AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL EN HNEERS, an association organized 5 Nov. ,852, in the city of New York, its object being he professional improvement of its members, he encouragement of social intercourse among nen of practical science, the advancement of !ngineering in its several branches, and of architecture, and the establishment of a central )Dint of reference and union for its members. kmong the means to be employed for attaining hese ends are periodical meetings for the reading of professional papers and the discus ;ion of scientific subjects, the foundation of a library, the collection of maps, drawings and nodels, and the publication of such parts of the proceedings as may be deemed expedient.
The early life of the society was a struggle for existence and it was not until 1867 that the Drganization had a permanent headquarters and began its work in earnest. The first publication was the address of President James P. Kirk wood, delivered 4 Dec. 1867, and printed in Vol. I of 'Transactions' bearing date of 1872. The first annual convention was held in New York 16 June 1869, 55 members being present. The second and third conventions were also held in New York, but the fourth was held in Chicago and the annual conventions are now held at widely separated points. In 1869 the membership of the society was 160; the mem bership in 1916 was about 8,000. The society has a splendid library of over 85,000 volumes, thoroughly classified and indexed and which is kept up to date by new additions. A monthly publication of Proceedings is issued in which are printed the professional papers in advance of their presentation at the semi-monthly meet ings. These with all the discussion to
which they give rise, are subsequently printed in 'Transactions,' two and sometimes three volumes of which are issued annually. The society owns its house at 220 West 57th Street and has no debt.
The organization is in .no sense a local one, and it has 15 local associations of its members, located in the larger cities of the United States. Its membership is made up of practitioners en gaged in all branches of civil engineering, the broadest interpretation of that term being used. From the beginning, admission to its privileges has been dependent solely upon professional experience and personal character.
That the society is beneficial to the profes sion is evidenced by the eagerness with which membership in it is sought. The reasons for this are apparent, inasmuch as among its objects are to assist the young engineer professionally during the earlier years of his career, and, when he has proved himself worthy, to stamp him as one qualified to direct °the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man.° That its influence is far-reaching is shown by the fact that it has members in 51 of the 54 subdivisions of the United States, as well as in 46 foreign countries. This foreign membership, constitutes 9/2 per cent of the total list.