76 [ASSEMBLT 



Report of (lie Commillee on Ray Prcraiiims. 



The committee appointed by the board of managers at the last 

 annual fair, to decide on the re?j)ective merits of the claimants 

 for the premiums offered by F. M. Ray, Esq., designed to improve 

 the conveniences and safety of railroad travel, after devoting much 

 time and attention to the subject referred to them, have presented 

 the following report : 



The proposition of Mr. Ray, which had been before the public 

 several months before the opening of the fair, brought forward 

 110 competitors, presenting an array of inventive genius which 

 was highly creditable. Mr. Ray's proposition was in the follow- 

 ing words, viz : 



F. M. Ray, Esq., in view of the many accidents occurring on 

 railroads, and with a desire to promote the safety and comfort of 

 railway passengers, offers for competition the following premiums. 

 viz : 



Fifteen hundred dollars for the best invention for preventing 

 loss of life from collisions, and from the breaking of axles and 

 wheels. 



Eight hundred dollars for the best method of excluding dust 

 from cars when in motion. 



Four hundred dollars for the best railroad brake. 



Three hundred dollars for the best sleeping or night seats for 

 railroad cars. 



The above premiums will be kept open for competition until 

 the opening of tlie 25th annual fair, where the plans, drawings 

 and models of inventions competing for them are expected to be 

 on exhibition. No inventions already introduced to the public 

 will be entitled to compete for the prizes. It must be understood 

 that these inventions are to be such as can be adopted and put 

 into general use j the inventors in all cases retaining their right 

 to patents. 



