In this respect a direct heating system using steam has a material advantage, as it is seldom needed until a few hours before starting time and rarely through the entire day.

In case of accidents to the machinery driving the pump a bad feature presents itself, as it is necessary to use steam in the circulating pipes instead of water. This is almost sure to cause trouble if the pockets or drops in the lines are not properly drained, as the entrapped condensation will cause hammering with innumerable leaks and frequently split some large fitting,

Particular attention should be always given to installations of this kind to arrange the pipes with the same pitch and draining facilties that would be required if high pressure steam was used.

The excessive number and size of pipes required in this system is quite a detriment in plants where space on walls or ceilings is limited and lighting capacity not the best.

For a plant consisting of many buildings scattered, and at some distance from the boilers, the hot water system is admirably adapted. If the heaters are large and well installed where little or no heat can be lost by radiation, with direct steam condensation returned to boilers at little or no expense, and with a pump operated economically, nearly all the heat taken from the boilers can be made good use of and a service provided unattainable by any other means.

The first cost of the different systems varies greatly and depends somewhat upon local conditions, but usually the steam equipment is much cheaper than either the blower or hot water system.

It appears quite evident that no one system possesses all the advantages or can fulfill the requirements in every case, and that where one would be of excellent service another would fall far short of giving satisfaction.

In any plant of considerable size and devoted to many different processes, it usually occurs that in some departments or buildings one particular type is better adapted and will give much better results than any other; it seems sensible, therefore, in considering heating facilties for such a plant to abandon the idea of employing one system alone.

The consequences arising from inefficient or inadequate heating service in a textile mill, even for a few hours at a time, are too well known to need any comment, other than to emphasize the importance in any system, of having heaters, pipes, and in fact everything connected therewith of ample size and capacity, thus enabling them to meet any reasonable call for extra duty.

The PRESIDENT.

Has any one any questions to ask on this paper? If not we are ready to hear the report of the Committee on Ballots.

The following report was submitted to the Secretary.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

To The National Association of Cotton Manufacturers:

"The committee appointed to collect and count the ballots for officers for the ensuing year report that fifty ballots have been cast, all of them being for each of the following named candidates:.

PRESIDENT.

CHARLES T. PLUNKETT, ADAMS, MASS.

VICE PRESIDENTS.

GEORGE OTIS DRAPER, HOPEDALE, MASS.
FRANKLIN W. HOBBS, BOSTON, MASS.

DIRECTORS FOR THREE YEARS.

ROBERT BEATTY, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
FREDERICK A. FLATHER, LOWELL, MASS.
JOSEPH MERRIAM, MIDDLETOWN, CONN.

DIRECTOR FOR ONE YEAR.

DAVID S. JOHNSTON, COHOES, N. Y.

Respectfully submitted,

W. W. CROSBY,
JOSEPH P. BATTLES.

The PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, you have heard the report of the committee; I declare these officers elected. It gives me much regret that Mr. PLUNKETT is not here to be initiated into office. I only wish to bespeak for him the same hearty cooperation that I have received both from your organization as such and from the Board of Government. I thank you for your courtesies and co-operation. If there is nothing further to be said I declare this meeting adjourned.

The meeting thereupon at 4.35 P. M. adjourned.

Attest:

C. J. H. WOODBURY,

Secretary.