DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 115 



FOUNDRY. 



In tlie foundry we need equipment for studying the technical side 

 of metal founding. Equipment is necessary for testing molding sand, 

 core sand and core mixtures, and for studying the behavior of the cupola 

 and method of control. A sand blast is necessary for cleaning castings, 

 a furnace for melting brass and aluminum and instruments for tem- 

 perature control. In order to teach manufacturing methods it is de- 

 sirable to have several types of molding machines. 



This by no means exhausts the list of desirable apparatus, but I 

 sincerely hope that means may be found to increase the equipment and 

 apparatus to a point where they will compare favorably with the excellent 

 buildings. 



Yours truly, 



J. A. POLSON, 

 Professor of Mechanical Engineering. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1917. 



EEPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING. 



President F. S. Kedzie, 



Dear Sir — A record of departmental activities for the year 1916-1917 is 

 herewith presented. This period constitutes the first full college year 

 since the destructive fire of 1916, the effects of which have been op- 

 pressively apparent in our lack of equipment necessary for the most 

 efficient results of our teaching. 



In some of our field and laboratory classes it has been necessary to 

 substitute makeshift apparatus and in a few instances to materially 

 change the character of the training attempted. It is to be hoped that 

 our facilities may be substantially improved for the coming year. Of 

 the most pressing importance in this line is the need of a hydraulic 

 laboratory. Only slightly less necessary is additional instrumental equip- 

 ment for surveying and for our laboratory which deals with the construc- 

 tion, use and adjustment of precision instruments. A third necessity is 

 proper provision for the storage of instrumental equipment. A room has 

 been set apart in the new Engineering Building for this purpose, but as 

 yet its furniture includes only a few shelves and temporary racks built 

 by the instructors. 



The department continued to use office space and class rooms in the 

 Agricultural Building until the opening of the spring term of 1917, 

 when it became possible to occupy quarters in the new R. E. Olds Hall of 

 Engineering. 



The department teaching stafl: shows only one change when compared 

 with my report of last year. Mr. H. I. Davies declined a reappointment, 

 and the position was filled by the engagement of Mr. H. M. Ward, an 

 engineeriug graduate of M. A. C, class of 1913. All teachers in the 

 department have given satisfactory service and in many cases have 

 responded to unusual demands. The following list includes the names 



