-that is, the pros and cons of a subject of this kind, is to start up a strong spirit of antagonism and oppose the rules. That would awaken the champions of the cause, and would bring out a discussion. I have in the past put myself in such a position that I could not consistently play the role of an opposer. I hope there is some one here who has some interest, from a commercial point of view, some one who will take exception to parts of these rules, because we have a good champion in Mr. Merrill to bring out all there is to say on the other side. The only thing that I have heard againt the rules lately, was said by a manufacturer of wire. He said he sold but very little of his highest grade of wire, because the rules specify a long list of wires, and a customer who wants to wire a building is told that he must use one of the wires designated by the underwriters. Instead of stating a certain make, the customer simply says that it must be a wire specified by the underwriters. This gentleman told me that as a result, the cheaper grades of wire have become still cheaper; that they make them as cheap as they can be made and put on the market, and on account of this demand for an inferior product, he sells more inferior than high grade wire. The moral to all this is that we should not look upon the Electrical Code as being a complete specification. I think that we are all very glad, those of us who have occasion to draw up specifications, to have something which governs as well as this Code does, all branches of the work in a general way. It is only a few years ago, when, in writing up specifications, nineteen-twentieths of the specifications consisted in a description of methods and devices necessary to secure safety, and it was simply covering in a poor way and in many words what is covered in a very good way, and in a few words in this Code. Now, instead of writing fifteen or twenty pages of details, we simply say: "Such and such things must be in accordance with the latest edition of the National Code."

But the architect and the man who wants to put in a plant or installation, without any specifications, simply states the capacity of his plant and machinery, how many lights he wants, and then states that the work must be done according to the National Code, and thinks he has done the whole thing. I think if I were to make any criticism at all, it would be on the way the Code is used; it is used often for something for which it was not designed; that is, it was not intended to take the place of specifications. The engineer and the architect are supposed to take care of them. If I understand the object of the Code it is to secure safety to those who handle and use the electrical energy, and there is little that can be added in the specifications now in the way of securing safety excepting in the selection of such materials and methods as are particularly adapted to the special conditions. If engineering work could be classified so that we would have a certain number of cases and designate them, so we

could find Case No. 1 and use such and such material, Case No. 2, use so and so, it would be different. But it has been my experience that every piece of work, where you try to get the best results for the least money, is, to a certain extent, a special case. Whereas the Code, of course, treats every kind of a case in a general way, of course it does not and cannot particularize in these special cases. This may be a small point to dwell upon, but I have in the past spoken so enthusiastically of the Code and acted as its champion among central station men and others whom its requirements have hit in the pocket, that I have not left very much ground on which to stand to criticise it. I hope that there may be some one here who has given the matter more thought than I have, and who will start a discussion which will bring out the views of both the friends and the opponents of the code.

THE CHAIRMAN:-I think that the remarks of Mr. Pierce have brought out a tangible point or feature which underlies all the rules, and as he has brought up one point of criticism, possibly Mr. Merrill will help us out, as these points are brought up. If he can answer that particular point now and some other point later on, as it shall be brought up, it will save his time, and enable us to take it up while it is fresh in our minds.

MR. W. H. MERRILL :-I know that Mr. Pierce, as the author of a work on the National Electrical Code, and also as the author of a paper on this topic read before the Northwestern Electrical Association, can hardly be expected to start out and criticise the rules. He overlooks the fact, however, that the list of wires is not published in this book. The rules, as he states, were formulated solely along the lines of promoting safety, and were not intended to cover specifications that an engineer should be called on to supply. The rules governing safety do not take into consideration whether a man puts in a machine that is twice too large for his plant, or not. Every installation needs an engineer in addition to an inspection under this Code. The engineer may do the inspector's work, but the inspector cannot do the engineer's

MR. A. V. ABBOTT :--The tendency of civilization is, it seems to me in every direction towards specialization. In savagery each man supplies his own wants and furnishes himself by his own labor, with all that he needs. With the progress of civilization, however, the time soon arrives when it is imposssble for each individual to supply his increased diversity of wants, and humanity splits into divisions, each one selecting some different line, or avocation, and becoming therein an expert, while succeeding generations elevate the particular branch to a higher point than the majority of his competitors. Thus, as a result we presently learn to depend largely upon the labors and efforts of others for the supply of our multitudinous desires. In no direction is this tendency more marked than with engineering. It is barely 20 years ago since civil engineers were the only members

of the profession, whereas now the art has been sub-divided, and electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and sanitary engineers share the honors with the older members. Such a subdivision is particularly necessary in engineering, for during the last few years, the scope of the profession has broadened to such an extent as to make it impracticable for anyone to become even a partial expert along all lines. This is markedly the case in dealing with electricity, for in electrical lines we are handling a form of energy that is comparatively new, one in which experience is exceedingly limited. It is a particularly subtle and elusive form of energy, and while on the one hand these very qualities enable it to be handled and made subservient to the welfare of mankind in ways impracticable with other forms of energy, it is on the other hand correspondingly dangerous and difficult to control, and liable when treated in an ignorant and unskilful manner to do a correspondingly greater amount of injury. However, in this respect electricity is not exceptional, for there is scarcely anything employed in the service of mankind, which, if improperly used or ignorantly treated, is not prone to become a source of danger. This is markedly the case in medicine, with steam, with explosives, and with machinery of all kinds. The fact that electricity has been so recently applied and that its introduction has become so rapidly widespread, makes it particularly necessary that it should be skilfully handled under proper rules and restrictions, and for this reason I think we should be grateful at the present time for the care and pains which have been taken in. forming a code, giving such rules and instructions as the best present experience indicates advisable in dealing with this form of energy. At best there is so much that is unknown about electrical installations that they are certain to become sources of extreme hazard if they are not introduced in the best and most skilful manner, and it is impossible to expect that the mass, even of artisans, will understand completely a subject that fifteen years ago had but two practical applications. Men in active life find it difficult to keep pace with ordinary events, to say nothing of thoroughly acquainting themselves with the strides which have been taken by electricity. Now the best experts in the country have taken the matter in hand and have here formulated a Code so simple and yet comprehensive that ordinary mechanics can, by strictly following the same, build safe electrical installations. The Code, perhaps, has still another vocation, for we are aware that in all classes of builders and constructors there is a tendency not only to do ignorant work, but that which is unscrupulous as well. We are acquainted with the existence of builders who take contracts at such prices that it is impossible for them to fulfil them without either loss of money or the evasion of the proper methods of construction, and unless around such unscrupulous constructors a hedge is built so tightly and so carefully as to prevent them from thus unscrupulously introducing defective

1

work, the public is bound to suffer; but if, from time to time, such a set of rules and regulations as we are now considering be formulated, and if it be adopted with so strong and vigorous public spirit as to render it impracticable for unscrupulous as well as ignorant artisans to evade the same, it will be possible to obtain a quality of work and grade of materials which shall, on the whole, be best suited for the purpose, and will in the long run greatly conduce to public safety and convenience, and by relieving the public mind of the fear of danger from electrical installations, will operate as a most powerful stimulant to the further expansion of electrical industries.

I am, therefore, of the opinion that while perhaps a canvass of the Code at present, and, it may be, a revision of the same from time to time in the future, as experience shall indicate modifications to be desirable is advantageous, the important duty lying before each and everyone of us, is to take this Code up in our daily practice and by all the weight and influence in our power to see that its spirit and intention are carried out as completely as possible.

MR. S. G. McMEEN:-Is it expected that this meeting of the eastern and western members of the INSTITUTE, be the time and season when the stamp of approval will be placed upon the Code if at all, or will it be voted upon to-night?

THE CHAIRMAN:-(MR. HIBBARD). It is my understanding, that if the Code, as it stands, meets with the approval of the meeting here and in New York to-night, it will be in order to recommend its adoption by the Council of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS. If it is the sense of the meeting that it is a good thing, such a recommendation will be made to the Council. Our President, Dr. Crocker, who was a delegate to the meetings which resulted in this Code and rules, made a report to the INSTITUTE which will be read shortly. He endorses the Code and gives his reasons very briefly and well, and he undoubtedly is an attendant at the meeting in New York to-night. In his absence, we have his report, which we will hear after we have had a little more discussion, either on the general or the more specific matters relating to the Code. I do not understand that it is expected, on recommendation of a Code like this, that we obligate ourselves to never vary from the Code, any more than that we never vary from the Golden Rule, and several other things of that kind, but it is intended as showing what we would recommend and desire to bring about in our own work.

Without bringing shop matters into the discussion too much, it would be interesting, I am sure, to hear from some of the railroad people present. We would like to know how a set of rules, such as we have here, appeals to a trolley man as applied to a trolley road, and whether he feels that his plant is improved and benefited by them, and whether they are reasonable and right. I wish also that we might have an expression from a

power man, one representing power plants of some kind. There has been, perhaps, a feeling that the trolley road was essentially a new thing, and while it has been improving tremendously in detail during the past five years, it has been extending so fast many of us have felt that its management frequently either had not the time to look into details and keep off its neighbor's toes, or, perhaps, did not want to, and failed to recognize reasonable rules designed to curb and govern them. Other people, I am sure, feel that such regulation is beneficial. Whether the trolley road representatives feel that way or not they can say better for themselves.

MR. R. E. RICHARDSON-I do not know as I can say much on that subject, although I have given considerable thought and attention to it in connection with insurance risks, etc. I believe we will all agree that the best thing that has been done in the way of insurance rules in regard to trolley wires, was the making of the rule which absolutely prohibits the carrying of a street railway circuit into buildings, and using this current for motors or lighting, which necessitated a ground in the building. It is to my mind the very best thing in an individual rule that the electrical underwriters' fraternity ever made in taking the ground circuits of a high pressure current out of, or preventing them from going into buildings.

There is one thing which crosses my mind not in relation to trolley work or railway work, but a point which it seems to me the Code has not exactly reached as yet. I may be speaking from ignorance, however, as I have not carefully read through the last Code. This is the question of line appliances in the way of safety devices, sockets, etc., for the present fashionable 220-volt work. I had occasion lately to examine a number of 220-volt lighting plants and found they were using exactly the same cutouts, same sockets, fixtures, etc. throughout that are designed for 110-volt work. While there are now 220-volt switches on the market, I do not think there has been anything done in the way of manufacturing sockets, fuses, etc., especially for this voltage. In one of the plants examined, I asked the engineer what he was using for sockets, cutouts, etc. He replied he was using the same as for 110-volt work, and in answer to my question if he did not have a great deal of trouble, he said: "Oh no; once in a while they burn out." A few moments later, I noticed a switch which was nicely cooked and asked him if that was not one of them. He replied, "yes." He replied, "yes." Going farther, I found numerous cases of the same sort. It seems to me that the 220volts for lighting is at present the prevailing fashion, a great many plants of this voltage being put in, and I do not think that the supply manufacturers are prepared for it. For instance, take an ordinary socket which can be bought for one-half or one-third of what ought to be paid for a good article. These sockets are not suitable for a 220-volt break, as with this pressure