Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 89]

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89

The walks and repairs authorized at your September meeting have been made, and other repairs as they were needed. The roof of the New Building and four of the^down spouts, if not six, are not what are desirable. The roof in the last large snow storm leaked 'in many places and in all large rains the down spouts referred to do not seem to meet the demand. The Old Mechanical Building which was repaired for a dormitory is fully occupied, b u t is not <juite comfortable as the rain beats in at times. I recommend that that the building be weather boarded and painted. The expense of this is estimated at $150. The Machine Shop has been profitably at work on custom work in greater part during the fall. It is now making a Thermometer Graduating Machine which is to be delivered by t h e 15th of Jan., 1875. It is for responsible parties with whom a written contract has been made. The price to be paid is $350. The question has been raised as to the advisability of taking the Dry House of the Carpenter shop for a Blacksmith Shop for the Machine Shop, the present one being too small and inconvenient. I recommend that the change be made if the basis of it can be agreed upon by Profs. Robinson and Ricker.

ILLINOIS INDUSTKIAL UNIVERSITY, December 15,1874.

The Honorable Board of Trustees : GENTLEMEN—I respectfully ask that the Mechanical Department be allowed to make a change in t h e lumber dry-house«and blacksmith shop arrangements. The present dry-house proves too large for ordinary use, as I learn from Mr. Ricker, of the Architectural Department, who would prefer a smaller drying chamber. Also the smoke fumes from our forge and brass furnace which spread throughout the lower rooms of the building have •always been a source of great annoyance, to say nothing of the greater danger from fire by having them in the Mechanical building. Now if the present dry-house could be given to the purpose of a forge and brass furnace room, and a smaller and more serviceable drying chamber with dimensions, say 3x4x18 feet, placed close to the Mechanical building, on south side, between the two doors, both of these matters would be -exceedingly more satisfactory. Hence the request above. Estimated cost of these changes: Lumber for dry-chamber, (1,024 feet,) oak and pine $20 00 Nails, bolts, hinges, $4 25; felting, $2 00 6 25 Labor 14 75 Total .. $41 50 If it should be thought necessary to tongue and groove the lining planks and batten same, this may cost, possibly $50. Moving brass furnace $8 00 Tiles for conducting air 2 00 Labor laying pipe and moving 3 00 Total , .' The above figures will be, in effect, reduced by materials on hand in Bolts, hinges and oak lumber, about,.. Pipe remaining by change from old to new dry house, about Actual outlay Respectfully, S. W. ROBINSON. It is thought best to make a change in a partition in the Carpenter shop so as to have all of the machines in one room and most of the work benches in another. The reasons for the change are to get more light at some of the machines and to make it possible to warm that part of the shop used for the Educational class. The estimated cost of the change is $45. The Carpenter shop is now at work upon the tables for the Chemical Laboratory, which the Chemical Department desire to have completed as soon after the term as possible. 1 request that the two shops be permitted to continue their work into the vacation if necessary to complete the work engaged,, or if profitable work presents itself. The Recording Secretory has taken charge of the published annual reports of the University ; shelving to cost $20 is needed for this purpose. A portion of the matting on t h e main stairway is badly worn, 64 sq. yards will be needed to replace it, to cost $40. A bell for the inside of t h e University Building is needed, the one in the tower not being heard often in t h e class-rooms. The cost of bell and placing it ready for use would be about $20. The location of the small boiler used for pumping was found to be an inconvenient one in many respects. I engaged with Mr. Abbott of the "Heating Company to change it to the boiler room at a cost of $45. The matter would have been laid before you for action before the change was made, except by having it done immediately considerable expense would be saved. The change will certainly be a good one and be the means of saving much dirt in the east part of the building. I trust it will be confirmed by you and the expense authorized. It can be met out of the State Appropriations. Prof. Webb*requests fixtures in his recitation room to cost about $40. It is desirable to have them. The expense account handed in by him was necessary though not authorized, the same may be said of the bill for Chemical Apparatus handed in by Mr. Silver. Your attention is called to the communication of Prof. Burrill stating the wants of the Horticultural Department for the next three months. I offer you also the Report made by the University to the State Board of Charities Sept. 10, 1874. Respectfully submitted, S. W. SHATTUCK, Business Agent. $13 00 $12 00 15 00 $27 00

$13 00