results of the tests at Watertown and the performance of the rail
in the track, will give us valuable data to aid us in coming to a
final conclusion."

A careful study of the results already obtained, on both Bessemer and
open-hearth steel rails, indicates that the next necessary step will be
the use of a much heavier rail, and I think the sooner this is admitted
and trial lots of say 1,000 tons each of 110-lb., 120-lb. and 130-lb.
rails rolled, of Bessemer and open-hearth steel, and put in service
under the most severe conditions, the sooner we will get rid of the
present difficulties with our rails.

WM. R. WEBSTER.


"SPECIFICATIONS FOR STEEL RAILS.[E]

[Sidenote: Process of manufacture.]

"1. The entire process of manufacture shall be in accordance with
the best current state of the art.

"(_a_) Ingots shall be kept in a vertical position until ready to be
rolled, or until the metal in the interior has had time to solidify.

"(_b_) Bled ingots shall not be used.

[Sidenote: Chemical composition.]

"2. The chemical composition of the steel from which the rails are