The evening times., 1899-05-11
TAE SEY-SCRAPERS OF
DOWNTOWN new YORK
American Engineers Hear
About Their Equipment.
Cost of Construction and Other De-
tails Given.
Technical Discussions Consume tn.
Socicty's Morning SessiOn-InVi-
tatiOns Extended to Visitors.

The fourth session of the American So
ciety of Mechanical Engineers now hold
ing its thirty y-ninth semi mi-annual meeting
in this city, convened this morning in the
Arlington Hotel Assembly room at 1890
o'clock. Rear Admiral Melville OF the
United States Navy, the president OF the
society, presided. Secretary Hutton occu-
pied a seat on the platform and assisted In
conducting the meeting. The interesting
session was well attended by num-
ber of the ladies who accompanied their
husbands to Washington and found the
morning weather too severe TO permit
tour Of the public buildings.
When the meeting was called to order
this morning il was learned that no new
business was TO be brought up for consid-
Grafton, and the reading OF professional
papers on various subjects was resumed.
r. r. Bolton, OF New York city, submit
ted a paper on The Equipment OF Tall
Office Buildings in New York City" Mr..
Bottoms paper proved most interesting
and instructive. II was followed by
general discussion by the members of the
society, which brought out many features
of the equipment of buildings OF espe-
cial Importance TO the engineers.
Mr.. Bolton said, in part: In space
in the lower part OF New York city. one
mile IN length and two-thirds OF mile
in average breadth, there are at present
located some fifty-siN buildings. eac1 eA-
ceeding $50 feet in height while few o.
these range from 200 to 325 feet from Tie
sidewalk level The demand for Office a
commodations in this district began in
the vicinity of the Stock Exchange and has
developed structures up the line CT Broad
way ana parallel streets as far Forth as
Franklin Street and as far south as Bowl
ing Green.
The convenience Of the various ex-
changes has grouped the different profess
ions and contributing trades in certain dis
tricts. The construction of so many great
buildings has brought about a sharp COM
petition which has called attention TO eco
nomical equipment and operation. The
cost of desirable sites in this locality some
times reaches figure OF $500 per square
foot. Such a large amounts represented
in the property naturally demand large re-
turns. The CID five and s;y-story building
could bring but smal! revenue. except by
obtaining exceedingly high rents. This,
however, Cnly served TO drive tenants away
until the improved accommodation of high
buildings. allowed reasonable space for a
reasonable rent. II may be roughly esti-
mated that the increased height of the
downtown buildings has added to the in
hah,trtle area not less tEan :, 90 0)0 square
feet.
THE cost of an average 16-story. steel
frame office building is 81 to 20 cents per
cubic fCCt of its gross cubic contents. out
side measurements"
Mr.. Bolton concluded his remarks by a
detailed description of the equipment
needed for the construction of a modern
building, giving the cost OF erection and
care of the structure.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Bottoms paper.
which elected much applause at intervals
during its reading. the president anncunc-
ed change in the programme. John
Fritz. Chief Engineer and General Super
intendent of the Bsthlehem Iron Works
was permitted 10 read his paper on Roll
ing Mill Flywheels.' which was to have
been submitted at tomorrows session. on
account of the necessity Of returning 10
his office this afternoon.
Mr. Fritz said that in the early days of
rolling mills the machinery was of the
crudest character. All OF the fywheeIs
had wooden arms about six to eight inches
in thickness. He then gave description
OF the evolution OF the patterns of the fly
wheel up TO the present day, and said that
even in these times of mechanical inven-
tion the wheel has not been perfected.
The engineers are still searching for the
proper construction of the joint between
Mr.. Fritz had concluded his views on what
was needed, various members of the So
ciety gave their IDEAS of the proper con-
struction demonstrating their remarks
with drawings on the blackboard. Several
excellent suggestions We're made. although
the perfect wheel has not been found. ac-
cording to the voice OF the meeting The
discussion consumed nearly two hours. af-
ter which the subject of bolts and Joints,
which was not concluded at last nights
session, was resumed. Admiral Melville
said that he understood Mr.. Fritz was in
possession of some interesting facts on the
subject of joints and bolts and requested
him to demonstrate his drawing on what
the admiral called johns old joint"
Mr.. Fritz then took the floor and ex-
planned the efficiency of the joint which he
has successfully used for the past twenty
five years. Following his interesting and
amusing discourse, the secretary announc-
ed that, owing to the unusually long de-
bate upon the two subjects of the morning.
1t had been deemed advisable to defer the
papers scheduled for today until tomor-
rows session. The first part of the meet
ing VIII be taken up with a further con-
sideration of the tall building construction
introduced today by Mr.. Bolton
Letters were read by the secretary from
the Wimodaughsis. extending an invitation
TO the ladies of the visiting party to util-
ize the rooms of the organization for any
purpose they might desire and from the
Commissioner of Patents inviting the
members of the society to visit it and in
spect the devices in his Office The meet
Ing then adjourned