"Following this should come, preferably in their alphabetical order, the before-mentioned treatments of the economics of design and construction in the various engineering specialties.

"Such a treatise would constitute an encyclopaedia of practical information on one of the most important features of modern technics. It would be invaluable to both the practicing engineers and the teachers of engineering; also to the better class of engineering students, or those of them who are not afraid of hard work—especially post-graduate students. But in order to make its contents of use to the average student, it would be necessary to prepare from it text-books of a simple character. Should the Society favor having such a treatise issued under its auspices, a publisher of established reputation could undoubtedly be found to finance the undertaking and issue the work at his own expense-preferably without paying any royalty, in order to keep the selling price down to a minimum.

"A short time ago, by the request of the Dean of the Engineering Department of the University of Kansas, the writer prepared and delivered a course on 'Engineering Economics' in three lectures to the engineering faculty and students of that institution. The University has lately published these lectures in pamphlet form; and the writer has placed a few copies thereof at the disposal of this meeting. The first lecture deals with the fundamental economic problem of finance before-mentioned; the second treats in general detail of the economics of bridge design and construction; and the third is a compilation of certain data furnished by the courtesy of a number of prominent specialists, outlining in a general way the economics of design and construction in their specialties. The writer would be willing to rewrite and expand the first lecture so as to make it serve for the second chapter of the proposed treatise; and the second lecture could be sent to each of the chosen specialists in order to indicate the extent of the desired thoroughness of treatment of his subject, and to serve otherwise as a guide to him in the preparation of the manuscript. If it were expanded by the writer so as to include the 'Economics of Steel Arch Bridges,' it might serve for the chapter devoted to the specialty of bridge engineering.

"The third lecture, which nowhere aims at completeness, would prove useful in suggesting some of the salient topics which should be covered in the writings of a few of the specialists.

"The preceding proposal is made with all due deference to the distinguished technical educators and practicing engineers of which this Society is so largely composed, in the hope that it will meet with a favorable reception and will prove to be the means of materially augmenting the amount of available technical knowledge in a line of thought which has not received, up to the present time, the consideration which is its due.

"Respectfully submitted,

"J.A.L. Waddell,

"Chairman."

This report was read by the author at an annual meeting of the Society; and, in response to his suggestion, a committee of three members was appointed to consider and report upon the proposal. At the next annual meeting that committee recommended against the Society's fathering the suggested enterprise.

Failing in this endeavor, the author, over a year ago, made, to the National Economic League, of which he is a member, the suggestion that it undertake the work which the S.P.E.E. had refused: but the first- mentioned organization has not yet taken any action. Assuming that the long delay indicates that this society also intends to "pass the buck,"