DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 73 



secured some addition of high grade teaching ability in professional 

 lines. There is needed most at the present time a capable man who has 

 had practical experience in structural engineering and hydroelectric 

 installation. Of course, all technical work were better taught if handled 

 by men who have had considerable practice, but they must be good 

 teachers as well as practitioners. With our present apportionment of 

 funds and teachers, it is inevitable that a large part of our professional 

 instruction must be directed by men who have themselves had but 

 little practice outside of the schools of engineering. This statement 

 is in no sense an invidious reflection upon the faithful and efficient 

 efforts of those Avho have contributed to the success of this department. 

 It is intended, among other things, to emphasize the fact that our pro- 

 vision of instrumental and material equipment has rather outrun the 

 provision of capable teachers. Increasing liberality in the salaries of 

 our instructors seems to promise better conditions in the future, and 

 it is a pleasure to note that all instructors in civil engineering have 

 renewed their contracts for the coming year. 



Beginning with the fall of 1901, engineering students have been per- 

 mitted to specialize in Civil Engineering, if they so desire. The first 

 graduates who were permitted this option, completed their work in 

 1903. The number of graduates who have completed the Civil Engineer- 

 ing studies outlined above, to this time, is as follows: In 1903, 14; 

 1901, 5; 1905, 16; 190G, 25; 1907, 27; 1908, 30; total 117. During 

 the period covered, there have been graduated 232 students in engineer- 

 ing; hence, it follows that 50% of the engineering graduates have 

 had their major work in civil engineering. 



At the time the Civil Engineering option was established, I predicted 

 that one-fourth of our candidates for engineering degrees would desire 

 the special training afforded by a series of civil engineering subjects. 



In accordance with our custom, there has been prepared a table 

 showing the work carried by this department during the year. This 

 will answer questions of location, kind of work, and the like, which 

 may be asked concerning the year's activities, 



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