The United States Civil Service Commission announces an examination on May 6, 1908, to secure eligibles from which to make certification to fill a vacancy in the position of switchboard attendant (male), $900 per annum, United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., and vacancies requiring similar qualifications as they may occur in any branch of the service. The examination will consist of letter-writing, practical questions, and experience. Applicants for this examination should be practical electricians. They should state accurately in their applications what experience they have had in the handling of both alternating- and direct-current switchboards and alternating- and direct-current generators; also experience with various meters used in measuring high-voltage currents, rheostats, transformers, and other apparatus used in a power house.
An examination will be held on May 6, 1908, to fill a vacancy in the position of assistant engineer, $900 per annum, office of the Attorney-General, Washington, D. C.; a vacancy in the position of engineer, $1,020 per annum, Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington, D. C.; and vacancies requiring similar qualifications as they may occur. Applicants who have had experience in plumbing should so state in their applications, as such experience is required for the position in Freedmen’s Hospital. The examination will consist of letter-writing, practical questions in mechanical and electrical engineering (comprising the construction and operation of the heating plant and electric lighting and elevator machinery in first-class public buildings), and experience in mechanical and electrical engineering work.
GAS ENGINEERING.
In order to meet the constantly increasing demand for training in gas engineering, four courses have been established at Cornell University. First, a course of lectures on the general theory of gas engines; second, a course of lectures on gas engine design; third, a drafting room course in gas engine design; and fourth, a lecture course which treats of the engineering problems involved in the conversion of various solid and liquid fuels into gas fuels, and in the transmission of gas fuels. This course discusses the different gas making processes and gives descriptions and studies of designs of apparatus used. The object of these four courses is to give to the student taking them the fundamental ideas of modern gas engineering.
The gas engine laboratory, which was moved into one of the small buildings in the court after the building had been rendered fireproof by concrete walls and floor, has proved a very satisfactory addition to the laboratory and will doubtless produce much valuable scientific information. It is now equipped with examples of every important type of gas engine which has been produced since the time of Brayton. A producer gas plant is being installed and will soon be in practical operation. Through the kindness of John Wilkinson, M. E., Cornell 1889, chief engineer of the Franklin Co., a four-cylinder Franklin automobile engine has been presented.
PATENTS
CUT-OUT. 884,978. John H. Booth, Frank E. Blausey, and Arthur M. Smith, San Pedro, Cal.