surveying between one hundred and eighty and two hundred students, who will be divided into three classes of sixty or sixty-five to each section, and with each section during its day in the field will go out one professor, four instructors and seven assistants, making twelve teachers, so each teacher will have charge of only five or six men.

I think it would be interesting if we could get some quantitative measure of the relative efficiency of these two methods. It is a matter we have discussed carefully, and while not quite satisfied with the results we get, we have not seen how we could make any change that would be an improvement. However, we have not observed that our men compare unfavorably with those from other schools in their work after graduation.

PROFESSOR MANSFIELD MERRIMAN: Comparing the surveying work done during the term time with that done during the summer, there is no question but that the summer work brings a man more in contact with actual conditions and enables him to get better acquainted with instruments. The weak point in the summer work is in regard to theory, which cannot be so well taught as at regular recitations. It is hence best that a summer course in surveying should be followed by rigid examinations in the theory of the subject. On the whole, it is probable that better results are obtained by work during the term, where the theory can first be thoroughly gone over; then by field work and map drawing the theoretical principles are exemplified, and the course is ended with an examination on both theory and practice.

At Lehigh University there are four courses in sur

veying-one in land surveying, one in topographic surveying, one in railroad locating, and one in geodesy. The course in topographic surveying is given during the summer vacation in rough country about twentyfive miles from Bethlehem, while the others are given at the university during term time. It seems probable that a combination of term and summer work may prove to be the plan which leads to the best results.

PROFESSOR SWAIN: I ought to add, in order that there may be no misunderstanding of my previous remarks, at our institute we have an optional summer course open to students who have completed the sophomore year, upon payment of an additional fee. The student taking the course is excused from some of the junior year work. A student may take this course at the conclusion of the junior or sophomore year as he may see fit.

PROFESSOR WALDO: In connection with Purdue University the method is to use one day of each week, solid, in field work, and that leaves no required summer work, but the practice of the instructors in the civil engineering department is to look out as far as possible for suitable commercial work for the students during the sumFor instance, this summer Professor Pence has quite a number of students with him in the extension of an electric line through a section of the country that is a little rough and difficult. Professor Seastone has a number with him, as many as he can use, in building a sewer system for a small town.

mer.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGINEERING GRAD

UATES IN THE GOVERN

MENT SERVICE.

BY JOHN F. HAYFORD,

Chief of Computing Division Coast and Geodetic Survey. The civil service of the government is a vast organization, including more than a quarter of a million people. It is an extremely complicated organization, partly on account of the great variety of the work done by it, partly because it is a century's growth, not a creation.

I shall deal only with the opportunities for graduates in civil, mechanical, electrical and mining engineering. The opportunities for engineers from West Point will be omitted. They are closed to others. The Isthmian Canal work will not be included, as I did not succeed in becoming well posted in regard to it. The positions for which the pay is less than $700 per year are also excluded from the statistics to be given. There will be included all positions to which the engineering graduate may hope to rise by merit, not simply the entering positions.

The statistics given are believed to be sufficiently accurate for the purpose and are expressed in round numbers. In cases of disagreement between different authorities the figures which make the government service less attractive are used.

Within the limits stated there are 2,600 opportunities for engineering graduates in the government service.

For 46 per cent. of these positions the pay is between $700 and $1,400 per year; for about 32 per cent., from $1,500 to $1,900; for 18 per cent., $2,000 to $2,900; for three per cent., $3,000 to $3,900; and for nearly one per cent., $4,000 or over. These figures are for salary only, allowances for expenses, subsistence and quarters furnished, etc., which are received by many.

they do not include

There are nearly 700 opportunities under the Chief of Engineers of the army for engineering graduates. This force includes 180 assistant engineers or superintendents, 150 junior engineers, and 70 draftsmen. The lake survey is a part of this group of 700.

There are more than 500 opportunities in connection with navy yards and naval stations. This includes 40 civil engineers and constructors, and nearly 400 drafts

men.

In the engineering force of the Reclamation Service, under the Geological Survey, there are 360 engineers. This service is growing very rapidly and will probably continue to do so for several years. Hence, it furnishes the best chance in the government service for the rapid advancement of unusually able men, with the possible exception of the Panama Canal work.

Three hundred patent examiners are employed in the Patent Office.

In the Coast and Geodetic Survey there are 140 opportunities for engineering graduates; 90 in the field force, 20 as draftsmen, and 20 as computers.

There are 130 opportunities under the General Land Office.

The remaining 500 opportunities are opportunities are scattered

through the service. The largest groups are in the Topographic Branch of the Geological Survey, in the Revenue Cutter Service in charge of marine engines, under the Supervising Architect as superintendent, and in the engineer department of the District of Columbia. New appointments are being made at the rate of about 200 per year to repair the waste in the force of 2,600, and to produce the steady expansion which is normally in progress.

Nearly all of the 2,600 positions are in the classified service, to which entrance is guarded by the Civil Service Commission.

How can a professor of engineering secure information in regard to these examinations, and in regard to positions in the government service to which his students may aspire?

By writing to the Civil Service Commission in his official capacity, he may have the Manual of Examinations sent to him regularly twice a year. This contains, for all regular examinations, the announcement of the dates and places of examinations, and of the scope of each separate examination. It also contains information as to applications for examination, methods of appointment and conditions of first employment.

In the same manner he may secure the annual report of the Civil Service Commission containing information in regard to the manner in which the Civil Service Act has been enforced and the civil service rules applied, and in regard to the general condition of the service. Incidentally, the report indicates the relative prospects of appointment in various lines.

The official register of the United States contains a