12 



Samuel M. Gray, consiilting engineer, Providence, R. I.: 



The gcueral practical value of the results of these tests to all eagineers and mechanics using timber for con- 

 struction of different works can not be overestimated. 



OberUn Sn.itL, Am. Soc. 0. E.; Am. Soc. MecW. E.; Am. I. M. E.; Bridgeton, ^. J.: 

 I think I only a<.ree with the great majority of practical engineers in beUeving that this is a subject of vast 

 importance ti the industries of the country, as knowledge obtained in such a systematic and thorough manner ,s of 

 nfinSy more value, as well as very much cheaper, than can be the results of haphazard expernnents by md.vuluals^ 

 i ho, e UaTthe Congressional committee in charge of the matter may be brought to see of how great -"-au-- 

 are expei^e^ts of this kind, and that they should be made in the most thorough manner possible that their results 

 m^y settle once for all man^ puzzling questions that afflict the engineer a« well as the manufacturer, merchant, 

 and user of all kinds of timber in every form. 



B T. Morse, civil engineer and arcMtect, inspector of buildings, Cleveland, Ohio: 

 Such investigations, examinations, and tests as are proposed to be made by the Forestry Division o.' th. 

 Department of Agriculture will be, in my judgment, of great value to architects, engineers, builders, and the 

 public generally. 



A. Fteley, cliief engineer aqueduct commission ; vice-president Am. Soc. C. E., New York City , 

 The engineering and other building professions are very mu,;h in need of the tests of timber, and an appro- 

 priation to that end would, in my judgment, be useful and timely. 



W. L. Cowles, chief engineer Youngstown Bridge Company, Youugstown, Ohio: 

 There can be no doubt that this work wiU be of the greatest practical benefit to all parties engaged in occupa- 

 tions which involve the use of timber, and it is very important that our knowledge of the properties of different 

 timbers should be as thorough as possible. We trust that increased appropriations may be secured to engage In 

 this work. 



H. V. Hincliley, ofUce engineer, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Eailroad Co., Topeka, Kans.: 

 If these tests are carried on as suggested, they can not fail to bo of vast benefit to the engineering profession, to 

 the bridge and building fraternity, and to railroads especially. I heartily recommend the tests for your hearty 

 cooperation. 



J. A. L. WaddeU, constructing bridge engineer, Kansas City, Mo. : 



I indorse most heartily the action taken by the Department of Agriculture in this matter. The results of the 

 proposed tests, in my opinion, would be of incalculable value to the members of the engineering profession, as well 

 as to many others. 



C6J The worJc is of greatest practical benefit andits importance can not be overestimated. 



John MacLeod, constructing engineer, Am. Soc. C. E., Louisville, Ky. : 



As an engineer in active practice of general constructive work, and representing a large clientage whose 

 interests will be greatly affected by the investigations and tests being made by the General Government as to the 

 physical properties of American timbers, I beg to be allowed to express my appreciation of the gre.at value of this 

 work to all who have to do with timber in any of its multifarious forms, of the admirable organization and methods 

 for carrying on the investigations, and of the ability and special qualifications of the gentlemen selected for the 

 work which is a guaranty that it will be exhaustive and the results reliable. Scientific investigations and tests 

 of American timber are a national need, second only in importance to similar tests of iron and steel, and there is a 

 growing want in every department of construction of the information that these investig.ations will develop, and 

 nothing should be allowed to retard the work. 



Thomas Eodd, chief engineer Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, Pa. . 



Such investigations would be of the greatest value not only to engineers, architects, and builders, but to all 

 users of timber and to the public generally. I understand that the work has been started with but limited 

 appropriations, but I trust that you will see your way clear to arrange for its prosecution with greater energy, to 

 the end that some final rcsxilts may be reached at as early a day as possible. From the character of the work a certain 

 leun-tli of time must elapse before getting such results, but unless carried on without interruption a great deal of 

 what is already achieved will be lost, besides putting off the day when this valuable information wiU be disseminated. 



P. C. Eicketts, professor mechanics, Eensselaer Poly. Inst.; M. Am. Soc. C. E., Troy, N. Y.: 



I write to express my opinion as to the very great value of this work to the people generally. Such experiments 

 necessarily can not be carried on by private individuals, and the results obtained far exceed in value any outlay 

 that might be necessary in making the determinations. I hope that the work will be pushed forward to a rapid 

 completion. 



E. H. Thtirston, director Schools of Mech. Eng. and Mech. Arts, Cornell TJniver,sity: 



This work is regarded, I am sure, by all engaged either in scientific or commercial work, in which the nature, 

 properties, and constructive values of our timber trees are a matter of consequence, as one of the most important and 



