Samuel Blatchford

“ In regard to the view adopted by the court of claims, that the claimants have no right to rely on the testimony of experts introduced by them, but should have kept and produced accounts of the cost and expense of the work, we are of opinion that the claimants cannot be deprived of reasonable compensation for the work they did because the evidence they produce as to the proper amount of such compensation is not of the character referred to, when it does not appear that such evidence ever existed. ”

“ If they produce the best evidence which is accessible to them, and it enables the court to arrive at a proper conclusion, that is sufficient. We think such evidence is found in the estimate made by Mr. Abbott. Taking as correct the statement made by the court of claims as to the work done by the claimants and the defendants, respectively, in constructing coffer-dams, in pumping, in excavating, and in preparing the beds for the masonry, we arrive at these results, as to the work done by the claimants: They made the coffer-dam at Davenport abutment ”

“ Abbott says that his estimates 'are based upon cost of mat....................................erial and labor, and intended to cover cost alone;' that 40 per cent. is a 'reasonable per cent. of advance for contingencies and profits;' and that, with unusual floods in the river, 40 per cent. ”