VALEDICTION 



This publication has been prepared in the midst of allied re- 

 sponsibilities and does not profess to cover the whole argument 

 under the various topics treated. 



In the nature of things its very incompleteness must suggest 

 grounds for debate which we shall gladly entertain in our effort to 

 develop the intellectual aspect of business together with its com- 

 mercial significance. Our civilzation has been developed by an 

 intimate study of natural phenomena and our industries upon a 

 susbstantial foundation of mutual confidence and co-operation. We 

 acknowledge the exhilarating effect of our relations with the 

 Engineering Proffession and take this occasion to pledge again 

 our share of influnce with those manufacturers in America who are 

 adding lustre to the national doctrine of honor and respectability in 

 commerce and business relationship. 



The greater achievements in the world's work are being 

 accomplished w ith precision and dispatch by men who have been 

 trained in courage, confidence and lofty ideals. It is to those who 

 are so disposed that we are dedicating this little book. 



We have not hesitated to adopt the select methods of collabor- 

 ators who are trying to make work more agreeable by improving 

 laboratory and field practice. We have studiously attempted to 

 place credit where it belongs and dilligently sought to coordinate 

 with precedent a frank expression of our views. The dominating 

 impulse is an effort to meet the requirements in the best known 

 way and to contribute the result of our own research toward the 

 correction of fallacies, the removal of prejudice, the suppression of 

 platitudes apd the solution of our mutual problems on a scientific 

 basis. 



Our lectures are only cursory arguments in which the techni- 

 calities of each subject are utilized for the pardonable purpose of 

 justifying the existence of our wares; but with comment and contri- 

 bution from outside sources we hope ultimately to make this manual 

 a clearing house for useful information on this subject. 



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