15 



W. S. Pope, president Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, Detroit, Mich.: 



It is plain that such invcsti},':itious can ho thoronglily and auth(nitativcly made only by the Oonpral novornniPiit, 

 :iiiil as every citizen is more or loss interested, it seoms an eminently proper branch ol' novcin nlal wuik. 



Horace Andrews, city engineer, Albany, N. Y. : 

 I can urge the utility of such tests with gioat couHdence, and can see no way in wliich a complete series of tests 

 can be made without Government aid. Data as to the strength of mot.ils are more easily obtained by private enter- 

 jirise and necessity, but no exhaustive experiments on the strength of American timber cau be expeclod from private 

 sources. 



Cliaiincey Ives, chief engineer Cumberland Valley Eailroad, Chambersburg, Pa.: 

 Tlio tests should be made of full-sized pieces as used in bridges and buildings, and this can only he done by tlie 

 (iovcrnment, as no private individual or individuals could afford the expense. The result of such investigations would 

 be of the greatest advantage to all classes of citizens, as well as to engineers, architoits, railway companies, etc. 

 Charles M. Jervis, president and engineer Berlin Iron Bridge Company, East Berlin, Conn.: 

 The field is so large that no private party cau furnish the means to conduct the investigation in regard to the 

 l>hysical properties of American timber, and as it is of the greatest importance to engineers and architects th.it the 

 work he continued, we request that you will urge upon Congress the advisability ot making an extra appropriation 

 for this piiri)ose. 



M. L. Holman, Am. Soc. C. E.; Am. Soc. M. E., etc., St. Louis, Mo.: 



A complete investigation should be made and the results formulated for the use of architects and engineers. As 

 this work cau be carried on by the United States Government only, I have the honor to request that you will endeavor 

 to have the investigation continued and the results published. 



^VilIiam Cain, professor of engineering and mathematics, University of Korth CaroUna, Chapel 

 HQl, N. C: 



I regard these tests as the most valuable to the engineer that could be undertaken at this time. Tests on iron and 

 steel are counted by the thousand; but very few satisfactory tests have been made on timber, nor probably wUl be, 

 until the Government steps in and makes an exhaustive investigation. 



(8) Public money could hardly he expended for a better object, or for one so likely to secure 

 vahiable results. 



Walter Katte, chief engineer New York Central and Hudson Eiver Eailroad Company, New 

 York; Am. Soc. C. E., M. I. C. E., Great Britain; M. West'n Soc. C. E.: 



I think there can be but one opinion in regard to the very great importance of such investigations as are con- 

 templated, and of their immense benefit and usefulness to all parties, and especially to those engaged in the use of 

 timber for manufacturing and constructive purposes. Personally, I would be very glad indeed to see these labors 

 completed at the earliest possible date, in order that the valuable information derived from them may be furnished 

 for use at the earliest possible time. I can hardly conceive of an expenditure of public money for a better object, or 

 for one so likely to return the most valuable results, in which such a largo proportion of the citizens of this country 

 are directly and financially interested. 



C. C. Martin, chief engineer ajid superintendent New York and Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, 

 N. Y.: 



Tests have been made, from time to time, which possess some value, but nothing to compare with the complete 

 series that Mr. Fernow proposes. In my judgment, no better use could be made of money than in ascertaining the 

 ))hysical qualities of American timbers. The building and engineering industries would be immensely benefitted 

 tliereby. The plan laid out is an excellent one. 



James Christie, Am. Soc. C. E.; Am. Soc. Mech'l Engrs.; A. A. A. S., Pencoyd, Pa.: 

 The growing scarcity and increased cost of our timbers render it important that their use should be governed 

 by a more accurate knowledge of their physical properties than that which has been heretofore possessed. Increased 

 knowledge of the subject will tend to prevent much misapplication and waste of valuable materi.al. If Congress 

 can be prevailed upon for liber.al aid, I am sure its action wUl be fully appreciated and it will be a crowning act for 

 the present honored atlministraticm. 



C. L. Strobel, chief engineer Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburg, Pa., Chicago, HI. : 

 The determination of the strength and other qualities of timber, with reference to its use in constructions, is 

 preiiminently a Government work, .md I think that the meaas at the disposal of the Government can not be put to a 

 more useful purpose. Private enterjjrise is not interested to any great degree in doing such work, as the public will 

 receive the principal benefit, in greater security to life and limb and in greater economy. Such tests as have been 

 made are incomplete, and the proportions adopted by different engineers vary widely. Considerable discussion and 

 dilierence of ojiiuiou has only recently l)eeu evolved in connection with the unit strains to be allowed for the wood 

 constructions of the World's Fair buildings. While many engineers, in the ligiil of future investigation, will prob- 

 ably be found to err on the safe side, no doubt others will be shovvu to have erred in the other direction. 



