The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-11
TESTS OF TIMBER.
How to Prove Its Strength and
Durability.
TEST LABORATORY WANTED.
Government Bulletin Giving Results
Forthcoming-An Opportunity to
Extend the Market.

John Lamb, a civil engineer who for
merry had considerable experience in rail-
road work in the East, has just received
the following letter from the assistant Sec
rotary of the agricultural department at
Washington City, replying to an inquiry
regarding the result of a series Of tests the
department proposed making with Wash
lngton timber:
In reply to your query regarding the test
work in the forestry division, have to inform
you that the results obtained on large series OF
investigations with long leaf pine will be pub
lished next, and it is expected that the bulletin
can be issued within the next two months. un-
fortu nately the appropriations for this work
have not been sufficient TO extend tho field OF
operations as had been contemplated. The
department recognizes the need OF such
work on the timbers of the Pacific coast. but in
order to do the work as thoroughly as 1t is con-
templated, it would be necessary to establish
test laboratory somewhere near the region OF
supply, for which, so lar, funds could not be
obtained.
If you will interest yourself in this matter
with the delegation from your state, il might
be possible to extend the work which is now
forced to be carried on in q small way.
Speaking with reference to the import
ance of the matter, Mr.. Lamb said:
About a year ago a circular letter from the de-
partment OF agriculture was addressed to the
leading engineers and timber construction COM
pantes throughout the country inQuIring as to
the desrability OF an elaborate investigation
into the strength of American timbers The
responses are printed in bulletin No. g. OF the
forestry division, together with a chapter on
the ''Scope and Historical Development OF the
Science of Timber Physics" aud an explanation
of the Organization and Methods OF the Tim
bal - 81 ~
De iring to know how far, ii at all, these In
vestigatons had been prosecuted in the case OF
timber-growing in Washington, some three
weeks since l addressed a letter to the agri-
cultural department., making the necessary in
quiries. The letter I received was in reply to
these inquiries
1t seems TO me that this is a matter of suffi-
Gent Importance to deserve the attention OF all
persons who are interested in securing market
for Washington timber. know, from personal
experience, how difficult it was, as far back as
twelve years ago. to get pieces of timber long
and clear enough for bridge purposes in Wis
consin. Michigan and Minnesota. There is no
doubt in my mind that a compari-
son OF Washington fir, as to strength,
with Eastern and Southern pines. will show a
decided advantage in favor of the former. 1t
would be well if in connection with the timber
dis play at the Worlds exposition, the results of
scientific tests could be shown also. Never will
there be a better opportunity to show what this
state can do in supplying timber OF the first
quality for heavy timber construction. There
can be no doubt that the great bridge and build
ing companies, and railroads, will have experts
at the exposition to take nots of materials and
processes which they can use to advantage in
their lines of business
1t would seem that the superior strength and
quality of the Pacific coast timhers should be
made thoroughly known at the forthcoming
convention of the worlds intelligence and
progress. Would il not be we'll for parties feel
ing an interest in this matter to urge upon the
Washington delegation in congress the neces-
sity OF prompt aud energetic action to secure an
appropriation for the prosecution OF timber
tests on this Coast, under the plan as arranged
by the department of agriculture?