The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

92 MARINE REVIEW. [October 25, PNEUMATIC TOOLS AT PARIS EXPOSITION. All reports from the Paris exposition are to the effect that in metal- working tools, especially, American manufacturers have spread them- selves and are quite certain of deriving great advantage from their ex- hibits. As shown in one of the illustrations presented herewith, the Chi- cago Pneumatic Tool Co. went so far as to have a section of a steel ship erected at the exposition, so as to show their different ship yard tools in actual operation. The Chicago company has sold tools in all parts of the world, but in the European ship yards they find a very large market and hence the pains they have taken to make a special show on this score. An article in the Railway '& Engineering Review tells of the interest shown in this exhibit. The Review says: "The American machinery building at the Bois de Vincennes is a great success, notwithstanding the apprehension originally felt regarding its location. It has been and is daily visited by engineers, manufacturers, etc., from all parts of the world. The exhibits are carefully examined. Many orders have been taken, and the. future results promise to be very important. In approaching the building the visitor's attention is first attracted by the out-of-doors exhibits, prominent among which appears a section of a steel ship shown by the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. Of the three separate exhibits made by the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., the out-of-door exhibit at Vincennes showing the full-sized section of a steel hull of a ship in course of construction was easily the most interesting, as being an object-lesson of an entirely novel character, it seemed to possess an attraction for thousands in attendance at the fair. "Tn saying this, we must not pass over too lightly the interior ex- tools, the pneumatic hoist for lifting materials about according to the re- quirements of the work, oil rivet heating forges for heating the rivets, and so on through the entire list of appliances especially adapted to ship work. All these machines were operated by men familiar with their special adapt- ability, so that the effect, both in work accomplished and in the eyes of the spectators, was quite remarkable. The fact, that, as the result of these exhibits, the Chikaes Pneumatic Tool Co. was given the highest award and two gold medals, will serve to illustrate the impression which the exhibits made upon the international board of jurors. On the whole, it may be said that the display of American-made pneumatic tools was highly creditable to the United States." RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE NAVAL ACADEMY. The report of the board of visitors to the naval academy, made public a few days ago, contains several interesting recommendations. The board wants the title of naval cadet changed to midshipman, because of "its as- sociation with the early history of our navy and its distinctly marine flavor." Considerable space is devoted to pointing out what the board believes are bad effects of the amalgamation of the engineer corps with the line of the naval personnel act. It suggests improvements in the en- gineering course at the academy, in which all cadets should be included, and says that every young officer in the line of the navy should be re- quired to stand watch in the éngineer room as well as on the deck, and take responsible care of the machinery of ships. : "Every officer who is going to command on deck, the board says, "ought at least to spend one cruise in engineering duties," and adds that ONE OF THE EXHIBITS OF CHICAGO PNEUMATIO TOOL CO. AT PARIS EXPOSITION. hibits, one of which was in the palace of electricity and machinery at Champ de Mars, and another inside the building at Vincennes. Both of these were points of interest, and were very complete in every detail, showing the smaller machines made by this company, many of them in actual operation; in fact, all those which could be operated without jar- ring upon the sensitive nerves of the visitors, on account of the necessary amount of noise which must accompany any operation for riveting and like work. "In the picture of one of the interior views those familiar with pneu- matic appliances will recognize the well-known hammers and drills, pneu- matic hoists, and the scores of other devices manufactured by this com- pany. As stated above, the two interior exhibits, while not exact duplicates, were similar in that they showed about the same line of tools, but the open-air exhibit had the advantage of being free from restraint or restriction on account of possible noise, and during the fixed hours each day when this outfit of appliances was known to work, the crowd would assemble and gaze in astonishment at the almost automatic action of all the machines used in connection therewith. "Naturally, in ship work the riveters, in connection with the long- stroke hammer, were the principal feature. It was shown in its various capacities, as, for instance, flush deck riveting, riveting keelson plates and frames, sheer strake riveting, driving 1!4-in. rivets on side of ship, and in cutting off surplus metal. Next in importance, perhaps, the pneu- matic drill should be mentioned, drilling and reaming the necessary holes, cutting out holes for side lights, etc. The various forms of yoke riveters, where applicable to the work, came next, and then the armor scaling machine removing the imperfections from the plates where occasion re- quired. "As adjuncts to these various appliances were necessarily the com- pressor for supplying the requisite amount of air for the operation of the unless officers get engineering experience, "the amalgamation of the line and engineer corps bids fair to do great harm to the naval service." It recommends that the department of steam engineering be divided into two departments--engineering and applied mechanics. The board thinks the entrance examinations should be made more stringent. It says that these examinations "are now conducted in an unsystematic and trouble- some manner,' five separate examinations having been held between May 15 and July 1 of this year. In the opinion of the board two entrance ex- aminations are enough. Among other things the board says: 'It is noticed that when the national anthem is played, officers and cadets acknowledge it by standing at attention and looking in the direc- tion of the music. In the opinion of this board officers and cadets should also uncover. Their example would be followed by civilians who hap- pened to be in their presence, and the effect would be salutary, not only ans academy, but also in places away from military or naval jurisdic- These are some additional recommendations of the board: That the age limit for admission to the naval academy be fixed at fifteen and eighteen years. That English replace grammar, spelling and punctuation as a subject for entrance examination, That the equipment and facilities for teaching engineering be made equal to those of the best modern schools. a : AE _ That the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for providing lectures by men eminent in their professions outside the navy. That the superintendent of the naval academy be responsible directly to the secretary of the navy for the government Of the institution. That cadets be required to salute ladies by lifting their hats. What a fixed sum, instead of a per diem allowance, be appropriated for the entertainment of the board of visitors.