New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-04-28
American Society of Civil EpnIseer..

American society OF ClVii EngAneerss
The annual meeting of the American So
ciety of Civil Engineers has been held
during the past week in this city in the
Chamber of Commerce, commencing en-
Tuesday.
Mr.. John Bogart, of New York, called the
meeting to order and made short address.
Professor E. G. Forshey, of New Orleans,
was unanimously elected chairman.
A communication from the Mayor and
Council rendered the hospitalities of the
city, which were accepted.
The Ashtabula disaster was discussed.
Mr.. Bogart read an opinion that it was
caused by the bridge being built con .rary
to thu laws of civil engineering,
Mr.. e. s. Philbrick, of Massachusetts, of.
fered the following:
Resolved, That committee of Eve, whose
names shall be selected by letter ballot,
shall be appointed to draft law covering
the points outlined on pages l25, l26, 1877
and l2S of the May number of the transac-
tions for 1875, adding thereto the necessary
provisions to secure the inspection, by ex-
perts, of ell questionable bridges nov in
existence. Aud further, that this law, so
drafted, shall be submitted, together with
resolution recommending it's adoption by
the various Legislatures to this society for
letter ballot, and, il approved, that printed
copies of ths said law and the accompany
ing resolution be sent to the members of
the society with request that they move
actively, each i'll his own State, toward pro.
curing the passage of the special law by the
various State Legislatures during the com
ing winter.
Mr.. C. E Emory discussed the matter at
length.
Mr.. j. w, Farquhar read paper by Ma
jor c. w. Howell, United States army, on
the improvement of Galveston harbor, and
another on that of Wilmington was pre-
sented.
General T. G. Ellis, of Hartford, fur
nished paper on the flow of water in open
channels.
MIR. e, L. Cothell described the present
condition of the jetties.
Professor Forshey furnished a disquisi-
ton on cut-Cfs in the Mississippi
NJ. j. F. Flagg, of MeaAille, Pensyl-
vsnia, presented paper on steam vacuum
in pumps.
A recess was taken till evening, when the
following topics were presented and dis
cussed;
BY the late G. w. r Bailey, Esq or the
| levees and rivers.
| BY Mr.. Herechel, on the metric system,
with strong recommendations for its adop-
tion.
| A resolution for a committee of FIVE to
confer with other associations was present
ed by MIR. Ellis.
By Colonel w. ~ Roberta on the Ameri-
can Society of Civil Engineers and its
future.
President Forshey (Mr Francis in the
chair delivered an eloquent eulogy on the
late G. w. R. Bayley.
Wednesday a report on metal tests was
presented, embodying series of resolu'
tions that recite that a board had been Gre
ated and money appropriated by Congress,
expressing 'the value of such body, and
urging continuance of the national aid.
General BeauregRrd and Captain Cow
den were presented to the meeting, and
made few rsmarks-.he latter in behalf Of
the Barataria ship canal.
Messrs. William E, Worthen, of New
York, William SOoy Smith, of illinois,
Ferd. De Funiak, of Kentucky, Joseph p.
Wilson, of Pennsy lvania, and c. G. For
shey, of louisiana, were appointed com
mittee to select officers for the coming year
Essays were read by;
Professor Forshey, on inventions and the
signal service.
Colonel Hardee, on his experience in sur
veying the road from Jackson, Mississippi,
to jackson, Tennessee.
Mr.. BOuscaren, of Ohio, on the testing OF
the Cincinnati Southern railroad bridge
over the Kentucky river.
Resolutions of thanks were passed, aad
the convention adjourned sine die
The remaining time of the members will
be taken up by visits to the jetties on the
La Belle, the lake, the steam dummies on
the Carrollton railroad, the haroor protec
tion boat, the ice works, cotton presses
Barataria canal. Bonnet Care crevasse and
other points of interest.
Many proposed visiting Galveston, and
all intend to return home Tues day.