Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-27

this State. for three or four months OF
the year, and even at the. most favor
able seasons they but poorly answer
their purpose.
1t is the duty of this society to for
mulate plan that would give the
State good roads, and then urge its
adoption. | suggest that we should
have a highway commission for the
entire State, composed Of three mem
bers, the president and executive Off
Ger Of which shall be a competent en-
gineer.
1t should be the duty of this COM
mission to locate a system of roads to
be known as State roads. The roads
should be constructed according to
plans and specifications of the commits
sion in the several counties through
which the roads pass, when said coun-
ties appropriate the necessary funds.
The completion of a system Of mod
ern turnpikes in this State would be
worth millions. It's value would be
incaiculable. Let us dedicate ourselves
to this work at this meeting and
strive for its accomplishment.
West Virginia needs superintendent
of Public Buildings The State has
Public Buildings WORTH perhaps sl0,-
1000 and spends annually Tor re-
pairs and additions many
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
I am reliably informed that the Cover
nor has no plans of State buildings,
not even a plot Of the GROUNDS. NO
plans of drainage, lighting, heating or
ventilation.
At present our buildings are under
the care and management of various
State boards, few members of which
are appointed because of any special
fitness for caring for public buildings.
And, grant such fitness, no member Of
any State board could have the neces-
sary time and attention required.
| know Of repairs being made now
at one Of our State institutions where,
either through gross ignorance or
criminal carelessness, the State funds
are being wasted, and I doubt not but
that it is only a repetition of the ex-
travagant and unbusiness-like methods
persued by this State for years in the
construction and maintenance of our
numerous State buildings.
A capable architect would save the
State annually many times his salary.
| suggest that special committee
on legislation be appointed to report to
this society at its next meeting
I also think it an excellent plan to
have standing committees on various
subjects of practical interest, whose
duty it would be to gather information
and report regularly to the society.
Mr.. White closed with few eulogis-
tic remarks on the sciences Of engineer
ing and architecture. His address was
attentively heard and vigorously ap-
plauGed
IN THE AFTERNOON
papers were read by Prof. John L.
Johnston on Modern Trend of Engin-
eering Education" by Elmer Leach, OF
Monroe county, on Technical Educa-
ton for Engineers" and by Prof. F. L.
Emory on History of the Steam En-
CINE" An inspection of the Court
House and Of the Standard Oil pump
ing station was made by members Of
the society.
The programme for tomorrow will
include: Importance Of Geology in
Engineering Problems" by I. c.
White, State geoloeist; The Coal Min
ing Industries of our State" by ]. w.
Paul. chief mine inspector; Change
in the Iron Production of the Country"
by S. B. Brown, professor OF geology,
West Virginia University; profession
al States and Ethics,'' by C. r.
Jones, assistant professor of mechanics
West Virginia University; Public
Road Improvement" by J. F. Burnley.
Moundsville; City Comforts and Rural
homes, by Thomas E. Hodges. pro-
lessor OF physics, West Virginia Uni
versity