From 12 to 18 weeks was the usual time spent in each department. I spent the first 12 weeks in the controller de partment. Here they build controllers and potential starters and also do their detail work. From the controller department I went to the winding department where I stayed 20 weeks, this time being used in doing different kinds of work. I wound vertical induction motors until I was tired of them, and every time I see one now it makes me think of the first one I wound. From the winding

more »

... department I went to assembly No. 1 where they assemble, for test, machines of about 200 kw. and less. Here I stayed 12 weeks, the first four as a helper, and the greater part of the re maining time I had a helper. The work in the assembly often made me think of a load-curve on some power plants, the peak coming on about four o'clock in the afternoon, often times resulting in a not unwelcome oveitime pass, while at other periods we would move around or chip away at pedestals in order to look busy. The remainder of the time I was with the company was spent in the testing department on the night shift. While the night time is not favorable for doing good work, I think I obtained mere experience than I would on the day shift an equal length of time. Any way the pay-slip was heavier. There was, as a rule, except in the test, never more than two or three students in the same department at the same time. At the time I entered the employ of the company there were about 25 of us. When I left there were about 12 or 15. The students were from all parts of the country-North, South, East, and West. There being so few of us we became well acquainted, and our club meetings were as a rule very pleasant affairs. We discussed all top ics at our meetings, nearly everyone giving at first his thesis in abstract. We also had at various intervals talks by different men of the engineering department. The engineers seemed al ways willing to address the students at their meetings, and also to answer any questions when in the shops. In general the attitude of the men in the shops was to assist rather than hinder the student. Many tried, of course, to give the students the heav iest and dirtiest work, but if the student did his share this was the exception rather than the rule. Taken as a whole, therefore, I can say that my year with the Allis-Chalmers Company was agreeably and profit ably spent. Sections and Branches ARMOUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BRANCH The meeting of October 24 was called to oider at 7:40 p.m. with Mr. T. C. Oehne Jr. presiding. After the usual routine business, Mr. Souther read the report of the committee on furnishing the new A.I.E.E. rooms in Chapin Hall, and an assessment was levied on each member for that purpose. The time of meeting was changed to the first and third Thursdays of every month to avoid conflicting with the Civil Engineeiing Society. At the suggestion of Mr. Nichols, a committee was appointed to arrange for a banquet to promote better acquaintance be tween the juniors and seniors of the Branch. Mr. Souther then read his paper on, the " Selection of a Proper System for an Electric Railway ". This paper dealt particularly with the electrification of the Rock Island between the Chicago terminal and Blue Island. The paper opened with an outline of the systems in use on various electrified roads. Some of the main points taken up were: motor-cars versus locomotives; effect of schedule upon selection of motors; phase, voltage, and distribution of alternating-current and direct-current systems. Then followed elimination exercises due to existing conditions assumed. It was decided to adopt 1907] NOTES AND COMMENTS 5