THE KANSAS CITY BRIDGE. 119

Superintendents of departments.............. from $200 to $250 per month.
Foremen blacksmiths, carpenters, and laborers. “ 3 75 “ 5 00 per day.
Blacksmiths... 0... ccc cece eee etee eee eee “« 350" 375 “
Helpers... . 2... cece ce cece cee cece ee eeeeeeee « 250° 27 “
Carpenters . 2... .veese teens sees sce re shoe « 300" 325 *
Stone-cutters and masons.............6- eee “« 450" 550 *
PasOTGIS 6 2 ewes ee or meee eee hy sa ole enw « 200" 225 *
Pile-drivers and boatmen..............e0 ees “ 225" 250 *

The following were the leading prices of materials :

Oak timber and plank. ...........0scceceseeeeeceeees $35 to $40 per M. B. M.
Pine lumber, ... 22... 0 ccce cece ce cece cece seeeeseesee 45“ 60 “ s
Cotton-wood lumber ...... 2... ce cece ete eee eens 20“ 25 « se

Piles, oak, elm, and sycamore...........--.040. »+++. 15 cts. to 25 cts. per foot.
Bar iVOn. ... ee ce cect eee eee ee eens 4,“ © 42 yer Ib.
Cast iron, to Order... .... cece cee eee cee e eee 6° “8 « &
Bolts, and miscellaneous iron work...............+06. 6“ “15 « “
Hydraulic coment..........ccseccecccceeeneeceeeees $3 25 “ $3 75 per bbl.
gee pie On ee ee ee eee 200 “ 2 50 perce. yd.

Upon looking back over the methods adopted for founding each pier, and
the general plans which were carried out, the engineers see no reason to alter
their judgment of the appropriateness of each to the particular location selected.
Yet they are conscious of many possible changes and improvements in the details
which would have materially hastened and cheapened the work.

Thus, at Pier No. 1, it would still be wished to sink a bottomless caisson,
protected by a water deadener, and lay bare the rock; but a yielding cushion
fastened to the lower edge, would probably enable the making of a water-tight
joint with much less time and expense.

At Pier No. 2, it is still thought judicious to found in one mass, and to
make the current perform the excavation ; but the device alluded to above, and
the hanging of the false bottom lower down, would probably have avoided the
cone of sand which remained on the rock, causing great delay and expense ;
and it might have been possible to lay bare the rock.

At Piers Nos. 3 and 5, greater weight given to the caissons would
undoubtedly have hastened their descent, and lessened the amount of the
excavation.

At Pier No. 4, the most expensive of all, the plans would not be materially