M. H. Rogers, chief engineer, Denver and Eio Grande Eailway Company, Denver, Colo. 



When the fact is considered that the information published on this subject at present, even in our most advanced 

 works ou engineering, is very meager and unsatisfactory, more especially since such tests as have been made are 

 with reference to the superior specimens of the different species of woods and that a great many of our native timbers 

 are omitted altogether, but little further argiunent is needed to show the advisaliility of such investigations by 

 the Department. Since the work will be conducted by experts under the directiou of the Government, the results 

 will bo most satisfactory and becouio an invaluable standard for engineers and others in the construction of all 

 works wherein wood forms an important part. 



J. D. Hawks, chief engineer, Michigan Central Eailroad Company, Detroit, Mich. : 



I have been engaged for twenty years on various railroads in the United States and Canada, and during that 

 time have found a great lack of reliable iulormation about timber. Questions are continually arising as to the 

 lastiniT qualities and the strength of dift'erent timbers. I know from the numerous inquiries from railroad ollicera 

 that others are bothered by this lack of precise information. • • » It is a very expensive matter for us to bo com- 

 pelled to learn the facts as to strength and lasting qualities of all these timbers by experience. If the Government 

 would undertake these tests for the people it would be a very great assistance, not only to the railroads, but to other 

 users of timber, as well as those who have timber to sell. 



L. L. Randolph, engineer of tests, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, Baltimore, Md. : 



The information which exists upon this subject is extremely meager, being made up from the incomplete work 

 of a number of different investigators, who have been hampered by lack of means from going into the subject as 

 deeply as they wished and the importance of the subject demamds. We are using in many cases more timber than 

 should be used, on account of a lack of knowledge of its strength and other properties, and in some cases are ruuning 

 risks which should not be taken, relying on incomplete investigations. The investigations made by the Board 

 appointed to test iron and steel have been so very valuable to the engineers of the country that it has sho\Tn all the 

 very great necessity for similar work on timber. 



H. S. Jacoby, professor of graphics and bridge engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. : 



I was interested quite recently in a brief description, in one of the engineering papers, of the series of tests 

 which your Department has inaugurated relative to the strength of American timbers. In my class work in struc- 

 tural detaUs 1 am constantly reminded of the very meager knowledge concerning the strength of even a few species 

 of woods that is now available in the designing of wooden structures. Such investigations made with special care, 

 ou an extensive plan, are essential to economy in design. 



J. C. Bland, Am. Soc. C. E., consulting engineer, Colorado Springs, Colo. : 



I beg to s.ay that the value to the engineering public, the railways, and the public at large will in my judgment 

 be incalculable. Your intention to extend the tests to full-sized pieces as used in bridge construction is partic- 

 ularly admirable, such results being meager at present, as indeed are even reliable tests on small-sized speci- 

 men pieces ; also your purpose of determining the influence of continued services on pieces of bridge constructi(m of 

 known length of service, will, when carried out, put us in possession of highly valuable data now confined to the 

 very few who have had opportunity to make such observations. It is not hard to see how this point affects the 

 safety of the traveling public. In this part of the country we are compelled to use Oregon Fir for our best 

 wooden bridges and trestles, the native pine being deiicient in transverse strength, as well as short-lived, and cou- 

 cernin" neither timber do we know much in a scientific way. Oak as a rule behaves badly in this climate; hence 

 your purpose to determine "how far do climatic and soil conditions influence quality" is auother point from which 

 I expect valuable information. I can not state forcibly enough the very great value which I think such work as 

 you intend undertaking will have. 



James Dunn, chief engineer, Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 Railroad Company, Topeka, Kans. : 

 The knowledge of the physical properties of American timber is very limited, particularly as refers to timber of the 

 same variety growing in different localities and under different conditions, and the result of the tests wiU be of very 

 great value to engineers, architects, and builders. 



F. C. Osborn, chief engineer. King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio : 

 I wish to urge upon you the importance of this investigation both in regard to consumers of timber and to engi- 

 neering profession as well. * " * The data that are at present at hand in regardtostreugth of American timbers 

 in various positions, are very meager, and the large amount of timber used in connection with structures of impor- 

 tance makes it very desirable that some satisfactory results should be arrived at in regard to the strength of the same. 



F. W. Skinner, Am. Soc. C. E., New York City: 

 There is a great scarcity of such data available for engineers, and as a bridge engineer I heartily appreciate its 

 value and hope that it will be fuUy supported. 



ThePhcenix Bridge Company, engineers andbuilders of bridges, viaducts, etc., Phcenixville, Pa.: 



We hope that these investigations may be continued until we have complete data in regard to the timbers used in 

 construction. At present this information is very meager and the investigation \iudortaken by the Departnuuit of 

 Agriculture will be watched with great interest. In the line of bridge construction the information secured by tLcso 

 tests will be particularly valuable. 



