but since the several modifications in the arrangement for this work were introduced, the operation of the system has been not merely satisfactory, but has given results in advance of any other method of driving a printing machine.

In the electric lighting station of the works an Edison lighting dynamo with a separate exciter is used for generating a current to drive a motor which was placed on the unused portion, next to the rail, of the mezzanine floor, or what is known. in the printing room as the "platform." It is entirely controlled by a hand wheel and switch at the front of the printing machine. This device has had a practical trial of eighteen months' duration, with the most satisfactory results. By its uniformity in rotation the cloth is printed at very much greater speed than with the steam engines in the same room. The driving is under absolute control. The cloth can be moved at will for a short distance, as an inch, if necessary. There is an absolute gradation of speed from one velocity to another, and that without any shock. These changes are so uniform that the doctor never cuts into the copper roll. The speed can be kept uniform at any desired velocity, and the machine can be stopped and started by anybody working at it. In its operation it does not require the exercise of any technical skill.

I have alluded to the maximum speed as being much greater than with any other method of driving printing machines. The uniformity of its motion can be seen by anyone watching the machine, particularly in the absence of the chattering of the gears. All printing machines are necessarily still for changing of rolls and other purposes a portion of the time, but the whole production of this machine is over thirty-three and one-third per cent. greater than that of the machines driven by steam. When it is considered that

a print works plant is worth more than $50,000 per machine, the value of a device which will increase the out-put onethird is sufficient to introduce radical change in this lir manufacturing.

Mr. DUNNELL stated to me that his experience as shown by this trial has revealed such facts in regard to the capacity and capability of the electrical transmission of power for print works, that, if one were to begin anew the construction of such works, he should advise, instead of the numerous steam engines about the premises, the generation of all the power at a central source, and its transmission throughout the establishment by electricity.

This use of motors for the operation of printing machines is the first practical instance of its kind, and its adoption and persistent and faithful trial confirms the enterprise of Mr. DUNNELL, and also reflects great credit upon the practical skill of Mr. SYDNEY B. PAINE, the manager of the mill power department of the General Electric Company, notwithstanding that his modesty prompts him to disclaim the whole solution of the problem in which he was the moving spirit, and ask for due credit to his able coadjutors.

The whole tendency of later invention in regard to electric motors appears to be in the successful use of large motors. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad are to use three one hundred and twenty ton electric locomotives for carrying the trains in the tunnels under the city of Baltimore, being able in that manner to perform the same service in traction as with the largest locomotives, and without producing any smoke to interfere with the air in the tunnel. In connection with these locomotives is a supplementary motor, which produces an air pressure for the air brakes and also for the whistle.

The advantages of electrical transmission of power are largely those of the relation of the position of the machinery with the motive power of the establishment. Each room is entirely independent from other rooms, and any motor is always ready for service as long as the machinery from which it derives its electricity is in operation.

The PRESIDENT. If there is nothing further to be said on this subject, we will pass to the next topic, "Metallic rolls; have they come to stay?" by Mr. H. L. PRATT of Lewiston, Me.

METALLIC DRAWING ROLLS.

BY MR. H. L. PRATT, LEWISTON, ME.

There probably has been no one thing in the economy of cotton manufacture more ardently desired than an efficient substitute for the leather-covered drawing roll.

This roll remains in practically the same state as when invented by ARKWRIGHT in 1767, and, aside from the shell roll, is perhaps the only thing about the mill which has not been improved upon. The attempts to improve it have been many, so many, in fact, as to lead a large number of mill men to declare the roll incapable of improvement. This belief I myself shared to a certain extent until visited in August, 1891, by a representative of the Metallic Drawing Roll Company of Indian Orchard, Mass., who proposed to fit up and put in operation as many rolls as I desired, for a four months' trial. Feeling quite confident that the rolls had some merit, because several years ago I had experimented with fluted rolls, but had omitted an essential part, the collars, which I now at once saw would be of great advantage, I gave an order for five sets of railway rolls and twelve deliveries of drawing. The railway heads and drawing frames into which these rolls were put comprised one section of one of our card rooms, consequently there was no difficulty in keeping their product separate.

As soon as the new rolls were started we immediately noticed an improvement at the railway head, the tendency to

lap up having almost entirely disappeared. There was a great increase in the amount of dirt and leaf removed from the sliver.

The railway heads were the Biddeford pattern, five rolls. The weight attached to the rolls was reduced one-third, speed of front railway roll being 529 revolutions; diameter, 13 inches; weight of sliver, 69 grains per yard; draft, 5.12.

The drawing frame was made by the Whitin Machine Works, their late pattern, but without coilers, four-roll frame, and double four into one; draft, 4.87; speed of front roll, 318 revolutions; weight of sliver, 55 grains per yard.

Here at the drawing frame the weights attached to rolls were also reduced one-third, the amount of dirt and leaf extracted from the sliver was very noticeable, there was less lapping up of the rolls, and the product was increased about 25 per cent.

The drawing thus made from these metallic rolls was passed through the subsequent processes of slubber, intermediate and fly frames in the ordinary way. The roving was marked differently, so as to distinguish it from the regular work. This roving was put into a certain number of spinning frames and carefully watched during a period of three months, and sizings and breaking strength of the yarn noted each day. The average number of the yarn was 26.97, and the average breaking strength was 73.47 pounds. The yarn tested from the metallic rolls showed it to be 13 per cent. evener, and the breaking strength 4 per cent. stronger, than that from the leather-covered rolls.

THE SYSTEM DESCRIBED.

A brief description of the rolls will furnish to those not familiar with them a clue to the reasons why they do better work than the ordinary rolls. Referring to the drawings here shown, it will at once be noticed that the rolls are practically gears. They are provided with collars shown at A, A,