The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-11
NEED OF GOOD ROADS
FIRST ESSENTIAL TO THE HAPPI-
NESS OF ENGINEERS AND SUR
VEYORS' SOCIETY
WILL SHARE IN THE CRUSADE

WILL SHARE IN THE CRUSADE
1t VIII Work I'm Harmony With the
Good Roads Association If Pos
sible-Annual Address of the
President, Prof. William r. Hoag,
Makes Some Pointed sugges-
lions.
The Minnesota Society Of Civil Engi-
neers and Surveyors opened it's annual
three days session yesterday after
noon in the rooms of the Commercial
club.
Those present were: President w. r.
Hoag, Of the state university: Secre-
tary G. A. Forbes, Of ST. Paul; Martin
Aalberg. of Henning; o. J. Anderson,
county surveyor of Nicollet county; ].
e. Hill, county surveyor Of Anoka
county; 0. H. Case, county surveyor Of
Fillmore county; George w. Cooley,
county surveyor Of Hennepin county;
~. L. Higgins. county surveyor Of Nc
L 1 county; " D. simar, county sur
veyor of Scott county; T. F. McGilray,
OF st. Louis county; William Danforth,
Prof. f. III. Constant, Of the state uni
versity; w. G. Smith and w. C. Fraser.
reports We're made by Treasurer
Danforth and Secretary Forbes of the
material welfare Of the society.
The most important question taken
up at yesterdays session, resulting in
the appointment of a committee of
three to confer with the executive
committee of the Good Roads associa-
ton, with view to cooperating in
securing desired good roads legislation.
The committee named by President
Hoag We're: o. H. Case, G. w. Cooley
and E. L. Higgins.
+. President HOag, in his annual adj
dress, said:
= A year has passed since we last met and
enjoyed, in these happy surroundings, the
healthful and stimulating interchange of pro-
fessional ideas. We are again indebted to
the same good people for renewal of these
same generous courtesies and If, perchance,
the kind fates ever give us control of such
charming quarters and the St. Paul Com
mercial club is ever less favored, we shall
deem 1t a great privilege to throw open our
hospitable doors to them as they are now
SO graciously doing to us.
3 review of the industrial activity of this
country and throughout the world Of the past
year, especially that with which our pro
fesslon has had largely to do, would doubt
less be the proper thing to do at this time
and perhaps nothing less would suitably
oi6liliJ ILLS OCCdSlUI. SuCQ q review might
certainly be made to reflect great credit upon
the reviewer and the reading Of it before
this appreciative audience would surely prove
more or less interesting.
The peculiar difficulties met and the meth
DDS employed for overcoming them in the
sinking Of the pneumatic caisson of the new
East river bridge, which it was our good
fortune to visit during the past summer
are matters of great engineering interest but
I'VE have troubles OF our own" here in
Minnesota, and to narrow 1t down even
smaller. we have problems yet seeking solu-
ton in this, our young society, which mora
deeply concern us as engineers for rhe great
present and the immediate future than the
particular route finally chosen for the trans
5000 000, 10000.
The continued life Of this society Is of more
INN, concern to us than the continued
o ot pr mt OF The so-salled sky-scraper
received severe setback in the destruction
by fire of one of its tallest representatives.
The policy which shall be successful In
bringing this society into a position of marked
influence throughout the state and of mutual
helpfulness to its members must be worked
out by ourselves and review of the policy
the islands recently acquired will not materi-
ally aid US. The life and action which must
characterize any vigorous society must be
ours without wish to be -classed with a
So we willingly close the door to the
distinction we might gain by discuss
Ing these great national questions
questions with whose solution our profess
sion has played no inconspicuous part, and
ask you to forego the enjoyment such re-
view might bring and join with me in a
Surveyors and Engineers society.
First of all. we should remind ourselves
that society is made and not created full
size by a special dispensatton Of Divine Prov.
idence. II there is anything which approaches
the dignity of creation it Is the original
thought in the mind of some individual which
results in its first organization. After this
stage of the development is passed it is a
plant, and subject to all the natural laws
governing growth and decay. Like a plant
it grows and strengthens by being fed and
langu1shes when the means of support is
withheld. There IS unusual danger asso-
ciated with it's period Of infancy It's life is
hung on slender thread. Once passed this
pivotal period and well entered upon the
strong, active stage of life. no fear need
be entertained for it.
Now. we might turn this occasion into
beginning four years ago, our remarkable
growth, our already wide influence as So
city and the great future just awaiting us,but
shall forego this gratifying pleasure Your
knowlede of these facts and your own many
and resolute faces are a sufficient guaran-
tee for the light side of our picture. I shall
shadows across it which wi. serve but to
bring in relief the light and pleasant features.
shall also seek to bring into the foreground
some objects to be attained which hereto
fore have been almost lost sight of in the
dim perspective.
This society has made a very creditabe
beginning. We have yet reached but a
small number of the surveyors and engi-
neers of the state which it Is desired to num-
Der among our members.
The papers read before this society thus
lar compare favorably as to style and SUBJ
ject matter with those presented before any
society In this country. Our reports have
received very gratifying comments from
We have done much of which we may be
proud. We have scarcely completed the be,
ginning and the greater work of mere be-
ginning OF the completion still lies before
We shall prosper as society in proper
ton as we study our organization retain
ing that which we find helpful and rejecting
that which proves otherwise and Incorporate
Ing new ideas and features which are be-
lieved to possess merit 1t is along this lat
ter line that l desire to direct your atten-
ton.
We should extend our membership and
have a regular membership committee to
look after this We should also have more
papers and shorter ones. We should have
active committees on legislation, drainage
highways, county bridges, water supply for
inland towns and villages. lighting ard
nominations. I would have the office Of Sec
Rotary carry some slight compensation wi
1t. would inaugurate an annual dinner
with perhaps smoke social or a theater
party.
v. D. Simar was appointed chairman
of committee to consider~some of the
suggestions made in the presidential
address. with view to making prac-
tical application Of some of the ideas
advanced.
The convention will remain in SEES
sion today and tomorrow.
Today's programme is as follows:
10 A. M
Paper by o. j. Anderson, "Re-survey Of
Nicollet County
Paper by T. F. McGilray. Duluth Water