46 INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 
predictions of a relatively early exhaustion of the oil fields. As long as the price is reasonable, 
the advantages of oil fuel are so many and so great that its increased use is to be expected. It 
is obvious also that, when necessary, the boilers can be readily converted at small expense 
to coal burners. Indeed, some far-sighted designers have this possibility in mind and insist 
that the furnaces shall be so arranged that, when the change to coal occurs, grates of ample 
area can be installed so that severe forcing will not be necessary. So far as can now be seen, 
the supply of coal is ample for the almost indefinite period. 
The experience in the Navy with the electric drive on the new battleships has thus far 
been very satisfactory, a striking instance being that of the return trip of the Maryland 
from Rio de Janeiro to this city in September of this year where, after steady running at 
19 knots for most of the trip, the speed was increased to the highest point, over 21 knots, for 
the last two days and everything worked admirably. 
Another form of the electric drive, where Diesel engines are used as the prime mover 
instead of steam engines, is being tried out in some vessels of moderate size and power. The 
limitation of the Diesel engine to small powers per cylinder has, of course, thus far ruled 
it out of any installations of very powerful machinery. 
Mention should be made of the sale of the wooden fleet by the Shipping Board if for no 
other reason than to have a record for reference in future years. It was necessary almost 
to give away these wooden vessels, but the action of the board was undoubtedly wise as they 
were simply an expense to the Government and would soon have been entirely useless. It 
is probable that the majority of experts in the shipping world have always considered that it 
was a mistake to build these wooden vessels. They were really the product of the hysterical 
condition resulting from the German submarine menace when it was felt that it was worth 
while to have anything that would float and carry food and supplies to the other side. 
This unfortunate expenditure of government money, not to call it waste, would serve as 
one of the many texts for a sermon on the necessity of building up our own merchant 
marine. If wise legislation had been in force for many years so as to provide an ade- 
quate American merchant marine, it is perfectly certain that none of these wooden vessels 
would ever have been built. 
The program of papers for the meeting holds out the prospect of very interesting ses- 
sions and I am very sure that you will share my pleasure at the fact that one of these 
papers is to be by our Honorary Vice-President, Admiral Taylor, who has contributed so 
many valuable papers to the Transactions, but whose onerous duties as Chief Constructor of 
the Navy in recent years have prevented him from contributing any for some years past. 
THE PRESIDENT :—The Secretary reminds me I have to advise you of a very important 
matter. As you probably are aware, if you are familiar with the Constitution and By-Laws 
of the Society, the election of the officers of the Society, except the President, is made by 
the Council, and at its meeting this morning, the Council elected the following officers : 
Honorary Vice-President :—Joseph H. Linnard. 
Vice-Presidents for the term expiring October 31, 1925:—Albert P. Niblack, Richard 
M. Watt, Charles P. Wetherbee, Harvey D. Goulder. 
Members of Council for the term expiring October 31, 1925:—Charles A. McAllister, 
Theodore E. Ferris, Hugo P. Frear, W. L. R. Emmet, J. Howland Gardner, William J. Da- 
vidson, vice Joseph H. Linnard. 
Associate Members of Council for the term expiring October 31, 1925 :—Albert Gilbert 
Smith, Geo. D. Ali, vice Robert A. C. Smith, resigned. 
