CLASS OF 1880

The Secretary recently received an interesting letter from Davidson, who, since his retirement as industrial engineer of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, January, 1929, spends much of his time in travel. He keeps in touch with the progress in his profession by active membership in several technical societies and attendance on their meetings both in this country and in Europe.

This winter he and Mrs. Davidson took a three months' trip by automobile, railroad, and boat, covering Texas, Mexcio, interesting places in Central America, Colombia, Panama, the Panama Canal, and Cuba. A large part of the trip was by boat.

Davidson is a recognized authority on the value of the science of chemistry as applied to railroad management. In 1886, he established the first laboratory in this country for this purpose for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in Chicago. Two years later he was appointed chemist and engineer of tests for the company, and later was appointed industrial engineer, which position he held at the time of his retirement.

He was very successful in developing the whole field of the science of chemistry as applied to railroad management. He became the foremost authority in this line in the country. The record of his achievement in this field is most interesting and professionally eminent. His research and discoveries have been worth millions to the Chicago and Northwestern and other railroads.

He lives in Oak Park, Ill.

Secretary, 1052 Union St., Manchester, N. H.