condition. services into a project at the expense of
6. He should not discharge an employee, another Engineer who has been active in
nor withhold employment from him, nor developing it.
discriminate against him in any way on ac- 6. He should not interpose between other
count of his affiliations or activities in any Engineers and their clients when unso-
professional, political, or religious organi- licited. When solicited, he should avoid
zation. any possibility of doing a brother Engi-
7. He should respect his employee's right neer an injustice.
to freedom of thought, speech, and outside 7. He should not seek or solicit a po-
activity as long as the same does not im- sition occupied by another Engineer.
pair the efficiency and value of the em- 8. He should not attempt to secure work
ployee's service. on the basis of lower salaries or fees.
8. He should see that his employee is 9. He should be courteous, fair, consid-
adequately covered by insurance against erate in his dealings with other Engineers.
risk of casualty arising from his work. 10. He should conduct any necessary
9. In advertising or offering employ- comment on or criticism of the work of
ment, he should refrain from any misrep- other Engineers with careful regard for the
resentation as to the conditions and per- good name and dignity of the engineering
manency of such employment. profession, and he should scrupulously re-
10. If in public employ, he should as- frain from criticism to personal advantage,
sume the responsibility of consistently as in negotiating for an engagement.
protecting the interests of his subordinates. 11. He should not commercialize his af-
11. He should make every effort to pro- filiations with, or official position in, any
vide steady employment for his employees technical organization.
and when forced to discharge an employee 12. He should not use his professional
he should give the most generous notice affiliations to secure the confidence of other
possible and exert every reasonable effort Engineers in speculative commercial enter-
to assist the employee in finding another prises.
position. 13. As a member of any professional or-
Part IV
ganization, he should avoid any act tend-
ing to promote his own interest at the ex-
THE ENGINEER'S RELATIONS TO
OTHER ENGINEERS pense of the dignity and standing of the
organization.
1. The Engineer should not by word, act14. As an officer of a professional or-
or omission, injure falsely or maliciously,
ganization, he should sedulously avoid any

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56 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

engineering, and by contributing to the

appearance of using his position for per-
sonal advertising. work of engineering societies, schools of
15. He should cooperate in upbuilding applied science, and the technical press.
the engineering profession by exchanging 16. He should regard himself as a debtor
professional information and experienceto his profession and should dedicate him-
self to its advancement.
with his fellow engineers and students of

THE PROFESSION'S FIRST CODE OF ETHICS *

Any code of ethics must be predicated

commission or remuneration of any kind
upon the basic principles of truth and
from a third party with whom he does
honesty. "Whatsoever things are true,
business for that employer.
whatsoever things are honest," are the An engineer seeking to build up his busi-
things for which engineers must contend. ness may not resort to self-laudation in
An engineer may not "go beyond and advertising. He may state briefly the
defraud his brother" by any underhand lines of work in which he has had experi-
act or method. He may not do or say ence, and enumerate responsible positions
anything which will injure his brother's which he has held and give his references.
reputation or his business for the purpose An engineer who employs others, either
of securing his own advancement or [Link] his own service or in that of the client
This admonition carries with it no obliga-who employs him, should recognize in his
tion to refrain from telling known and relationship to them an obligation of ex-
absolute truth about an unworthy brother, emplary conduct, of helpfulness and per-
as a protection to others; but the truth sosonal interest in those with whom he is
told must be such as can be substantiated,thus brought in contact, and he should dis-
and he Who tells it must have the couragecharge such obligation tactfully and kindly.
which will not shrink from the consequence The honor of the profession should be
of his telling. dear to every engineer, and he should re-
The engineer owes his client allegiance member that his own character and con-
demanding his most conscientious service. duct reflect honor, or the reverse upon the
But conscientious service to the client profession.
If, then, he so lives that his own honor
must never entail a surrender of personal
convictions of truth and right. shall never be smirched by his own act or
omission, he will thus maintain the honor
An engineer who receives compensation
from an employer may not receive of gift,
the organization to which he belongs.

CANONS OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS t

way of life. It is his duty to practice his

FoREwoRD
profession according to these Canons of
Honesty, justice, and courtesy form a Ethics.
moral philosophy which, associated with As the keystone of professional conduct
mutual interest among men, constitutes is integrity, the engineer will discharge his
the foundation of ethics. The engineer duties with fidelity to the public, his em-
should recognize such a standard, not in ployers, and clients, and with fairness and
passive observance, but as a set of dy- impartiality to all. It is his duty to in-
namic principles guiding his conduct and terest himself in public welfare, and to be
ready to apply his special knowledge for
*Written by Isham Randolph; adopted in
1918 by the American Association of Engi- the benefit of mankind. He should uphold
neers. the honor and dignity of his profession and
tAdopted by the Engineers' Council for also avoid association with any enterprise
Professional Development, October 25, 1947. of questionable character. In his dealings

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 PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ENGINEERING 57

with fellow engineers he should be fair and apparatus, or any other thing in which he
tolerant. may have a financial interest.
Sec. 11. He will guard against condi-
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
tions that are dangerous or threatening to
Sec. 1. The engineer will co-operate in life, limb, or property on work for which
extending the effectiveness of the engineer- he is responsible, or if he is not respon-
ing profession by interchanging informa- sible, will promptly call such conditions to
tion and experience with other engineers the attention of those who are responsible.
and students and by contributing to the Sec. 12. He will present clearly the con-
work of engineering societies, schools, and sequences to be expected from deviation
the scientific and engineering press. proposed if his engineering judgment is
Sec. 2. He will not advertise his work overruled by nontechnical authority in case
or merit in a self-laudatory manner, and where he is responsible for the technica
he will avoid all conduct or practice likely adequacy of engineering work.
to discredit or do injury to the dignity Sec. 13. He will engage, or advise his
and honor of his profession. client or employer to engage, and he will
co-operate with, other experts and special
RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC
ists whenever the client's or employer's in-
Sec. 3. The engineer will endeavor to terests are best served by such service.
extend public knowledge of engineering,Sec. 14. He will disclose no information
and will discourage the spreading of un- concerning the business affairs or technical
true, unfair, and exaggerated statements processes of clients or employers without
regarding engineering. their consent.
Sec. 4. He will have due regard for theSec. 15. He will not accept compensa-
safety of life and health of the public and tion, financial or otherwise, from more than
employees who may be affected by the one interested party for the same service,
work for which he is responsible. or for services pertaining to the same work,
Sec. 5. He will express an opinion only without the consent of all interested par-
when it is founded on adequate knowledge ties.
and honest conviction while he is servingSec. 16. He will not accept commis-
as a witness before a court, commission, or sions or allowances, directly or indirectly,
other tribunal. from contractors or other parties dealing
Sec. 6. He will not issue ex parte state- with his client or employer in connection
ments, criticisms, or arguments on matters with work for which he is responsible.
connected with public policy which are in- Sec. 17. He will not be financially in-
spired or paid for by private interests, un- terested in the bids as or of a contractor
less he indicates on whose behalf he is on competitive work for which he is em-
making the statement. ployed as an engineer unless he has the
Sec. 7. He will refrain from expressing consent of his client or employer.
publicly an opinion on an engineering Sec. sub-18. He will promptly disclose to
ject unless he is informed as to thehis facts
client or employer any interest in a
relating thereto. business which may compete with or af-
RELATIONS WITH CLIENTS AND EMPLOYERS
fect the business of his client or employer.
He will not allow an interest in any busi-
Sec. 8. The engineer will act in profes- ness to affect his decision regarding engi-
sional matters for each client or employer neering work for which he is employed, or
as a faithful agent or trustee. which he may be called upon to perform.
Sec. 9. He will act with fairness and
justice between his client or employer and RELATIONS WITH ENGINEERS
the contractor when dealing with contracts.
Sec. 10. He will make his status clear Sec. 19. The engineer will endeavor to
to his client or employer before undertak-
protect the engineering profession collec-
ing an engagement if he may be called tively and individually from misrepresenta-
upon to decide on the use of inventions, tion and misunderstanding.

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58 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

Sec. 20. He will take care that credit in criticizing another engineer's work in
for engineering work is given to thosepublic,
to recognizing the fact that the engi-
whom credit is properly due. neering societies and the engineering press
Sec. 21. He will uphold the principle provide
of the proper forum for technical
appropriate and adequate compensation fordiscussions and criticism.
those engaged in engineering work, includ-Sec. 25. He will not try to supplant an-
ing those in subordinate capacities, as be-
other engineer in a particular employment
after becoming aware that definite steps
ing in the public interest and maintaining
the standards of the profession. have been taken toward the other's em-
Sec. 22. He will endeavor to provide
ployment.
opportunity for the professional develop- Sec. 26. He will not comrpete with an-
ment and advancement of engineers in other his engineer on the basis of charges for
employ. work by underbidding, through reducing
Sec. 23. He will not directly or indi- his normal fees after having been informed
rectly injure the professional reputation, of the charges named by the other.
prospects, or practice of another engineer. Sec. 27. He will not use the advantages
However, if he considers that an engineer of a salaried position to compete unfairly
is guilty of unethical, illegal, or unfair with another engineer.
practice, he will present the information Sec. 28. He will not become associated
to the proper authority for action. in responsibility for work with engineers
Sec. 24. He will exercise due restraint who do not conform to ethical practices.

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