( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
https://www.amazon.com/Disposal-West-Side-Railroad-Tracks/dp/137622285X?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=137622285X
Walter Craig Kerr, the son of Aaron Hervey and Elizabeth (Craig) Kerr, was born at St. Peter, Minnesota, United States. His father was a home missionary of the Presbyterian Church and chaplain of the 9th Minnesota Regiment throughout the Civil War. His mother was fond of mathematics, especially as applied to astronomy. Walter grew up in St. Peter, then a small frontier town.
As a boy Kerr loved nature study and was also interested in all things mechanical. With the help of his mother he completed his preparation for college and entered the course in mechanic arts at Cornell University in September 1875.
In 1979 Kerr was appointed to an instructorship at Cornell University and in 1880 he was made an assistant professor, serving two years. But life in calm, academic shades lacked the zest which his nature demanded, and he resigned to enter engineering practice in New York City in 1882.
His first engagement was with a sales' agency for Westinghouse engines. Thus he was brought into touch with engineers and financiers who were undertaking the building and equipping of large complex plants for power development, manufacturing, and transportation. Contracts for the construction of such plants were let, at that time, to a number of independent bidders, each doing a portion of the work, with resulting discussion of the limits of responsibility. This plan brought confusion, delays, and increased expense. Kerr foresaw the coming industrial development and was convinced that one competent organization should undertake entire contracts, and with the approval and financial backing of George and H. H. Westinghouse, he became the moving spirit in the upbuilding of such a firm, organized as Westinghouse, Church, Kerr, & Company.
The company's first large contract on the new plan was to complete, ready for operation, all the mechanical equipment of the South Station in Boston. The immediate success in operation of this system of engineering elements was promptly recognized, and Kerr's plan came into quite general use for construction of large engineering properties.
In 1907 he became a director of the Merchants' Association of New York City, which at the time was considering the menace to public safety of the surface railroad tracks on the West Side. A committee was appointed by the association, with Kerr as chairman, to study the problem and to suggest a solution. The resulting report (Disposal of West Side Railroad Tracks, 1908) was entirely Kerr's work, and the plan was carried out with only minor modifications. This was one of his last projects; he died in 1910. He retained always his interest in education and for twenty years was a member of the board of trustees of Cornell University, giving counsel on university problems, especially those relating to Sibley College of Engineering.
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
Kerr was a member of the Merchants' Association of New York City and one of the most active members of the Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences, the presidency of which he held for eight years.
His boyhood love of nature lasted throughout his life. After Kerr made his home on Staten Island, in his leisure time he studied the local flora and fauna. He was also a lover of literature, especially of poetry. He found recreation in yachting and was an enthusiastic member of the Seawanhaka-Corinthian and the New York yacht clubs.
Kerr married, on December 27, 1883, Lucy Lyon, a daughter of Judge Marcus Lyon of Ithaca, New York.
