The San Francisco call., 1895-08-03

sity has recently been inaugurated by its
department of civil engineering, which has
equipped laboratory with apparatus to
test specimens of the various materials
used IN engineering construction.
The list of apparatus includes an "Olsen
universal testing machine" of 200, 900
pounds capacity, a "Reid' lathe for
turning specimens of timber or metal,
circular-saw, a bandsaw, large planer,
an emery wheel and Richie cement test
ing machine of 1000 pounds capacity, be-
sides many small tools used in preparing
specimens, measuring and doing such
Work. Another machine, for the purpose
of testing "road metal" building stone
and other substances, will soon be added.
long and thorough series of expert
ments upon the various timbers Of the
Pacific Coast will be made, with the pur-
pose in view of bringing forward promi-
nently their good characteristics and of
obtaining complete and reliable data con-
corning the best use of them in engineer
ing.
Ali tests desired which are in the nature
of purely scientific experiment will be
made free of charge for engineers, archi-
tects and others engaged in construction,
upon the delivery of the specimens re-
quired at the university, and an official
report of the results of the tests will be
forwarded as soon as practicable to the
owner.
All persons contributing timber, stone
or the metals, according to the directions
accompanying the bulletin, will, if so de-
sired, be placed on the mailing list" of
the laboratory, and will thereby receive the
official reports of all experiments made by
the department.
Residents of the Pacific Coast, and par
ticularly of this State, are cordially in
vited to cooperate in making these tests
as extensive and as thorough as possible.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Company,
through w. G. Curtis, assistant to the
general manager, will transport samples
for tests to Berkeley free of cost.
But few changes have been made in the
courses of instruction. but it has been inti-
mated by a number of the faculty that
even better and more accurate work will be
required in certain branches owing to the
overcrowded condition of the university
and the desire to raise the standard of the
Institution. Some of the professors have
already commenced to be more stringent
in the matter of entrance requirements, as
evinced by the examinations given in last
May, according to the statements made by
some of those who took them.
A number of valuable additions have
been made to the library during the past
year, and at present there are over go, 900
volumes on the shelves. Considerable was
done last term toward providing electric
lighting for the library building, so that
students could make use of it in the long
winter evenings, and it is proba BILE that
the original plan will be carried through
during the coming term.
The president has received word that
portrait of Benjamin P. Avery, one of the
most stanch friends of the university in
its infancy, will be forwarded to Berkeley.
Mr.. Avery was editor of the San Francisco
Bulletin during the regime of President
Gilman, and when he left the University
of California to accept the presidency of
Johns Hopkins it will be remem bered that
Mr.. Avery made a strong plea to the
people of California to strive to retain the
services of DIR. Gilman.
In reference to the statements made con-
corning the permanent closing of the
museum, President Kellogg said that it
was by no means the intention of the
board to close that department from the
public, but they did propose to make some
changes in the management and in the ar
rangement of certain specimens.
1t was intended to make a certain
amount of gymnasium compulsory for the
young lady students, but on account of
lack of proper facilities that requirement
will be laid over. The course, however,
will remain elective with them, as hereto
fore.
Three hours week of gymnasium work
will be required of all male sophomores,
one hour of which is to be taken on Satur-
day, owing to the size of the incoming
class.