Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1898 [PAGE 233]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

189.8.]

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

233

The value of this work cannot be estimated in any direct way. The "Big Four" R. E. is erecting large and modern shops at Urbana. To be associated with these people will be of much direct value to all our engineering students. The opening up of broader fields for our graduates and many students remaining with us only two or three years is not to be overlooked. If we can accomplish what seems profitable in this work it will be one of the finest advertising schemes imaginable. It is something that will grow from year to year, giving our students advantages not to be obtained at present at any other institution, It practically presents the University with an equipment for locomotive testing, maintained without expense to us, compared to which no institution could ever hope for its equal. The test car which they will provide is No. 909, recently used for combination mail and baggage car. This they will fit up as per drawings furnished them, and thus afford us a safer means of observation. There will be plenty of room not only for our apparatus, but for our tools, clothes and material. Arrangements can be made for sleeping in this car at end of run, reducing individual expenses. I shall propose an appropriate painting of this car, so that the University of Illinois may obtain its share in whatever credit there may be in its get up and suitably advertise our engineering interest. I have gone over this subject at length, which you will pardon, I hope. You have seldom seen any of this work going on; with our new Laboratory you will see much more of it. The present appropriations made for the department of mechanical engineering do not allow for any current expenses for experimental work. The department has always had these expenses and they have been provided for by certain appropriations made from time to time by the Board. These expenses consist of such items as follow: Printing laboratory blanks; typewriting of reports to parties concerned; blue printing; photographs of some tests; express charges; cartage; pipe and fittings; oil and waste; indicator cards; indicator cord; batteries; glycerine; paint; hardware; repairs to instruments; gaskets and packing; material and temporary fixtures; setting up special apparatus. I feel sure that all of these expenses are necessary and that you will agree with me as to their worth. Such expenses will increase with added equipment and increase of students. In conclusion I respectfully request that the Board appropriate $150.00 for current expenses of the steam engineering laboratory work for the spring term, 1898; that the same amount, $150.00, be appropriated for each term of the next college year. Hoping that the foregoing statements may have been clearly presented and that you may add to these your approval as Dean of the College of Engineering, I remain, Respectfully yours,

L. P. BRECKENRIDGE,

Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Approved, and transmitted to the President.

N. C. RICKER, Dean.

Concerning this communication

t h e following

resolution

was

adopted:

Resolved, That the Board commend the energy of Professor Breckenridge in securing opportunities for steam engineering tests upon the plants of different cities, railroads, and other corporations and make an appropriation of $150.00 for office expenses in such work. But the financial circumstances of the University make it necessary that, as heretofore, the expenses of tests at a distance from the University be borne by the parties directly benefited thereby.