Thayer School News
At the time of publication of this letter activities at the Thayer School are at a standstill. In fact, the peaceful village of Hanover is enjoying one of its few brief periods of peace and quiet, thanks to spring vacation. The second semester work at the school is progressing without particular incident. Laboratory periods are being held twice a week in the completely renovated electrical laboratory under Professor Hicks, and Mr. Swoboda conducts two laboratory periods a week in the much improved hydraulics laboratory. The new equipment and improvements which were made possible by a grant from the College have proved a real inspiration to both faculty and students in the conduct of these courses.
Kisty Kisevalter '31, dynamic executive committee member, writes that he is now working with Madigan-Hyland, consulting engineers, in New York City. Kisty's contact with the firm came through Ev Lyon '25, who has been connected with them for some time. At the annual meeting Ev was describing some of the firm's consulting work for the extension of the elevated high- way in New York City and for parkways in New York and on Long Island, and I should venture that they are both fortunate to be connected with such important and interesting jobs.
A letter came in the other day from John Guppy '24, telling about his trip to the Canal Zone in January. He writes: "Had afine trip down as 'supercargo' on a freightsteamer and back the same on another, withseveral days in the Zone and around Panama. Fine warm midsummer days with adelightful breeze down there, and freightsteamers are more comfortable than theregular passenger liners, although of courseslower. None of the shaking and vibrationof the fast boats, and the accommodationsconsisted of a fine stateroom with a realbed and private bath. Food also was goodalthough not fancy."
And Phil Rising '30 comes through with the real news: "Also put in one nightwearing out the hospital floor—to be rewarded by the appearance of 7 lb. 13 oz.potential taxpayer. Everything went OK." It's always pleasing to hear that our alumni have found the Thayer School training appropriate, and so I want to quote a bit from a letter which came from Tim Paige '29 the other day. Tim's chief work now is with a savings bank in Athol, although I believe he still distributes that fascinating little time-saver, the Wonder Weed'er (adv.). He says: "I don't doubt thatthousands of other engineering graduateshave had to change their careers and plansduring these past few years. This is just another reason why the training you are giving at the Thayer School is more suitablein fortifying one against today's uncertainfortunes than that of a specialized engineering course."
Fred Auer '28 called up one day last month when he was visiting his parents in Hanover to say that he would be glad to act as his class agent again this year for the Robert Fletcher Fund, which is under way again. I also garnered the news that he will be located in Plymouth, N. H., until August or so as resident engineer for the Highway Department on the construction of three and a half miles of highway near that town.
An article on "Water Resources Studies" appearing in the February sixth issue of Engineering News-Record, by Thorndike Saville '15 is introduced by the following editorial note, which should be of interest to his friends: "All the uses of water arecomprehended in this movement, and theproblems of stream pollution are engagingclose study. Through his connection withthe Water Planning Committee and laterthe Water Resources Committee, the author is able to speak with full authority onthe character and results of the movement." For the technically minded we recommend an article by Otis E. Hovey '89, which appeared in the February 27 issue of EnginessNews-Record, outlining a method for determining endurance-limit unit stresses, main material sections, and weld areas for bridges under dynamic loads.
In the same issue of the News-Record is a letter to the editor from your own correspondent, describing an inexpensive soils-laboratory device for determining consolidation. The device described was designed and built in our laboratory, and has been in use for research and instruction purposes for the last three years.
The report of the annual convention of the American Concrete Institute, appearing in the Engineering News-Record of March fifth, includes a resume of discussions presented at that meeting by M. O. Withey '05 and H. G. Roby '06, on modern practice in concrete design and construction.
Before closing, and at the risk of being accused of collusion, I should like to remind you that the Robert Fletcher Fund, which opened again last month, is a cause worthy of your consideration and support.
