122 RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PANAMA CANAL ACT. 



In conclusion, the fact that the Isthmian Canal Commission has adopted the 

 dissolved acetylene system is preference to the older system, indicates that they 

 consider the former to be superior. The same might be said in regard to its adoption 

 throughout the United States, and the gradual abandonment of the older systems. 



These I think are sufficient reasons to warrant the statements which I have 

 made throughout my paper. 



The President: — The thanks of the Society will be extended to Mr. Pattison 

 for his very illuminating paper. 



RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PANAMA CANAL ACT. 



The President: — Mr. Fletcher, will you kindly read the report of the com- 

 mittee appointed to consider a part of the Panama Canal Act? 



Mr. Andrew Fletcher : — Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, we beg to submit the 

 following report : — 



Stevenson Taylor, Esq., 



President, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. 



Sir : The Committee appointed by you to consider certain resolutions in relation 

 to the Panama Canal Act beg to submit the following preamble and resolution: 



Whereas, an Act to provide for the opening, maintenance, protection and 

 operation of the Panama Canal, and the sanitation and government of the Canal 

 Zone, approved August 24, 191 2, contained the following provision: 



"That all materials of foreign production which may be necessary for the 

 construction and repair of vessels built in the United States and all such materials 

 necessary for the building or repair of their machinery and all articles necessary for 

 their outfit and equipment may be imported into the United States free of duty 

 under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, " and 



Whereas, it has been brought to the attention of the Society of Naval Archi- 

 tects and Marine Engineers by certain members of its council recently in conference 

 with United States Treasury Department officials charged with the interpretation 

 and execution of the customs features of the foregoing law, that authoritative 

 information as to the accepted interpretation of certain technical terms among 

 technical experts in the shipbuilding art would be welcomed and given careful 

 consideration, therefore be it 



Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Socety, based on its familiarity with 

 long-established usage of professional terms, that the provision of the Panama Canal 

 Act, herein above quoted, admitting certain objects free of duty, does not include 



