The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-14
CITY INrELLIG ENC e.
THE MASTER MECHANICS.
Meeting Of the American Master Mechauici
Convention this norning-The ORGANIZATION
Tho Roll of neIeRnfaa. Etc.

ABSBInD1y BUl10IngS, Tenth
The convention was called to order at O'Clock by
Nr. ii. NJ. Britton, the President OF the former con-
Yentlon. Prayer was onere9 o. 9y MT MI. WelIs OF the
The badges of the delegates white satin rosette,
distributed by the President to be worn by ali
members during the entire sessions of the body.
The President read the fourth article Of the con-
stitution relating to the qualifications of master
mechanics necessary for membership, for the benefit
of those who wished to become members.
The proceedings of the previous session were read
and approved, after which the roll was called and
the members answered to their names.
An opportunity was then given for all lawfully
qualified persons to sign the constitution and be-
come members.
The President read a short address of welcome to
the delegates, Of which the following is an abstract
"We are now an organized body, which cannot
fail to be productive of good results The press has
recognized us by favorable notices OF our meeting,
and we have reason to believe that the travelling
public recognize us subservient to their ease,
comfort, and safety The railway companies Them
selves recognize us as the guardians OF their pro-
peTty given to us in trust Let us feel encouraged
in our enterprise and give ourselves with renewed
duty to help the workings OF the committees by CIV
ing any items of Information which may have come
within ms 6nowedge & By SO d0ag we may arrive I'VE
working of railways which could be arrived at in no
other way. Some few officers of railways have
formed impression of the OBJECT Of our
organization. They couple it with trades unions
and like organizations. 1t should be the duty of
each one to try to disabuse the minds of any such
of such an idea Our work is the discovery of every
thing which may be of use in the management and
economy OF the roads. Another feature is the So
cal element. we come from all points within the
boundaries OF the Atlantic and Pacific. We meet in
social good will, and have social intercourse. Many
OF US are accompanied by our wlves whose pre-
sence adds much more,pleasure.
"Since our last meeting one of our members has
died Mr. Isaac ). Briggs, one of the Oldest master
mechanics, died of pneumonia. 1t is hoped that the
convention will take some notice of this fact.
"1n conclusion, 1t is urged upon the members to be
punctual in attendance at all meetings of the body"
The, report of the Secretary was read and ap-
Mr.. Dodge Secretary, offered the followlng:-
The question having been raised as to the propri-
ely OF allowing Visitors TO attend the deloeratlons OF
the association, it is moved that the privilege be
temporarily accorded each member Of inviting such
guests as he may elect, and that the subject be
ferred for final action to a committee upon revision
OF bylaws. Agreed to.
A reconsideration was moved by Mr.. Sellers, of
the Des Mones Valley Railroad. Agreed to.
Mr. Sellers then moved that general invitation
be given to all who may be interested in the pro-
ceedngs to be present. He e'explained that this was
to make 1t evident to all that the organization has
nothing secret in its workings 1t has nothing to do
TOR the best interests of the travelling public
and the railroads. No other questions admitted.
The proceedings should be perfectly open. The mo-
on motion, a committee was appointed to revise
some items OF the constitution and bylaws, which
revision had become necessary on account of the
increased size OF the body. The President ap-
pointed Messrs. Rennie, Brown, and Hayes as mem
bers OF the committee.
The report of the committee appointed at the last
convention on boilers and boiler material was then
read Dy tne CHAIRMAN OF the commttee; The mem
bers Of the committee were Messrs. Hayes, Ander-
son. and Jauritt
The report was quite lengthy but able effort,
touching on all points relating to the manufacture.
1t noticed that the superiority of the English loco
motive has been much spoken Of After careful
examination it is thought that the English engines
would be nothing if taken from the almost perfect
road beds Of the United Kingdom. 1t was thought
that the American locomotives were much superior
to the British but the roads were much inferior.
Our locomotives can do but little in proportion to
and the committee discharged
The hours of meeting were fixed from nine to
two daily.
A discussion then took place on the contents of
the report on boilers, which was continued at some
length.
AXes was called for in order, but by request of the
committee the reading was postponed until future
Phe report of the Committee on Cylinders and
Stufingbox Packing was read by the secretary.
After its acceptance very lengthy discussion took
place on the subject The principal opinions were
expressed either in favor or opposed to what is
known as the Dunbar Patent Packing. The Stephens
Patent Packing was also discussed At the con-
Mr. Griggs, OF the Erie Railroad, moved that
vote be aken so as to give an idea OF the opinions
of all the members OF the convention. The vote
was counted on the Stephens the Dunbar patent,
and the older fashioned spring packings.
This was opposed on the ground that it was using
the convention as medium for advertising private
firms, which should not be done.
1t was thought the question should be taken so as
to know whether the majority were in favor of any
steam packing or whether they preferred the old
spring packing motion to this effect was offered
as an amendment to the motion Of Mr.. Griggs. The
amendment was not accepted
for such an amendment, as everybody knew that it
was generally agreed that the expensive spring
packing must be got rid OF somehow
The motion was laid on the table.
The report OF the Committee on Boiler Incrusta-
ton ton % was c called led for The committee stated that
OF its members, Mr.. Towne, had presented paper
The subject in the absence of regular report The
paper was read The paper advocated the puridca-
zion OF the water as the only means OF preventing
the evil, with its serious consequences, including
that most terrible OF all, explosions. The paper
was received and placed on the minutes.
The report OF the Committee on Safety-valves was
presented ana read; The report was received and
The Committee on Smoke-stacks made short
report which was accepted. The report stated that
no change was thought necessary in the construc.
tion of this portion OF the engine.
The report OF the Committee on Boiler Explosions
was called FOR but by request the reading was post
poned until a future time.
The Committee on Dead-weight of Rolling Stock
also asked for further time Agreed TO-
The Committee on a Uniform Size OF Tires made
their report The tires now in use were in sixty
three sizes. The report was received.
Mr.. Burk thought that the subject demanded in
Stant attention, and that a committee should be at
once appointed ted TO confer with the locomotive
over from year TO year enough tires to meet the re-
qlirements Of the various sized rolling stock.
Mr. Sitche thought that it was not necessary to
appoint committee TO consult with manufacturers.
They would not manufacture anything for which
there was no market. All that is necessary is for
the master mechanics to agree what they want
On motion the subject was laid over until the
report OF the Committee on Tires should be read.
THE CENsUs-INFoRMATIo NWANTEp-The eensus
returns SO far as they have been handed in are re-
ported TO be in very unsatisfactory condition. IL
is alleged that the figures are not at all correct and
this allegation is supported by the statements of
many that they have not been visited by the mar
shals at all. We have examined these complaints as
closely as possible, and II any of readers know
OF any more we should be happy to hear OF them If
any one who reads this paragraph knows for certain
that he has not been visited by the census taker
knows any other fact which NAV go to show an in
correctness in the enumeration IL would very much
q ne mafi nf m