Scamping Tricks and Odd Knowledge Occasionally Practised upon Public Works

"Scamping Tricks and Odd Knowledge Occasionally Practised upon Public Works" by John Newman is a late 19th-century manual that explores the sneaky tactics used by subcontractors and workers to cut costs and boost efficiency on public works projects, often blurring ethical lines. Drawing from his civil engineering background, the author presents stories and observations about bending the rules of project design and construction for extra gain. The story starts with a seasoned contractor and his colleague recalling their past endeavors and the inventive, sometimes questionable, approaches they used. This conversation establishes an informal atmosphere while underscoring the conflict between doing things right and the temptation to take shortcuts in engineering. As the story progresses, the story goes into technical discussions on construction methods. The subjects discussed include different varieties of piles, with their screw piles, timber piles, detailing their benefits and problems—suggesting a mix of hands-on advice and moral reflection that continues throughout the book.