Proceedings at the Convention (Volume 2, PT. 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1888. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Mr. R. W. Pope: Would it be known to the Committee whether a person was actually engaged in the wire business or interested in wire? A man might be appointed on that plan who is not engaged in the wire business but who may be an inventor of wire. It it is practicable I favor its adoption. If it is impractible I do not see the use of it. The President: If that amendment prevails then you will cut off from the service of this Association the men who have the greatest intelligence in any one of these lines. If you want a committee on wire you want wiremen. If you want a committee on steam engines you want steam engine men. You don't want a steam-engine man on a wire committee or a wirjman on a steam-engine committee. Mr. De La Vergne: I made those sections so that they might be acted on jointly or separately. Perhaps if the last one was read it would make them acceptable. The last one is as follows: No person shall be appointed to, or if appointed, serve on a committee, the duties of which involve the examination into or reporting on the qualities, claims, or adaptability of any article or commodity entering into use in electrical requirements who is not possessed with some familiarity or practical experience in such or like use. That would make it neceesary that a person appointed on any committee should be familiar with the subject: he simply should not be interested in the results of the examination personally. The President: It does not alter the case at all in my judgment. We are about two and a half years old and during that time we have done some very good work and that work bas been done by using the trained intelligence that exists in this Association. Probably one of the best papers that was ever presented to this Association, upon steam engines, was writ...