Correspondence between Henry Marion Howe, professor of metallurgy in the Department of Metallurgy at Columbia University, and the president and secretary of the University. Topics related to the department include: facilities, laboratories, equipment and supplies, expenditures, budgeting, finances, gifts to the department, faculty appointments, staffing needs, and faculty affairs. Also, correspondence regarding Howe's appointment and professional activities. Includes an abstract of a paper on technical education at Columbia which was presented by Howe to the Association of American Universities in January, 1904