SECRETARY BROWN: The article is on Public Finance, and the application of the principles of good finance to the working out of municipal plans. This report will be found on page 389. CHAIRMAN POOLE: We are down to the reports of representatives of other organizations. The first is the American Society for Testing Materials. SECRETARY BROWN: The only reports I have are from Mr. Fisk on Committee C-3, American Society for Testing Materials, and on Vitrified Paving Conference. In his report from Committee C-3, Mr. Fisk says: This report will be found on page 550. I will abstract the report of the Standing Committee on Vitrified Paving Conference, United States Department of Com merce. This report will be found on page 552. CHAIRMAN POOLE: These reports require no action by the Society and will be printed in the proceedings. There is another letter that Mr. Brown has to read. SECRETARY BROWN: This is a letter from Mr. Fisk. Dear Mr. Brown: I am in receipt of the following letter from Mr. E. J. Mehren of the Engineering News-Record, who is chairman of the committee on Simplification of Varieties of Paving Brick of the United States Department of Commerce: Mr. Geo. F. Fisk, Am. Soc. for Mun. Improvements, Dear Mr. Fisk: "October 10, 1925. The coming meeting of the American Society for Municipal Improvements at Des Moines affords an opportunity to learn the opinions of engineers regarding the work of our committee on the Simplification of Varieties of Paving Brick. Their views would be of value in connection with the further work of the committee. You can, I am sure, arrange for an informal discussion of this subject. The initiative would properly come from you, too, because you are the representative of the American Society for Municipal Improvements on the Simplification Committee. We would like to know: 1. The opinion of engineers regarding the simplification work done thus far. 2. The extent to which they are calling for the recognized varieties. 3. The opinion regarding the further elimination of varieties or additions of others that should be made. Will you not, therefore, take this matter in hand and arrange for such a discussion at the forthcoming meeting in Des Moines? After the discussion I hope you will prepare a report that can be sent to each member of the committee. With very kind regards. Cordially yours, (Sgd) E. J. Mehren." Will you please see if you can arrange to have such a meeting as Mr. Mehren suggests? Yours very truly, GEO. F. FISK. CHAIRMAN POOLE: This matter is brought before the meeting for any discussion or suggestions. There does not seem to be any very loud acclaim of these requests of Mr. Mehren's. These are all the reports that the Secretary has from these representatives in other organizations. There was some business that was postponed from the meeting Monday night that will be taken up at this time; that is the report of the Secretary-Treasurer and the Finance Committee. (President-Elect Hatton resumes chair.) PRESIDENT-ELECT HATTON: We do not have the report of the Secretary-Treasurer mentioned yet; have you got it before you, Mr. Brown? SECRETARY BROWN: I haven't completed my report. The financial report was submitted to the Finance Committee and agrees with that of the Treasurer. I thought as I was leaving the position of Secretary of the Society at this time that it might be well to make a little historical sketch in connection with my report, and I have not been able to find the time to complete it up to this date. But being relieved of the duties of Secretary hereafter, I think I can prepare it in time to be put into the proceedings. Mr. Brockway, the Treasurer, will make the financial report, and I have here the report of the Finance Committee which has examined the accounts. PRESIDENT-ELECT HATTON: Mr. Brockway, have you got a report to make to us as Treasurer of the Society? Mr. Brockway then reads the Treasurer's Report.) October 29, 1925. Executive Board, American Society for Municipal Improve ments, Gentlemen: Following is statement of receipts and disbursements for the past year: Receipts January 5, 1925, check from Secretary Brown.. $1,504.32 772.49 2,981.75 405.25 Interest on Liberty Bond No. 739928. 42.50 1,412.75 I have also in my custody Third Liberty Loan Bond No. 739928 in the amount of $1,000.00. Respectfully submitted, P. L. BROCKWAY, Treasurer. MR. BROCKWAY: You will note perhaps we are $700.00 poorer now than a year ago, but the Secretary advises that for the first time in a good many years all back bills are paid up to those incurred in preparation for this convention, such as advance papers and so forth. The Society is absolutely solvent in addition to this bond, and had a balance of $86.00 with which to begin the convention year. PRESIDENT-ELECT HATTON: The Treasurer's report will be filed as presented unless there is some objection. The next order of business is the report of the Finance Committee which "begs leave to report that it has examined the accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer in detail and finds them to be correct, and further that the annual reports of these officers submitted at this meeting show a true statement of the financial transactions of the Society during the past year. Geo. F. Fisk, Chairman." I am reading this for you, Mr. Fisk. The next order of business is the presentation of the resolutions by the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, Mr. A. Prescott Folwell. MR. FOLWELL (Reads): "Your Committee on Resolutions begs to present to the Society the following for its consideration and action: "The present Secretary has served this Society for a longer period than any other in its history. The duties of the position have made demands upon his time and energy that few of us have realized, and he has found it imperative to ask to be relieved of the burden. Much as we regret this, we can not but accede to his request; but in doing so we wish to express to Mr. Brown our appreciation of the work he has done and sacrifices he has made for the Society, and our hope that he will draw upon his long experience in the office to aid his successor with his advice and counsel. "This Society hereby formally expresses as an organization what each of us individually has felt-our heartfelt appreciation of the cordial welcome given us by the citizens of Des Moines; typical of which was the pleasure of personal contact with its citizens of both sexes afforded by the most enjoyable dinner given to us by the Engineer's Club. Especially would we mention the kindness of the officials, the public utility corporations and other citizens who furnished automobiles for the ride of inspection, including the busses furnished by the Mack Motor Truck Co. Among the many who contributed toward making this one of the most successful conventions this Society has held, we wish to give especial thanks to Mr. George E. Hamilton of the Chamber of Commerce; Karl C. Kastberg, City Engineer; Monroe L. Patzig, member of this Society; to Mrs. Patzig, Chairman of the Ladies' Entertainment Committee; and to His Honor, Mayor Garver, and the other chairmen and members of the several citizens' committees. S. CAMERON CORSON, A. PRESCOTT FOLWELL, GEO. W. TILLSON.' PRESIDENT-ELECT HATTON: The report of the Resolutions Committee is before you. What action do you want to take! A MEMBER: I move it be received, Mr. Chairman. PRESIDENT-ELECT HATTON: Is there a second to the motion! |