The New York herald., 1869-06-17
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

Annual Dinncr-Earge AttenGancc-Addresses
by Nlessrs. McAIpine, Jervis, Whipplc and
Others.
This association, upon the model OF an English as
sociaton Of similar name, met Yesterday, at twelve
O'clock at No. 90 william street, rooms II and H.
Present were many OF the leading members Of the
profession In this country, among whom may be
mentioned John b. Jervis TIE father OF the profess
sion in this country ana engineer OF the Erie canal;
w. J. McAlpine President Of the society and Fellow
OF the Society Of Civil Engineers in London and holder
Of the Telford medal from that body; Colonel j. W.
Adams, engineer Of the new State Capitol at Albany
8. E. Cesbrough, civil engineer Lake Shore Railroad;
Thomas Prosser, representative in this country of
the great Krupp iron and steel works in Prussia; r.
N. Brown brother Of the late celebrated engineer Of
that name In the service Of Russia; $. Whpple,
founder of system OF trestlework in bridges now
in general use; General 8. f. Greene, Croton Depart
ment; Israel smith, civil engineer New Jersey Rail-
road and many others.
the meeting TO order with brief address, congratu.
atng the association upon its success ana predict
ing Tor T. brilliant insare a Mr McAip,ne % entered @
the country members the necessity OF attending
meetings II the OF the association was TO be
insured. The president went on to explain the i'm
portance OF the profession to civilization, and espe
clally to the general spirit and motive OF the cviiza
on o 'e cen m M ser ana 1@G
and expressed the hope that hereafter greater in
terest might be manifested by them In the regular
monthly meetings OF the society.
Mr.. John B. Jervis was now presented ana opened
the exercises with an address, Mr. Jervis began by
thanking the society for the honor done him IN elect
ing him member OF the ASSOCIATION. Perhaps he
ought not TO be expected TO say anything more than
that. He could not but think 1t good opportunity,
however to express some opinion as to the requisites
OF success In the profession; and IN pursuance
thereof Mr. Jcrvis proceeded TO outline course OF
study. First must come mathematics next the
next that OF hydraulics, and fourth the study OF
structures. The student was then prepared TO enter
upon the study or his profession practically. and 1t
was here that the real work OF the engineer began.
He had now to apply theorythat IT, TO reduce ~ TO
stances which occur In the actual pursuit OF the pro.
fessiou fhe railway was now the great item or
work for an engineer; but as yet there seemed to I've
lack OF talent as directed to that end. For railway
bridges he was persuaded that stone was the best
material, particularly when the culveIt was deep
enough TO admit OF the arc. In some cases, wnen
the cuvert was shallow, IL was better TO use wood
rather than stone; and here question might arise
between the use OF timber or iron, In favor Of which
latter II must always be recoected that II was not
liable TO destruction by fre. The speaker went on
to consider the qualifications OF the engineer Bust
ness taen. was always needed ior IN ,hIs pro,csson
the practitioner had generally TO deal win shreWn,
sharp business men. To an extent, Also ne ~ tue
umpire between protector and conlractor-navlng
occasion frequently 10 ward of the unjust de-
mands OF the latter, or to protect otherwise
from the unnecessary fault finding OF the ior-
mer. Ihe true relations subsstlng between en-,
glncet ailu employer were next entered upon, anu
the province of the latter limited as ADVISER and
guide Of the former In the carrying out OF Project
IN Judging OF the details OF which the former can
not be regarded rs an expert. The speaker then
went on To outline the history OF engineering III TINS
country, and concluded with anecdotes aud norali
yations, interlarded with discussion IN briei OF
the relative value of steel and iron rails aud crti-
cism upon several OF the leading lines irom the
standpont OF scientific engineering.
Mr.. Jervis having concluded on resolution the
thanks Of the society were rendered 90 him accom-
panied with request that q copy OF the address De
10 q
carried that 100 copied De donated 20 NJ. Jcrvis by
the association.
Mr. THOMAS u. CLARK then read n paper on tue
minimum OF strength for iron railway bridges.
Mr.. WuirPLE, another honorary member of the
association, was then presented and spoke briefly,
alter which the association listened " aeouple VI