c „ C49uX UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI RECORD REPORTS OF THE COMMIT- TEES APPOINTED AT THE JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS, MARCH 22, 1905, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSPECTING THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNI- VERSITY OF CINCINNATI UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI RECORD Ser. I, Vol. II, No. 4. Nov. I, 1905. Published semi-monthly by the University of Cincinnati at the University Press, Cincinnati, Ohio. Entered May 15, 1905, at Cincinnati, Ohio, as second-class matter, under act of Congress of July 16, 1894. BOARD OF VISITORS. Geo. M. Anderson, Robert Anderson, R. F. Balke, James W. Bueeock, B. R. Cowen, Walter A. DeCamp, Edward Dempsey, A. O. Elzner, William H. Fisher, N. D. C. Hodges, Howard C. Hollister, Henry Hooper, Herbert Jenney, Geo. W. Kittredge, F. W. Langdon, William McKibbin, Guy W. Mallon, George B. Nicholson, David Philipson, Robert Ramsey, Alfred Springer, George A. Thayer, John M. Walden, Charles B. Wilby, Joseph Wilby, John F. Winslow, William Worthington. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/reportsofcommittOOuniv UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI meeting of board of visitors march 22 , 1905 . Meeting was called to order at 4 o'clock. General B. R. Cowen was elected President; Professor Merrick Whitcomb, Secretary. Bishop Walden moved to accept the arrangement of committees as presented in the schedule furnished to the members of the Board, and to submit the membership of said committees to discussion and readjustment. This motion was carried. The arrangement of the committees was further ex- plained by President Dabney, and then the committees were taken up for consideration, one by one. Classics. — On this committee were placed Dr. McKib- bin and Rabbi Philipson, Messrs. Joseph Wilby and De- Camp. English Language and Literature. — Messrs. Hollis- ter, Ramsey, Hooper and DeCamp. .Modern Languages. — Messrs. Mallon, Balke, Hooper and Hodges. Philosophy and Psychology. — Bishop Walden, Drs. Philipson, Langdon and Thayer. History and Political Economy. — Messrs. Cowen, C. B. Wilby, Thayer and Jenney. Mathematics and Physics. — Messrs. Hollister, Bul- lock and Nicholson. Chemistry and Biology. — Messrs. Springer, Fisher, Worthington and Balke. Engineering Department and Technical School. — Messrs. Robert Anderson, Kittredge, Nicholson, Bullock and Elzner. 5 Library. — Messrs. Hodges, Winslow and DeCamp. Buildings, Grounds and General Equipment. — Messrs. G. M. Anderson, Kittredge, Fisher and Elzner. Law Department. — Judge Dempsey, Messrs. Worth- ington, Joseph Wilby and Jenney. Medical Department. — Messrs. Jenney, Springer, C. B. Wilby and Langdon. It was moved by Mr. Joseph Wilby that the committees as constituted be adopted as a whole. Carried. President Dabney suggested that the work of visitation should be commenced as soon as possible after April 5th, when the work of the Spring Term would be under way. It was ruled that the first gentleman named on the com- mittee be chairman of the same. Meeting adjourned, 5 p. m. Merrick Whitcomb, Secretary. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLASSICS. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: In the absence of Dr. McKibbin, our Chair- man, I beg to report that the Committee on Latin and Greek met with Prof. Burnam and Mr. Kinsella. They explained die situation as regards text-books now available at the University in their respective departments. The Committee is satisfied that there is such a lack of material in the University Library for properly teaching Greek and Latin as to call for immediate attention. The supply of the commoner editions of texts of books usual in such curricula is very deficient. Those in the Greek depart- ment are largely the gift of Mr. E. F. Bliss. There is imme- diate need of later critical editions of standard authors, and auxiliary works to be used in the class room. We recommend the purchase at once of full sets of stan- dard texts, both Latin and Greek, the cost of which, it is believed, would be within $200. Further accessions should be added as funds may be available. Respectfully .submitted, Joseph Wilby, For the Committee . 6 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ENGLISH LAN- GUAGE\ AND LITERATURE. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: The members of the Committee on English and English Literature of the Board of Visitors of the University of Cincinnati beg to report that they were present at the meeting when Dr. E. M. Brown explained the courses of study, number of students and the pres- ent needs of the Department of English and Eng- lish Literature, and that he afterwards furnished them with written notes of the same. They have also received certain pamphlets of Mr. Miller, Assistant Professor in that Department, relating to topics and re- searches of a very useful and instructing character. The Committee beg to recommend the suggestions of Dr. Brown, namely, the appointment of Miss Elizabeth Merrill as assist- ant in English at a salary of not less than $400, and that an appropriation be made for the purchase of books to fill cer- tain gaps in the library and to provide modern books, which the needs of this Department absolutely require. The Com- mittee desire to express their satisfaction and pleasure at the excellence of the corps of professors and instructors in this Department, and at the character of work which is be- ing done in it. Judging from the increasing number of students, regular and special, this Department promises to fulfill an urgent need of modern education in providing a thorough and efficient course in English and English Litera- ture. In this connection the Committee are of opinion that the curriculum should include, as a necessary part of a lib- eral education, such a course in English and English Litera- ture as a required study and not as as an elective study.. Very respectfully submitted, Henry Hooper, Walter DeCamp, Howard C. Hollister, Robert Ramsey. 7 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MODERN LAN- GUAGES. Gen. B. R. Co wen. Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : The Committee on Modern Languages begs to report that a meeting was held, at which were present all members of the Committee, and that Prof. Max Poll, of the Department of Germanic Languages, and that Prof. Marco Liberma, of the Department of Romance Languages, met with the Committee in consultation. A full and free discussion of the work and needs of these Departments was held. While there were many suggestions of value presented, a decision was reached, to suggest only the immediate pressing needs, which are : For the Department of Germanic Languages — More books of reference. For the Department of Romance Languages — More books of reference, and even more urgent, the need of an additional instructor. Respectfully submitted, Guy W. Mallon, . N. D. C. Hodges, Henry Hooper, R. F. Balke. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOLOGY. Gen. B. R. Co wen. Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: Your Committee to which was assigned the Department of Philosophy and Psychology can only present a brief report. Its members are, perhaps, not more fully engaged than our associate Visitors, but there has been op- portunity for only one meeting of our Committee at the University, and ir happened that not all of the members could attend that meeting. At a subsequent meeting three members were present to consider such matters as had been 8 collated. The members present at the first meeting had in- terviews with President Dabney and Professors Benedict and Breese. It was perhaps better that the classes in the department were not in session, as a single visit to a class would have been of little service to the purpose of the Com- mittee. The opportunity of conversing informally and free- ly with the professors was appreciated. Professor Benedict explained his methods, (necessarily somewhat briefly), and has stated them more fully in writing since. With these statements in mind, it will be the more interesting to observe the application of his methods when the Committee can visit his classes. We express our satisfaction with the provision for his classes in a light and cheery class-room, and an ample conference-room. Professor Breese is in charge of the form of Dsycholog- ical study which has been developed by the investigations of the modern scientific period. Without expressing an opinion of its relative importance, we may suggest that be- ing more nearly aligned to the oft emphasized ‘'practical education” of our day, it is likely to enlist a deepening in- terest. We are persuaded, however, that to reach the full measure of usefulness, the laboratory must be more liber- ally supplied with the most modern and most approved ap- paratus. Your Committee make special mention of courses of instruction in the applications of psychology to education, which have been given under Professor Breese in Districts 20 and 27 of the City Schools, attended by forty-five students. It is surelv a matter of interest that so many of our teachers should seek this opportunity to pursue these lines of studv. It may be that a public recognition of this fact would en- courage others to pursue this or other helpful lines of study provided by the University. This articulation of the University with our District Schools in this particular, suggests the wider relation of the University to our school system by the proposed provision in an effective way for the systematic instruction of the teachers in the principles of pedagogy. It is not in our province as a Committee to present this matter in full form, but it having come within our purview, we say this word, and express the hope that the system may be carefully in- augurated with the least possible delay, and receive both the 9 financial and moral support to which a movement which seems to be so important to our Common School system is entitled. With the limited examinations we have had opportunity to make it will not be expected that the Committee will un- qualifiedly endorse recommendations suggested by the pro- fessors, but we are so impressed with their importance that we do earnestly commend them to your attention and to the careful consideration of the Board of Trustees. Respectfully submitted, John M. Walden, David Philipson, For the Committee. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HISTORY AND PO- LITICAL ECONOMY. Gen. B. R. Co wen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : The Committee on History and Political Econ- omy of the Board of Visitors, University of Cincinnati, met Professors Merrick Whitcomb and Frederick C. Hicks at the University building, and with them inspected the rooms, etc., used by the Departments of History and Political Econ- omy; the course of study, plan of lectures and methods of instructions in these departments were stated and explained to the Committee and much information furnished to it by them. The time that the Committee has, since its appointment, been able to give to a consideration of the subject assigned to it, has not been sufficient to enable it to make as full an investigation and report as it could wish ; but it submits the following, taken from reports made to the Committee, at its request, by Professors Whitcomb and Hicks. DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY — Enrollment, 350. Instruction. Courses. — This department at present af- fords for undergraduates 3 hours of Ancient History, 9 hours of Medieval and Modern European History, and 6 10 hours of American History per week. In addition to this 2 hours of European and 2 hours of American History are offered to graduate students. Instruction . Method. — The method of instruction in undergraduate courses is as follows: In the three-hour courses two lecture periods are given ; the classes, number- ing from 50 to 100 pupils, are then divided into quiz-sec- tions for purposes of recitation during the third period. T n these quiz-sections the assistant aids in conducting the recita- tions. In addition to the above, there is a weekly report, geographical or based on collateral reading, handed in by each pupil. Pupils’ grades are based upon (1) recitation, (2) reports, (3) examination. Teaching Force. — The teaching force consists of one full professor (Prof. Merrick Whitcomb), one instructor, (Dr. Cox) and one assistant (Miss Morrill). All are kept busy with the large number of pupils. Additions. — The instruction given in this department is perhaps ample, with this exception : that more attention should be devoted to English History. At present English History is alternated with Ancient History ; but this is open to the criticism that English History should be given every year. This might be accomplished by assigning Ancient History to the assistant; but in that case the salary of the assistant should be raised to $600. Books.— Books are as necessary to the Department of History as apparatus to the scientific departments, and in this particular the equipment of the department is as yet meagre. In order that pupils may be supplied with material for collateral reading, it is necessary that a library of dupli- cates should be supplied for each course, at the rate of one copy for four pupils. The regular library funds are not available for the purchase of duplicates and a special fund of $200 is needed for this purpose. Graduate Work. — The problem of equipping the library for graduate work in history is a very serious one. Students can not be attracted to our University for advanced study in history until our library facilities are brought up to a point of equipment which will compare favorably with that of other universities. During the past five years about $1,000 has been appropriated for the purpose of historical books. 11 Of this perhaps $500 has been devoted to books for graduate work. In order to concentrate forces, the greater part of this has been expended for books on the French Revolution; and the addition of $300 more would complete a fair equip- ment for this purpose. The next period to build up would be XIX. Century History. In English History the library lacks material for advanced study. The equipment is ex- pensive and could hardly be begun with less than $1,000. This can not be done in a day, but the above briefly indicates the system which the Committee suggests should be em- ployed in building up the graduate library. Illustration. — One serious need of the department is an electric lantern and slides. This addition to the means of instruction is a valuable one, and is used in most colleges and in progressive high-schools. A lantern and 400 slides could be furnished for about $200. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee suggests for your consideration, the advisability of a course of lectures on our Local History; perhaps extending it to include the Mississippi Valley. ECONOMICS. Instruction. — The courses in Economics in the Uni- versity of Cincinnati are arranged to give the student, first, an insight into the fundamental economic principles and into the economic development of society (Course 1, “Theory of Economics,” and Course 2, “Economic History”). This is followed by courses in the leading economic problems. Thus in 1905-1906, courses are offered in the “Relation of the .State to Industrial Activity (Socialism),” “Labor,” “Trusts” and “Transportation;” in 1906-1907, alternating with the former, there are courses in “Theory of Public Finance,” “Tariff” and “Money.” In addition to these, a course is offered for engineering students in “Theoretical and Applied Economics,” and a research course for grad- uates. Needs. — The needs of the Department of Economics are two-fold: (1) increased equipment in books and (2) an in- crease in the teaching force. Concerning the first of these, the Committee calls your attention to the fact that librarv equipment for economic 12 students comprises both the literature on the special subjects included therein, and also publications, which, while not strictly economic, contain the material for research. The latter, in fact, constitute the laboratory material for this department. For example, an investigation into the prop- erty tax in the United States calls for access to the revised statutes, legislative acts and finance reports of the United States and of the several commonwealths. Such books, while not strictly economic, are indispensable to the advanced stu- dent of economics. The University has made a fair start in supplying the Department of Economics with the requisite library equipment : its needs here are for such funds as will secure the current publications and add from time to time the research material described. The need most seriously felt in this department is the second referred to above, i. e., an increase in the teaching force, and that not in economics, but in the allied subjects of political science and sociology. The Committee need not dwell upon the value of these subjects for training for citi- zenship, nor upon the importance of providing such instruc- tion in the University of Cincinnati. Respectfully submitted, B. R. Cowen, Chas. B. Wilby, Geo. A. Thayer, Herbert Jenney, Committee. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: The Committee on Mathematics and Physics of the Board of Visitors of the University of Cincinnati beg to make a few suggestions for accomplishing the results sought for in this Department, The professors and instruc- tors are men of eminence in their field of study and research, and are doing all that can be done with the means at their 13 command, but the general growth of the University and the additional attendance in this Department of students taking mathematics, estimated to be not less than two hun- dred and fifty for the year 1905-06, render the employment of an additional instructor absolutely imperative. During the last five years the number of students has about doubled, while the number of instructors (three) has remained the same. In addition to this increase, there has grown up quite an extensive Post-Graduate Department. There are at present seven students taking this advanced work. It is this higher education and research work and the power to do original investigation which characterizes a university. The university that encourages nothing but the teaching of ele- mentary subjects is little better than a high school, and the universit} r is to be judged in particular by its additions to the sum total of human knowledge. To do this high grade of work, books containing the investigations of past and modern mathematicians are necessary for the library. These include the leading Mathematical Journals and the collected works of the various mathematicians. During the last five years only about $1,200 have been expended for such books for this Department, and most, if not all of that was ex- pended during the first three of those five years. It is essen- tial that the sum of about $1,000 shall be used to make the Mathematical Library a good working place for advanced students. By great care and economy the apparatus in the physical laboratory has been gathered together and kept in good condition, but the allowance for these purposes is in- adequate and should be materially increased. Respectfully submitted, Howard C. Hollister, Geo. B. Nicholson, For the Committee. 14 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: The Committee on Chemistry and Biology spent some time at the University attending lectures deliv- ered by the professors and their assistants; also, inspected the laboratories, class rooms and museums connected with above Departments. Professor Guyer, of the Department of Biology, indicated his most urgent need as follows : “In accordance with your suggestions, permit me to in- dicate one of the things most desired for our Department at present. This is a photo-micrographic apparatus complete with all lenses. We are in urgent need of such an outfit, and I see no way of providing for it out of our current funds. There are several of our students that need it badly in their advanced work, and furthermore* Mr. Benedict and I are very desirous of securing the use of such an instrument in preparing some illustrations for a text-book which we are preparing for publication.” Professor Evans, of the Department of Chemistry, de- scribes the needs of the Department as follows : “Laboratories of General and Analytical Chemistry. At present there are 60 desks in the General Laboratory, and there are water and gas mains beneath the floor for 29 more desks. These could be put in and equipped with the necessary gas, water pipes and sinks for about $^0. The 60 desks now used for freshmen could be made available for twice that number bv dividing the cupboard and drawer space in half. As the classes are divided into sec- tions, each student would have as much working space as at present, and would still have sufficient room for apparatus. The cost of dividing the desks would not be more than $60. The additional desks should be put in and the old desks divided this summer, as there were 70 students in General Chemistry this year, and there has been an increase in num- bers during the last few vears. It is proposed to use the new desks for Quantitive Analy- sis, as students in this subject are distributed through the 15 up and down stair laboratories, making- satisfactory instruc- tion difficult. More desks are necessary for the Organic Laboratory; this would necessitate changing the stairway connecting the first floor with the basement, as it projects out into the Or- ganic Laboratory, occupying valuable room. To do this and erect the new desks would require an expenditure of about $ 400 . The laboratory of Technical Chemistry requires desks and appliances such as a centrifugal, steam baths, a jack- eted kettle and devices for agitation. At present a small room is used for electrolytic work; it is too small and too poorly equipped. A large storage bat- tery, with small tanks for electrolysis, and more measuring instruments are badly needed for instruction and research along this line. In order to make it an efficient laboratory about $1,500 should be expended. The same room is now used for Physical Chemistry and Metallography, and while it hampers the work in both sub- jects, it must continue to be so used until more room is available for laboratories. More apparatus is needed for the work in Physical Chemistry, and the same may be said for the Metallographic Laboratory, which is now equipped with apparatus for polishing and making microphotographs of metals, but which needs additional furnaces and pyrome- ters, as well as a cabinet for the preservation of specimens; $250-$500 could be spent to advantage on this work. All of the advanced laboratories should be provided with blast and suction, and with hot as well as cold water. This would cause an expenditure of between $500 and $1,000. Owing to the steady increase in the number of students, and to the small appropriations which have been available, the stock of both apparatus and chemicals has been depleted, so that an appropriation of $5,000 is needed for the coming academic year. More money is needed for books, both journals and bound volumes. The number of courses now given in the Chemical De- partment requires so much time that but little research is possible, so that an additional instructor and a private assist- ant are badly needed.” 16 Based upon the amount of information it gleaned while seeing the professors and students actively at work, the Com- mittee feels that the interests of the University could no bet- ter be subserved than by affording the people at large oppor- tunities to enioy the same privileges. Respectfully, Alfred Springer, Chairman Committee on Chemistry and Biology , Wm. Worthington, For the Committee. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING DE- PARTMENT AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : The effects that a progressive university can have on the development and successful growth of a city, we believe, are deeper and more comprehensive than from any other institution. The influence of its scientific educa- tion is felt in sanitary conditions, both public and private; in the quality of its buildings and public works; in all branches of manufacture and industry, tending to put them in advance of other cities with up-to-date products and eco- nomical methods. This is a business proposition that no good citizen can overlook. The influence of its art and literature affect every walk of life, bringing permanent elevation and betterment. That Cincinnati has the foundation upon which to build one of the foremost universities in the country cannot be questioned by any one who has looked into the matter. It has an ideal location, an organization and management sec- ond to none, and in quality the present buildings seem to be all that could be desired. In quantity, however, the build- ings are wholly inadequate. After a thorough inspection we submit the following conditions which now exist and the necessity for immediate action on the part of all who have the interest of Cincinnati at heart will be apparent : 17 The Present Department of Civil Engineering has the following : 1 Office for Professor and Instructor ; next year they will need two. 2 Recitation Rooms, one holding 30 and one 20 students. As some of the courses now have 50 students, work must be duplicated, and valuable time lost, therefore another room seating 50 is needed. 1 Drawing Room, capacity 50. At times there are near- ly 100 students working in this room under several instruc- tors, and with these crowded conditions best results are im- possible. There is no provision at present for properly filing the drawings and they have to be folded and put in letter cases. Two more rooms of equal size are therefore needed for this department. The Cement Laboratory can accommodate 15 men. Next fall the class will number 45. The present machine for testing the tensile strength in this department is out of date and should be replaced with a modern Shot Machine. The Testing Laboratory is too small to hold machines at present in use and classes cannot properly observe the tests. Three times the present space is needed. The Room for Surveying Instruments will need double the capacity next year. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has but one office, one class room and one laboratory. There is urgent need of another class room and 2 drafting rooms. In the Laboratory there is not enough room for the present equipment, which is still quite incomplete, and part of this room has to be given to the Department of Electrical Engin- eering. The shops are crowded now and have no room for growth. The Department of Electrical Engineering has but one class room and is compelled to borrow much of its ap- paratus from the Department of Physics, and carry on its laboratory work in the Department of Engineering. It is sadly in need of larger quarters and more equipment. The Department of Chemical Engineering. Laboratory of General Chemistry has 60 desks and last year had 70 students. 18 i Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry is at present scattered. Some of the students being compelled to work up stairs and some down stairs, this, of course, is quite incon- venient. The Laboratory of Metallurgical and Technical Analysis is crowded by other departments. The Laboratory of Organic Chemistry has one-half as many desks as students and has no room for more desks. The Laboratory of Physical Chemistry occupies but one-half of a small room, the whole of which is too small for its needs. The Laboratory of Electro-Chemistry is less than one-half the size needed by the present classes. All of the above departments lack many modern conven- iences that are essential to the best results. There is an urgent need of reading rooms with books and current periodicals on the subjects studied. A professorship in Geology and Mineralogv should be established, and that our University has no departments in Architecture and Mining Engineering shows that we must take some action to stir up the necessary interest to make this essential growth possible. From the above we would report that the College of En- gineering should have a new building, which, with a proper allowance for growth, should be as large as McMicken Hall, with spaces left for wings like Cunningham and Hanna Halls. THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL. This braneh\ of the University offers the best possible preparation for those expecting to take up engineering in the University, but for those whose circumstances will not permit of a college education, it gives a start in life that no other training possibly can. At present there are 120 students crowded into 4 class rooms that should not be made to accommodate over 100. It is necessary to divide some of the classes into three sec- tions, in order to get in the necessary recitations, and hours that should be devoted to study in a quiet room have to be spent in the halls. 19 Chemical Laboratory which will accommodate 20 has to provide for 34. Physical Laboratory is entirely full. Biological Laboratory which will accommodate 18 has to provide for 60 in three classes. Manual Training Department, 26 benches and 22 wood lathes have to be used bv 60 students. There are 24 forges and 30 students. The Machine Shop has 13 machines with a class of 30 students. The above equipment, which it can be seen is en- tirely inadequate for the Technical School, is still more in- adequate for the Engineering Department of the University, who use this shop. The Drawing Room has immediate need for the accom- modation of 30 more students. The present course is three years, and in order to properly prepare for entrance into the University, the course should be four years. From the above it can be seen that if the present condi- tions are not relieved, our Cincinnati boys who desire this class of education that can be obtained in no other way, will have to be turned away from our Technical School. Robert Anderson, G. B. Nicholson, Jas. Wilson Bullock, A. O. Elzner, Geo. W. Kittredge. Committee of Visitation for the Engineering College and the Technical School of the University of Cincinnati. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : The Committee on the Library finds that one pressing need of the University is the regular acquisition of books from year to year. It is not so important to increase the number of books of general interest, for with these the library seems to be fairly supplied. The Committee refers 20 more to books which would be useful in the courses of in- struction now offered in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Engineering and in other courses which would be offered if the library material were available. Of the special libraries of the Colleges of Medicine and Law the Committee takes no cognizance, as all the work of those schools, it is pre- sumed, will be covered by the Visiting Committees especially assigned. At present the head of each department is hampered by the lack of the so-called source books — the raw material of history, philology and the sciences — in the conduct of the courses now offered, while the lack of such material makes it impossible to grant the wishes of students for more ad- vanced work. Members of the faculty represent that by the expenditure of modest sums each year such books could be obtained first for one line of study and then another, so that with time the library would be materially strengthened where it is now weak. But this would mean some continuity in the book purchasing policy. In the development of the higher university work it is imperative that yearly some additions should be made to the collection of books. During the last two years no money has been appropriated to this purpose from the University funds. The Committee recognizes with regret that the financial re- sources of the University are limited ; that after providing for salaries, sinking fund and annuity charges the balance of the income is hardly sufficient to pay the expenses of physical maintenance. In the purchase of books and periodicals the same rules do not apply as in the case of such a staple as coal. Each book and each periodical, to get the best terms, must be treat- ed as a separate article. It often happens that the publisher of a periodical makes a price to libraries which is lower than the price to the trade. Then some of the agencies which make a business of handling periodical subscriptions give better terms on some periodicals than do others. It is only by getting bids, as it were, on each separately that the best prices on periodicals can be obtained. The taking of sub- scriptions for periodicals is a business by itself and requires experience. The University Library, on account of the pres- ent rule requiring the awarding of the whole list of period- 21 icals to the lowest bidder, had to award the contract within a year to a firm entirely without knowledge of the business. After a delay of months and with no periodicals delivered the order was placed with a former agent. In the purchase of books much the same is true. Each book must be treated bv itself. One book may be cheaper in London than in New York ; another may be on sale in Edin- burgh for a few weeks for less than in London ; a New York dealer may offer at a low price the remainder of an edition ; there are bankrupt sales and auction sales, which must be watched for chances to get books below trade rates. Many subscription books after a year come on the market through second-hand dealers at prices which are only 25 or 50 per cent, of what they are first sold for. The librarian should have a free hand to take advantage of these opportunities to save money and not be limited to paying contract rates to one dealer. In all the sciences, history and sociology it is the practice to refer to the original records as printed in periodicals and not to the summaries given in text books. The prompt re- ceipt of periodicals as issued and the equally prompt binding of the volumes as these are completed are of prime imoort- ance. The binding of the books in a library should be going on constantly and by a binder knowing the requirements of the library as to styles for the different sets and classes of books and the necessarily hard usage which University books re- ceive. Bids are constantly sent in by competing binders, and there is no likelihood of excessive prices being paid. Funds are not so plentiful in libraries that Librarians are not con- stants on the watch for a chance to save pennies wherever possible. There is at present no cataloguing department in the Uni- versity Library, the last member of that department having resigned in January. The catalogue is reported by the Li- brarian to cover all the books belonging to the University in Van Wormer Hall, with the exception of the books on Mex- ico recently received as a gift from the estate of the late Dr. Gustav Bruhl. The Committee ventures to express the hope that at least one cataloguer can be employed at an early date 22 that this collection may be made available as well as the ac- cessions, which must needs be modest in number for some time to come. The catalogue does not, as yet, cover the books of the Historical and Philosophical Society. Respectfullv submitted, N. D. C. Hodges, Walter A. DeCamp, John F. Winslow, Committee on the Library. May 6, 1905. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BUILDINGS, GROUNDS AND GENERAL EQUIPMENT. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : After a tour through the present buildings it appeared that there seemed to be great possibilities for im- proving the basement rooms, and making the space very much more useful than at present. This could be accomplished very easily by the removal of some partitions and floors. In the attic there is a great deal of waste room that can be reclaimed for the uses of the UFuversity. This would re- quire the extension of the two main stairways, one story higher ; as the present approach to the attic is entirely in- adequate, it would also be well to provide an elevator, which at the same time would be useful for the other floors. The University needs a separate Engineering Building, Dormitories and a Gymnasium. The question of a location for the Engineering Building was casually discussed and the consensus of opinion seemed to be that it should be placed in the vicinity of Hanna Hall, but just where was not determined. Geo. M. Anderson, For the Committee. \ 23 REPORT OP COMMITTEE ON LAW DEPARTMENT. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir : The Committee on the “Law Department” of the Board of Visitors, University of Cincinnati, respectfully report as follows : It visited the class-rooms in which several subjects were presented, during lecture time ; found the method of instruc- tion that of the case system as pursued at Harvard ; the stu- dents were called upon by the professors to state each case covered by the lesson or lecture — both the facts and the point involved — and to decide whether the case was decided correctly on principle, what the principle was, the reason for the principle, and generally to apply themselves to the reason of the law involved in the case, rather than a mere recollection of what the law was. The students, as far as the Committee in the limited time it had heard their perform- ance, in response to the questions of the lecturer, seemed to indicate an intelligent knowledge on the subject. The work from the professor’s chair was clear and efficient. It found the building, lecture rooms, etc., clean and in good condition, with good light, and well arranged and adapted for the work ; and the Law Department can congrat- ulate itself on being so well housed and so conveniently located. It gave some attention to the library connected with the school and located in the Law School Building, but not so long an investigation as it might have wished. The Depart- ment has about seven or eight thousand volumes, mostly the result of gifts ; it has the Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New York reports, and a fair set of English reports, both law and chancery. It has, of course, the Ohio reports and all the subsidiary reports of Ohio courts. It also has the United States Supreme Court reports and the Federal Reporter. The Committee under- stands from Dean Rogers that the Department has, so far, been able to keep up the reports above mentioned by buying the volumes from year to year as they a^oear. The set of Ohio laws is not complete ; naturally the breaks being as to the earlier years. The Department has not, and needs, stat- 24 utes of states other than Ohio, preferably those of Michi- gan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, from which probably most of the students outside of Ohio come. The Department ought to have digests of the reports of those states, and also of Massachusetts and New York; also the annual volumes of the American Digests. The Department has also the West series of reports, the Atlantic, the Pacific, the North Eastern, etc., but there are breaks in some of all of these sets of reports, say eight or ten in each, which ought to be supplied. The Department has also a limited supply of text books, but most of them are outgrown. Considerable care ought to be exercised in the purchase of text books. They are expensive, and some are antiquated, and some nearly worthless. Some additions ought, however, to be made. In short, the Committee found the library a good start for a working library suited to the needs of the student. It would not take much money to perfect it and make it much more valuable, but in the expenditure of that money and the selection of what additions should be made, there ought to be a more careful and detailed examination and checking up of the contents of the library than your Committee has been able to make. The Librarian reports that the Department has on hand the following sets of reports, namely : United States Report. Federal Reporter.. California Reports. Connecticut Reports. Illinois Reports. Indiana Reports. Iowa Reports. Kansas Reports. Kentucky Reports. Maine Reports. Massachusetts Reports. Michigan Reports. New Jersey Law Reports. New Jersey Equity Reports. New York Reports. Ohio State Reports. 25 Pennsylvania State Reports. Nebraska Reports (three volumes only). Tennessee Reports. Virginia Reports. West Virginia Reports. Wisconsin Reports. In the National Reporter System the volumes missing in each set are as follows : Northwestern Reporter, Volumes 69 to 82 inclusive. Southeastern Reporter, Volumes 21 to 35 inclusive. Southern Reporter, Volumes 21 to 27 inclusive. Atlantic Reporter, Volumes 36 to 45 inclusive. Northeastern Reporter, Volumes 45 to 56 inclusive. Southwestern Reporter, Volumes 37 to 56 inclusive. Pacific Reporter, Volumes 47 to 60 inclusive. The Department has no recent statutes of any of the states excepting Ohio. There are no recent digests of any of the state reports excepting those of Ohio. There are many recent text books in connection with the subjects taught in the course which should be placed in the library if the De- partment possessed a fund large enough to cover these needs. In these comments on the library we have not considered its ownership. Upon the whole, the impression left upon the Commit- tee was very favorable as to the excellence of the school, both as regards its building and plant, the efficiency and de- votion of its professors and instructors, and the interest, in- telligence and progress shown by the students in their work. Respectfully submitted, Edward J. Dempsey, Wm. Worthington, Joseph Wilby, Herbert Jenney, Committee. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. Gen. B. R. Cowen, Chairman Board of Visitors : Dear Sir: The Committee on the Medical Department of the Board of Visitors, University of Cincinnati, has vis- 26 ited the College Building on McMicken avenue, and in com- pany with Dr. P. S. Conner, the Dean, and Dr. Albert V. Phelps, the Secretary of the Faculty, examined the building and the recitation rooms very thoroughly and full informa- tion was given to it in regard to the course of instruction, etc. The Committee found the building admirably arranged and lighted, and, so far as it was able to judge, well adapted to the purposes of the College, and the course of lectures well arranged. It is not necessary for us to call your at- tention to the great ability and enviable reputation of the professors and instructors of this College, as they are as well known to you as to the Committee. Suffice it to say that it seems to the Committee the curriculum has been admirably arranged and thoroughly presented. From what the Committee could learn and from obser- vation, it seems that a new and more effective heating ap- paratus is needed in the building. Respectfully submitted, Herbert Jenney, Charles B. Wilby, Alfred Springer, For the Committee. 27 On the evening of Wednesday , June seventh , members of the Board of Visitors were enter - tained at the residence of Major Frank J. Jones , Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Cincinnati . Reports of the several committees were read , and a co7nmittee , consist- ing of Mr . Joseph Wilby , Mr . Robert Ramsey and the secretary was aj>f>ointed to collate and summarize the reports and present the same to the Board of Directors of the University . 28 \ r UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI 7 he University comprises the following Departments: L The Graduate School* IL The College of Liberal Arts. IIL The College for Teachers* IV* The College of Engineering* (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering 1 ). V. The College of Law. (The Cincinnati Law School). VI* The College of Medicine* (Medical College of Ohio). VII* The Technical School* (A Manual Training High School). VIII* The Department of Clinical Medicine* (The Clinical and Pathological School of the Cincinnati Hospital). For catalogue, announcements of the various depart- ments, and further information address The Secretary, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio*