and only requires that its limitations be observed, and that the
designer be as conscientious and consistent in detailing as though he
were designing in steel.

This paper deserves attention, and it is hoped that each point therein
will receive full and free discussion, but its main purport is a plea
for simplicity, consistency, and conservatism in design, with which the
writer is heartily in accord.


S. BENT RUSSELL, M. AM. SOC. C. E. (by letter).--The author has given
expression in a forcible way to feelings possessed no doubt by many
careful designers in the field in question. The paper will serve a
useful purpose in making somewhat clearer the limitations of reinforced
concrete, and may tend to bring about a more economical use of
reinforcing material.

It is safe to say that in steel bridges, as they were designed in the
beginning, weakness was to be found in the connections and details,
rather than in the principal members. In the modern advanced practice of
bridge design the details will be found to have some excess of strength
over the principal members. It is probable that the design of reinforced
concrete structures will take the same general course, and that progress
will be made toward safety in minor details and economy in principal
bars.

Many of the author's points appear to be well taken, especially the
first, the third, and the eighth.

In regard to shear bars, if it is assumed that vertical or inclined bars