The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The first paper of the evening, "Obstructive Bridges and Docks of the Chicago River," prepared by Mr. G. A. M. Liljencrantz, was read by the author, and illustrated with a number of slides showing the various points of difficulty shipping has to encounter. The paper was one of unusual interest and value. Some thirty views of foreign water fronts, bridges, canals, etc., were shown at the close of the_reading. Discussion followed by Messrs. Noble, Strobel, Condron, Gerber, Liljenerantz, Appleton, Tratman and others. The next paper was on "Measuring Apparatus of Kings County Survey," by Mr. Samuel McElroy. The author being absent, the secretary read a portion of the paper, and the president described in a few words the method adopted for measuring distances twenty-five years ago in the survery related. Mr. G. M. Wisner then read a brief discussion, bringing the matter and means down to date. The president closed the subject with a description of recent improved methods. The meeting adjourned. NELSON L. LITTEN, Secretary. LIBRARY NOTES. The Library Committee wishes to express thanks for donations to the library. Back numbers of periodicals are desirable for exchange and aid in completing valuable volumes for our files. Since the last issue of the Journal we have received the following as gifts from the donors named: W. A. Parker-Copies of Engineering Magazine, etc. Michigan Engineering Society--Michigan Engineers' Annual, 1898. Boston Society of Civil Engineers-Constitution, By-Laws and List of Members. Ira O. Baker The Technograph, No. 12, 1897-8. Imperial German Consulate, Chicago-Address-Buch Deutscher Export Firmen, 1897, (Directory of Ger- Guide to the Export Industry— Reference Book, Mfrs. Saxony & U. S. Dept. of State-Consular Reports, June, 1898. Brotherhood of Steam Shovel Dredge Engineers and Cranesmen of AmericaReport. U. S. Treasury Dept.-Report of Statistics on Lake Commerce. U. S. Dept. Agriculture-Forestry Conditions and Interests of Wisconsin. U. S. War Dept.-Test of Metals, 1896. State of New Jersey-Railroad and Canal Reports, 1897. U. S. Wind, Engine and Pump Co.-Catalogue Ry. Specialties for Water Service. Lehigh University, Pa.-Register, 1897-8. Civil Engineers, Cornell University Transactions, 1898. U. S. War Dept.-Preliminary Examination of Reservoir Sites in Wyoming and Colorado. W. W. Salmon.-Zeitschrift des Vereines Deutscher Ingineur, for year 1897 C. L. Strobel.-American Engineer, Vol. 17 and 18, bound. Capt. W. M. Black.-Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., Viaduct over Rock Creek, Dist. of Columbia. Senator Wm. E. Mason. --Message from the President transmitting the Report of the Naval Court of Inquiry upon the Destruction of the U. S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, Feb. 15, 1898, and testimony taken before the Court. Otis T. Clapp, City Engineer.-Annual Report of the City Engineer of U. S. Bureau of Foreign Commerce.-Consular Reports, April, 1898. E. E. R. Tratman.-Administration Report of R'ys in India. Part II, '94-'95. Rose Polytechnic Institute.-16th Annual Catalogue, 1898. TO MEMBERS. The Library Committee wishes suggestions as to good engineering books, new or old, that are desirable for our library. The aim is to give the greatest good to the greatest number of our members possible with the funds at our command, and the committee, composed of few members, cannot well judge wisely to meet the various needs of our membership. Will each member please send the Secretary of the Society the title of one or more books which he considers useful and authoritative in some line of engineering work? Please state title as fully as possible, together with names of author and publisher, etc. Any suggestions in regard to the library in general or in any detail will be gladly received. Journal of the Western Society of Engineers. The Society, as a body, is not responsible for the statements and opinions advocated in its publications. The subject of locomotive water supply is one of growing importance in this age of speedy transportation. No other branch. of railway service has received so little attention in the past thirty years. It is not the purpose of this article to treat of its chemical analysis. It is conceded that like sundry beverages "some kinds are better than others." The methods of delivery are varied and may be generally classed under three general heads, as follows: First. From tank fixtures or sway pipes. Second. From the standpipe, water crane, water column, or penstock, as this device is variously called. Third. From the track tank, or "scoop" method. (The steam syphon and other devices are not in general use sufficient to require mention.) Of these devices the first is in most general use and admirably answers the purpose of speedy delivery when valve and pipe are of sufficient size. It is quickly operated and controlled by one man from the tender. The valve is protected by water within the tank from frost. The pipe is short and should be with but one long radius elbow. The objections are the proximity of the tank to the track, where space is usually valuable. The duplicating of tanks on double track roads; the liability of catching fire in time of drought, and the careless drainage of sway pipe in cold weather and resultant iceberg adjacent to a rail. This brings us to the second head, and the consideration of a properly-built standpipe, when the following conditions must be observed to get the best results, viz: (a) Solidity of flow. (b) Adaptable to single or double track. (c) Entire operation by one man. (d) Automatic return to position. (f) Valve balanced to high or low pressure. (g) Freedom from frost troubles. (h) Ease of access to working parts. (i) Freedom in rotation. The speedy delivery of water is directly affected by these details, and in addition we have to consider the natural head, the pipe friction and the number of bends and elbows. Where the railroad company is at the expense of pumping, it is desirable to keep the head low and to gain in discharge by increasing the diameter of supply pipe. Thus the fuel cost of elevating 1,000 gallons forty feet, is double the cost of elevating it twenty feet, and so on. It is important to determine the proper size of pipe and fixture and the following observations are offered by way of comparison with such tables and literature as are to be found relative to the subject in hand: In designing a water station for one of our large railways recently, the problem given was to obtain 4,000 gallons per minute through a distance of 350 feet. The head and size of supply pipe to be sufficient to accomplish this result. The mean head of water supply was made thirtyeight feet; from this must be deducted twelve feet for height of crane, leaving net head of 26 feet. In computing this flow an allowance of 10% was deducted for the friction of the water column. In figuring this discharge, Mr. E. E. Johnson's curve of discharge was used and comparing actual result with theory, we fell short only 400 gallons per minute. This is pretty fair for practice, for considering that all table makers are careful to state that only "straight smooth pipes were used," (they want no "curves") we laymen have to make due allowance for the cast pipe of commerce, which usually is anything but smooth and not always straight. The bell and spigot connection causes considerable disturbance to the flow, setting up what in electrical parlance would be termed Fucault currents. It may be interesting at this point to state a further obser vation: In the station just referred to, the supply pipe was twelve inch diameter and the crane ten inches; the distance as stated was 350 feet and the discharge was 1,600 gallons in twenty five seconds, or at the rate of 3,840 gallons a minute. Under the same conditions with 1,000 feet of 12 inch pipe and a similar crane, this flow was reduced to 3,000 gallons per minute, due solely to friction. Comparing this again with Johnson's table above referred to, we find that we should have obtained 3,300 gallons. Again with 350 feet of fourteen inch pipe and a twelve inch crane with three ninety degree elbows, we obtained a discharge of 3,500 gallons in forty-eight seconds, with a net head of twelve |