experience of the men to be employed upon the work, and should critically examine the character of both progress and final reports furnished him. He may also properly demand information as to the time of the men employed upon the job.

The method of payment by tons inspected is satisfactory, with a knowledge as to the quality of inspection; but if the Engineer is doubtful as to the character of the work that is to be done, he may arrange his terms on a basis of cost of the actual time of the men employed on the work, plus a percentage or a fixed allowance per ton to the Inspecting Engineers for organization and supervision. It is difficult to fix a proper charge per ton to cover all sizes, kinds, and locations of work which would be economical to the client and fair to the Inspecting Engineer. The latter may properly make a profit from the favorable combination of his work at rolling mills and manufacturing shops, and from the saving of time and traveling expenses, and at the same time, under proper arrangement and knowledge of these conditions, give the client the benefit of any economy arising from these propitious circumstances.

Some Engineers, solely with the false thought of economy in the cost of a structure, omit to specify inspection, or bow to the wish of an owner who may consider the inspection an unnecessary expense, without having any conception of either the details of the service or its benefits. It is not inconceivable that an owner or Engineer who fails to provide for the supervision of manufacture may be held responsible for damage or loss of life resulting from any failure during erection or thereafter. The question may well be asked-What is the use of drawing plans, specifications, and contracts, unless steps are taken to determine that their requirements are being carried out?

Supervision of the manufacture of bridgework may be made by the direct employees of an Engineer or of a Railroad Company; and where this method may be considered, the question of economy as compared with the employment of Inspecting Engineers who make a specialty of such work becomes a factor. The reasons for the existence of the latter class are primarily that the manufacture of structural metalwork is conducted at various rolling mills and at one or more fabricating plants, is in progress at several points at the same time, and is frequently intermittent. If an Engineer uses his own forces for this work, it is essential that a number of men be employed; and there is, consequently, much waste of time and of traveling expenses. To meet this situation, the independent Inspecting Engineer establishes an organization of experienced men who are permanently located at the various manufacturing centers, and, by competent supervision of their work, makes use of their time simultaneously over a number of contracts, thereby tending to efficiency and economy. The overhead expense necessary  in  the  operation  and  supervision  of  inspection  for  any  single  contract  is  less  with  the  Inspecting  Engineers,   as  their  normal  expense
of  this  nature  is  distributed  over  a  volume of work.   The  efficiency