Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1900 [PAGE 77]

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1899]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

57

grade of college word. Yet, if the expectations which we are very generally beginning to entertain concerning an agricultural equipment should be realized, provision could be made therein for that phase of the subject. But the analysis of foods and the study of the nutrition of foods and household sanitation are college work. Our chemistry department has already begun operations in this connection, not only on its independent account, but also in connection with the United States Department of Agriculture. This line of research promises to attain much importance. The department needs more help. It seems to me reasonable to believe that, other things being equal, the work of a properly qualified woman in this particular field of chemistry would lead to larger and more practical results than the work of a man. Accordingly I recommend that search be made for such a woman to be appointed as an instructor in the department of chemistry, whose work shall be primarily in foods and household sanitation, and that preference be given to the woman who seems to possess the ability to plan and organize for the practical application of the results of her scientific investigations, in the hope that a defiite appointment may be made at the June meeting of the Board.

RAILROAD ENGINEERING.

8. For some time Professor Breckinridge of the department of Mechanical Engineering has been developing lines of work having particular reference to the operation of railroads. The three lines of road passing the University have cheerfully entered into mutually helpful relations in this important work. The "Big Four" road has recently built a dynamometer car for the use of the University upon their system of roads and the Illinois Central now gives assurance, of constructing a more elaborate one. This action is only an indication, but it is not the measure, for the cooperation which is developing between the University and the railroads. The spirit and extent of this cooperation are of the first importance to all the interests involved. Our Civil Engineering department is already doing a full line of work relating to the construction of road beds and the maintenance of the right of way. It is now recommended that a line of courses in Railroad Engineering, as complete as possible, be offered, and that an additional assistant professor be added to the department of Mechanical Engineering for that purpose.

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

9. The report of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the minutes of the Advisory Boatd are transmitted. It is recommended that the estimates of expenditures for the next quarter be approved and the money be appropriated as follows:

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, ESTIMATES—QUARTER J U N E 30, 1899. General fund— Salaries .. < Labor Publications Postage and stationery F r e i g h t and express Heat, light, and water Chemical supplies Feeding stuffs Library Tools, i m p l e m e n t s , and m a c h i n e r y Scientific a p p a r a t u s Traveling expenses Building and r e p a i r s Farm fund— Labor Seeds, plants, and sundry supplies ENDING

$3,750 00

$760 00