Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-07

lands by leveeS iSnot only excessively expensiva
out entirely Inadequate, and il has been further
shown that ii is practicable To redeem these
lands by the storage OF the waters Rut If
the excess Of waters can be used for Irrigation
a double purpose viii be accomplished, and IL
the relief thus obtained is Qlantit9tfyely insufi
cient, thorough Investigation OF the subject
should be made, for the purpose OF determining
what additional measures can be adopted that
VIII be efficient and economic.
Again, In the arid region OF the United States
Which is more than four -tenthS OF the whole
area as has been stated, but a comparatfyely
small portion can be redeemed by irrigation.
ana what remains is not OF much value. II is
considering the wants OF the country in the
main, bountifuiy supplied with timber, but the
timber is not distributed on or adiaceM to the
agricultural landS il is found on the high pla-
teaus and mountains, where climatic conditions
make agriculture impossible. Between the ele-
Vated timber regions and the irrieable lands
adjacent TO the streams are broad stretches OF
PLAIN, valley, hill and mountain lands, valuable
10 some extent for grazing purposes These
nDySical characteristics Of the country demand
iurtner investigation, and the classification OF
Tue l;tn0S W.tne public domain now involved In
The laws relating thereto must necessarily in
the immediate future be somewhat enlarged
Inc greater part OF the remaining public do
main is in the far west The Immediate incen-
tiveS to its settlement are the mines of nrerjous
metals found in its mountains. II is a region
OF vast and iDeXhauStfble wealth. and gold.
silver, cinna6ar, copper. lead, iron and coal
abound. In the state Of Arkansas and the gulf
states east OF the Mississippi river where im-
portant portions OF the public domain are found
the mountains are great repositories of mineral
wealth.. In all OF these regions a geological
survey is necessary, not only TO the proper ati-
mlnistration nf the Land Office, but IL is OF vast
Importance and of great value TO the general
government and 10 the people of the United
states by properly exhibiting the character and
extent of our mineral resources
REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED SURVEY.
BY way of summary. Ma j0r Powell gives the
IolloWinS as reasons for the proposed surveys:
First, To secure an accurate parcelling or the
pubic lands and enduring boundary lines: sec
ond, Tor the proper administration of the laws
relating To their public lands: third for a cor
rect and fun knowledge OF the agricultural aud
mineral resources OF the land: and fourth, Tor
all purposes of abstract science. These con-
Sderati0nS are. it is thought. ample TO secure
from the national legislature all necessary
financial endowment for the prosecution of the
surveys since il appears that Congress has ever
favored such research when il is properly re
lated 10 the Industries of the people It Is
shown in support Of this opinion that the di-
rect appropriations made for great national
works involving scientific research amount 10
more than eight and one-half millions annu-
ally: aud including Indirect appropriations the
amount exceeds ten million dollars. But as
economic considerations In addition TO the
CLAIMS OF abstract science are necessary for
national support geographical ana geo.
logical survey TO be permanent, vigorous
and efficient should include the survey
OF The public lands and be subsidiary thereto
The cost OF land surveys up to this time has
been at therate of something more than $50 per
square mile. Major Powell estimates that ali
necessary geologic surveys, including the par
ceiling Of lands, could be made within the ey-
pense now Incurred for the land surveys The
physical conditions Of the western half OF the
nlted states are favorable TO inexpensive geo.
graphical and geological work. and there Is no
need here, as In Europe, Of those elaborate sur
VeyS, the object OF which is to prepare detailed
charts OF the whole domain viewed as series of
possible battle fields. In considering researches
in branches OF science which il is advisable for
government 20 sustain and endorse in cOnnec-
ton With the surveys. Major Powell argues that
zoology and botany should be aided only in a linz
lted way and for narrow and special purposes,
holding that such patronage Is not necessary to
stimulate these researches and tends TO injure
rather than benefit the sciences in question
But ethnOlogic researches or Investigations re
lating TO the North American Indians should he
fostered by the government. The work is OF
great magnitude. the subjects OF study are
remote from the centeIS of civilization
and culture. and thus inaccessible TO the
great body OF American scholars. and the field
o1 research is speedily narrowing because OF the
rapid changes in the Indian population now in
progress. All habits. customs and opinions are
fading away. even languages are disappca ing.
and In very few years it will be impossible 10
stuoy our North American Indians in their
prlmluEe condition except from recorded his
tory. stress is also laid upon the importance ot
The knowledge obtained by these researches 10
The proper administration of Indian affairs and
The solution OF the Indian problem As to what
supervision these researches can be best placed
under 10 secure wisdom and efficiency in thclI
prosecution, Major Powell suggests that the
Smithsonian institution has accomplished more
ia t1at direction than any OF all other AGENCIES