Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-26

J In alliance with leading technical
and other organizations, government
tai departments and universities and
colleges. the Engineering Foundation,
which is raising a fund of many mil
lions to promote researches in Ameri-
can industry. has. IL is announced.
embarked upon a national program of
highway research.
Working through the engineering
division Of the National Research
Council. it is planned, according to
the announcement, to coordinate all
the agencies of highway research,
and, aided by the federal government.
who will gather scientifically the
great mass of fundamental data un-
DERIVING the economic construction Of
| the modern type of highway.
| These data will be distributed among
road builders in every state. High
way activity of every kind will be
iharmonized, committees will be or
ganized to deal with specific problems
and the cooperation of the United
States government will be sought.
Half Million Fund in Hand.
The Engineering Foundation, the
chairman of which is Charles F. Rand
| of New York, past president of the
| American Institute of Mining and
Metallurgical Engineers. already has
fund of 100000. 1t is seeking to
increase this to $4,000, 900 in the near
future, the income from this sum. it is
stated. being necessary to handle sue
cessfully undertakings whose scope is
already well defined
Recently the foundation, which is a
| trust fund established in 1914 by Am
prose SwaSey of Cleveland. Ohio. past
president of the American Society Of
Mechanical Engineers. by gifts to the
United Engineering Society, received
an anonymous gift of 100000. 1t
was omcially announced recently that
the foundation had been offered $780,
600 by an individual who stipulated
That nine others contribute a like sum
TOT the advancement of science and
the good of mankind"
The plan for a better national sys-
tenn OF roads is already under way
The formation of the advisory board
on highway research was announced
! Committees nave been appointed and
are preparing to make surveys in
various fields of highway activity, in
| GLIDING photography. economic the
DRY OF highway improvement, struc-
tural design Of roads and character
and use of road materials. After these
committees have completed their sur
veys, reports will be made back to
should be taken up.
Chairman for a Year.
Prof. Arson Aarston. dean of engi-
neering. Iowa State College. has been
elected chairman of the board to serve
for one year. Alfred D. Finn secre-
tary Of the Engineering Foundation,
has been appointed ad interim direc-
tor. The advisory board on highway
research n GA mi
signment by Congress of a certain
portion of the unexpended balance of
rederal-aid road money to some agency
which will administer the funds under
the direction of the board.
1t Is planned to begin the research
work at once and to obtain concrete
results at an early date. The spon-
sors OF the movement IL is stated
feel that a certain percentage Of all
moneys now available for highway
construction could be saved If more
research work were done. 1t is their
opinion also that the work must be
done quickly and the results of the
nndings .widelycspread. ss ~ ~ aSs
Many national bodies are actively
with the Engine er1n6
Foundation in the -diEisioa
of the National Research gNtounuff:
Among them are American AssSGiation
of State Highway Officials. American
Society of Testing Materials, Society of
Automotive Engineers, bureau of pub
lie roads. National Automobile Cham
Der OF Commerce. American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, American So
ciety of Civil Engineers. American
Institute of Consulting Engineers, As
ISOLATION of State Biologists. Western
Society Of Engineers. American Con-
crete Institute and the American
Automobile Association.
Leading Colleges Taking Part.
Leading colleges and universities
also are taking part in the movement,
ments of Harvard. Columbia, Yale.
University Of Maryland, University Of
Illinois and Iowa State College.
Mr.. Finn said that definite
plan OF action had been deaded upon
and would be vigorously pushed.
Membership in the advisory board Of
highway research is to be open to or
CARNATIONS of national import inter-
ested in design. construction. main
tenance, economics and financing of
highways in materials and equipment
and in vehicles used on highways.
Governmental departments and bu-
reaus of similar interests and col
Ieges and universities may also be-
come members.
A permanent director will be an
pointed and under him a corps Of re-
search men will operate. Thew will
III.
director is to be a professional enKi-
neer. The board also is to have a
chairman and a vice chairman. They,
ex-oficio, with three members of the
division of engineering of the Ma
tional Research Council, will form the
executive committee.
Progress In Work Reported.
Thomas n. Macdonald, chief Of the
bureau of public roads, in a report to
the organization conference of the
| board states that but / per cent of
the federal budget for the fiscal year
| ending June 80. 1920. had been spent
upon research and of that amount SO
| per cent had gone to the Department
OF Agriculture. OF the total budget 3
| per cent represented money available
| for public works and of that amount
| SO per cent was to be expended for
| highway construction. With a pro-
| gram calling for the expenditure of
more than $1.o00.o00.0o0 on highways
| now under way. he declared 1t was
| necessary that the fundamental prob
lens upon which all economic ex-
penditure Of this money rested should
be made clear without delay.
A. T. Goldbeck. engineer Of tests.
! United States bureau of public roads,
in report to the conferees, said
! that tests were now being made to
determine the relative bearing power
| of various subgrade materials and
that efforts were being made to
| strengthen the bearing power OF soils
either through mechanical or chemi-
cal means. Important tests. he added,
would be made by the bureau OF pub
lie roads next year. Other organiza-
tions are investigating the effects OF
grade and curvature on gasoline con-
sumption.
| Important research work, Il also