TECHNICAL REVIEW.
McGill University, Montreal, re
ceived during 1904, a renewal of a
donation of $4OO for a fellowship in
electricity.
The entire city of Grenoble,
France, is lighted by electricity gen
erated by the power of the mountain
streams 27 miles away. The cost
of lighting each arc light for the
year is only ten dollars.
At a meeting of the Board of Al
dermen, of Webster Grove, Mo., an
ordinance, taxing telephone compan
ies was passed. It calls for a li
cense of $25 for the first 50,000
volts and $25 for each additional
50,000 volts.
In December last, tests were made
in the Experimental Engineering
Laboratory to determine the relative
strength under transverse loading of
cold-drawn and hot-rolled elevator
guides. The tests, which were
made for the Standard Gauge Steel
Co., showed the note-worthy result
that the transverse strength under
the conditions of loading was in
creased nearly three times in the
same bar, due solely to the process
of cold-drawing. The results of the
work with a discussion of the action
on the metal during the process of
cold-drawing, was presented in a
paper by Prof. A. J. Wood before
Section D of the American Asso
ciation for the Advancement of
Science in Philadelphia on Dec. 29.
Mr. R. F. Patterson of the Senior
class assisted in making the tests.
The Atlas Engine Works, of In
dianapolis, is about to start an
apprenticeship course in order that
it may have a force of properly in
structed men to call upon to serve
as sales managers, erecting en
gineers, draughtsmen, and shop
foremen in the many sections where
its products are to be disposed of.
The course for the average man
will take about two years for com
pletion and is divided as follows :
One month in the piston depart
ment.
Two months in the shaft depart-
ment.
Two months in the connect'nj rod
department.
Two months in the automatic shaft
and Porter-Alien governor depart
ments.
Two months on the erecting floor
where engines up to and including 12-
inch cylinder sizes are assembled.
Four months on tne erecting floor
where the remaining sizes are assem
bled.
One month in the cylinder de
partment.
Three months on the testing floor;
and three months in the sales corres
pondence department.
In order that the apprentice may
pay his way while taking the course,
the company pays a small
wage per working hour. For the
comfort of the employees, and their
betterment in their chosen work,
there is a Club which provides read
ing and recreation rooms, class in
struction, facilities for discussion on
engineering subjects, and other
means of diversion usually found in
ably conducted institutions of this
nature. —Case Tech.
Civil Engineers and the Panama
Canal
Examinations wiil shortly be held
for the purpose of securing men
capable of filling positions as assist
ant civil engineers, instrument men
and allied workers, on the Panama
Canal Route. The positions come
under Civil Seivice regulations. The
age limit is placed at a minimum of
eighteen years for helper, chainman,
and rodman; twenty-one for level
man ; twenty-five for instrument
man and assistant engineers ; while
the maximum for these classes is re
spectively forty, forty-five, and fifty
years. Applicant must have from
one to seven years’ practical experi
ence, according to the position he
desires, but may offer his college
course in civil engineering as part
time.
The compensation for each class
is as follows : Fifty dollars a month
for helpers, sixty for chainman,
seventy-five to eighty-three and a
third for a rodman, one hundred to
one hundred and twenty-five for
level man, one hundred and seventy
five for instrument man, and two to
two hundred and fifty for assistant
civil engineer.
Chief, division, and resident en
gineers are ocherwise provided for,
as are sanitary and revenue officers.
Promotion will be made upon .the
basis of merit, as provided in U. S.
Civil Service Rules.
All requirements for health of em
ployees are furnished gratis. Quar
ters provided by the government
may be used free of cost, or an al
lowance equivalent to eight percent
of the salary will be allowed to those
choosing to provide their own resi
dence. Six weeks’ leave of absence
annually on full pay is allowed each
employee, and extra sick leave if
necessary. Free transportation is
provided on assuming the position,
as well as on leaving it after satis
factory service, while special rates
are obtained when on leave of ab
sence. Applicants physically sound
and in good health are the only ones
wanted for this class of work.
From a financial viewpoint the
positions are seen to be on a par with
similar ones near at hand. The op
portunity for change of environment
will prove attractive to many. The
healthfulness of the climate is the
most uncertain feature, yet with
proper living and eating there seems
to be little reason why the work should
be unaltractive to those who take up
the responsibility. —Case Tech.
—The Mallory Studio, Bellefonte,
have established R. H. Farrington as
student agent. Find him at the
Kappa Sigma house.