way bridges have fallen. So low is that state that, even when given all the metal they could use and a big price for same, it is doubtful whether a single one of them could evolve a structure scientifically designed throughout.

Decidedly, nothing can be done for highway-bridge building through county commissioners, because they are both too ignorant and too corrupt. Nothing but the strong arm of the law will ever reach them; and the only way to force them to build even decently strong structures is to make county commissioners criminally liable for all injuries to persons and pecuniarily liable for all injuries to property due to failures of county bridges built during their tenure of office. Of course, if the commissioners could prove that they had taken all possible precautions by having the structure designed by a specialist of established reputation, built by a good manufacturing company, and inspected by first-class inspectors during both manufacture and erection, they would be able to relieve themselves from the responsibility; but if they were to do all this no bridge failure could occur, or at least the chances for such occurrence would be extremely small. Some such method as this for placing the responsibility for bridge disasters upon county commissioners will be established by law some day, perhaps in the not very distant future; and the sooner the better.

As matters stand now, each new bridge horror stirs up the indignation of the populace, which vows that this time the guilty parties shall be brought to punishment; but the investigation generally drags, personal influence is brought to bear, money is often used judiciously, and the result is that nobody is held responsible, and the disaster is soon forgotten.

If each state were to adopt standard specifications for highway bridges, and if there were a proper officer appointed to see that the counties live up to them, much good would be accomplished.

The second edition of the author's pamphlet on highway bridges is now exhausted, but no third edition will be issued, for the reason that le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle. There will be given, however, in Chapters XVI, XVII, and XVIII