The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-16
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
ETOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL ITEMS SEE OUTSIDE PAGES. ]

INSPECTION OF STEAM BOmERs.-Last evening
the hnal meeting of the subcommittee on In
spectlng Steam Boilers was held in the chamber
OF Select Council, Mr. r. M. Evans presiding
petition was presented from practical en-
glneers, recommending board OF practical en-
glneers TO examine engineers, and give them a
certlhcate, II capable. Also, suggesting that the
views of practical engineers be heard before the
committee.
Also, communication from William Fonden.
covering thirteen pages, closely written which
was not read Several ordinances, framed by
different parties, one of whom recommends a
strict attention to common law In forming
statutes.
Colonel Page moved to refer all the commu-
niCatlons to the committee of the Franklin In
stitute, and suggested that all in attendance 90
before that committee to be heard. The bill
now before the Legislature would empower the
Councils to create such board as might be
necessary, with authority to control the
entire subject. committee of the Franklin
Institute has been appointed to digest an ordi-
nance, and these various documents, together
with the remarks of all practical men who
would be invited, would greatly facilitate that
committee in their labors. Then an ordinance
would be reported which it was hoped would
protect life and not hamper trade.
MIR. William Willer said the practical men
had been invited to the Franklin Institute and
had given their views as far as was advisable.
The Committee appointed, however was COM
posed OF the members OF the Franklin Institute,
and some of the views of practical men did not
seem to meet with their ideas. If that COM
mittee sat in a different hall from their own,
the practical men would speak their minds
more freely. He for one did not attempt to
make such a flowery speech as a theoretical
man could, but he was OF the opinion that the
dumbest man in the room could give new and
important ideas. If he was IN charge of Il
steamboat, he rather thought the passengers
would sooner entrust their lives to him than to
a theoretical man.
Mr.. Evans said 1t was not the fault of the
Committee that all practical men had not been
hOH Hfyn
ment possible.
Colonel Page said it was not his purpose to
deny a hearing to any one. In fact, he had
heard practical men speak before the Franklin
Institute on this subject and he regretted they
were not members OF it, as they would have
adorned it, HIS desire was to bring the pract
cal and theoretical men together, and the in
formation derived from each of them would be
advantageous and facilitate the creation of
proper ordinance. After that Committee re-
ports an ordinance it comes back to this Com
mittee, who never have parted with their au-
thority. Then this Committee will hear any
one on the subject before reporting the ordl-
nance to Councils.
Mr.. Willer thought the most important fea-
ture was to ascertain the cause of boiler eX-
plosions. Theoretical men would give different
views OF tie subject, and, like doctors, they
disagreed. He was in favor of commencing
at the bottom of the ladder and ascending. A
committee might give competent man a GER
tifiCate, and yet from some cause the boiler he
might have charge of would explode. The
engineer might not be killed, but it would be
as we'll if he did, as he would never get another
engine to run.
Colonel Page said if we were to stop to in.
uuire the causes and effects of things we would
never have an ordinance.
Mr.. Evans said all the forms of ordinances
were from practical men, and there seemed an
abundant sutficiency OF them TO form one good
ordinance.
The motion of Colonel Page was agreed to.
1t was understood that, AT a future meeting
OF the Committee, all who appeared before il
should be heard.