committee acted as a committee of arrangements, and devoted all of their energy in arranging for the comfort and enjoyment of the members of the Association during their sojourn in Philadelphia.

Our Secretary has been called upon to record the death of two of our members during the past year, in the persons of Mr. James Dwight Brewer, of Springfield, Mass., and Mr. John Anderson, of Ironton, Ohio. The task of preparing fitting memo÷ rials to their memory should be intrusted to those of our number who knew them well.

In conclusion, I desire to express my acknowledgment for the distinguished honor you have conferred upon me, to say that I have confidence to believe that I can safely rely upon your assistance in the discharge of the duties before me, and to indulge in the hope that this, the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of our Association, will be as eminently successful as were its predeces

sors.

COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Mr. McMillin moved that the address be referred to a committee of three (to be appointed by the Secretary) for consideration and report.

The motion was agreed to, and the Secretary appointed, as such committee, Messrs. E. McMillin, A. B. Slater, and Thos. Turner.

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PROPOSED EXHIBITION OF GAS APPLIANCES.

The Secretary read the following report from the above-named special committee.

Mr. President and Gentlemen:-It is with regret that the Committee on proposed Exhibition of Gas Appliances have to report their failure to arrange what was looked forward to with so much interest at the time of our gathering in Cincinnati last year.

Upon their return to Philadelphia they immediately took up the question of the exhibition with the Franklin Institute—which Association had for the past two years given to the public exhibitions that were very attractive as well as instructive-as it was

understood by the Committee that it was intended to have the display in connection with that organization.

It was hoped the results obtained by the Institute from their former exhibitions would encourage them to hold a third one this fall; and as October was the month in which their displays had been held we believed that a proper and comprehensive display of gas appliances would be not only interesting to the members of our Association during their stay in the city, but, further, that such an exhibit, and the proper grouping of the various new gas appliances-such as burners, stoves, heaters, heating apparatus, gas engines, etc.-could be so presented that the public would see what it was possible to do with gas. That knowledge would encourage the day consumption of gas (an object so earnestly desired by all those engaged in the business of its manufacture) and aid in abolishing the old-fashioned idea, entertained by so many gas-consumers, that gas can only be satisfactorily and practicably employed as an illuminating agent.

The results of this exhibition, had it been held, would have been widely diffused over the United States, for it has been the custom of the Franklin Institute after the close of the exhibitions to make experiments and tests, and publish the results thereof, regarding the appliances that were displayed. These reports could not fail to have yielded much information, and, coming from an authoritative source, would have carried great weight. The Franklin Institute undoubtedly pays close attention to such details, and its official examiners conduct their investigations scientifically and with minuteness.

It was, therefore, as said before, with great regret that we learned from the managers of the Institute that the exhibitlons were to be discontinued. Had we determined to proceed alone in the matter of collecting material and arranging for its display we would not only run the risk of placing the Association under heavy expense, but also, on account of the limited nature of the exhibits, the display would fail to elicit public attention, and would suffer in not having that official indorsement which would be gained were the Franklin Institute interested with us in the work. Again, had the Committee undertaken to collect apparatus simply for the inspection of the members of the Association only, they fear it would result in a very meager display, and sub

Ject the members to harassing solicitation by the agents who had machinery to sell. That would have so far broken into the pleasure and profit of the gathering that it was concluded best to relieve the Association from any chance of meeting with such an incubus.

If in the future, however, the Franklin Institute resumes its former plan of holding exhibitions, we feel that it could not but result in great good to our Association did we join in the display and cause gas appliances to be a marked and prominent feature of the exhibition. With the passage of time the uses to which gas may be applied become more numerous, and with that increased importance so will the proposed exhibition have greater value and interest.

We would, therefore, in presenting our report, respectfully suggest that the Association arrange for the possibility of such an occasion in the future, by placing the matter in the hands of some one clothed with permanent authority to bring it up at the proper time.

PHILA., PA., Oct. 7, 1886.

WALTER WOOD, Chairman.

Mr. Helme, speaking for the Institute, said: I wish to inform the Association that the proposition was duly considered by the Franklin Institute Board, and that a serious effort was made to see a way clear to give an exhibition this fall. We found there were many difficulties which could not be overcome. One of the principal obstacles was this. The ground on which the building stood belonged to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and its use was granted the Institute with a stipulation that it should be vacated in less than a year. When the Electrical Exhibition (1884) had been held we prevailed upon the Pennsylvania folks to let us keep it for another year, and then the "Novelties" Exhibition (1885) was held. The railroad company needing the ground, would not consent to an extension of our lease, and the former Institute Exhibition hall is now being torn down. I mention this as one of the reasons why the usual exhibition was not held this fall by the Franklin Institute; and because I do not wish the Association to receive an impression that the Institute did not consider their proposition. In fact, they were highly gratified that you had made the proposition.

Mr. Stiness-I move that the report be received and placed on file, and that the thanks of the Association be tendered to the committee. Agreed to.

After Mr. W. W. Goodwin, from the Committee of Arrangements, had outlined the preparations made for the entertainment of the visitors, the President called for the report of Standing Committees, etc.

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., Oct. 19, 1886.

To the Members of the American Gas Light Association :-Gentlemen-Your Executive Committee would respectfully report the following acts and recommendations for your adoption :

That the times for holding the meetings of the Association during the convention be as follows: Wednesdays, meet at 10 o'clock, A. M., adjourn at 12:30; reconvene at 2 P.M., adjourn at 6 P.m. Thursday, same hours. The following papers have been approved :

"Gas Commissions," by George G. Ramsdell, of Vincennes, Ind.

"A New Departure in Gasholder Houses," by Captain William Henry White, of New York.

"Three-Hour Charges," by A. B. Slater, of Providence, R. I. "Condensation," by Robt. B. Taber, of New Bedford, Mass. "Statistics Regarding the Gas Companies of America," by Wm. W. Goodwin, of Philadelphia, Pa.

"Suggestions upon Candle Power and Illumination," by A. E. Boardman, of Macon, Georgia.

"Some Further Remarks upon Natural Gas," by W. H. Denniston, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

"The Hydraulic Main," by Fred. W. Floyd, of New York City. "Some Suggestions upon Paper Writing," by James H. Armington, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

"Flue Construction of Benches," by I. N. Stanley, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Recommended that the Secretary be instructed to proceed with the publication of Volume VII. of the Association's Proceedings. Recommended that Prof. E. G. Love, of New York city, be elected an Honorary Member of the Association.

On motion of Capt. White the report was received and its recommendations adopted.

REPORT OF TREASURER AND SECRETARY.

The Treasurer and Secretary, Mr. C. J. R. Humphreys, presented the following report for the year ending September 30, 1886:

- $1,082 43

Cash on hand carried to credit of next year 2,202 59