overcome from expansion and contraction, we should only consider the end of one rail, which would have two bolts. If one rail should expand, you can fill up the space, and the next rail will drive it back if that one don't come of itself.

Mr. M. Shea, being called upon by the Chair said: I don't know that I can throw any light on the subject of expansion. and contraction. It is something I never could understand or fathom. I know iron will expand and contract, and you cannot prevent it. The spring nut lock is a good thing. So far as tightening it up 80 per cent. of its capacity is concerned, I don't know, but I think I would like to tighten it up as tight as I could. I don't know as I can throw any more light on the subject.

The President--I do not think the object of the discussion of the nut lock is to ascertain how to prevent expansion and contraction of iron, but rather to prevent the rattling from looseness at the joints.

C. E. Jones-The report of the Committee, as read, was not heard by a number who have come in since it was read, and for the benefit of those members I would suggest that the Secretary again read the report.

It was so ordered by the President, and the Secretary read the report of the Committee.

The President- If there are no further remarks to be made on the subject, the report is ready for the action of the Convention.

Mr. J. W. Craig-I move the adoption of the report.

The motion prevailed, and the report was unanimously adopted by the Convention.

The President-The next thing in order is the report of the Committee on Track Joints. Is the Committee ready to report?

R. Black, Chairman of the Committee on Track Joints, answered that the Committee was ready to report, and thereupon presented the following report, together with samples:

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TRACK JOINTS.

To the President and Members Roadmasters' Association of America; GENTLEMEN-In approaching the matter of new joints, your Committee were struck with the fact that while improvements in other branches of the railway service have always met with a prompt and ready trial, yet no concentrated effort has been made to try devices for the improvement of rail joints; and in their investigations they have met with so many new, bright, and apparently practical ideas in the joining of rails, that they feel it is only a question of a very short time and trial when an appliance will be secured which will be as far ahead of the fish and angle bars, as they were ahead of the original rail chair.

As your Committee progressed, the magnitude of their work became apparent, but they were not dismayed; on the contrary, they were delighted to find many inventive minds at work on the subject of rail joints. That a rail joint is the most vital article pertaining to a railroad, has been long acknowledged and recognized by all engaged in the business; but it was a revelation to your Committee to find keen intellects in all the walks of life grappling with the problem of a betterment in this branch of railroad maintenance.

On beginning its investigations your Committee caused a notice of its purpose and aims to be published in several of the railroad journals, and also forwarded a copy of the following letter to all owners and inventors of joints of whom they had any knowledge:

"DEAR SIR--As Chairman of the Committee of the Roadmasters' Association of America on New Joints, I take the liberty of calling your notice to the purposes of this Committee, and to request you to submit a sample of your joint under the following conditions:

The Committee are to ask manufacturers and inventors to submit a sample of their joints, with a test sheet signed by a civil or mechanical engineer, showing the bearing and recovering strains of the same. The Committee are to select from the joints presented a number of those presenting the best features, and recommend them to the convention next September for trial. The joints so selected will be taken in charge by the Association, and have an official trial on roads they will select. The result of the trials will be reported to the succeeding convention.

Will you please inform me if you desire to enter the above, and how many joints you will be willing to furnish the Association for trial? "Yours respectfully,

(Signed) ROBERT BLACK, Chairman Committee on New Joints."

To this letter your Committee had a vast number of responses from all over the continent, and every courtesy and opportunity has been extended them in their investigations. They have carefully and thorough

ly examined many joints, and take pleasure in reporting to you that there were but few of the joints which did not contain valuable features; yet, guided by the essential question of practical use, they have selected as worthy of consideration and trial by the Association the following joints:

Webber Rail Joint,

Col. Long's Truss Joint,

McConway & Torley's Reinforcement for Present Angle Bars,
Fisher Joint, "New Improved,"

Cloud Joint.

In making the investigation of these new joints, your Committee has been at work for the past three months, and has given full consideration to the strain sheets of each joint. They have provided for both a a supported and suspended joint, as well as selecting devices for use in connection with the present angle bars.

Your Committee has the assurance of the owners that the Association will be furnished, free of charge, with as many joints as will be required for the test; and, if the Committee may be allowed, they would suggest that the Executive Committee take charge of the tests and trials for the next convention. ROBERT BLACK, Chairman, JOHN DOYLE,

B. MURTAUGH,
W. H. STEARNS.

The President-You have heard the report of the Committee on Track Joints, as read by its chairman, Mr. Black. What disposition do you wish made of it?

J. W. Craig -As I understand, Mr. President, the report of the committee recommends nothing. It is just a statement of what they have done up to this time. I therefore move that the report be received as information, and also that the joints which the chairman of the committee now has, form a part of the report of the committee.

Seconded.

The President--The subject is now open for discussion. Mr. Black--The joints are in the room ready for inspection at any time by any member who may wish to inspect them.

Mr. Kindelan-Is there to be another committee appointed to make the test?

The President-According to the reading of the report, it was to be turned over to the Executive Committee.