130 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



My motor was run near Laurel. Mel., on a circular track, 2 miles in circumference, 

 constructed especially for making these experiments, which extended over a period 

 of nearly two years, during which time speeds were made from 100 to 120 miles per 

 hour. Twenty miles per hour was the fastest speed made by any other electrical 

 motor until mine had made 100 miles per hour. 

 Yours very truly. 



David (i. Wkems. 

 Prof. .1. E. Watkins, 



Washington, I). C. 

 The following certificate is attached to the locomotive: 



On December 3, 1889, 1 witnessed Mr. Weems' electric motor make a speed of from 

 115 to 120 miles per hour. I was employed by Mr. Weems as mechanical engineer 

 for about two years, and assisted in a number of test trials of speed made with the 

 motor, and also assisted at the time the above fast rate speed of llo to 120 miles was 

 made. 



B. J. Dasiiiell, Jr. 



The collection has been greatly enriched by the addition of the series 

 of models, templates, and drawings of the various sections of rails, which 

 were considered by '• the committee on form, weight, manufacture, and 

 life of rails," appointed by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 

 1873, and whose deliberations have had an important bearing upon the 

 American rail standards for the last twenty years. This series, which 

 is a most valuable one, was presented by Mr. Octave Chanute, past 

 president, American Society of Civil Engineers, who was an active 

 member of the committee during all its deliberations. 



A series of models of steel railroad cross-ties used in Europe was 

 deposited by Dr. B. E. Fernow, of the Division of Forestry in tire Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, who, in his official capacity, is taking tin active 

 interest in the introduction of metallic ties upon American railroads, 

 in order that the present demands shall not continue to be made upon 

 the forests of this country to supply the wants of railroad builders. 



Mr. S. L. Roberts, of the Aniboy Division of the Pennsylvania Rail- 

 road, has added to the collection previously deposited by him, a num- 

 ber of objects illustrating the development of the rail splice. These 

 objects were mainly collected from the old Camden and Amboy Rail- 

 road. 



The value of the collection of telegraphic apparatus has been greatly 

 enhanced through the enthusiastic cooperation of Mr. George C. May- 

 nard, of Washington, secretary of the American Association of Invent- 

 ors and Manufacturers. 



During the annual convention of the Old Time Telegraphers' Associ- 

 ation their loan collection of telegraph apparatus was, at his sugges- 

 tion, placed on exhibition in the section, and attracted much attention. 



Among the important objects since deposited are to be found the 

 cross-arm and insulator laid on the line from Washington to Baltimore 

 in 1841 ; a register and relay used in the first office opened in Indiana 

 in 1848; twisted telegraph wire used in 1864; various forms of earthen- 

 ware and glass insulators, and a pair of English dial telegraph instru- 

 ments. 



