394 ANNUaiL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



a. concrete bulkhead for use in producing water-ti^ht compartments 

 in^ steel vessels. This specimen was 18 feet hiio^h and some 6 feet 

 wide. During the pouring measurements were taken of the pres- 

 sure exerted by the concrete against the forms, using the soil 

 pressure cells designed in this bureau. 



A series of tests was started in order to determine the pres- 

 sures exerted by concrete poured so as to fill the forms at different 

 rates. This information is useful in permitting of the economical 

 design of the wooden forms. 



There are many sections in reinforced concrete ships where the 

 concrete can not be poured continuously, but where it is necessary 

 to join the old concrete to the newly poured concrete with as 

 strong a bond as possible. A number of different methods for ob- 

 taining a strong bond were investigated. 



In connection with tests made at other laboratories for the 

 Shipping Board, it was necessary to have instruments that Avould 

 register exceedingly minute changes in length. At tlie request of 

 the Shipping Board this office made three such test instruments 

 after designs furnished by the Shipping Board. The Invar steel 

 for the sides of these instruments was furnished by the Shipping 

 Board, as Avere also the Ames dials. These instruments are prov- 

 ing very satisfactory. 



THE UNITED STATES HIGHWAYS COUNCIL. 



The first regular meeting of the United States Highways Council 

 was held in the office of the Director of the Bureau of Public Roads 

 at 10 a. m. Saturday, June 8, 1918. 



Present : Mr. L. W. Page, Office of Public Roads, designated by the Secretary of 

 Agriculture; Lieut. Col. W. D. Uliler, War Department, designated by the Sec- 

 retary of AVar ; Mr. G. W. Kirtley, Railroad Administration, designated by the 

 Director General of Railroads ; Mr. Richard L. Humphrey, War Industries 

 Board, designated by chairman of War Industries Board ; Mr. C. G. Sheffield, 

 Fuel Administration, designated by the Fuel Administrator; and Mr. S. L. 

 Selden, Capital Issues Committee, designated by the chairman of the Capital 

 Issues Committee. 



Permanent organization was effected by the selection of L. W. Pago 

 as chairman and J. E. Pennybacker, of the Bureau of Public Roads, 

 as secretary. 



Between this date and November 11, 1918, 25 meetings of the council 

 for the transaction of business were held. On November 13, 1918, a 

 special meeting was held at which the council announced " that no 

 further applications need be made to it for highway projects; that 

 previous disapprovals are revoked and pending applications require 

 no further action. Procedure in securing materials for transporta- 

 tion should follow normal practices." 



SUMMARY OF APPLICATIONS. 



From the first meeting, June 8, to the last meeting, December 31, 

 1918, the full council held 27 meetings and the subcommittee 112 meet- 

 ings. These meetings were in addition to the excellent and continu- 

 ons service rendered by Mr. Pre^ost Hubbard and Mr. M. O. Eldridg 

 as a special subcommittee. 



