The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-05-01
ALOUISA AUTHOR
Produced Important Work just
Published in New York
and London.


John Wiley & Sons, OF New York
and London, the most prominent
publishers of scientific and techni-
cal works In this country, have
just placed upon the market a
large book on "The Improvement
Of Rivers The author is Mr.. b.
F. Thomas,of Louisa, United States
Assistant Engineer. He was as
sisted in the preparation of the
work particularly in the .calcula-
tons and drawlngs) by Mr.. David
\. Watt, now a U. S. Assistant En-
gineer, formerly stationed here,and
Mr., Watts name appears in the
work along with Mr.. Thomas.
About four years ago this pub
lishiug house opened negotiations
with Mr.. Thomas for the produc.
ton OF work OF this kind. Their
attention was especially drawn to
Mr., Thomas by the publication of
his most excellent article on "Moy%(
able Dams, which was printed
just previous to that, by the Amer
lean Society of Civil Engineers. It,
was this article that won the COW
eted Norman medal, an elaborate
gold piece OF special design award
cd by this eminent society for the
best paper produced during the
year on any engineering subject.
Mr.. Thomas finally agreed to
undertake the task of preparing
the work and has thus occupied
most Of his spare time since.
The general reader will be given
better understanding OF the inn
portance Of this work by the state
ment that this is the only book
published In English that covers,
this branch ofengineering,a lthough
there has been considerable de-
mand for some years. Nr.Thomds
him self has always been forced to
depend upon French works for the
Information he has obtained from
books. France uses movable dams
very extensively; and the needle
dam, now in successful operation
at this place, is quite common IN
that country, while the Louisa dam
is the only one Of that type in
America. The principle was OBJ
4 tanned through French works, but
| Mr.. Thomas and his associates
have made important improve.
ments on the French dam.
| The following extracts from the
publishers note In the book will lie
OF interest;
"This is the first work OF its kind
published in the English language,
although engineers have long rec
oguized the value it would be to
the profession to have treatise
covering the principal features oil
that branch OF engineering pertain
ing TO the improvement OF rivers
This branch comprises a great va
riety of works; locks and dams fol
e,nalization; bikes and ieitles fol
concentrating aud controlling
streams and bank protection ii
republication levec building anC
storage reservoirs for the proven
ton Of foundations, and dredging
and snagging for keeping channelt
open during times OF low water
, "Thls branch Of en-
gineetlng Is virtually untaught II
the engineering schools OF thi
country, although t offers mos
excellent field for young men o
!, ability, and 1t is believed that tn
advent OF this ttoatise will widel
u the scope OF the usual engineering
course and prepare students for en-
terlng the engineer service OF tn
, government through the junior en-
gineor grade of the civil service
y With this object In view hydro
graphic surveys and reports an
: examinations have been treated a
some length
The book contains nearly 5C
. quarto pages, including the plate,
1t sells for $500 per copy.
y The calculations are very fu
y and thorough and the illustration
are excellent. Mr.. Watt is sp
= cially adapted to this line of worI
u His scholarly attachments we
~ else. brought into good use durir
the final revision of the work.
Is Altogether, the book is mo
., creditable publication and stan,
" as monument to the attainmen
No OF Mr., Thomas, who is one OF L
ne best authorities in America on tn
~ branch OF engineering.
t., to PRIMARY ELECTION.