tice in Sweden," by H. G. T. Theorell, of Stockholm.

Frank K. Chew, speaking to the topic of "Reserve and Research Fund," proposed that a portion of the initiation fees of the members be set aside for such a fund. He also brought up the subject of life membership. On motion. these matters were referred to the incoming council.

D. D. Kimball then gave further details of the plans of the New York State Ventilation Commission. He said that the investigations already under way at the City College included experiments in connection with which a complete equipment has been set up to make tests of air supply, air movement, temperature and humidity, experiments in Public School No. 51 in New York (now building) where two rooms will be reserved for the use of the commissions, an investigation of the dust and bacteria problem in buildings and outdoors, and a series of experiments on animals to obtain the effect of different atmospheric conditions. The present staff of the commission consists of nine men. According to the commission's estimate, the next three years will be devoted to experimental work and the ensuing year devoted to a compilation of results.

Thursday Morning, January 22. The first paper presented at the Tuesday morning session was on "Life of Building Power Plants," by C. M. Ripley. Mr. Ripley presented a review of the plants installed in New York City, previous to 1900 designed by Pattison Bros., of New York, tending to show that the usual allowance of 5% per year for depreciation was too high, since many plants are still in successful operation that were installed between 15 and 20 years ago.

In the discussion of this paper Mr. Reginald Pelham Bolton called attention to the fact that practically no owners actually lay aside a sinking fund corresponding to a calculated depreciation, so that no estimates should be made on a basis of compounded interest. He also showed that many of the old-time plants, while still in operation, were "eating their heads off" in respect to their low efficiency and more especially as regards the large and valuable space they are occupying, which is far more than would be

needed by more up-to-date equipment. Looking at the matter from this standpoint, he stated that the 5% estimate was more nearly correct than a lower figure.

Professor John R. Allen's paper on "The Time Element in Determining Radiation," was read by W. W. Macon. This paper is presented on another page of this issue.

Professor Kent suggested that the paper did not consider all conditions, such as the amount of dampness in walls, the amount of water absorbed by the walls and the effect of the wind.

H. M. Hart stated that the average outside air conditions are only about half of the maximum and that this should be considered in making time calculations.

J. A. Donnelly suggested as an interesting experiment the placing of a recording thermometer in a vacant house during winter weather and then comparing the temperatures indoors and outside.

R. P. Bolton said that the effect of the sun on the time element in heating was an important consideration, and that he was obtaining data from which he expected to plot curves showing the relation of the steam consumption for heating. purposes to the amount of sunshine.

An exhaustive paper on "Heating Practice in France," by Gustave Debesson of Paris, was read by W. W. Macon. This paper gave a review of the history of the art in France, together with statements of business conditions and methods of the heating trade in France. He gave interesting reasons why German rather than American goods are used so widely in that country, such as the delay often experienced with American manufacturers in making delivery and the lower quality of castings furnished, as compared with the expeditious and painstaking deliveries made by Germanufacturers. Mr. Debesson's paper will be printed and sent to the members for discussion at the summer meeting of the society.

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In discussing this paper James A. Donnelly stated that the greatest development in heating practice during the past five years had been in the direction of the French methods.

The concluding paper of this session. was one on "The Flow of Steam in

Pipes," by W. F. Verner, of the University of Michigan, which contained numerous tables and charts covering low pressure steam flow.

Afternoon Session, January 22.

At the afternoon session a paper was presented on "Heating Practice in German," by H. W. E. Muellenbach, of Hamburg, read from manuscript by the secretary. This paper, on motion, will be sent in printed form to the members for discussion at the summer meeting.

A number of topics were then taken up, including "Standard Specifications for Cast-Iron Radiators," which Mr. Donnelly suggested should be drawn up and made uniform. On the topic of "Experience with Fractional Valves," Mr. Verner asked that data be obtained regarding the drop in pressure of steam. passing through fractional valves. Mr. Otis stated that this would be hard to tabulate on account of the fluctuations of the boiler pressure. In discussing the topic of "Experience in Heating Concrete Construction," Mr. Otis instanced a case where a false ceiling specified for the roof of a concrete building had been omitted, resulting in a cold building, while the snow on the roof was melting despite the wintry weather. Mr. Hart brought up the use of metal sash and the liability of increased air leakage.

The society then took up several proposed amendments submitted by Prof. Kent having to do with recent changes made in the society's constitution. The principal change proposed by Prof. Kent. was to alter the tenure of office of the council and their election in classes instead of all each year, was not carried and the society will, therefore, continue under the present plan of electing all of its managers each year.

Vice-President A. B. Franlin, who had occupied the chair during this session, then proceeded to the installation of the newly-elected officers. This ceremony was carried out in a way that evoked numerous expressions of approval and appreciation on the part of the members present, and Mr. Chew voiced the sentiment of the members in stating that such a ceremony, which had fallen somewhat into disuse during recent years, was one well worthy of being maintained. He suggested that an in

stallation committee be appointed another year.

The new president, Samuel R. Lewis, then took the chair, and after the compulsory ventilation committee report, already mentioned, had been presented, the meeting adjourned.

Immediately following adjournment, the new council met and re-apointed Edwin A. Scott secretary.

The Society's Annual Dinner.

One of the largest dinners in the history of the society was that given in the Hotel Martinique, Wednesday evening, January 21. The guests overflowed the main dining room into the dancing hall adjoining. Following the custom established at the recent German dinner of the mechanical engineers, the speakers were introduced between the courses and spoke from their places at the different tables.

The retiring president, John F. Hale, acted as toastmaster and introduced as the first speaker Frank K. Chew, who told of the ideals of the founders of the society. Mr. Chew spoke of the progress of the society which, he said, was leading it into vistas which the founders never suspected. He instanced the growth of the compulsory ventilation idea and showed how much work still remained for the society to accomplish in this direction.

Frank Irving Cooper addressed the diners on the influence of the society upon the profession. Mr. Cooper said that the society is intended to be the embodiment of the highest ideals and that it represented the perfect workmen and the perfect plan, together with perfect faithfulness and perfect skill. Moreover, the society is better able to live up to its high ideals, because they are usually respected by the members. The influence of such an organization is not to be measured by time and its members must be willing to wait and work, with the assurance that it is constantly working upward.

H. M. Hart discussed the influence of the society upon the equipment. Mr. Hart stated that as we work with the society our standards naturally grow higher, thus showing the responsibility that panies associated effort.

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President-elect S. R. Lewis spoke to the toast of the value of the social side of the society. Mr. Lewis declared the most potent word in the English language was "contact." Men attain kindness of character through contact whereby goodness, being an aggressive quality, submerges meanness. In his own case, he said, due to

contact, Chicago has become a home and New York an oasis. "I speak for contact," he concluded, "with its fruits of generosity and better friendship."

Dr. R. Vernon Hill, of Chicago, spoke of the influence of the society upon public health. Dr. Hill declared that the civilized races may soon be expected to spend the major part of their life indoors. It is therefore necessary to reproduce outdoor conditions in our homes, workshops and public buildings.

He stated that he disagreed with those who hold that the doctors must say what is to be done. The doctors, he declared, are hopelessly unable to cope with this problem. The question will be settled by commissions such as those already at work, based on laboratory and cabinet tests. Dr. Hill referred to the cabinet experiments now being made by the Chicago Ventilation Commission and poked some good-natured fun at the results already achieved, indicating the danger of drawing conclusions from meager data.

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R. W. Pryor, Jr., spoke of the influence of the society upon the new member. Mr. Pryor said that this influence is evidenced by the numbers of new members who had lately been added to the roll. It was coming to be recognized, he said, that such membership puts the hall-mark on heating and ventilating profession. emphasized the benefits of the social side of the meetings and voiced the general expression as to the success achieved in this direction during the meeting then in progress.

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After the dinner, an innovation was provided in the form of dancing, which was indulged in generally. The party broke up at a late hour, voting the occasion an entire success.

The Entertainment.

Following last year's practice, an entertainment committee, composed of members of the New York Chapter, provided for the entertainment of the ladies, and also carried out the arrangements for the society's annual dinner.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons tea was served at the Engineering Society's Building, the hostesses being Mrs. Goodnow, Mrs. W. W. Macon, Mrs. Frank T. Chapman, Mrs. Perry West, Mrs. J. I. Lyle and Mrs. W. H. Driscoll. On Wednesday parties were organized to visit the FrancoAmerican Food Company's kitchen in Hoboken, the laboratories of Colgate & Co. in Jersey City, and the Research Laboratories of the Rockefeller Institute in New York.

The entertainment committee was com

posed of: J. I. Lyle, chairman; E. T. Chapman, vice-chairman; D. D. Kimball, Frank K. Chew, Perry West, Conrad Kiewitz, W. H. Driscoll, Arthur Ritter, W. F. Goodnow, F. K. Davis and W. S. Timmis.

New York State's Industrial Board Details of the powers and duties of the Industrial Board of the New York State Department of Health, with a statement of its programme and methods of work, are contained in a pamphlet recently published by the board. After giving the text of the law under which it is operating and an opinion of the Attorney-General of the State regarding its powers, etc., the pamphlet presents the programme of the board as adopted.

This programme provides for eight committees covering the subjects of fire hazards, ventilation and lighting, sanitation and comfort, dangerous machinery, dangerous trades and processes, bakeries and confectioneries, foundries and mines, tunnels and quarries. A member of the board is to be chairman of each committee, the other members of the board to be ex-officio members of each of the committees which will be designated as a "State Industrial Board Committee." The membership of each committee will also include persons qualified to act as advisors in the details of all matters on which the board shall have power to pass rules and regulations. The latter will serve without compensation, with the exception of their necessary expenses.

The chairman of the committee on ventilation and lighting is Pauline Goldmark. "This committee," says the pamphlet, "combines two important subjects, each of which has a body of literature and a considerable number of highly-trained professionai workers engaged in research and in the practice of the two professions of ventilating and illuminating engineering. The standards in both fields are in a formative stage of development, so that care needs to be exercised in the formation of rules and regulations applicable to industrial establishments."

This committee will divide itself into two sections. Serving on the division of ventilation will be physicians, engineers, officials of health departments and representatives of employers, employees, and voluntary organizations interested in the subject. In addition there may be technical experts familiar with the subject of exhaust systems from the manufacturing standpoint. The division on ventilation will recommend measures for the removal of dust, gases, fumes, and vapors, the equalization of temperature, as well as general factory ventilation.

The makeup of the full committee on ventilation and lighting will be announced within the next few weeks.

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$1.00 per year 1.25 1.50

15 cents a copy

FTER several years' effort to construct a model compulsory ventilation law for presentation to the various legislatures it is becoming apparent that the difficulties involved in preparing a law that will embrace all of the necessary points and, at the same time, meet with the approval of engineers generally, are so many as to render the proposition wellnigh impracticable. Outside of the fact that such a law must be necessarily a lengthy one, if no loopholes are to be left for the crafty owner to evade its provisions, the varying opinions of engineers themselves as to what such a law should cover, add materially to the complexity of the problem. On one hand, for instance, it is felt that a summary of the requirements is the point that should be featured, while others are emphatic in their belief that the requirements are well enough known and that a statement of the methods for fulfilling the requirements is what is

air supply and exhaust openings, what sizes of ducts to install to obtain given results, etc.

While extended discussion has shown the apparent futility of the present plan, it has also shown a way in which the purposes of a model law may be obtained. Instead of giving the text of such a law, the recommendation is that a booklet be prepared which might well be termed, "Suggestions for Compiling a Model Compulsory Ventilation Law." Let the booklet then take up, in order, the various points to be covered, and where varying opinion exists, to present each important opinion. This would give to the law-makers the desired data, for, as has been stated, they may be expected to phrase a bill on the subject in their own way, in any case.

START in this direction was made

Aat the recent meeting of the heat

ing engineers' society when a special committee expressed its agreement on the following points having to do with a model law:

"A positive minimum supply of outdoor air from an uncontaminated source of 30 cu. ft. per minute per occupant.

"A minimum of 15 sq. ft. of floor area per occupant.

"A minimum of 180 cu. ft. of space per occupant.

"Temperature to be maintained at the breathing line within a range of 65° to 68° F.

"Where relative humidity is under control it should be maintained between 40 and 50%."

These and other recommendations, which will be found on another page of this issue, are to be turned over to a general committee of the society which has already done much painstaking work

25.-Figuring the Yearly Heat Consump

tion in Different Localities.

QUESTION.-How would the yearly heat consumption of a heating apparatus be estimated if the maximum requirements were known in any case?

ANSWER. The heat loss by radiation can be determined with fair accuracy, but the loss due to inefficient regulation would have to be estimated. If a hot water system is under consideration, with the temperature of the heating medium carefully varied with the outside weather conditions, or if, in the case of a steam system, automatic heat control is provided and kept in service, the percentages of the load for weather below the maximum requirements can be determined with reasonable accuracy. If steam is used at a constant temperature and radiators are not turned off with opened windows, the increase will be about 25% of the requirements in the case of hot water or steam with automatic heat control. This increase will have to be estimated from a knowledge of the conditions governing any particular case.

In any heating or power work, where it is necessary to figure fuel consumption, a chart giving the number of hours each 10° F. period occurs in any district will be found to be of great assistance. The United States Weather Bureau will furnish free on application tabulations for each month, showing the maximum and minimum daily readings for any district where there is a station. These records, in most cases, have

Outside Temperature,

Deg. F.

been kept for several years, so a typical winter can easily be obtained. It will be found that the maximum and minimum daily temperatures occur at nearly the same hours each day. This information can also be obtained from the forecaster in charge of the station. The tabulation shown in the accompanying table (Table I) was made from the Scranton, Pa., district. In that locality the maximum temperature occurred at 2 p. m. and the minimum at 6 a. m. It may be added that the data contained in the table (Fig. 1) were obtained by pasting together recording thermometer charts giving the days of the week to correspond with the calendar. Day periods were assumed at 10 hours each and night periods at 14 hours. These spaces were indicated on the charts by different colored tints. The weather bureau records were then plotted, the maximum and minimum readings being placed under the proper hours. This arrangement gives a continuous plot of the temperature for each month. Lines were drawn through the average for each interval of time, dividing the 10 and 14-hour periods in half where wide fluctuations of temperature occur. The periods of time in hours are then read off from the straight lines, showing the averages and the total hours added, as shown in Table 1.

By taking certain percentages of the maximum load, depending on the outside temperature, and multiplying by the hours for each period, the night, week day and holiday heating can be determined. In this particular chart Saturday afternoon was con

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