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F. E. BASH, Philadelphia, Pa.-In order to make a definite check on the emissivity of crucible steel under works conditions, a test was planned and executed by the plant of the Midvale Steel Co., by a Sub-committee, as follows: Five crucibles were put in a crucible furnace with-the normal charge and were treated in the same manner as a number of others that were charged at the same time; the only difference was that the five cur-cibles had lids with.2-in. holes in the center. It was thought that after the crucibles were removed from the furnace a reading could be made through the hole in the lid with the optical pyrometer and that such a reading would give the true temperature of the steel as black-body con-ditions should prevail inside the crucible. If after obtaining the true temperature, the crucible lid were removed and the steel poured into the ladle, the apparent temperature could be taken by sighting on the steel stream and the emissivity obtained from the two temperature values. Such a test was carried out with five crucibles. About a third of the crucibles charged into the furnace with the five experimental ones were first drawn from the furnace and poured into the ladle. The experimental crucibles were then drawn and readings of the true temperature were made

Jan 12, 1919

By Geo. B. Pryde

Dear Sir: Yours of July 23rd, relative to my appointment on the Safety Committee in connection with the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute. As you say in your letter, "The duty of this committee is to draft suggestions as to safer mining practices with the idea of preventing disasters in coal mines." Much has been written and many suggestions made on this same subject, and it is very hard to put up further recommendations than have already been made. The disasters you mention in your letter unquestionably have direct reference to coal mine explosions, which from time to time still occur in this and other countries. As far as our Western mines are concerned, you know that sprinkling and shot firing by electricity have been very extensively carried out. Notwithstanding these precautions; we have had a few rather serious disasters in the past in these mines. I do not care to place any blame or responsibility on the companies having these disasters, but it is a fact that in each and all of them, after careful investigation has been made, that the human element has had more or less bearing on the accidents happening. From most reports that we gain, either directly or indirectly, it is very evident that investigation shows after an explosion that the rules governing one or both of the above safety measures have been somewhat carelessly or negligently carried out. Much has been written and read about rock dust sprinkling, but it is questionable if this method is doing a great deal toward the eliminating of disasters. While it is true it may have the effect of preventing propagation, still I do not believe anyone claims for it a sure preventative against initial explosions. I had occasion not long ago to visit a mine, after an explosion, in which dust barriers were supposed to be hung, and from indications it was quite evident that the dust barriers had been in operation, but they did not prevent the explosion from reaching. all open parts of the mine. It is also true that profuse scattering of rock dust throughout a mine would have a beneficial effect, but there is a question arises here as to whether the sprinkling by rock dust or the spraying by water, if available, is the most effective. I am satisfied that if all coal mines are kept well sprinkled and all open workings maintained in a thorough moist condition, that the biggest factor in a coal mine explosion is in this way eliminated. There is no doubt but what the use of permissible powder, particularly if shot by electricity, has had a very marked effect on the number of dis¬asters in mines, and if this method of shooting was energetically carried out there would be a difference in the number of explosions, both minor and Major, all over the country. Some of the recent explosions have taken place where no shooting was being done, but there is no denying the fact that the other ingredient, namely, coal dust, entered in the elements very extensively. We have read and heard of hydraulic cartridges and other patents (substitutes for powder) that were being worked out for the purpose of

Jan 1, 1923

By M. G. Fleming, F. Warner, R. W. Boswell, M. J. Cahalan

The annual dinner of the Institution was held at the Savoy Hotel, London W.C.2, on 22 April, 1971. The President, Mr. M. J. Cahalan, was in the Chair; members and guests numbered 320. The toasts of The Queen and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and the other Members of the Royal Family were proposed and loyally honoured. R.W. Boswell proposed the toast of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, the president responded, Professor M.G. Fleming proposed the toast of the guests and Sir Frederick Warner replied

Dec 1, 1971

THE subcommittee on Coal Mining, since its appointment, has been engaged in collecting data about subsidences in coal mines in this country, and it now feels that almost all of the available data about occurrences of this sort in bituminous mines has been collected. As most of the bituminous seams are nearly level, the records obtained give the problem in its simplest form, without complications due to the pitch of the seam. Similar data is being compiled for the anthracite regions and it is hoped that this will be ready for the 1927 meeting. Copies of the questionnaire, Appendix A, were mailed to all of the coal operators' associations, to most of the large operating companies and to many engineers, with the request that any data on the subject be returned to the committee, or that advice of any subsidences known be given. The replies to most of the questionnaires were general only, although some specific cases were given. Many of the companies were unable to reply to all questions, as they lacked the necessary data, but in nearly every case where accurate data was available, it was cheerfully furnished, and any additional information requested was secured. All specific cases of subsidence were followed up by correspondence, and in several cases by personal inspection. Figs. 1 to 31 were made from the information furnished. Table 1 gives measurements of elevations taken in one case at intervals from October, 1913, to May, 1918. With one exception, where the evidence cannot yet be released on account of a lawsuit, it is believed that the cases submitted with this report include practically all that have happened in bituminous coal mining in this country of which actual measurements were secured. Some of these have already been published in the excellent report by Young and Stoek,1 and some instances have been secured from other publications. In collecting these data, the subcommittee had the Engineering Societies Library extend the bibliography given in the bulletin mentioned above to date. This list is given in Appendix B.

Jan 2, 1926

The General Committee met in the Treasury Building at Washington on Oct. 6 and 7. At the first meeting, Cornelius P. Kelley was appointed chairman, and Paul Armitage, secretary. Sub-committees were ap-pointed on Invested Capital, Mine Valuation, and Depletion and De-preciation. On Oct. 7, the reports of these committees were submitted to the General Committee and were referred to the Executive Committee. A motion was carried that the Executive Committee he constituted a permanent committee to continue the work of the Committee, with full power to acid to and increase its membership, that. as thus increased, it should constitute a permanent organization to act- and cooperate with the Treasury Department in matters of mining taxation under the Federal Income and Excess Profits Tax Laws. Thereafter the Executive Com-mittee met and formed a permanent committee as follows: Cornelius F. Kelley, chairman, 42 Broadway, New York City. J. L. Darnell, office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Wash-ington, D. C. J. Parke Channing, 61 Broadway, New York City. Walter Douglas, 99 John St., New York City. R. V. Norris, 542 Second National Bank Bldg., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. J. E. Spurr, Engineering and Mining Journal, 10th Ave., and 36th St., New York City. W. G. Swart, 808 Selwood Bldg., Duluth, Minn. J. P. Finley, 45 Cedar St., New York City. W. A. Williams, Bartlesville, Okla. F. S. Peabody, Peabody Coal Co., McCormick Bldg., Chicago, Ill. Matthew C. Fleming, 71 Broadway, New York City. H. B. Fernald, 54 Wall St., New York City. William G. Mather, Cleveland, Ohio. Walter Fitch, Eureka, Utah. Arthur Thacher, 900 Security Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. John P. Gray, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Paul Armitage, secretary, 233 Broadway, New York City.

Jan 12, 1919

This Committee, formerly known as the Membership Committee, had its title changed as above by the new Constitution which was adopted February, 1928. During the year 1928, 607 applications for membership were submitted to the Committee for its action; and after careful consideration 601 were recommended to the Board of Directors for election to the various grades. Of this number 597 accepted election and became members during 1928. The changes in the membership resulting therefrom are set forth in tabular form on the following page. The Rocky Mountain members, who now appear in this list for the first time, were added pursuant to the action taken at the Annual Meeting

Jan 1, 1929

The work of the Committee during the year 1914 was especially directed to the securing of a larger representation in the Institute of those engaged in coal mining and coking. While these industries exceed in volume and in monetary importance all other mining industries in the United States, the membership of the Institute representing them has in recent years been relatively small. It was thought that an increase in the membership of the Institute obtained from among those engaged in these industries was desirable in order to increase interest in the work of the Institute, for this result can only be reached by securing the presentation and publication of a larger number of papers relating to these industries. It is evident that the reading of such papers will tend to increase the attendance at the local and general meetings of the Institute. Sessions of the Coal and Coke Committee were held and a number of papers relating to these subjects were presented at the meetings at Butte, Salt Lake, and Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh meeting especially being planned with this in view. The activities of the Local Section of the Institute organized in the Pennsylvania Anthracite region have reawakened interest in that district and it is hoped that the same object can be obtained in the bituminous coal fields, either through the organization of one or more. local sections, affiliation with some of the local coal-mining societies, or through activities of the Coal and Coke Committee. Referring to the work of the Committee in its efforts to increase the membership of the Institute, the Committee desires to acknowledge the services rendered by many members scattered throughout the various coal-mining districts of the United States, in compiling lists of those qualified for membership in the Institute, but who have not yet become members. The lists so compiled comprised about 1,100 names, which were furnished to the Committee by the co-operation of 40 or 50 members of the Institute.

Jan 3, 1915

MINING and Metallurgy closed the year 1928 showing a small profit, the receipts, exclusive of the charge against members, dues for subscriptions, having been $43,067.81, and expenditures $40,925.58. In accord with the policy of the Board the budget is made each year with the purpose of balancing the accounts rather than the maximum of profit from the undertaking since it is the service the journal performs for members that justifies its existence. This service is being constantly increased. Within the year a number of changes have been made in the dress of the magazine, a new cover adopted, color more frequently used, and illustrations more generally employed. These changes seem to have been appreciated both by readers and advertisers. More space has been devoted to papers read before local sections and to the news of their activities. It is believed that this has helped materially in sustaining and increasing the interest in such meetings. The general, regional, and division meetings have also been fully reported and news of Board meetings, of the work of the various committees, of the employment service and other activities of the Institute has been spread before its members month by month. The 570 pages of reading matter printed in the course of the year constitute not only a record of what the Institute was doing but of what the most representative sections possible of the members of the mining and metallurgical professions were thinking. With 9000 members scattered around the world, occupying key positions in the industry, the Institute affords through its own journal an unsurpassed medium for broad contact and enables the readers with the minimum of expenditure of time and at no extra money expense to keep a general contact with the whole range of subjects touched by miners and metallurgists. In these days of intense specialization but rapid change such contact is particularly valuable. The more formal papers presented to the Institute are published in the Transactions, Technical Publications and the special volumes. Mining and Metallurgy carries abstracts of all papers published ,by the Institute and prints in full the shorter, less detailed papers and those which reflect work in progress rather than finished. Such papers have a news value which is supplemented by editorial comment, discussion by members and others, and the actual news of the organization itself. Without therefore attempting to fill the place of a general news sheet, it has a timeliness that gives it an immediate value much appreciated by the readers. In accord with the general policy of the Board every effort will be made constantly to improve the quality of the magazine to the full extent that its revenue will permit. Your Committee feels that, through the intelligent cooperation of the official staff in the office, Mining and Metallurgy has been improved in

Jan 1, 1929

The following is a report of the papers submitted to the Papers 'and Publications Committee during 1928: The Committee held nine regular meetings during the year 1928. During that period there were presented to the Institute 214 papers which were acted upon as follows: Accepted as Technical Pub1ications............................ 85 Declined for publication...................................... 16 Action pending, Dec. 31...................................... 25 Manuscripts held for annual volumes, Dec. 31................... 7 Withdrawn temporarily...................................... 1 Accepted as Preprints........................................ 20 Printed for first time in volumes.............................. 35 Published in Mining and Metallurgy........................ 12 Papers in Technical Publication No. 156 (Coal Classification) and not accounted for elsewhere in this table..................... 10 Mimeographed only*................................... 3 Total.................................................. 214 * A considerable number of papers were mimeographed for the annual meeting. Of the 85 papers accepted as Technical Publications 8 were reprinted in the Transactions, 7 in Proceedings of the Institute of Metals Division (1928), 7 in Iron and Steel Technology in 1928, 13 in Geophysical Prospecting, and 50 were in Technical Publication form on Dec. 31. Of the 20 papers accepted as Preprints 1 was reprinted in the Transactions, 13 in Petroleum Development and Technology in 1927, 2 in Geophysical Prospecting, and 4 were in Preprint form on Dec. 31. Of the 35 papers printed for the first time in the various volumes 8 were included in the Transactions, 2 in Proceedings of the Institute of Metals Division (1928), 1 in Iron and Steel Technology in 1928, and 24 in Petroleum Development and Technology in 1927. Of the 12 papers accepted for Mining and Metallurgy 1 was, accepted for Geophysical Prospecting and 1 for the Transactions. There were published in 1928 113 Technical Publications containing a total of 1928 pages, as against 88 in 1927, totaling 1528 pages. The Technical Publications published in 1928 were classified as follows: Group A, Metal Mining, 17 papers (361 pages); B, Milling and Concentration, 4 papers (39 pages); C, Iron and Steel, 15 papers (256 pages); D, Non-ferrous Metallurgy, 13 papers (191 pages); E, Institute of Metals, 36 papers (588 pages); F, Coal and Coke, 15 papers (392 pages); G, Petroleum and Gas, 10 papers (246 pages); H, Non-metallic Minerals, 3 papers (33 pages); I, Mining Geology, 18 papers (356 pages); K, Mining Administration, etc., 3 papers (47 pages); L, Geophysical Prospecting, 21 papers (430 pages).

Jan 1, 1929

During the year 1915 the Committee received 161 manuscripts, which were treated as follows: 3 accepted for. New York Meeting (110th) . 64 accepted for San Francisco Meeting (111th) 49 accepted for New York Meeting (112th) 3 accepted for Arizona Meeting (113th) 29 rejected 4 returned to authors for revision and not yet accepted 9 in committee. 161 Every paper which was presented at the San Francisco Meeting was published in advance in the Bulletin with one exception. The work of the Committee has been systematized and. the Executive Committee of the Committee on Papers and Publications has given prompt attention to all manuscripts, with the result that every paper received by the Committee on Papers and Publications is in the hands of the, printer within 30 days thereafter, unless delays occur owing to questions as to acceptability, in obtaining from the author permission for revision, or other like causes.

Jan 2, 1916

To the American Institute of Mining Engineers: The committee appointed at the February meeting upon Railway Resistances would respectfully report: That one person has been constantly employed in calculating the results of the data taken prior to March 1st, 1876. Also to complete the data taken upon the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, a diagram was taken upon a through freight train from Cleveland to Chicago, and one from Chicago to Cleveland. So that now we have diagrams from Buffalo to Chicago and return, which, when fully worked up, will give results of the utmost importance in determining the cost of transportation of freight. These data will be of much importance in determining the proper methods of equating grades and curves, which is so essential in the location of new lines. The calculations show that instead of our attempting to formulate results from data obtained on one road, it will be best for the in¬terests of transportation to enlarge the scope of our inquiries, and to extend the experiments so as to include all of the more probable causes which affect the cost of transportation. Were the details of railway equipment constructed alike, much work, which is now necessary, would be saved. It is not uncommon to find upon the same road 10 to 30 different patterns of something in construction to subserve the same purpose, which more or less modifies the friction of the cars. Take the majority of our trunk lines, with this diversity of construction, together with the varying conditions of track and manner of operating, and it will be at once seen that the labor and time to do the work and arrive at correct conclusions will occupy from two to three years. The results already attained in the short time in which they have been carried on, wholly by private enterprise, simply show what may be expected when the aid necessary is given to render them of the highest value to the great industries of the country. That the information may be general and of the greatest importance to our railway interests, the committee deem it advisable to secure, so * The following report, made at the June meeting of the Institute, is inserted in this place as appropriately supplementing the original communication of Mr. Dudley.

Jan 1, 1876

Jan 1, 1906

Jan 1, 1907

Jan 1, 1908

Jan 1, 1909

Jan 1, 1910

Jan 1, 1911

Jan 1, 1912

An informal meeting of the Conferees of the Development Committees of the four Societies was held in New York on July 2, 1919, at which the scope of the work was considered, and a sub-committee oil Procedure, consisting of the chairmen of the Conferees from each of the four Societies, was appointed to arrange the program for and the time and place of the first formal meeting. The Conference subsequently adopted the name, " The Joint Conference Committee." The Joint Conference Committee convened at the Hotel Montclair, Montclair, N. J., Aug. 13, 14, and 15, and in New York, Sept. 15, 16, and 17, 1919. The Committee has divided its report into two parts, that covering the public activities and that covering the society activities of common interest to the four societies.

Jan 12, 1919

The Library belonging to the Institute is now administered as part of that of the United Engineering Society, the members of the Library Committee representing the Institute on the Library Board of the United Engineering Society. The main collection now consists of 115,900 books, 3680 pamphlets, 5811 maps, and 4402 searches, making a total of 129,793, a net gain of 7701 within the year. There is in addition a lending collection of 1004 volumes and one of duplicates amounting to 11,310. The library grows steadily both by gift and purchase. The cataloging is now substantially current covering 124,100 items represented by 362,145 cards. There are many rare and notable books, especially those relating to early engineering. It is truly a great treasure house of knowledge. While no severe effort is made to record all visitors the books showed 23,470 to have used the Library in 1928. In addition 5102 telephone requests for information were answered, 202 searches and 196 translations made and 34,964 photo prints furnished. The service department is maintained by small fees which cover the cost. The total amount appropriated for operating expense for the year was $46,300, of which $8,240.02 was furnished by the Institute, $5,399.45 being derived as income from the Douglas Library Fund and the remainder from current receipts. Within the year a slight change was made in the method of meeting the expenses of the Library, a flat charge of $5,000 per year being made against each of the four Founder Societies and this being supplemented by a surcharge based upon membership. The effect of this has been for the present to decrease slightly the amount that the Institute would otherwise need to pay. Placing in one collection all the books of the four societies greatly increases the number of books accessible to the members of each and opening the Library to the public is an important factor in keeping the tax exemption privilege enjoyed for the building. The Director and Staff of the Library make every effort not only to accommodate those who come in person to consult the collection but members resident elsewhere who communicate by letter or wire. The facilities of the Library are truly available to all.

Jan 1, 1929