are to be employed between the ends of adjacent stringers at all expansion points. Where such stringers are used, the lower lateral system must invariably consist of rigid sections, each piece being riveted to each stringer where it crosses the same.

In respect to stiffening angles for stringers, the rules governing those for plate-girder spans are to be followed; but the end stiffeners are to be faced or otherwise treated so as to make the stringers of exact length throughout, and so as to effect a uniform bearing of the end stiffeners against the webs of the cross-girders.

In respect to the proportioning of flanges and number of rivets required, the rules given for plate-girder spans are to apply also to stringers. The said rules are to apply to cross-girders, as shall also those relating to stiffeners, splices, coverplates, and size of compression-flanges, that are given for plate-girder spans. Wherever it is necessary to notch out the corners of the cross-girders to clear the chords, the greatest care must be taken to provide an adequate means for transferring the shear to the posts without impairing either the strength or the rigidity. If necessary, in through-bridges, the web of the cross-girder may be divided into three parts so as to let the end portions project above the top flange and form brackets that will afford opportunity for using an ample number of rivets to connect to the posts, and will strengthen properly the otherwise weakened cross-girder.

All plates, angles, and channels used in built members of trusses must, if practicable, be ordered the full length of the member; otherwise the splices must develop the full strength of the member without any reliance being placed on the abutting ends for carrying compression.

But in total splices at the ends of sections perfect abutting of the dressed ends is to be relied upon. However, the splice-plates even there must be of ample size and strength for both rigidity and continuity.

The unsupported width of plates strained in compression, measuring between centre lines of rivets, shall not exceed thirty-two (32) times their thickness,  except in the case of