Vol. 88, No. 25C

been considered and the possibility of using the steel
work of buildings for a return circuit has been studied.
The committee expressied a desire for discussion upon
the following question: Is it the desire of the Associa-
tion that this committee prepare specification covering
welding equipment or shall the Association adopt specifi-
cations now existing as used by the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association?

Discussion: Mr. Billau pointed out that since rail-
roads were only one of the users of welding equipment
general specifications for such equipment might tend
to confuse rather than to clarify the issue. J. R. Sloan,
Chief Electrician, Pennsylvania Railroad, suggested that
it would be better to'take specifications already in use
and changesuch points as might be objected to rather
than to write new specifications.

Illumination

Mr. Billau, chairman of the committee on illumina-
tion -briefly outlined the subjects which will appear in
the annual report. Among these are a revision of stand-
ard incandescent lamp schedules and a revision of speci-
fication for incandescent lamps with a view of putting
the specification in form for final adoption by the asso-
ciation. Floodlighting as applied to railroad yards was
designated as a subject to be continued and the feasibility
of using a series system of power supply distribution
for floodlighting will be studied. _

The committee also proposes to investigate the feasi-
bility of using pre-focus lamps for locomotive headlights.
It was stated that the development of this type of lamp
is entirely practical but that its successful use depends
upon the development of a receptacle which can be satis-
factorily and easily substituted for the present standard
receptacle. The development of a practical method for
mounting locomotive headlights using this type of lamp

so that it may be readily adjusted to throw the beam

parallel with the track and the need for the lamp itself,
owing to its prob-able higher cost, were phases of the sub-
ject which the committee felt should first be developed
by the committee on Locomotive Electrical Equipment.
Discussion: E. W. Jansen, electrical engineer, Illinois
Central, mentioned the satisfactory service which he
had had with a new type of headlight lamp. The new
lamp known as'the C-4 is a 250-watt lamp. Some of
them, Mr. Jansen said, he had in service for 90 days.
R. W. Cost of the Westinghouse Lamp _Company, in
speaking of this lamp, said that it was still in _the experi-
mental stage and that it had been developed in an effort
to improve the present type of headlight lamp. He also
said the only way the lamp companies could find out how
satisfactory this lamp was, was to get the reactions from

those who used them, and that sometimes the first reports ‘

were not conclusive.

Automotive Railway Equipment

In view of relatively recent development in auto-
motive railway equipment, the committee on this
subject felt that the adoption of standardization of
automotive equipment should be held in abeyance for
at least another year and re€l11€5'Fed dlscusslol} 0,“
roller bearings versus friction bearings, battery igni-
tion versus high tension Inagnoetos and the advis-
ability of the committee delving into engine construc-
tion details, Opinions were requested on the sub-
jects of maintenance of gas- 3_fld 911-91“-'U'1C m0t01'
ca;-s_ Three dif‘ferent.types of lighting systems were
briefly described and it was stated that the sub-com-
mittee planned to follow up the operation of these

RAILWAY AGE

1 548DlO9

J. C. McElree I

L. S. Billau

and arrive at a conclusion as to which is the best
practice.

In the absence of E. F. Weber, supervisor auto-
motive service, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, and

chairman of the committee, the report was presented ,

by J. E. Kilker, shop production engineer, Missouri
Pacific.

Discussion. Mr. Billau said that since this subject
was receiving more and more attention from the
Motor Transport Division of the A. R. A., it would
be well to find out which branches of the subject
would come under the jurisdiction of the A. R. A. in
order to avoid overlapping. Mr. McElree said that
the question of bearings would probably be one prob-
leni to be handled by A. R. A. committees.

Radio

Geo. VV. Bebout, electrical engineer, Chesapeake &
Ohio, and chairman of the committee on the application
of_ radio to railroad service presented the report on
this radio for railway service. He outlined the situation
regarding the use of radio communication for freight
trains and hump yard service All work of this nature
has been held up by the Federal Radio Commission. Ap-
parently this has been due to the fear that such. ap-
plic_at1ons_to railroad equipment would interfere with
police radio. Nevertheless application blanks have been
prepared by the Commission for the use of the railroads,
and while the Commission could not promise anything,
the submitting of these blanks was taken by the com-
mittee as an indication the Commission would look more
favorably upon the application of the railroads for this
service.

Discussion: The question of departmental jurisdic-
tion regarding radio equipment was raised by Mr, Hill,
Mr. Andreucetti cited the instance of the Chicago &

E. F. Weber G. W. Bebout