Who is Doctor Fred Garth from Player Piano and what is their importance?

Fred Garth is an engineer who wants to be liked by everyone, and so he is not controversial. Garth continues to be promoted as a compromise candidate when the other candidates are too hotly debated. Garth is Paul's competition for the Pittsburgh job. As Garth's son fails his college entrance exams, Garth finally takes a stand. He kills the old oak tree at the Meadows and gets arrested for the crime.