The author would therefore suggest to the reader that he peruse this chapter carefully more than once before proceeding to the next.

Principle I.

Simplicity is one of the highest attributes of good designing.

It is generally by means of a wide experience only that the young bridge engineer learns the truth of this assertion; but the older he grows and the more knowledge he acquires the more convinced does he become that simplicity, not only in design, but also in methods of execution of work, is one of the most important desiderata.

Other things being equal, that design which is the most simple, or contains the fewest parts, or involves the easiest connections, is the one which will be preferred by competent judges.

Principle II.

"The easiest way's the best."

Although this principle was not enunciated originally in relation to structural metal-work, it nevertheless applies to it just as well, for the most successful engineer is he who in a given time can accomplish in a satisfactory manner the greatest amount of work.

This he can do only by the use of every labor-saving device of real value, by systematizing to the greatest practicable extent all that he does, and by making a thorough study of true economy of time and labor.

Principle III.

The systemization of all that one does in connection with his professional work is one of the most important steps that can be taken towards the attainment of success.

Nor is this by any means all that can be said in favor of establishing a thorough system of doing work; because, in the first place,  such a system enables one to accomplish a great