Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-12
ONE SCIENTIST SORE.


The Threatened Downfall of the Geological
Survey Excites Irony In a Piffsburg
Geologisi-Mr. Ashburner Asserts and
Shows Its Benefits to Citizens.
The department of the State Geological
Survey is threatened with abolition because,
so it is asserted, its maintenance is a drain
upon the State Treasury. Recent dispatches
from Harrisburg indicate that more than
usual interest is being taken in the work
and publications on that account. There
are quite number of members in the Legis-
lature who regard the Geological Survey as
an ornamental institution, and of but little
practical value to the material interests of the
State. A reporter called on Mr.. c. A. Ash
burner yesterday for his views. He said:
IF any intelligent citizen should make
careful inquiry as to the character of survey
work. he would never question its practical
utility. When the survey was started in 1874
the annual production of bituminious coal in
Pennsylvania west of the Allegheny mountains
was only 13, 900 tons, and of anthracite coal
east of the mountains 20,0O0,0O0. In 1888 the
bituminous production had increased to l9,OOO,-
00O and the anthracite to 81 900 tons, whereas
for 1888 estimate the bituminous production
at 32000.0O0 and the anthracite at 4,0O0, O0O
tons. In 1880 Pennsylvania produced 225o,OOo
tons of pig iron, and in 1888 $3.50 900 tons.
Much of this marvellous development of the
mineral resources of the State is due to the
natural growth of the country, but the mineral
growth Of Pennsylvania during the past 10
years increased in very much greater proper
tion than that of any other sections OF the
country. This has been due largely to the
work of the survey, because it has shown the
people where the best mineral deposits lie; 1t
has represented the true value of its mineral
lands, and thus encouraged their development
and inspired the confidence of capitalists,
Il remember just on the eve of the publica-
counties, large tract of land presumably con-
tanning valuable coal BEDS was about to be
decided in New York for $500. 200. When my
report report appeared the prospective purchasers
worthless. Developments during the last ten
years have shown that was correct. but the
owners took the matter to Harrisburg, and at
tempted to defeat the next appropriation.
The whole matter was exposed by the
survey and the work continued. know of an
other case where retired member of the State
Senate, who always supported the Survey
bill, bought tract of land in his own county,
which had always been considered worthless.
conglomerate land. When the Survey report
claimed it contained valuable coal it was
The State Senator: however, bought
sleo, 900.
1.-The work is done for the information of
citizens. According to the United States Coal
sulting from the work of the Survey would pay
many times over the expense incurred.
1.-THE work itself has only cost $685. and
the reports about $500, 600. But for the latter
sum the Legislature is solely responsible. The
reports were used to make votes, and supply
secondhand bookstores, which it was never in
tended to secure.
"You might as we'll stop coal mining, drilling
OF oil and gas wells mining OF iron ore, quar-
Eying of limestone, as stop the Geological
Survey"