294 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Mr. Robinson did not submit a written report or proposition to 

 do the work, but in a verbal statement offered to perpare the neces- 

 sary plans and make the necessary written report for the sum of 

 $2,000, the department to make the survey and do all the engin- 

 eering work. However, Mr. Robinson let it be understood that he 

 could not, or would not, give the proposition his personal super- 

 vision from the standpoint of being on the grounds. 



Mr. Ramsdell, representing Mr. Manning, submitted his propo- 

 sition in writing as follows: 



Mr. J. C. Simpson, 



Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, 



Des Moines, Iowa. 



Dear Sir.- — "We will undertake the commission for plans for your entire 

 proposition for $2,300. Please understand that this will be the entire 

 cost to your board, for the following named plans, for all our charges 

 for time, traveling expenses and fees for advice. On Mr. Manning's part, 

 I should ask him to go over the ground after the survey is well started, 

 and it would be well, too, to arrange on that date a conference of your 

 board. On my part, I should expect to confer with your board as many 

 times as the necessities of the work demanded, to spend time on the 

 ground to see that the plan and grades fitted the ground and conditions, 

 and such time in either Des Moines or in this office to perfect the plans as 

 far as possible. I should probably not have charge of the survey my- 

 self, as I have commissions here during the spring which take some of 

 my time, and this survey would probably be a matter of some weeks. 

 However, it would be in charge of one of our engineers, who is compe- 

 tent to do the entire survey without attention from any one. Of course, 

 I usually make my own surveys too, and if this should come at the be- 

 ginning of summer or winter, the time when my active work is not so 

 pressing, I would be glad to make this as well. 



As for the plans, first would be an accurate topographical survey, of 

 character to suit conditions, and to leave permanent record of it, to fit 

 the proposed improvements after completion of the plan. The ground 

 plan would be on the same scale, 100 feet to the inch, and would show in 

 details all improvements which we deem best for permanent results, as 

 well as the consideration of all suggestions coming from your board. Then 

 an engineering plan of the same would be necessary, showing all details 

 of grading, drainage, elevation of floors of buildings, and other ground 

 construction. To properly show off the plan and design we would want 

 to give you a perspective of the grounds as improved from the best view 

 point, and in such color as would allow reproduction by photograph for 

 public use. Lastly we would give you a small scale drawing in heavy 

 line for reproduction, half tone or otherwise, corresponding to the im- 

 portance of this work to your state at large. It would be similar in char- 

 acter to the drawing left with you of the present campus of the Univer- 

 sity of Minnesota. 



